Arent Fox
ATTORNEY BIO
Matthew Nolan

Matthew Nolan
November 11, 2011
  • Partner
  • Washington, DC
202.857.6013
matthew.nolan@arentfox.com

Matt Nolan, a partner at Arent Fox and head of the firm trade practice, has more than 25 years experience advising clients on all aspects of international trade and business issues. Ranked as a leading trade specialist in Martindale Hubbell, Chambers USA, Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal, and Best Lawyers, Matt is known for his complex case management skills, and his deep understanding of clients and industries, whether it be representing Weyerhaeuser in all aspects of the Canadian softwood lumber trade dispute, advising the government of Mexico on bilateral trade issues, assisting nonprofits in obtaining licenses to operate humanitarian missions in sanctioned countries, representing major energy companies in customs audits, or helping the Turkish steel industry in getting an antidumping order revoked after 15 years. Matt is also active in the international community, as a member of the Canadian American Business Council, and a member of the Board of Advisors at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University.

Client Work

Matt has worked extensively in Canada and Mexico (for both government and private sector clients) on issues related to NAFTA and WTO disputes. He has worked for major US and foreign corporations on export control and sanctions matters; antidumping, countervailing duty, safeguards,and section 301 investigations; customs audits and focused assessments; NAFTA verification audits by US, Mexican, and Canadian authorities; civil and criminal investigations on export, import, and FCPA issues; development, implementation, and audits of internal compliance programs; and advising on trade policy initiatives. He has also worked with companies in a range of industries, including softwood lumber, steel, oil exploration and production, chemical products, beverage and snack foods, life sciences, computer electronics, defense, airlines, textiles, tobacco, banking, telecommunications, and insurance.

Previous Work

Before joining Arent Fox, Matt practiced at a nationally recognized law firm where he was chairman of the international department from 1999 to 2003.

Professional Activities

Matt is a member of the Canadian American Business Council and a member of the Board of Advisors of the Gulf States Partnership and the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.

Publications, Presentations and Recognitions

Matt is an author and speaker on issues pertaining to the WTO, NAFTA, trade litigation issues, and US trade embargoes.

His publications include:

  • “Treatment of Post-Importation Adjustments to Transfer Prices," Practical Trade and Customs Strategies (Thomson Reuters), October, 15, 2012
  • “Customs Valuation and Multinational Transfer Pricing: Can they Co-exist?," Practical Trade and Customs Strategies (Thomson Reuters), September 15, 2012
  • “At the Border Fees are Hurting Trade,” Legal Times, February 23, 2009
  • “Obscure NAFTA Clause Empowers Private Parties,” National Law Journal, April 6, 1998
  • “US Sanctions Laws: A Complex Web for US and Foreign Companies,” Oil & Gas Law and Taxation Review (Sweet & Maxwell), March 1998

Recognitions:

  • Recognized as a leading international trade attorney by Chambers USA
  • Selected one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in International Trade and Business
  • Selected for Who's Who of Trade and Customs Lawyers
  • Selected as a Leading Trade Lawyer by Legal 500

His presentations include:

  • “Complex Valuation and Transfer Pricing Issues: Can We Find Common Ground,” ACI 7th National Forum on Import Compliance and Enforcement, June 2012
  • “Recent Trends in Global Trade Compliance & Enforcement,” Association of Corporate Counsel’s Pittsburgh Chapter, October 2011
  • “Developing a Product Safety Management Program That meets Regulator Expectations,” American Conference Institute’s (ACI) 6th Advanced Forum on Import Compliance and Enforcement, May 2011
  • “Implementing Product Safety Standards Across Your Global Supply Chain,” ACI 6th Advanced Forum on Global Customs Compliance, June 2010
  • “What Ever Happened to the North American Market?” Canadian American Business Council, June 2010
  • “Strategies for Managing a Customs Trade Audit in the US & Canada,” ABA International Section Spring Meeting, April 2010
  • “Defense Electronics: Import/Export Challenges,” Military and Aerospace Electronics Forum, March 2010, Amsterdam; June 2010, San Diego
  • US Customs Compliance and Enforcement Conference, April 2010, University of Pittsburgh Law School
  • “Focused Assessments and Single Issue Audits; Tips and Observations from Counsel,” ACI Import Compliance and Enforcement Forum, October 2009
  • “Complying with the Lacey Act: Minimizing Reporting Burdens and Enforcement Risks,” ACI Imported Product Safety Compliance Conference, April 22, 2009
  • “US trade policy in the Obama Administration - Conflict Management,” Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey, February 17, 2009
  • “Developing Effective Country of Origin Marking Procedures,” ACI Advanced Forum on Import Compliance, September 22, 2008
  • “Defending Trade Actions,” La Barra Mexicana; 2007 (Mexico City)
  • “Prior Disclosure Workshop,” ACI Import Compliance Forum; March 15, 2007
  • “Developing a Worldwide Country of Origin Marking Program,” ACI Global Customs seminar; September 26, 2006
  • “An International Perspective on Trade Remedies,” La Barra Mexicana, June 28, 2006 (Mexico City)
  • “Developing the Best in Class Import SOPs,” ACI Import Compliance Forum, March 21, 2006
  • “Customs Business Rule,” ACI Customs Conference, 2005
  • “WTO, Doha Developments,” Mexico conferences on La Empresa en El Comercio Internacional; June 2005 (Mexico City and Monterrey)
  • “Free Trade Agreements: The New Rules and Practical Strategies,” ACI Global Customs Compliance Conference, September 2004
  • “WTO and NAFTA Developments,” Tax Executives Institute, January 22, 2004
  • “The New Security Environment and Trade,” Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, April 2004

Life Beyond the Law

Matt spends his spare time enjoying his family, collecting and tasting fine wines with friends, working on his cabin in Maine, and traveling.

Bar and Court Admissions

  • District of Columbia Bar
  • Maryland Bar
  • US Court of International Trade
  • US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

Education

Georgetown University Law Center
, JD
The George Washington University
, MA
Tufts University
, BA

Practices

  • International Trade

Industries

  • Energy Law & Policy
  • Life Sciences

Areas of Focus

  • Customs/Import Compliance
  • Export Controls & Economic Sanctions
  • Global Trade Policy
  • International Anti-Corruption & Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
  • International Trade Litigation
  • Awards & Recognitions

     

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