Samir is a partner in the International Trade and White-Collar Defense & Investigations practice groups. He advises multinational corporations on export controls, economic sanctions and customs, and counsels individuals and corporations on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other anti-corruption laws. He represents clients in enforcement actions before U.S. regulatory agencies and conducts corporate internal investigations.
Samir participates in many firmwide activities, including the pro bono program, and serves as the Washington D.C. chair of the firm's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative. He was a co-recipient of Thompson Hine's 2013 Diversity Champion Award for his work developing and launching the Diversity Externship Program, which provides law students in Washington, D.C. with rewarding educational opportunities and real-life work experience on pro bono matters.
While in law school, Samir served as a judicial extern for Judge Douglas Eaton of the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Also, he interned for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada.
Focus Areas
- International Trade>
- White Collar Defense & Investigations>
- Corporate Transactions & Securities>
- Government Contracts>
- ESG Collaborative>
- Forced Labor & Human Rights>
- International Trade – Supply Chain>
- International>
- CFIUS/National Security/Foreign Direct Investment>
- Customs>
- Export Controls & Economic Sanctions>
- FCPA & Other Antibribery Laws>
- International Trade Compliance Risk Evaluation>
- Trade Policy>
- Trade Crimes Defense>
FCPA and Other Anti-Corruption Regulations
- Advising companies on complying with FCPA and other anti-corruption laws, including the UK Bribery Act.
- Representing corporate executives and companies in FCPA investigations by the DOJ and SEC.
- Conducting FCPA/Anti-Corruption internal investigations and audits
- Drafting and implementing compliance programs, and conducting Anti-Corruption training.
- Drafting FCPA/anti-bribery contract provisions in distributor and agent agreements.
- Performing due diligence on FCPA/anti-corruption risks in corporate transactions.
Export Controls and Economic Sanctions
- Advising multinational corporations on a wide range of international regulatory issues related to BIS, DDTC and OFAC, including enforcement actions.
- Advising multinational corporations on compliance issues related to U.S. trade sanctions and export controls, including licensing and classification issues.
- Drafting and implementing export compliance programs and procedures.
- Conducting internal audits and investigations of possible violations and helping draft voluntary disclosures to regulatory agencies.
- Counseling clients on regulatory requirements affecting the movement of technology and services.
Customs
- Advising companies on the U.S. regulatory requirements for imports of goods through the U.S. border, including issues of classification, origin and valuation.
- Advising clients on participation in Customs C-TPAT and FTZ programs and compliance with related commitments.
- Representing clients in Customs and Border Protection import enforcement actions; drafting voluntary disclosures when needed.
- Developing import compliance programs and conducting internal audits and investigations of import processes and procedures.
Pro Bono
- Assisting international public policy group with the drafting of a post-conflict constitution.
- Advocating on behalf of human rights victims in front of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
- Representing asylum applicants before the DOJ’s Immigration Court.
- “USTR Proposes Actions Against China’s Unfair Trade Practices in Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors,” Thompson Hine International Trade and Transportation Update, March 2025
- “President Trump Issues America First Investment Policy Memorandum Impacting FDI into the U.S. and Outbound Investment to Foreign Adversaries,” Thompson Hine Transition – A Presidential Change Update, February 2025
- “BIS Enhances Its Enforcement Discretion: Revamps Voluntary Self-Disclosure Process, Abolishes Penalty Caps and Amends Penalty Guidelines,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, October 2024
- “BEA’s Foreign Direct Investment Reporting Requirements: A Primer,” Thompson Hine Business Law Update, July 2024
- Co-author, “Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific Incorporates Extensive Sanctions and Export Control Reforms,” The Global Trade Law Journal, Vol. 1, No. 5, September-October 2024
- “Treasury Proposes Rule on U.S. Investments in Certain National Security Technologies and Products in Countries of Concern,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, July 1, 2024
- “OFAC and BIS Significantly Extend Sanctions and Export Control Restrictions Against Russia and Belarus,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, June 2024
- “Biden Administration Releases China Section 301 Four-Year Review Report and Announces Tariff Updates to Counter China’s Unfair Trade Practices,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, May 2024
- “BEA’s Foreign Direct Investment Reporting Requirements: A Primer,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, May 2024
- “U.S. Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific Incorporates Extensive Sanctions and Export Control Reforms,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, May 2024
- “USTR Initiates Section 301 Investigation on China’s Policies in the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, April 2024
- “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Adds Significant Trade Provisions: New Law Impacts U.S. Export Controls, Sanctions and Supply Chain Management,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, February 2024
