More than 20 years of experience providing practical solutions for legal and compliance matters.
Counsels U.S. and international companies across myriad industries, including aerospace, agribusiness, consumer electronics, defense, health care, higher education, manufacturing and national security.

Susan Kovarovics focuses her practice on matters involving the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), U.S. antiboycott laws and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

She leverages this specialized experience to play a vital role in merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions, helping her clients conduct due diligence and evaluate risk related to export and sanctions compliance, antiboycott and anticorruption matters.

By working with her clients to minimize hurdles, Susan is able to structure compliance programs that integrate into the business. This approach makes compliance with the policies routine and not a hindrance. She counsels her clients on day-to-day compliance, collaborates with them to implement best practices through internal audits and investigations and, when needed, strongly advocates on their behalf before government enforcement officials.

Education
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude, 1996
B.A., Drew University, summa cum laude, 1993

Bar Admissions
District of Columbia
Virginia

Recognitions

Chambers Global, International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions, United States, 2021-2022, 2024.
The Best Lawyers in America, International Trade and Finance Law, 2023.
Chambers USA, International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions, 2021-2022.
The Best Lawyers in America®, 2019-2021.

Affiliations and Public Service

Board member, National Conference of Women’s Bar Association, Board Member, 2018-2020.
Liaison to the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession, Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia, 2017-2019 Immediate Past President, 2016-2017; President, 2015-2016; President-Elect, 2014-2015; Member, 2001-Present; International Law Forum Co-chair, 2001-2004; Nominations Committee, 2013; Awards Committee, 2016-2018.
American Bar Association, member, International Law Section, Export Control & Economic Sanctions Committee.
The Society for International Affairs.

Speeches and Publications

Panelist, “The Growing Impact of International Trade Laws for Med Tech Companies,” MDMA Webinar, March 20, 2024.
Panelist, “Careers in National Security Law: The Intersection of Policy, Politics, & Practice,” Journal of National Security Law & Policy Annual Symposium, March 6, 2024.
“What is the Update in Sanctions?/ Due diligence efforts,” International Chamber of Commerce - Belgium: Export Controls & Sanctions Seminar, Brussels, June 21, 2022.
“Supporting Attorney Mothers and Caregivers,” What Firms are Doing: Strategies for the Retention of Women Series, The Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia, December 14, 2021.
“EU & US export controls and enforcement cases,” ICC Webinar, September 30, 2020.
“Managing EU/US Trade Controls During the Pandemic,” ICC Webinar, June 17, 2020.
“Sanctions Compliance Programs for Multinational Companies: Does Your Program Make the Cut?,” ICC Webinar, November 2019.
“2nd Conference on Trade Compliance,” ICC Seminar, Frankfurt, Germany, October 21, 2019.
“Current challenges and critical issues from an EU and US perspective,” ICC Seminar, The Hague, October 17, 2019.