Clinton K. Yu

Clinton is a trusted advisor for domestic and foreign clients in navigating the complex international trade issues affecting corporate and commercial transactions. He is also a strong advocate for clients dealing with U.S. government enforcement, whether in the context of investigations, penalties or voluntary disclosures.

With more than a decade of experience, Clinton practices before the federal agencies that enforce U.S. international trade regulations, such as the U.S. Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Clinton’s practice in the areas of customs and trade remedies includes Section 301 and Section 232 tariffs, antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD), country of origin, tariff classification (HTS), valuation, forced labor (UFLPA) and supply chain issues, import compliance programs, customs rulings, petitions and protests, prior disclosures, seizures and forfeitures, and free trade agreements including USMCA. His export controls and sanctions experience is equally comprehensive and includes export classification (ECCN and USML categories), commodity jurisdiction, restricted party screening (SDN, MEU, Entity List, etc.), export licenses, audits and monitorships, voluntary self-disclosures (VSD), and creation of export compliance programs.

He is frequently called upon in cross-border transactions to guide clients through import and export due diligence, and in particular, through the various stages of national security reviews before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), including the filing of joint voluntary notices and declarations.

Regularly speaking on trade and investment topics across the country and abroad, Clinton has also been quoted in various publications throughout his career. In 2019, he was one of only a handful of attorneys in the U.S. recognized by Law360 as a Rising Star in International Trade.

Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, Clinton practiced customs and international trade law in Houston, Texas, representing some of the largest energy companies in the world.