Blank Rome advises clients on the most complex and delicate trade controls and tariffs enforcement matters. As businesses worldwide face an unparalleled surge in enforcement activity, our dedicated Trade Enforcement team was created to prevent and address the growing risks of government investigations involving trade controls, sanctions, customs fraud involving tariffs, financial crimes, maritime regulations, and false claims. Investigations are multiplying, penalties are escalating, and regulatory frameworks are becoming more stringent. Government agencies are also pledging a stronger commitment to corporate enforcement.
Recognizing these trends, Blank Rome’s dedicated team will help clients navigate the multifaceted legal challenges that arise in this evolving landscape. Our team offers an integrated, strategic approach to legal support. Through the collaboration of our International Trade, White Collar Defense & Investigations, Government Contracts, and Maritime groups, including highly ranked practitioners, former U.S. government officials, and congressional investigations counsel, combined with our global reach, Blank Rome adeptly navigates the most complex issues in this rapidly evolving enforcement landscape. We leverage our deep experience to manage both ongoing and potential government investigations. Our goal is to ensure our clients are fully equipped to prevent, detect, and respond to trade-related violations.
How We Can Help
Client-Centric Solutions: At Blank Rome, we understand that navigating trade enforcement challenges requires more than legal experience—it demands strategic insight and global perspective. Our Trade Enforcement team is committed to delivering tailored advice and support to clients operating both domestically and internationally. We excel in facilitating voluntary disclosures, conducting thorough internal investigations, and defending against enforcement actions. Our experience spans a wide range of industries, including automotive, aviation, construction, consumer products, aerospace and defense, advanced and emerging technologies, financial services, healthcare, logistics, and pharmaceuticals, with sector-specific guidance for every client.
Global Reach: With a strong presence in Washington, D.C.; New York City; and other strategic locations, and an extensive international network, our team is excellent at managing the intricacies of global trade, financial crime, maritime trade, and false claims enforcement. We cultivate strong relationships with regulatory agencies and foreign embassies, enabling us to provide comprehensive, effective representation.
Our team’s experience includes handling an array of complex matters, including:
Sanctions & Export/Import Controls
Businesses with international operations face unprecedented risks related to sanctions and export control enforcement. These issues are often urgent and complex, requiring timely, practical guidance to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
Our team assists with preparing and submitting voluntary disclosures to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”), Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”), and Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”), and represents clients in matters involving subpoenas, investigations, and enforcement proceedings. Given the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, we stay ahead of legal and policy developments to keep our clients informed and prepared. Our goal is to help clients navigate these challenges effectively, ensuring continued compliance and operational success.
Maritime
Shipping remains the cornerstone of global trade, with over 90 percent of U.S. imports arriving through seaports. As a result, maritime laws and regulations have a direct or indirect impact on virtually every business. Today, the industry is at a pivotal juncture, shaped by expanding global trade, rising fuel costs, ongoing environmental regulation, overcapacity in the industry, the prospects for autonomous shipping, and escalating cyber threats.
With shipping lawyers in New York; Washington, D.C.; Houston; Philadelphia; and Boston, Blank Rome boasts the largest and most comprehensive maritime practice in the United States. Our team delivers a unique combination of regulatory, legislative, defense, and commercial counsel tailored to the complex needs of the shipping industry. Our attorneys have played a central role in many of the most significant maritime and pollution incidents of the past century, such as the M/V DALI/Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse, USS John McCain/Alnic MC, Aris T, El Faro, Amoco Cadiz, Athos I, Cosco Busan, Deepwater Horizon, Exxon Valdez, San Jacinto, Morris J. Berman, Torrey Canyon, and Amazon Venture.
Our team assists clients in navigating a wide range of international, federal, and state regulatory requirements including:
- Jones Act and coastwise compliance;
- Sanctions advice and counseling;
- Maritime environmental compliance and training;
- Internal and grand jury investigations;
- Administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement actions;
- Risk mitigation strategies related to pollution incidents; and
- Other administrative and legislative solutions.
