On August 29, 2025 the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced the launch of a cross-agency Trade Fraud Task Force (“TFTF”), a partnership between DOJ’s Civil and Criminal Divisions, as well as the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”). On the same day, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“Federal Circuit”) issued a 7-4 ruling striking down President Trump’s use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) to impose tariffs, a decision which, if ultimately upheld, would limit the administration’s trade fraud enforcement efforts.

Click here to read the full alert on cov.com.

Photo of Alexander Chinoy Alexander Chinoy

Alex Chinoy assists clients with the resolution of inbound U.S. trade disputes, appearing before a range of U.S. courts and agencies. He is an accomplished trade litigator who has represented clients at both the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the U.S. Department…

Alex Chinoy assists clients with the resolution of inbound U.S. trade disputes, appearing before a range of U.S. courts and agencies. He is an accomplished trade litigator who has represented clients at both the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) in antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations. He has also been involved in more than 30 Section 337 unfair import investigations before the ITC. He has appeared in a range of other trade enforcement and regulatory matters, including litigation at the Court of International Trade (CIT) and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC), involving actions against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the DOC, and the ITC. 

Outside the courtroom, Alex assists clients with a range of CBP compliance and enforcement matters, including inter partes IP enforcement proceedings, 19 CFR 177 ruling requests, investigative inquiries including RASAs and audits, prior disclosures, penalty notice responses, development of corrective action plans, and tariff evaluation and mitigation counseling.

In addition to his litigation and customs work, Alex has been repeatedly recognized by Chambers for his work at the ITC, with sources noting he is “impressive beyond his years of practice.” Alex is a past President of the ITC Trial Lawyers Association, the leading bar association for Section 337 practitioners. He has hands-on experience with every phase of Section 337 investigations. He has participated in a dozen hearings at the ITC ranging from trials on violation to enforcement hearings and temporary relief proceedings. His experience spans every phase of 337 litigation, from pre-complaint counseling through appeal of final ITC determinations to the CAFC, with a particular focus on disputes and counseling involving CBP enforcement of ITC exclusion orders.

Read more about Alexander Chinoy
Show more Show less
Photo of Mona Patel Mona Patel

Mona Patel has extensive experience representing clients in large scale federal and state investigations brought by enforcement authorities, related qui tam or follow-on consumer protection litigation, internal investigations, and compliance matters. She advises clients in the life sciences, defense, technology and manufacturing industries…

Mona Patel has extensive experience representing clients in large scale federal and state investigations brought by enforcement authorities, related qui tam or follow-on consumer protection litigation, internal investigations, and compliance matters. She advises clients in the life sciences, defense, technology and manufacturing industries on a wide variety of white collar matters. Her work includes leading matters involving alleged customs and healthcare fraud under the False Claims Act, as well as potential violations of the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and other criminal statutes.

As a partner in the White Collar Defense & Investigations practice, Mona is a trusted advisor to multinational companies navigating complex compliance issues arising under federal and state healthcare laws, anti-bribery statutes, and related risk areas. She provides strategic counsel and delivers tailored training to companies developing, evaluating, or strengthening their anti-corruption compliance programs and controls and investigations protocols. Clients also regularly turn to Mona for strategic due diligence advice on proposed corporate transactions, joint ventures, and other engagements.

Read more about Mona Patel
Show more Show less
Photo of Jay Smith Jay Smith

Jay Smith is a partner in the Washington office. He joined the firm after several years as a professor of political science and international affairs, during which he specialized in international trade policy and international dispute settlement. His practice in the International and…

Jay Smith is a partner in the Washington office. He joined the firm after several years as a professor of political science and international affairs, during which he specialized in international trade policy and international dispute settlement. His practice in the International and Litigation groups draws on this academic and policy experience.

He is currently helping clients develop and implement strategies to mitigate supply chain risks arising from U.S. trade actions. In addition, Jay regularly represents respondents in U.S. trade remedy proceedings and related litigation, helping to secure a number of negative injury determinations at the ITC in recent years. Jay also advises clients on the negotiation and enforcement of international treaty commitments under the WTO, bilateral and regional trade agreements such as the USMCA, and other international fora. Much of his policy work is at the intersection of trade and other areas, such as intellectual property, the environment, or labor rights.

