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- Professionals
- Shara L. Aranoff
Shara Aranoff helps clients in technology, life sciences, and manufacturing use intellectual property and international trade enforcement tools to compete in U.S. and global markets.
Prior to joining the firm, she was a Commissioner and Chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), where she was a decision-maker in hundreds of Section 337, antidumping, countervailing duty, and safeguard investigations. Drawing on her 20 years of experience in the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government, she develops legal and public policy strategies to assist clients navigating the U.S. International Trade Commission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Congress, and the courts.
In her role as Chairman of the ITC, Ms. Aranoff frequently engaged with Congress, USTR, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection on intellectual property and international trade issues, including patent reform legislation and proposals to amend Section 337.
Ms. Aranoff previously served as Senior International Trade Counsel for Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) at the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, where she was responsible for legislative and policy issues including Trade Promotion Authority; negotiations involving the World Trade Organization and free trade agreements; and trade remedy and customs laws. She also served as an attorney-advisor in the Office of the General Counsel at the ITC, where she was lead counsel in appellate litigation before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Court of International Trade.
ITC Section 337 Investigations
- Represent Texas Instruments in 337-TA-984, Certain Computing or Graphics Systems, Components Thereof, and Vehicles Containing Same.
- Represent Samsung in 337-TA- 925, Certain Communications or Computing Devices and Components Thereof.
Trade Remedy Investigations
- Represent Union Pacific Railroad in USITC Antidumping and Countervailing Duty investigations of 53-Foot Domestic Dry Containers from China, Inv. Nos. 701-TA-514 and 731-TA-1250.
- Represent South32 in antidumping investigation of Silicomanganese from Australia, Inv. No. 731-TA-1269.
- Represent Asian paper manufacturer in USITC investigation of Certain Uncoated Paper from Australia, Brazil, China, Indonesia, and Portugal, Inv. Nos. 701-TA-528-529 & 731-TA-1264-1268.
Customs Matters
- Assist pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, food and cosmetic companies to establish compliant Customs country of origin marking and classification practices.
- Assist chemical company to file Miscellaneous Tariff Bill tariff suspension requests.
- Assist global energy company with the reorganization of its U.S. customs compliance functions.
- Assist engineering and pharmaceutical companies with prior disclosures and drafting new customs compliance manuals.
Previous Experience
- U.S. International Trade Commission, Commissioner and Chairman
- U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, Senior International Trade Counsel to Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) Office of the General Counsel, U.S. International Trade Commission, Attorney Advisor
January 2021
Recapture of Excess COVID-19 Payroll Tax Credits Addressed in New Regs As the legal, regulatory, and commercial implications of coronavirus COVID-19 continue to evolve, our lawyers and advisors are helping clients navigate the complex considerations that companies around the world are facing and develop plans and strategies in response. Reach out to our ...
Recent Developments and the Future Outlook for the Ongoing US-EU Large Civil Aircraft Trade Dispute
November 16, 2020, Covington Alert
Latest Developments In the latest tit-for-tat action in a long-running trade dispute between the United States (“US”) and the European Union (“EU”), the EU announced that effective November 10, 2020 it would apply a 25% tariff on products found in 136 8-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule (“HTS”) numbers ranging from vitamins to video game consoles. (The full list ...
National Security Tariff Investigation Targets Steel-Based Components of Electrical Transformers
May 7, 2020, Covington Alert
The Commerce Department on May 4, 2020, announced a new investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, this time examining whether “laminations for stacked cores for incorporation into transformers, stacked and wound cores for incorporation into transformers, electrical transformers, and transformer regulators are being imported into the ...
April 20, 2020, Covington Alert
In response to ongoing requests for tariff relief from importers facing economic hardship during the COVID-19 crisis as well as pressure from Congress, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury released a joint temporary final rule on April 19, 2020, that provides importers with an option to delay the payment of certain ...
