Europe - Switzerland

Akin

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Akin regularly provide advice to governments and private sector clients on leveraging WTO rules to overcome market access barriers as well as providing support in designing frameworks that are WTO-compliant. The team not only handles WTO dispute settlement and trade policy and trade negotiations, but also has expertise in trade remedies, trade compliance, and national security and investment screening, Alan Yanovich, who heads the practice, is an ‘experienced lawyer’ with extensive knowledge of international trade and investment matters at the multilateral, regional, and bilateral levels. Jasper Helder’s clients rely on him to assist with developing and executing mitigation strategies for trade compliance. Other key team members include Stephen Kho, who handles matters related to trade policy and international dispute resolution, and Chiara Klaui, who advises clients on EU, Swiss and UK trade compliance and drafts and supports the implementation of policies and procedures.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Akin Gump's presence in Geneva gives them a particular advantage in comparison to other firms that have an international trade law practice. Having a presence facilitates the coordination with WTO members missions in Geneva.'
  • 'Akin Gump's practice in Geneva comprises lawyers with WTO law experience, including WTO dispute settlement procedures. Alan Yanovich's expertise in WTO law and practice gives them an additional advantage. He is an experienced lawyer, having even worked in the WTO appelate body and represented clients in several WTO cases.'
  • 'Alan Yanovich has a in-depth knowledge and quite high ability in understanding the client's needs. He comes up with innovative and useful ideas to help the clients.'
  • 'The practice is swift and greatly accessible. They are always responsive to any request and questions.'
  • 'Very strong WTO dispute and legal practices. Strong economic matter insights as well.'
  • 'Steve Kho and Alan Yanovich are the strongest in this field.'

Key clients

  • Eastman Chemical Company
  • Government of Costa Rica
  • Government of Japan
  • Government of Korea, Ministry of Trade, Economy and Industry (MOTIE)
  • Government of the United Arab Emirates
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM)
  • Ministry of Economy of the UAE
  • Mitsui & Co
  • Pfizer
  • Raytheon Technologies Corporation
  • United Parcel Service (UPS)

Work highlights

  • Advising Costa Rica regarding antidumping duties imposed on exports of steel bars to the Dominican Republic.
  • Retained by the UAE Ministry of Economy to provide legal and strategic advice as it embarked on a series of negotiations of free trade agreements with key trading partners.
  • Advising a company on trade compliance with EU, US and other sanctions, export controls and international trade regulations, including in relation to the Russia sanctions impact on global shipping operations and vessel chartering.

Lawyers

Leading individuals

Jasper Helder

Jasper Helder

Akin

Jasper Helder’s practice focuses on international trade and corporate compliance matters addressing economic sanctions, export controls, customs, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering. He also advises on other aspects of trade regulation, including customs matters, trade remedies, free trade agreements and rules of origin. Jasper frequently assists U.S. clients with their EU compliance issues, advising a range of multinationals on EU and U.N. sanctions compliance for countries such as Iran, Russia, Crimea, Venezuela, North Korea etc. and on the interaction between those restrictions and U.S. sanctions. Additionally, he provides advice on the interaction between EU and U.S. export control rules, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Jasper’s practice further comprises EU customs compliance, in particular, customs classification, including Binding Tariff Information, and customs valuation and transfer pricing. To learn more about Mr. Helder, please visit his full profile: https://www.akingump.com/en/lawyers-advisors/jasper-helder.html

Chiara Klaui

Chiara Klaui

Akin

Chiara Klaui is known for her pragmatic and to the point advice on EU trade compliance matters addressing anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, customs, export controls, foreign direct investment as well as economic sanctions.  She provides compliance trainings, conducts internal investigations, assists with voluntary self-disclosures, and develops internal compliance programs for clients in the aviation, commodities, cyber-surveillance, defense, industrial, investment funds, IT, leisure, offshore, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and shipping sector. To learn more about Ms. Klaui, please visit her full profile here: https://www.akingump.com/en/lawyers-advisors/chiara-klaui.html

Alan Yanovich

Alan Yanovich

Akin

Alan Yanovich advises foreign governments and multinational corporations on litigation of disputes before the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international dispute-resolution bodies; on international business and policy issues; and on legislation, regulation and interagency policy formation. To learn more about Mr. Yanovich, please visit his full profile: http://www.akingump.com/en/lawyers-advisors/alan-yanovich.html

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Alan Yanovich

Other key lawyers

Jasper Helder, Stephen Kho, Chiara Klaui