Trade Litigation
Our team provides strategic guidance and legal representation for all types of investigations worldwide, spanning numerous industries. Beyond active investigations, we assist clients with internal analysis to help reduce the risk of trade litigation and limit liability if a dispute occurs.
Clients benefit from our integrated, experienced team, which delivers comprehensive support for both litigation defense and risk prevention on a global scale. We have represented clients in matters including:
- Antidumping
- Countervailing duties
- Tariff fraud and customs fraud cases, such as:
- Undervaluing imported goods
- Misclassifying type of goods
- Misrepresenting or falsifying country of origin (also known as transshipment)
White Collar Defense & Investigations
Businesses often encounter challenges during routine operations that may lead to allegations of fraud and abuse. Addressing these matters requires experienced counsel who understands the legal implications and can seek resolutions aligned with their clients’ business objectives. Blank Rome’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice brings extensive experience advising companies, boards of directors, senior executives, and individuals facing criminal charges, government investigations, congressional inquiries, whistleblower accusations, or self-reported misconduct.
Our White Collar Defense & Investigations team also helps clients develop and implement effective corporate compliance programs. This includes conducting internal investigations, compliance checks, and tailored audits of internal controls to meet each organization’s needs.
False Claims Act Enforcement & Defense
Blank Rome’s False Claims Act (“FCA”) team is renowned for its robust defense strategies and successful litigation outcomes. Our attorneys have deep experience in high-stakes FCA matters, providing strategic counsel and assertive representation to protect our clients’ interests.
We leverage insights of former federal prosecutors and collaborate across the firm’s government contracts, investigations, and white collar defense teams to offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. This integrated strategy has earned our industry team accolades and a reputation for excellence in defending against FCA allegations.
Government Contracts
Blank Rome’s Government Contracts attorneys bring deep knowledge of federal procurement regulations and trade compliance, helping you respond strategically to investigations, audits, or enforcement actions initiated by agencies like the Department of Justice, Customs Border Protection, or the Bureau of Industry and Security.
In cases where enforcement actions lead to penalties, suspensions, or debarments, Blank Rome’s attorneys work to challenge or mitigate these outcomes. They also help implement corrective measures and internal compliance programs to prevent future issues and maintain the company’s eligibility for federal contracts.
What Sets Us Apart
- Blank Rome’s White Collar Defense practice is recognized by Chambers USA as a Band 1 firm for White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations in New York, the highest ranking in Chambers.
- Blank Rome was recognized in the 2024 edition of the GIR 100, Global Investigations Review’s (“GIR”) annual guide to the world’s leading investigations practices. The GIR 100 features the best law firms and consultancies from around the world for sophisticated cross-border government-led and internal investigations.
- Legal 500 recommended the firm for Dispute Resolution: Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Corporates.
- Recognized as a “Firm to Watch” by Legal 500 for customs, export controls, and economic sanctions and for trade remedies and trade policy.
- Blank Rome’s International Trade practice is nationally and globally recognized by Chambers USA for Trade Remedies & Trade Policy.
- Blank Rome has received the Lloyd’s List “Excellence in Maritime Law Award,” recognizing our exemplary work and commitment to the shipping industry.
- Blank Rome is perennially ranked Band 1 for Nationwide Transportation Shipping Litigation and Nationwide Shipping Regulatory by Chambers USA.
- Recognized as a Top-Tier Firm by The Legal 500 United States in Shipping – Finance and Shipping – Litigation and Regulation.
- 2025 Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” named Blank Rome “Law Firm of the Year” in Maritime & Admiralty Law.
- Blank Rome was named the Transport – Shipping Firm of the Year in the 2024 Lexology Index Awards.
- Blank Rome’s Government Contracts practice has earned national and international recognition from leading publications and groups, including Chambers USA; Legal 500; Law360 Practice Group of the Year, MVP, and Rising Stars; Legal 500 Rising Stars; and The International Legal Alliance.
