Partner
CurrentMatt Thomas is a Washington, DC attorney specializing in international trade, transport, maritime regulation and government affairs. Matt works extensively in the areas of trade sanctions and export controls. He has represented maritime, commodities and industrial clients around the world on compliance and investigations in connection with sanctions on Iran, Syria, Sudan and other targets, has guided leading energy firms through implementation of U.S. sanctions on Russia, and counsels companies in connection with the gradual opening of the Cuban market. He has investigated numerous cases of smuggling and money laundering in the commodities and shipping sector. Matt also has extensive expertise in the container shipping sector. A former Federal Maritime Commission official, he has represented leading carriers, terminals, and logistics providers in regulatory proceedings before that agency. He recently has advised and managed due diligence projects in connection with a major container sector merger. He counsels private companies and foreign governments on matters of international law and diplomatic strategy, particularly in defending national sovereignty or combating international trade barriers. During his government tenure, he was responsible for the FMC’s relations with foreign shipping regulators and multilateral bodies, such as the EU, WTO and OECD.He works with leading maritime clients on a broad range of compliance issues, including environmental, safety, citizenship and “Jones Act” coastwise compliance. He has represented leading energy companies in key Jones Act rulings and investigations that have shaped domestic petroleum trade, and structured complex Jones Act compliance ownership structures. Matt also served as a federal lobbyist and led successful lobbying efforts on the behalf of local governments, advising on federal affairs and managing relations with congressional offices.
