Clinton K. Yu

Clinton is a partner and co-chair of the International Trade team and member of the Corporate & Finance practice, focusing on international trade, including customs and import laws, trade remedy and policy, export controls and economic sanctions, and foreign investment national security reviews.

Companies and investors rely on Clinton to address complex regulatory requirements that impact cross-border transactions and ongoing operations, particularly as U.S. tariff regimes, export controls, and national security restrictions continue to expand. He works closely with U.S. and multinational clients in a variety of industries, including global supply chain leaders, manufacturers, tech companies, aerospace and defense, logistics providers, and investment firms. In addition to advising U.S. businesses, he partners with clients across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Clinton advises on customs and import matters, developing effective strategies to mitigate tariff exposure and pursue available refunds. His practice covers the full spectrum of customs issues, such as tariff classification, country of origin, valuation, free trade agreements, and duty preference programs. He frequently advises on the evolving trade remedy landscape, including Section 301, Section 232, Section 122, International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”), and antidumping and countervailing duties. Clinton represents clients before the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) and U.S. International Trade Commission (“USITC”) and, when litigation is necessary, before the appropriate federal court, including the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Clinton’s export controls and economic sanctions practice is equally comprehensive, helping clients navigate export compliance under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”), Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”), and sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). His work often focuses on helping companies determine export licensing requirements, obtain required government authorizations, and implement compliance procedures to mitigate the risk of enforcement and penalties.

He also represents clients before key U.S. agencies enforcing international trade laws, including OFAC, the Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”), Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”), and Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”). Clinton guides clients through government audits, investigations, voluntary disclosures, and enforcement actions. In parallel, he works with companies to assess supply chain risk, address forced labor compliance obligations, and build global trade compliance programs that support ongoing operations.

National security reviews of foreign investments in the U.S. are central to Clinton’s practice. He counsels companies on Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) filings, cross-border transaction due diligence, and outbound investment and foreign ownership risks — particularly in private equity and M&A transactions — integrating trade and national security considerations into broader corporate strategy.

Clients value Clinton’s practical, business-focused approach in high-stakes environments, where regulatory, operational, and commercial considerations must be addressed together. He is known for connecting complex trade and national security requirements with real-world business decisions, helping clients move forward with clarity.

A recognized thought leader, he has been named a Law360 “Rising Star” in International Trade and is frequently quoted in publications such as Bloomberg Law, Forbes, Law360, and Nikkei Asia.