January 28, 2020, Global Policy Watch
Because labor-related obligations in existing U.S. trade agreements are general and largely hortatory, few enforcement actions have been taken with regard to these obligations. The labor obligations in the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States and Canada (“USMCA” or “Agreement”), however, are specific and likely to be ...
January 28, 2020, Covington Alert
Because labor-related obligations in existing U.S. trade agreements are general and largely hortatory, few enforcement actions have been taken with regard to these obligations. The labor obligations in the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States and Canada (“USMCA” or “Agreement”), however, are specific and likely to be ...
October 22, 2019, Global Policy Watch
With the recent plethora of new tariff measures aimed at imports of steel, aluminum, solar panels, aircraft, and a wide array of products from China, tariffs are affecting the bottom lines of American companies in a way not seen in decades. For importers seeking tariff mitigation options, a window of opportunity has just opened. In...… Continue Reading
The National Law Journal - General Litigation Winner
June 3, 2019, The National Law Journal
March 28, 2019, Covington Alert
On March 25, 2019, the U.S. Court of International Trade (“CIT”) denied a constitutional challenge to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, thereby upholding the steel and aluminum tariffs that President Donald Trump imposed in March 2018 on the basis of national security concerns.
March 27, 2019, Covington Alert
On March 12, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“Federal Circuit”) affirmed the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (“Commerce”) determination that solar panels assembled in China from non-Chinese cells were subject to antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD).
Shara Aranoff Named "Intellectual Property Trailblazer"
March 1, 2019
WASHINGTON—The National Law Journal has named Covington's Shara Aranoff to its list of "Intellectual Property Trailblazers." This list profiles the top 27 lawyers nationwide who have moved the needle in copyright, trademark, patent, and trade secrets law. Ms. Aranoff helps clients in technology, life sciences, and manufacturing use intellectual property and ...
Four Covington Partners Named Law360 MVPs
December 12, 2018
WASHINGTON—Law360 has named four Covington partners as MVPs in their respective practice areas. The awards single out lawyers from across numerous practice areas based on their success in high-stakes litigation, complex global matters, and record-breaking deals. The Covington lawyers recognized as Law360 MVPs are: Shara Aranoff, International Trade. Ms. ...
Covington Promotes 20 New Partners
October 1, 2018
WASHINGTON—Covington has promoted 20 lawyers to its partnership. “This group covers a wide range of the firm’s most important practices and reflects the ongoing imperative of continuing to build and expand our strengths and to position the firm most effectively to be vibrant in the years ahead,” said Timothy Hester, Covington’s chair. "The size of our class is a ...
Don't Stop The Presses: Canadian Newsprint Tariffs Axed
August 29, 2018, Law360
Shara Aranoff is quoted in Law360 regarding the firm’s victory before the U.S. International Trade Commission’s regarding tariffs imposed Canadian imports on newsprints. Ms. Aranoff says, “This is really a win-win both for newspapers in the U.S. and for the paper mills who supply them."
March 12, 2018, Inside U.S. Trade
Shara Aranoff spoke at an event hosted by Georgetown Law and is quoted in an Inside U.S. Trade article regarding the U.S. Court of International Trade's decision to deny a request by three Canadian solar panel producers for a temporary restraining order that would have suspended safeguard measures the U.S. imposed on all countries in January. According to ...
ITC Says Delta's Bombardier Order Didn't Harm Boeing
February 15, 2018, Law360
Shara Aranoff is quoted in a Law360 article regarding an opinion issued by the ITC stating that Boeing was not harmed when Delta ordered Canadian plans from Bombardier. According to Aranoff, who represents Bombardier, “We are pleased with the ITC's decision, which gives Bombardier a resounding victory in this dispute."
January 26, 2018
WASHINGTON—Covington won a significant trade case today before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on behalf of its client Bombardier. In a 4-0 ruling, the ITC rejected Boeing Co.’s complaint that it was threatened with material injury by imports of Bombardier’s new C Series aircraft. The decision means that the U.S. Department of Commerce can no ...