- “BIS Issues Policy Memo on the Voluntary Self-Disclosure Process,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, January 2024
- “Department of Commerce Issues Further Export Controls Targeting China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing and Advanced Computing,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, November 2023
- “OFAC Loosens Venezuelan Sanctions: Authorizes Transactions Involving Oil and Gas, State-Owned Gold Mining Company, and Certain Debt and Equity of Venezuela and PdVSA,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, October 2023
- “Executive Order Issued Restricting U.S. Investments in Chinese Technology; Treasury Seeks Public Comment on Implementation,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, August 2023
- “FinCEN and BIS Issue Supplemental Joint Alert to Reinforce Continued Vigilance of Potential Russian Export Control Evasion Attempts,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, June 2023
- “CFIUS Determines it Has No Jurisdiction Over Proposed Chinese-Owned Real Estate in North Dakota,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Real Estate Update, December 2022
- “Biden Issues Executive Order to Focus the Consideration of National Security Factors in the CFIUS Review Process,” Thompson Hine Business Law Update, Fall 2022
- “New Export Controls Target Support for China’s Advanced Computing and Semiconductor Manufacturing,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, October 2022
- “Treasury Department Releases CFIUS Enforcement and Penalty Guidelines,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, October 2022
- “Provision of Certain Professional Services to Russia Prohibited under U.S. Sanctions,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, May 2022
- “Summary of Recent Financial and Comprehensive Sanctions Related to the Ukraine-Russia Crisis,” Thompson Hine The Latest on the Ukraine-Russia Crisis, March 2022
- “What Every Company Should Know About the New Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act,” Thompson Hine Business Law Update, Winter 2022
- “President Biden Imposes Sanctions Regarding Russia’s Efforts to Undermine Ukraine,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, February 2022
- “New Multiagency Business Advisory on Heightened Risk of Doing Business in Burma,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, February 2022
- “Biden Signs Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, January 2022
- “Changes to HTSUS Classifications Expected in January,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, November 2021
- “Treasury Department Issues Updated Advisory on Ransomware Payments,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, September 2021
- “Annual Blocked Property Reports Due to OFAC on September 30,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, September 2021
- “China-U.S. Legal and Regulatory Update,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, August 2021
- “US Government Releases Xinjiang Supply Chain Business Advisory Update,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, July 2021
- “DDTC Proposes to Make Pandemic-Related Telework Rules Permanent,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, June 2021
- “BIS Eliminates Most Mass Market Encryption Reporting Obligations,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, April 2021
- “United States Implements Multiple Sanctions and Export Restrictions on Russia,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, March 2021
- “Executive Order on Investments in Communist Chinese Military Companies Amended,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, January 2021
- “CFIUS Reviews of Foreign Investment Continue to Evolve,” Thompson Hine Business Law Update, Winter 2021
- “OFAC Issues Guidance Regarding Ban on Transacting in Securities of ‘Communist Chinese Military Companies,’” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, January 2021
- “Encryption Exports – Annual Self-Classification Reports Due February 1, 2021,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, January 2021
- “Executive Order Prohibits U.S. Investment in ‘Communist Chinese Military Companies,’” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, November 2020
- “New CFIUS Critical Technology Mandatory Filing Requirements Take Effect October 15,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, October 2020
- “BIS Publishes Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Identify and Review Controls on Foundational Technologies: What’s Next?”, Thompson Hine International Trade Update, September 2020
- “President Trump Signs the Hong Kong Autonomy Act and Issues Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, July 2020
- “Departments of State, Commerce, Homeland Security and the Treasury Caution Businesses Regarding Human Rights Abuses in Xinjiang,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, July 2020
- “DOJ’s Fraud Section Issues Revised Corporate Compliance Guidelines,” Thompson Hine White-Collar Criminal Practice Update, June 2020
- “Commerce Issues Interim Final Rule Addressing Foreign-Produced Direct Products and Specifically Targets Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, May 2020
- “Petitions by Vehicle Producers for Alternative Staging Regime for Compliance with USMCA Rules of Origin for Automotive Goods Due to USTR by July 1,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, April 2020
- “OFAC Issues Fact Sheet on Providing Humanitarian Aid to Combat COVID-19 Under Various Sanctions Programs,” Thompson Hine COVID-19 Update, April 2020
- “Government Measures Worldwide in Response to COVID-19,” Thompson Hine COVID-19 Update, April 2020
