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Sahar J. Hafeez

Senior Counsel
Washington, DC

Senior Counsel, Washington, DC

T: +1.202.663.8051
T: +1.202.663.8051

Areas of Focus

Sahar Hafeez focuses her practice on international trade and national security matters.

Sahar advises companies across multiple industries, including the minerals, semiconductor, nuclear energy and manufacturing industries, on international trade and national security matters, including import/export restrictions, trade remedies, investment security, digital trade (including border data flows), trade policy and OFAC sanctions. Sahar also co-leads Pillsbury’s Minerals, Metals and Materials practice.  She served in government for four years as a senior advisor in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and Bureau of Industry and Security and Director of International Economics at the White House National Security Council, where she led and advised on semiconductor and mineral supply chains and digital trade.

 

Representative Experience

Government experience (prior to joining Pillsbury)

  • Led the June 2021 White House 100-Day Review of the Semiconductor Manufacturing and Advanced Packaging Supply Chain; co-led and drafted the September 2021 Request for Information on risks in the semiconductor supply chain to identify vulnerable nodes in the supply chain.
  • Produced mineral-by-mineral supply chain assessments and U.S. Government policy recommendations.
  • Convened producer and consumer industry and investors to drive investment in minerals.

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  • Government experience (prior to joining Pillsbury) cont'd
    • Advised U.S. Department of Commerce and White House on a Section 232 investigation on rare earth magnets.
    • Led for the U.S. Department of Commerce a U.S. Department of Commerce-Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries report on non-market policies and practices impacting mineral markets.
    • Led for the U.S. negotiations and international partners on mineral supply chains.
    • Led the development of Executive Order 14086 regarding signals intelligence, which implemented U.S. commitments under the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework, and related negotiations with the EU.
    • Managed the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council.
  • Advised U.S. nuclear utilities in connection with various proceedings impacting nuclear fuel supply, including Section 232 national security investigation on uranium imports by domestic mining companies in parallel with antidumping proceedings, and related executive and congressional initiatives. Advocacy included preparing response comments and conducting high-level meetings at the White House and various agencies.
  • Represented U.S. manufacturer in Section 232 investigation into copper imports.
  • Successfully opposed tariffs on behalf of European crane manufacturer in U.S. Department of Commerce Section 232 investigation on mobile cranes.
  • Represented Finnish producer and supplier of technologies, automation and services in U.S. Trade Representative proceedings concerning potential tariff increases on Chinese products in connection with Section 301 investigation on China’s intellectual property practices.
  • Advised large manufacturer on HTS classification and prior disclosure issues in connection with imports of steel and glass construction materials.
  • Advised software company on compliance with encryption regulations under the EAR.
  • Advised global technology company on system-wide approach to services for sanctioned parties; assessing general licenses and Berman Amendment.

Professional Highlights

Government Service

  • Senior Advisor to Assistant Secretary for Industry and Analysis, Department of Commerce
  • Senior Advisor to Under Secretary for Industry and Security, Department of Commerce
  • Director of International Economics, White House National Security Council
  • Special Assistant General Counsel, Office of U.S. Trade Representative

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  • Pro Bono

    • Sahar has helped non-governmental organizations prepare petitions requesting the U.S. government to sanction individuals under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, conducted analysis of damages awarded in federal cases involving human trafficking claims, and successfully spearheaded an American Bar Associations Report and Resolution on U.S. policy responses to the Rohingya refugee crisis.

  • Received Pro Bono Achievement Award
  • Received 2019 American Bar Association Outstanding Volunteer Award
  • Awarded the CALI Excellence Award for Legal Research and Writing
  • Recognized by Super Lawyers as Rising Star 2017, 2018, 2019
  • Affiliations
    • Council on Foreign Relations, Term Member (2021 – Present)
    • Foreign Policy for America, Board Member (2020 – 2021)
    • Human Trafficking Legal Center, Advisory Board (2018 – 2021)
    • University Club of Washington, DC, International Committee, Member (2018 – 2021)
    • Atlantic Council Nuclear Energy and National Security Coalition, Member (2019 – 2020)
    • ABA, International Trade Committee, Vice-Chair (2017 – 2020)
  • Publications
    • Case Note on the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals' Analysis Regarding the Scope of Review of the Post-Grant Review by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in the Case of Versata Development Group, Inc. and SAP AG
    • Leveling the Playing Field for American Companies and Workers – Ensuring that Goods Made with Forced Labor Are Identified and Banned Pursuant to U.S. Law
    • U.S.-Cuba Related Sanctions Update and Overview: Obama Administration Further Eases Cuba Sanctions Against the Backdrop of Strict Statutory Restrictions
    • Elimination of a Loophole Exempting Investigation of Certain Goods Alleged to Be Derived from Forced Labor – Greater Enforcement in the Offing?
  • Speaking Engagements
    • Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference, “Looking Forward: Pending Policy Changes Shaping Location,” Orlando, FL, March 13, 2025.

Education

  • J.D., University of California, Irvine School of Law, 2014

    B.A., University of California, Irvine, 2010

Admissions

  • District of Columbia

    California

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

    U.S. Court of International Trade

Languages

  • Urdu

Sahar's Insights

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