Read more about Jay Smith
Show more Show less
Photo of Ariel Rosenbaum Ariel Rosenbaum

Ariel Rosenbaum advises clients on a broad range of international trade and arbitration-related issues. Ariel helps clients navigate tariffs, customs regulations, and import and export requirements with regard to their global operations. She assists clients undergoing trade investigations, as well as clients needing…

Ariel Rosenbaum advises clients on a broad range of international trade and arbitration-related issues. Ariel helps clients navigate tariffs, customs regulations, and import and export requirements with regard to their global operations. She assists clients undergoing trade investigations, as well as clients needing assistance understanding the U.S. regulatory environment.

Ariel’s international trade work has spanned a multitude of sectors, including automotive, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, global energy, food and beverage, defense and aerospace, footwear, and consumer electronics. She has specific expertise in assisting clients navigate intersecting Customs and Border Protection and Partner Government Agency requirements. Ariel assists clients in diverse compliance matters including tariff classification, country of origin, product marking/labeling, valuation methodology, RASAs and audits, due diligence, post-entry procedures, penalty notice responses, voluntary disclosures, and tariff evaluation and mitigation. Ariel has represented clients before the U.S. International Trade Commission and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Ariel’s international disputes practice focuses on the arbitration and litigation of public international law claims, the arbitration of investor-state claims, and the resolution of other treaty-based claims. Her arbitration practice includes sovereign representation in international and domestic courts.

Read more about Ariel Rosenbaum
Show more Show less
Photo of Michael Pierce Michael Pierce

Michael Pierce is an associate in the firm’s Washington, DC office and a member of the firm’s Government Contracts Practice Group. He assists clients on a broad range of government contracting issues, with an emphasis on claims, disputes, and investigations.

Mike has an…

Michael Pierce is an associate in the firm’s Washington, DC office and a member of the firm’s Government Contracts Practice Group. He assists clients on a broad range of government contracting issues, with an emphasis on claims, disputes, and investigations.

Mike has an active investigations practice. He has represented numerous government contractors in responding to civil investigative demands and subpoenas, in addition to helping clients assess potential exposure prior to receipt of government demands. He routinely conducts investigations related to the False Claims Act, including counselling government contractors on its disclosure obligations and mitigation measures.

Mike also represents contractors in a variety of claims and disputes, including prime-subcontractor disputes and debarment actions brought by federal and state entities. He has successfully assisted clients in mitigating the effects of terminations for default, defending defective pricing claims, and arbitrating disputes related to complex teaming agreements. Mike has advised leading contractors on numerous high-stakes issues—including allegations of providing latently defective parts—in disputes with primes, subcontractors, and the government.

Read more about Michael Pierce
Show more Show less
Photo of Emilie (“Binx”) Saunders Emilie (“Binx”) Saunders

Binx Saunders is an associate in the firm’s Washington, DC office. She is a member of the White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Group.

Read more about Emilie (“Binx”) Saunders
Photo of Julia Shults Julia Shults

Julia Shults is an associate in the firm’s International Trade Practice Group in the Washington, DC office. Julia represents clients in complex antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations before the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission (ITC). She also…

Julia Shults is an associate in the firm’s International Trade Practice Group in the Washington, DC office. Julia represents clients in complex antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations before the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission (ITC). She also advises clients on a variety of trade policy and customs compliance matters, including on compliance issues related to tariff classification, country of origin, valuation, and tariff evaluation and mitigation. As part of her practice, Julia also litigates international trade issues before the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT).

Read more about Julia Shults
Show more Show less
Photo of Pearson Goodman Pearson Goodman

Pearson Goodman is an associate in the firm’s Washington, DC office. He is a member of the International Trade Policy and International Trade Controls Practice Groups. He also advises clients on policy issues related to China.

Read more about Pearson Goodman