June 2017, Pratt's Energy Law Report
April 27, 2017, Global Policy Watch
On April 26, 2017, the U.S.-based solar manufacturer Suniva, Inc. filed a petition for global safeguards with the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”). In particular, Suniva requests the imposition of tariffs on solar cells and the establishment of a minimum price for solar modules imported into the United States. The petition was filed under Section...… ...
April 27, 2017, Covington Alert
On April 26, 2017, the U.S.-based solar manufacturer Suniva, Inc. filed a petition for global safeguards with the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”). In particular, Suniva requests the imposition of tariffs on solar cells and the establishment of a minimum price for solar modules imported into the United States. The petition was filed under Section 201 ...
Six Covington Lawyers Named Law360 MVPs
January 3, 2017
WASHINGTON—Law360 has named six Covington lawyers as MVPs in their respective practice areas. The awards single out lawyers from across various practice areas based on their “success in high-stakes litigation, complex global matters, and record-breaking deals.” The Covington lawyers recognized as Law360 MVPs are: Shara Aranoff, International Trade. Ms. ...
International Trade MVP: Covington's Shara Aranoff
December 9, 2016, Law360
Law360 selected Shara Aranoff as a 2016 International Trade MVP and profiled her work over the past year, including her representation of South32 and Union Pacific Railroad Co. at the ITC. Law360 also highlights Aranoff’s ongoing defense of China’s Baosteel Group in a Section 337 case, the first antitrust-based investigation at the ITC in more than 25 ...
October 3, 2016, Global Policy Watch
In a notice published in Friday’s Federal Register, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC or Commission) has issued interim rules implementing the new miscellaneous tariff bill process mandated by Congress in the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016. The rules create a new pathway for U.S. manufacturers to seek temporary suspension or ...
Fall, 2016, Georgetown Journal of International Law
April 20, 2016, Global Policy Watch
The United Steelworkers union (USW) on April 18 filed a petition with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) for the U.S. to invoke a global safeguard under Section 201 of U.S. trade law and impose tariffs of up to 50 percent on primary unwrought aluminum. This proceeding could have significant impacts on global aluminum producers...… Continue Reading
April 19, 2016, Global Policy Watch
Since President Obama announced the normalization of U.S. relations with Cuba in December of 2014, U.S. businesses have begun to plan for the eventual lifting of U.S. economic sanctions against Cuba. While the Obama Administration has taken a number of steps to jumpstart interactions between U.S. businesses and the Cuban private sector, including easing ...
April 6, 2016, Global Policy Watch
We think a new trade enforcement tool is needed that would give US companies an opportunity to seek Trade Enforcement Advisory Opinions from the International Trade Commission (ITC). We describe this proposal in an op-ed piece that was up on Politico today. Our proposal is that Congress should expand its use of Section 332 beyond...… Continue Reading
September 17, 2015, Global Policy Watch
Proponents of increased U.S. trade with Cuba rightly point to the potential economic benefits to U.S. exporters, particularly in the food and agriculture sector, from greater trade. But achieving that potential may take more than the lifting of the U.S. trade embargo with Cuba. A forthcoming study from the U.S. International Trade Commission promises a...… ...
Introduction to Section 337 Patent Litigation at the ITC
April 2015, Conference on Enterprise Intellectual Property Operation Practice sponsored by Shenzhen Municipality Intellectual Property Office, Shenzhen, China
February 2, 2015, Global Policy Watch
On January 30, 2015, the U.S. International Trade Commission launched a study on the economic effects of current U.S. trade and travel restrictions on U.S. trade with Cuba. The study was requested in December by then-Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Senator Ron Wyden in connection with President Obama’s announcement of a change in direction...… Continue ...
