WASHINGTON, DC, May 15, 2020: Morgan Lewis partner Giovanna M. Cinelli, head of the firm’s international trade and national security practice, and of counsel Heather Sears have been reappointed by the US Department of State to the Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG) for the 2020–2022 term. The DTAG counsels the State Department on issues related to defense, aerospace, and technology controls and policies administered by the department.
Giovanna counsels clients in the defense and high-technology sectors on a broad range of issues affecting national security and export controls, including complex export compliance matters, audits, cross-border due diligence, and export enforcement—both classified and unclassified. Giovanna remains the longest serving member of the DTAG, having served 20 years as a member and formerly as vice chair. She is ranked in the International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions (Nationwide) category of the Chambers USA guide and has managed a number of high-profile export, import, and sanctions investigations for a range of global companies.
Heather is a veteran trade compliance counsel who represents global businesses on compliance with, and extraterritorial application of, US laws and regulations relating to international trade. Her extensive in-house experience includes advising defense contractors and manufacturers on a wide variety of international issues, including compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Export Administration Regulations, sanctions regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Combined, Giovanna and Heather bring more than 50 years of experience to DTAG. Additionally, Giovanna is a member of the US Department of Commerce’s Virginia/DC District Export Council and Heather serves as vice chair of the National Council on International Trade Development.