- “FEMA Announces Export Restrictions on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),” Thompson Hine COVID-19 Update, April 2020
- “COVID-19 and International Trade: Status of Trade-Related U.S. Government Agencies & Courts and Helpful Online Resources,” Thompson Hine COVID-19 Update, March 2020
- “Treasury Proposes Regulations to Institute CFIUS Filing Fees; Comments Due April 8,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, March 2020
- “New CFIUS Regulations Will Cover Certain Non-Controlling Investments and Real Estate Transactions,” Thompson Hine Business Law Update, Winter 2020
- “Department of Justice Revises Export Control and Sanctions Enforcement Policy for Business Organizations,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, January 2020
- “U.S. Government Agencies Stress the Importance of Corporate Compliance Programs Through the Issuance of Guidance Documents,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, July 2019
- “New CFIUS Law Mandates Reporting of Certain Transactions Involving Foreign Investment in U.S. Companies,” Thompson Hine Business Law Update, Winter 2019
- “2018 Year in Review – Overview of President Trump’s Major Trade Actions,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, January 2019
- “Yates Memo Revised to Provide DOJ Greater Flexibility in Corporate Investigations,” Thompson Hine White-Collar/FCPA Update, December 2018
- “Department of the Treasury Releases Interim Rules Expanding Scope of CFIUS and Creating Pilot Program for Certain Transactions,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, October 2018
- “Recent FCPA Developments,” Thompson Hine White-Collar Update, October 2018
- “President Trump Withdraws United States from Iran Nuclear Deal,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, May 2018
- “DOJ Officials Signal Expansion of Voluntary Self-Disclosure Incentives Beyond the FCPA,” Thompson Hine White-Collar Update, March 2018
- “U.S. Department of Justice Provides New FCPA Voluntary Self-Disclosure Incentives,” Thompson Hine White-Collar Update, December 2017
- “President Trump’s Cuba Policy Is Implemented,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, November 2017
- “CFIUS Annual Report Reflects Increased National Security Scrutiny of Foreign Acquisitions,” Thompson Hine Business Law Update, Fall 2017
- “U.S. Sanctions on Sudan to Be Removed,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, October 2017
- “The FCPA Pilot Program One Year Later: What Have We Learned?,” Thompson Hine White-Collar Update, April 2017
- “OFAC Sanctions 271 Employees of Syria’s Scientific Studies and Research Center,” Thompson Hine International Trade Update, April 2017
- “Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Releases President Trump’s Trade Policy Agenda,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, March 2017
- “ZTE Pleads Guilty to Illegal Exports to Iran and North Korea,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, March 2017
- “Trump Administration Sanctions Iran for Ballistic Missile Tests and Expands List of Medical Devices Requiring License for Export to Iran,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, February 7, 2017
- “United States Begins to Lift 20-Year-Old Trade Sanctions Toward Sudan,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, January 24, 2017
- “Trump Administration: Key Players in International Trade,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, January 17, 2017
- “Looking Back: Trump and Trade,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, January 9, 2017
- “U.S. Further Normalizes Trade Relations with Cuba ,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, October 18, 2016
- “Compliance with U.S. Antiboycott Laws Critical in Foreign Transactions,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, October 13, 2016
- “BIS and DDTC Harmonize Destination Control Statements for Use in Export Transactions,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, September 19, 2016
- “United States Implements Trade Sanctions on Additional Persons & Entities for Activities in Crimea,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, September 8, 2016
- “OFAC Releases New Kingpin Act General Licenses Relating to Panama,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, July 2016
- “Commerce Releases New EAR Penalty Guidance,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, June 23, 2016
- “Caveat Emptor! Don’t Buy Another Company’s Export Violations,” Thompson Hine Business Law Update, Spring 2016
- “U.S. Government Provides Additional Cuba Sanctions Relief,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, January 29, 2016
- “‘Implementation Day’” Brings Iran Sanctions Relief,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, January 2016
- “WTO Expands Scope of Products Under Information Technology Agreement,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, December 2015
- “OFAC General License Authorizes Certain Transactions Supporting Exports With Burma,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, December 2015
- “Preparations for Implementing Iran Agreement Begin,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, October 20, 2015
- “Iran Nuclear Deal Reached but Sanctions Remain in Place,” International Trade & Customs Update, July 15, 2015
- “Proposed Rule to Control Exports of Cybersecurity Technologies,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, May 26, 2015
- “New Export Policy to Govern Military & Commercial Use of U.S. Drones,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, February 2015
- “Regulatory Amendments Issued to Ease Cuba Sanctions,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, January 22, 2015
