Baker McKenzie LLP

Forming a key part of its wider global trade compliance practice, Baker McKenzie LLP’s US trade group finds favor for its ‘inter-office collaboration’, which sources say brings ’valuable insights and solutions to clients engaging in global business operations’. This is particularly evident on the exports and economic sanctions side, where the team’s international platform marks it as a top choice to advise on overlapping multinational regulatory regimes and initiatives. Washington DC-based department co-head Janet Kim is recommended for her focus on outbound trade compliance issues, including sanctions, export control laws, investment restrictions and anti-corruption. Fellow practice co-head Alison Stafford Powell, based in Palo Alto, is a dual US- and England and Wales-qualified trade specialist; she represents clients in the full range of export controls and sanctions matters, including regulations administered by OFAC and the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Also noted for sanctions and export controls are Washington DC’s Kerry Contini; newly promoted partner Eunkyung Kim Shin, who is based in Chicago; and San Francisco-based senior counsel John McKenzie, whose broad practice spans sanctions, export controls and customs matters. The customs group also draws on Meredith DeMent, who handles the full range of customs compliance and duty mitigation strategies—she also contributes significant trade litigation expertise. In January 2024, the firm hired customs-focused senior counsel Chandri Navarro, who was formerly at Hogan Lovells US LLP.