Eric McClafferty is a partner in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. He focuses his practice on international trade and has substantial experience in export controls and compliance, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and antidumping and countervailing duty cases.
In December 2006, Mr. McClafferty was appointed by former Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez to serve on the Materials Technical Advisory Committee. In this role, Mr. McClafferty advises the Commerce Department regarding export controls on chemicals, biotechnology items, metals, exotic materials, materials processing equipment and other materials issues.
Export Controls and Compliance
Mr. McClafferty advises clients on export licensing and classification, performs due diligence export compliance reviews, and establishes company and product specific compliance and training programs. Additionally, Mr. McClafferty guides clients through export enforcement investigations and penalty negotiations. His experience extends to the rules relating to trade with sanctioned and embargoed countries and entities, and other national security and foreign policy controls, including FCPA.
Mr. McClafferty represents and advises exporters of industrial, high-technology and agricultural products and associated technology such as chemical processing equipment; chemicals; pharmaceuticals; computers; satellite software and components; semiconductors; specialty metals, powders and alloys; nuclear power plant components; and a wide variety of petrochemical products.
His experience includes working with all the principal export control agencies of the U.S. government, including the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS); Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC); and counterparts at the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and the Department of Energy (DOE).
Trade Remedies
Mr. McClafferty has years of experience representing domestic producers and importers in antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings before the International Trade Administration (ITA) and International Trade Commission (ITC), including work on hand tool cases, multiple steel industry cases, DRAMS, agricultural cases and a variety of other proceedings.
Market Access and WTO
On behalf of his clients, Mr. McClafferty has worked with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on foreign market access issues, section 301 actions, and Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) petitions and reviews. Mr. McClafferty's experience extends to representing clients in World Trade Organization matters, including dispute settlement issues.
Representative Experience
Provide economic sanctions advice regarding Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations and policies to U.S. and non-U.S. banking and financial institution infrastructure provider with a presence in virtually every country.Advise multiple companies regarding the costs and benefits of conducting voluntary self-disclosures to U.S. agencies and regarding the proper handling of potential export and economic sanctions violations.
Providing export compliance training, counseling and licensing assistance to a high-technology company with more than 20,000 monthly export shipments of electronic products, software and related technology, including a high percentage of exports containing encryption.
Assisting the international subsidiaries of a large U.S. company with more than 24 foreign affiliates in the review of all products for export and re-export license requirements and related exports.
Advising an international manufacturing company with $4 billion in annual revenue concerning numerous potential export control violations, analysis of potential voluntary disclosures, document retention policies and processes, improvements to their compliance system and related issues. Coordinated 35 site visits to conduct on-site export compliance reviews and training. Conducted in-person advanced export compliance training seminars for compliance managers.
Prepared, customized, implemented and provided training for a compliance system at a large e-logistics provider with international operations.
Assisted with preparation, customization, implementation and training for a compliance system at a major electronics supply company.
Prepared export compliance manuals for a large company with products having military, dual use and nuclear applications, and advise the company on a variety of supplementary export control obligations.
Acting as an advisor to the U.S. pump and valve industry associations and as export counsel to a number of U.S. manufacturers regarding export control issues. Also serve as the industry's primary contact with export control agencies regarding product, technology and enforcement issues.
Advising a Fortune 50 retailer regarding export compliance and FCPA issues. Drafted and designed web-based compliance training programs.
Conducting FCPA internal investigations for several multibillion-dollar international manufacturers.
Drafted content for Commerce Department and State Department export compliance modules for a major e-learning training provider.
Conducted multiple training sessions at various U.S. ports for U.S. Customs officers regarding import enforcement and circumvention issues.
Obtained several million dollars in Customs duties for a small U.S. manufacturer.
Obtained the release of multiple products from Customs seizure.
Represented importers in Customs seizure cases involving allegedly counterfeit products.
Obtained favorable Customs rulings and Harmonized Tariff classifications for multiple products.
Represented clients in multiple antidumping and countervailing duty investigations and reviews, including oral arguments on appeal issues at the U.S. Court of International Trade.
Represented the interests of multiple manufacturing industries involving antidumping and countervailing duties cases brought to the World Trade Organization and through coordination efforts with the USTR.
Memberships & Associations
The Customs and International Trade Bar Association (CITBA)National Council on International Trade Development (NCITD)
American Bar Association, Section of International Trade
Community Activities
Step Up, Inc., an international development organization, board of directors and general counselUniversity of Michigan Alumni Association
University of Virginia Alumni Association
