About me

Address: Washington, D.C.: Robert S. Strauss Tower, 2001 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006-1037

Areas of Focus: International Trade; Export Controls; Customs & Import Controls; Antibribery/Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA); Pro Bono; Climate Change; National Security; Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS); National Security & Global Investigations; Tariff Enforcement Defense

Biography:
Tom advises clients on U.S. law and policy affecting international trade and business. These include export control laws, sanctions programs, customs law, anticorruption laws, antiboycott regulations and foreign investment in the United States.
Tom has deep regulatory experience and has helped clients successfully:
- Develop and implement compliance programs and strategies.
- Conduct internal reviews, audits and investigations.
- Prepare voluntary disclosures.
- Negotiate settlements with relevant agencies.
- Litigate trade-related cases before the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
- Draft license applications, ruling requests, protests, commodity jurisdiction requests, advisory opinion requests and other submissions to relevant agencies.
- Complete Focused Assessments and analyze the classification of items.

Representative Work:
- Assisted an international leader in the national security sector in internal investigations and corrective action related to potential diversion, unauthorized exports and re-exports and U.S. authorization management of sensitive hardware and technical data. Prepared and submitted voluntary disclosures to the U.S. State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
- Drafted export jurisdiction and classification logic flows reflecting hundreds of pages of recently updated International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EARs) for a U.S.-based aerospace and defense manufacturer. The logic flows, which are in use by the company, expedite and ensure the accuracy of its jurisdiction and classification process for hundreds of parts, components and technology related to significant end-items. The results were substantial improvements in both business processes and export compliance.
- Advised a satellite equipment manufacturer in a matter involving ITAR compliance, including the unauthorized involvement of foreign parties in foreign sales and servicing, as well as the payment of fees and commissions to sales representatives involving sales to a foreign government. Conducted an investigation and prepared voluntary disclosures to the U.S. State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
- Conducted in-depth internal investigations for a global propulsion and power generation manufacturer. The matter related to compliance with U.S. military and dual-use export controls, as well as the handling of ITAR technical data, including compliance with defense procurement and contracting regulations. Post-investigation, drafted and implemented improved internal compliance program and prepared and submitted voluntary disclosures to relevant U.S. authorities.
- Served as counsel to one of the largest financial institutions in the world in compliance matters related to U.S. antiboycott regulations in its operations around the world. Advised on a variety of antiboycott issues, including resolving complex conflict of laws issues in Malaysia and undertaking an investigation and voluntary self-disclosure that involved transactions related to Singapore, India and Egypt. Also represented the company in settlement negotiations related to a voluntary disclosure to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Credentials:
Education: J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1998; B.A., University of Michigan, 1991
Bar Admissions: District of Columbia, 1999; Maryland, 1999
Court Admissions: U.S.C.A., Federal Circuit, 2002; U.S. Court of International Trade, 1999

Recognitions:
- Chambers USA , Space, 2025-2026.
- Chambers USA , International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions, 2017-2026.
- Chambers Global , Leading Practitioner in International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions, 2017-2025.
- The Legal 500 US, International Trade: Customs, Export Controls and Economic Sanctions, 2017–2026; "Leading Partner," 2025-2026.
- National Law Journal, Regulatory & Compliance Trailblazer, 2015.
- WorldECR , Highly Commended, Export Practitioner of the Year Award, 2015.

Affiliations:
- Co-chair, Leukemia Ball for the National Capital Area Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 2019
- Member, International Law Section of the District of Columbia Bar
- Member, board of directors, Center for Civilians Conflict

Insights:
- Akin Space Law, Regulation and Policy Update | August 10, 2026 (August 10, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/akin-space-law-regulation-and-policy-update-or-august-10-2026
- Akin Space Law, Regulation and Policy Update | July 28, 2026 (July 28, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/akin-space-law-regulation-and-policy-update-or-july-28-2026
- Akin Space Law, Regulation and Policy Update | July 13, 2026 (July 13, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/akin-space-law-regulation-and-policy-update-or-july-13-2026
- Akin Space Law, Regulation and Policy Update | June 29, 2026 (June 29, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/akin-space-law-regulation-and-policy-update-or-june-29-2026
- Akin Space Law, Regulation and Policy Update | June 15, 2026 (June 15, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/akin-space-law-regulation-and-policy-update-or-june-15-2026
- Akin Secures Top Rankings in The Legal 500 US 2026  (June 10, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/awards-and-accolades/akin-secures-top-rankings-in-the-legal-500-us-2026
- Chambers USA 2026 Recognizes Akin Lawyers and Practices  (June 4, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/awards-and-accolades/chambers-usa-2026-recognizes-akin-lawyers-and-practices
- Akin Space Law, Regulation and Policy Update | June 1, 2026 (June 1, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/akin-space-law-regulation-and-policy-update-or-june-1-2026
- Akin Space Law, Regulation and Policy Update | May 18, 2026 (May 18, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/akin-space-law-regulation-and-policy-update-or-may-18-2026
- Akin Space Law, Regulation and Policy Update | May 4, 2026 (May 4, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/akin-space-law-regulation-and-policy-update-or-may-4-2026
- Akin Space Law, Regulation and Policy Update | April 20, 2026 (April 20, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/akin-space-law-regulation-and-policy-update-or-april-20-2026
- Akin Space Law, Regulation and Policy Update | April 6, 2026 (April 6, 2026): https://www.akingump.com/en/insights/newsletters/akin-space-law-regulation-and-policy-update-or-april-6-2026