- “More U.S. Trade Sanctions & Restrictions Against Ukraine’s Crimea Region.” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, January 7, 2015
- “Obama Administration Eases Embargo Against Cuba,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, December 19, 2014
- “President Signs New Russia Sanctions Bill,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, December 18, 2014
- “U.S. Tightens Ukraine-Related Sanctions on Russian Entities,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, September 30, 2014
- Co-author, “Getting the Deal Through – Trade & Customs 2015,” Getting the Deal Through, Fall 2014
- “U.S. and EU Expand Ukraine-Related Sanctions on Russian Entities,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, August 1, 2014
- “Temporary Iran Sanctions Relief Extended to November 2014,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, July 25, 2014
- “U.S. Expands Ukraine-Related Sanctions to Russian Financial, Energy & Defense Technology Firms,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, July 24, 2014
- “Court Clarifies Foreign Government ‘Instrumentality’ Under FCPA,” Thompson Hine FCPA/Antibribery Update, May 21, 2014
- “U.S. Expands Ukraine-Related Sanctions and Further Restricts Exports to Russia,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, May 2, 2014
- “U.S. Issues Additional Sanctions in Response to Events in Ukraine,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, March 21, 2014
- “President Expands Sanctions on Russian and Ukrainian Officials,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, March 2014
- “President Issues Sanctions Regarding Ukraine,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, March 6, 2014
- “Iranian Sanctions Relief Has Little Direct Impact for U.S. Companies,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, January 2014
- “SEC Conflict Minerals Rule Upheld,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, July 2013
- “Long-Awaited FCPA Guidance Released,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, November 2012
- “New Iran Sanctions May Expose U.S. Companies to Liability for Foreign Subsidiary Transactions,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, August 2012
- “United States Condemns Argentina’s and Indonesia’s Import Trade Restrictions,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, June 2012
- “Bribes Paid by Foreign Sales Representative Lead to FCPA Conviction,” Thompson Hine Antitrust, Competition and Distribution Update, May 2011
- “Guidance Issued for UK Bribery Act: Act Will Take Effect July 2011 and Could Reach U.S. Companies,” Thompson Hine International Trade & Customs Update, April 2011
- Co-presenter, “Doing Business In and With the USA: Risks and Opportunities,” Thompson Hine Webinar, April 2025
- Co-presenter, “Transition: A Presidential Change – Trump and Trade 2.0: Tactics, Tariffs, Threats, and Transformation,” Thompson Hine Webinar, February 2025
- Co-presenter, “Regulatory Compliance for Multinationals: ESG Considerations,” Thompson Hine Webinar, September 2024
- Presenter, “The Global Ripple Effect of the Ukraine-Russia Crisis: The Impact of Sanctions,” Thompson Hine Webinar, March 2022
- Presenter, “White Collar Crime – Recent Developments and Emerging Risks Part I,” Thompson Hine Webinar Series, February 18, 2021
- Moderator, “FCPA Multi-Jurisdictional Enforcement,” Federal Bar Association Current Issues in Government Investigations Conference, April 26, 2018
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association, Section of International Law and Practice
- District of Columbia Bar, Section of International Law
- New York State Bar Association
Education
- Fordham University School of Law, J.D., 2007,
staff member, Fordham International Law Journal; member, Immigrant Rights and Access to Justice Clinic
- Fordham Gabelli School of Business, M.B.A., 2007
- University of Michigan, B.A., 1999
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- New York
- 02.04.25 – Transition: A Presidential Change – Session Two – Trump and Trade 2.0
Tactics, Tariffs, Threats, and Transformation
Select a filter
- USTR Proposes Actions Against China’s Unfair Trade Practices in Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors,
International Trade and Transportation Update
, March 5, 2025 - President Trump Issues America First Investment Policy Memorandum Impacting FDI into the U.S. and Outbound Investment to Foreign Adversaries,
Transition – A Presidential Change Update
, February 27, 2025 - U.S. Department of Commerce’s BIS Enhances Its Enforcement Discretion: Revamps Voluntary Self-Disclosure Process, Abolishes Penalty Caps, and Amends Penalty Guidelines,
The Global Trade Law Journal
, January 21, 2025 - BIS Enhances Its Enforcement Discretion: Revamps Voluntary Self-Disclosure Process, Abolishes Penalty Caps and Amends Penalty Guidelines,
International Trade Update
, October 7, 2024 - Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific Incorporates Extensive Sanctions and Export Control Reforms,
The Global Trade Law Journal
, July 9, 2024 - Business Law Update – July 2024,
Business Law Update Quarterly Newsletter
, July 9, 2024 - Treasury Proposes Rule on U.S. Investments in Certain National Security Technologies and Products in Countries of Concern,
International Trade Update
, July 1, 2024 - OFAC and BIS Significantly Extend Sanctions and Export Control Restrictions Against Russia and Belarus,
International Trade Update
, June 24, 2024 - Biden Administration Releases China Section 301 Four-Year Review Report and Announces Tariff Updates to Counter China’s Unfair Trade Practices,
International Trade Update
, May 15, 2024 - BEA’s Foreign Direct Investment Reporting Requirements: A Primer,
International Trade Update
, May 10, 2024