Jonathan Wang

Associate
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Jonathan Wang

Overview

Jonathan Wang is an associate in the Governmental Practice in the firm's Washington D.C. office. 

His primary areas of practice are in compliance counseling, investigations, public policy, and cross-border transactional work involving export controls, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR); customs and imports; economic sanctions and embargoes, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA); antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD); and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

Jonathan also maintains an active pro bono practice aiding small businesses in Washington D.C.

Prior to Sheppard, Jonathan served in the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Legislative Affairs Office while attending law school at night. He also served as an intern for the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps and was a research assistant for the Georgetown Law Journal Annual Review of Criminal Procedure.

Jonathan's investigative experience comes from his time before law school as a researcher for the South Carolina Democratic Party where he investigated political candidates.

Experience

Export Controls

  • Successfully obtained a Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) export license to China for a U.S. semiconductor manufacturing company
  • Conducted an enterprise-wide ITAR and EAR compliance program review for a major U.S. defense contractor
  • Conducted an internal investigation into export control violations for a major U.S. defense contractor
  • Advised a Chinese audio chip company on complying with U.S. person semiconductor export control regulations
  • Advised on export control classification for unmanned surface vehicle manufacturer; chip manufacturer; wearable health tracker manufacturer; aircraft parts manufacturer; and international non-profit organization
  • Assist in a U.S. university’s internal investigation on export control violations
  • Performed due diligence enabling aircraft antenna company to be acquired by an aerospace and electronics company
  • Advised luxury goods manufacturer on exporting certain goods to Russia
  • Draft export control service agreement language for a global staffing contractor
  • Advised satellite communications company on the export of certain items on behalf of U.N. activities

Customs

  • Successfully reduced gaming company’s flagship product from a 7.5% duty rate to a 0% duty rate
  • Successfully assisted in amending CBP tariff classification ruling for beverage dispensers on behalf of a food and beverage manufacturer
  • Prepared and submitted a prior disclosure and protest for global water control systems and plumbing solutions company resulting in successful refunds
  • Assisted in the mitigation of a wood packaging material penalty for an office furniture manufacturer
  • Advised health equipment manufacturer on Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification for wearable health tracker
  • Advised office furniture manufacturer on customs valuation for firmware
  • Advised exercise equipment company on the appropriate country of origin for certain items
  • Advised fire and safety equipment company on duty drawbacks allowing for refunds on those duties
  • Drafted forced labor training slide deck on behalf of Chinese manufacturer
  • Analyzed potential preferential treatment under United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) for certain exercise equipment
  • Assisted a leading produce supplier respond to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seizure notice

Sanctions

  • Advised communications company on Russia sanctions for the export of certain services and contract risks and provide mitigating solutions
  • Advised technology company on the export of certain Internet of Things (IoT) products to Russia
  • Advised satellite communications company on engaging with a Russian entity
  • Advised multinational bank on compliance with Myanmar sanctions
  • Assisted in drafting Russia sanctions employee handbook for multinational bank
  • Advised information technology services company on compliance with Iran sanctions

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)

  • Advised Chinese company on scenarios where FCPA jurisdiction may apply

Trade Litigation

  • Assisted bottling company in AD/CVD proceedings concerning certain PET resin
  • Drafted summary judgment motions on behalf of global energy solutions company in a tariff classification lawsuit

Additional Experience

  • Drafted and submitted a voluntary self-disclosure to the Census Bureau for potential violations of Foreign Trade Regulations on behalf of an aircraft antenna company
Credentials
Education

J.D., Georgetown Law, 2021, Order of the Coif, magna cum laude

B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 2013

Admissions

District of Columbia

Honors

Top Author, JD Supra Readers' Choice Awards, 2024

JD Supra Top Author 2024
Memberships

Member, Society of International Affairs

Thought Leadership

Books

  • Co-author, GSA Schedule Handbook: International Trade Compliance for MAS Contractors Chapter