Cristina Brayton-Lewis
White & Case LLPTrade lawyers at White & Case LLP are praised by clients as ‘instrumental in providing favorable solutions to import roadblocks’. Certainly the firm maintains an active customs and import compliance practice, which is keeping increasingly busy advising on supply chains and forced labor-related issues, alongside traditional customs areas such as duty regimes and tariff mitigation strategies. Trade litigator Jay Campbell is a key contact for customs work and recently teamed up with Walter Spak to represent numerous manufacturing clients in ongoing Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) investigations. International trade head David Bond and senior associate Jessica Lynd also handle customs matters. The team’s export controls and economic sanctions offering—co-led by Nicole Erb and Richard Burke—stands out for its expertise across a wide range of US and non-US sanctions and export control regimes, while it is also is well-placed to advise on Russia countermeasures. Among its recent highlights in the sanctions space, Cristina Brayton-Lewis paired up with regulatory litigator Claire DeLelle to successfully represent a cryptocurrency exchange in voluntary self-disclosure proceedings before OFAC regarding apparent violations of the Iran sanctions. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team provided not just regulatory guidance, but practical advice on how to address both compliance and governance matters. Lawyers were helpful in both addressing complicated compliance concerns, while also addressing future actions that would assist in increasing our overall compliance posture.’
‘Its export advice covered commodity jurisdiction, freight forwarders, ITAR licensing, voluntary disclosures, as well as helping to expedite a critical license.’
‘Earl Comstock helped to navigate a time critical license through Dept of Commerce that was crucial in response to world events. Jason Burgoyne was crucial in navigating an effective voluntary disclosure including responding to additional inquiries that resulted in closure without further action.’
‘Cristina Brayton-Lewis: has been our team lead and has done a great job determining the best team member to assist with our specific issues.’
‘We find White & Case to be extremely diversified in its knowledge and support. The team has a breadth and depth of trade practice that we find to be unmatched in our experience with other firms.’
‘Overall, we find the trade practice at White & Case to be knowledgeable, compassionate, and extremely responsive throughout our interactions. Jay Campbell is excellent at conveying complex legal issues into easy to understand concepts for the team.’
‘The staff has extensive knowledge of all aspects of import processes and DOC matters. They have been very instrumental in providing favorable solutions to import roadblocks. Due to their background, they have a very broad network of contacts that help bring solutions to the table.’
‘W&C is very well positioned to offer advice and insight on areas of international trade compliance and sanctions laws that are vague or unclear. This comes from its broad experience in the area as well as its ability to connect with key regulators to understand the intent behind the regulations.’
Key clients
- Mercedes-Benz
- Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA)
- Diamond Tools Technology
Work highlights
- Represented numerous manufacturing clients in ongoing EAPA investigations, including advising Diamond Tools Technology in one of the first contested cases under EAPA regarding diamond sawblades from Thailand.
- Successfully represented Mercedes-Benz in the sale of its Russian subsidiaries and withdrawal of operations from the Russian market.
- Advised a major cryptocurrency exchange in voluntary self-disclosure proceedings before OFAC regarding sanctions violations.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
David Bond, Nicole Erb