Melissa B. Mannino

Partner

Washington, D.C.
T +1.202.861.1593
F +1.202.861.1783

"[Melissa] is an amazing attorney who is committed to providing the best level of legal service possible."

— Chambers USA 2022

Overview

Melissa Mannino, co-leader of the International Trade and National Security Team and a Chambers ranked attorney, is an experienced export controls, foreign investment (CFIUS) and economic sanctions practitioner. Her broad based national security practice includes advising a range of companies, from start-ups to industry leading businesses, across a variety of sectors on compliance with the U.S. export control and economic sanctions laws and regulations and the CFIUS laws and regulations. She also represents clients through each stage of proceedings before the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Treasury and State on export control, CFIUS and sanctions matters.

Melissa previously served as the Chief of the Enforcement and Litigation Division, Office of Chief Counsel for Industry and Security, at the U.S. Department of Commerce. She leverages her government and private practice experience to provide strategic and practical legal advice to clients.

Select Experience

  • Regularly advises U.S. and foreign companies on complex jurisdictional, classification, licensing and enforcement matters relating to the Export Administration Regulations, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and U.S. trade and economic sanctions.
  • Represents companies in export and sanctions enforcement matters, including Entity List designations and removals, voluntary self-disclosures, administrative subpoenas and post shipment verifications.
  • Regularly advises U.S. and foreign companies on CFIUS jurisdictional and filing analyses, including counseling whether filings are required, drafting CFIUS declarations and voluntary notices, and representing companies throughout the CFIUS process.
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Experience

  • Regularly advises U.S. and foreign companies on complex jurisdictional, classification, licensing and enforcement matters relating to the Export Administration Regulations, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and U.S. trade and economic sanctions.
  • Represents companies in export and sanctions enforcement matters, including Entity List designations and removals, voluntary self-disclosures, administrative subpoenas and post shipment verifications.
  • Regularly advises U.S. and foreign companies on CFIUS jurisdictional and filing analyses, including counseling whether filings are required, drafting CFIUS declarations and voluntary notices, and representing companies throughout the CFIUS process.
  • Advises companies on export control jurisdictional and classification analyses for technology, software and commodities, including working with companies to self-classify items and file formal classification requests with the appropriate U.S. government agency.
  • Counsels companies on obtaining export and reexport license applications and use of license exceptions and general licenses.
  • Represents companies in mitigation negotiations with CFIUS and compliance with CFIUS mitigation agreements.
  • Represents companies in CFIUS enforcement actions.
  • Advises companies on investment filings with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.
  • Conducts transactional due diligence for financial institutions and corporations involved in mergers and acquisitions, financings and public offerings, and drafted representations, covenants and risk factors.

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • The Legal 500 United States
    • Recommended in Dispute Resolution: International Trade (2022)
  • Chambers Global: International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions (USA) (2015 to 2023)
    • Band 2 (2015 to 2023)
  • Chambers USA:  International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions (2014, 2016 to 2023)
    • Band 2 (2015 to 2023)
  • Gold Medal Award, the highest honorary award given by the Department of Commerce, is for distinguished performance characterized by extraordinary, notable or prestigious contributions that will impact the mission of the Department and/or one operating unit and that reflect favorably on the Department.
    • Office of Chief Counsel Prosecution/Settlement of Administrative Export Enforcement Matters
    • Ebara International Cases (global conspiracy to illegally and covertly export submersible pumps to Iran)
    • Sigma Aldrich cases (established successor liability precedent)
  • Bronze Medal Award, the highest award given by the Bureau of Industry and Security
    • Maine Biological Laboratories case (illegal exports of avian flu vaccine to Syria) 

News

News

Press Releases

Publications

Alerts

Prior Positions

  • U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Chief Counsel for Industry and Security
    • Chief, Enforcement and Litigation Division 
    • Senior Attorney
    • Attorney-Advisor 
  • Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Special Matters: Counsel 
  • U.S. Senate, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations: Counsel 

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts

Education

  • J.D., New England School of Law, cum laude; Technical Editor, New England Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement
  • B.A., Union College