Insights from ITC Alumni
February 2015, American Conference Institute, Section 337 Litigation Forum
Trade Remedies Year in Review
February 2015, Georgetown International Trade Update
New Horizons in International Trade: The Landscape in 2015 and 2016
January 2015, Customs and International Trade Bar Association
December 23, 2014, Global Policy Watch
On December 22, 2014, the U.S. International Trade Commission released its report on Trade, Investment, and Industrial Policies in India: Effects on the U.S. Economy. Prepared at the request of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees, the 450-page report highlights the substantial growth in U.S. economic engagement with India since 2007, ...
Another Big Year For ITC: Top 12 Section 337 Highlights
December 17, 2014, Law360
Covington's Shara Aranoff authored this article on the top ITC cases for the year: "This has been another eventful year for litigation before the U.S. International Trade Commission under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. While the ITC refined the domestic industry standard in cases involving nonpracticing entities, newly introduced legislation might ...
Interactions Between the ITC, Other Trade Agencies, and the Courts in Trade Remedy Investigations
December 2014, U.S. Court of International Trade Judicial Conference
ITC Trends Medical Device Companies Should Know About
November 14, 2014, Law360
Covington's Shara Aranoff has written this article for Law360 on ITC trends: "Over the past 20 years, the number of patent infringement disputes filed annually at the U.S. International Trade Commission has more than tripled. Although typically associated with smartphones and semiconductor chips, the ITC has also seen quite a few disputes involving medical ...
Influential Women In IP Law: Shara Aranoff
October 3, 2014, Law360
Covington's Shara Aranoff is featured in this article on being named an "Influential Woman in IP Law" by Law360: "Covington & Burling LLP's recently hired of counsel Shara Aranoff made her mark on the way intellectual property is treated at the U.S. border during her time on the U.S. International Trade Commission, expanding the board's ability to handle ...
October 3, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC, October 3, 2014 — Law360 named Covington & Burling’s Shara Aranoff an “Influential Woman in IP law.” The inaugural series recognizes “women who have made significant strides in the male-dominated field of intellectual property law.” Law360 highlighted Ms. Aranoff’s accomplishments as Commissioner and Chairman of the International Trade ...
ITC Patent Case Reflects Tech's New Role
August 21, 2014, Women's Wear Daily
Covington's Shara Aranoff is quoted in this article regarding the U.S. International Trade Commission patent infringement case aimed at 17 American and European brands and retailers, the largest ever against apparel retailers and brands: Shara L. Aranoff, a former ITC chair who is an international trade attorney at Covington & Burling LLP, said there have been ...
Section 337 Litigation
June 2014, 6th Annual China IP Counsel Congress, Shanghai
The Meaning of ‘Article’ in the Domestic Industry Requirement of Section 337: Application of the ‘Technical Prong’ to Licensing-Based Industries
May 16, 2014, Federal Circuit Bar Association Webinar
May 6, 2014, Bloomberg
Shara Aranoff is featured in the articles above regarding her new role at Covington.
Former ITC Chairman Shara Aranoff Joins Covington
May 5, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC, May 5, 2014 — Shara Aranoff, former Commissioner and Chairman of the U.S. International Trade Commission, has joined Covington & Burling as of counsel in the firm’s intellectual property and international trade practices. Ms. Aranoff will focus on advising clients in Section 337 investigations as well as in international trade litigation, ...
Views from the Commission
February 26, 2014, American Conference Institute, Section 337 Litigation and Enforcement Conference, Washington, DC
Patent Policy and Reform: the President’s June 4 Proposals and Recent Developments at the USITC
October 2, 2013, ChIPs Women in IP Global Summit, Washington, DC
- The National Law Journal, "Intellectual Property Trailblazers" (2019)
- Law360, "International Trade MVP" (2018, 2016)
- Legal 500 US, Patent Litigation - International Trade Commission (2016-2017)
- Legal 500 US, Dispute Resolution - International Trade (2017)
- Legal 500 US, Litigation - International Trade and Government Relations (2015)
- Law360, "Influential Woman in IP Law" (2014)

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