DLA Piper announced that Maria Alejandra “Jana” del-Cerro and Elyssa Kutner will join the firm as partners in the National Security and Global Trade Practice. They will be based in the Washington, DC, office.
Del-Cerro represents clients on various aspects of export compliance, such as day-to-day compliance counseling, developing compliance programs, completing commodity jurisdiction and classification analysis, conducting employee training, performing transactional due diligence, and coordinating related regulatory submissions. And she regularly represents clients before the Departments of State, Commerce, and Treasury on export controls and economic sanctions, such as for government inquiries, conducting internal reviews, compliance investigations, and voluntary disclosures. Plus, del-Cerro previously worked at the Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) and is currently a member of the U.S. Department of State Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG).
Kutner’s practice focuses on advising clients on importation of merchandise into the US, including classification, customs valuation, country of origin determinations and marking (including use of the Made in USA mark), trade enforcement actions such as Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs, free trade agreement and duty preference program eligibility, and drawback. And Kutner also represents clients in administrative proceedings and enforcement actions before US Customs and Border Protection and in litigation at the Court of International Trade. Her efforts resulted in companies realizing significant duty savings, identifying risks and opportunities, ensuring compliance with customs laws and regulations, etc.
Elyssa and Jana’s arrival follows the hiring of several other new lawyers in the National Security and Global Trade Practice that bring a wide range of senior government and private sector experience, including partner Mike Walsh (former Commerce Department Chief of Staff and Acting General Counsel), partner Brian Janovitz (former USTR Chief Counsel for Trade Enforcement Strategy and Competitiveness), and Nadia Asancheyev (former DOJ National Security Division).
KEY QUOTES:
“As supply chain resiliency, duty mitigation strategies, and export controls move to the forefront of trade compliance and enforcement priorities, we are excited to connect Elyssa and Jana with our network of clients who will benefit from their outstanding reputation and experience across the full landscape of customs and export controls.”
Nicholas Klein, Co-Chair of the National Security and Global Trade Practice
“We are thrilled to welcome Jana and Elyssa to our practice. As the export controls and customs landscapes grow increasingly complex and our clients face heightened enforcement scrutiny, their joining builds on our commitment to providing top-tier national security and trade representation of the firm’s clients before the government.”
Christine Daya, Co-Chair of the National Security and Global Trade Practice
“Elyssa and Jana‘s valuable knowledge across customs, tariffs, and export controls will be essential to expanding our National Security and Global Trade Practice amid the current trade environment and rising client demand.”
William Minor, Managing Partner of the Washington, DC office
