Export Controls and Sanctions

Cassidy Levy Kent handles all export requirements for transfers of “dual-use” items as well as “defense articles and services” under applicable U.S. and Canadian laws. In the United States, these regulations are administered by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the U.S. State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), respectively.  In Canada, these export regulations are administered by the Export Controls Operations Division and the Sanctions Policy and Operations Coordination Division (PER) within Global Affairs Canada, the Controlled Goods Directorate of the Department of Public Works and Government Services, and the Canada Border Services Agency.

Our lawyers have extensive experience in providing sophisticated but practical advice and representation to clients in both high-technology and basic industries, in the defense contracting sector and elsewhere, and across the range of export/import controls laws and regulations. This work has included compliance counseling, licensing, jurisdictional assessments, and commodity classifications. We regularly assist clients in addressing export-control related due diligence issues in the context of acquisitions and other business transactions. We have also assisted a significant number of clients in filing non-compliance reports and in developing and implementing compliance programs in order to minimize enforcement exposure.

We also have experience successfully managing a wide range of enforcement proceedings — from voluntary self-disclosures to civil and criminal investigations.