Department profile
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: Highly Regarded
USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide
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Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
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Work Highlights
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Ropes & Gray represented Nippon Steel Corporation in securing US government approval of its $14.1 billion acquisition of US Steel, which included navigation of the first-ever CFIUS de novo review and negotiation of a national security agreement with CFIUS. It successfully secured the first reversal of a CFIUS blocking order.
Strengths
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Ropes & Gray provides a rare combination of understanding the rules, explaining them in plain English and providing practical solutions to problems. The team provides great service and responsiveness. It is excellent.
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: Highly Regarded respondentUSAOne of Ropes & Gray's greatest strengths is the seamless integration of the CFIUS team with the broader deal practice, which ensures advice is not only technically sound but also aligned with business objectives. The team demonstrates strong familiarity with market dynamics, allowing it to anticipate issues and provide guidance that is forward-looking.
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: Highly Regarded respondentUSARopes & Gray’s strengths are its deep regulatory expertise, particularly with CFIUS and other sensitive government review processes, which is unmatched. The team's ability to manage cross-border transactions is exceptional and its client service and responsiveness set it apart. Its lawyers are proactive, solution-oriented and always available to tackle challenges.
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: Highly Regarded respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
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Band 4 
Band 4 Ama Adams
Ama Adams has a strong export controls and economic sanctions practice, and is also noted for her CFIUS expertise. Adams advises clients in a range of industries, including financial services, biotechnology, manufacturing and technology, among others. What sets her apart is her ability to combine deep substantive expertise across export controls, sanctions, anti-corruption and CFIUS with an intensely practical, business-focused approach.
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: Highly Regarded respondentUSAAma is good to work with; she is very practical and knowledgeable.
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: Highly Regarded respondentUSAAma is excellent to work with and has helped us resolve many specific and technical issues with ease.
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: Highly Regarded respondentUSA
Up and Coming 
Up and Coming Brendan C Hanifin
Brendan Hanifin routinely acts on regulatory and transactional trade matters for a variety of clients, including those in the energy, finance and life sciences industries. Brendan is very good. He is commercial, collegial and focused on how to get to a place that is understandable and implementable for clients.
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: Highly Regarded respondentUSABrendan is rapidly emerging as one of the most promising practitioners in the CFIUS space. His cross-disciplinary insight and deal-focused approach enable clients to navigate complex regulatory challenges with confidence.
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: Highly Regarded respondentUSABrendan is very technically knowledgeable, clear and he doesn't miss anything. He's attentive, sharp and often a step ahead.
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: Highly Regarded respondentUSA
Up and Coming 
Up and Coming Emerson Siegle
Emerson Siegle specializes in CFIUS-related matters, offering a client base that includes multinational corporations, private equity and venture capital firms experienced counsel on US regulations.
Emerson is incredibly responsive and provides very practical and risk-balanced advice.
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: Highly Regarded respondentUSAEmerson is a great calm and collected presence on calls and has very sound advice when we have questions.
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions: Highly Regarded respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Ropes & Gray LLP (4)
USA - Nationwide
Ama Adams
International Trade: CFIUS Experts
View profile Emerson Siegle
International Trade: CFIUS Experts
View profile Ama Adams
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions
View profile Brendan C Hanifin
International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions
View profile
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