Leanne Sobel is a member of the federal practice in Sutherland’s Energy and Environmental Practice Group. She focuses her practice on international trade, regulatory and transaction tax matters affecting trading of refined petroleum products, and other energy commodities. Leanne advises on U.S. trade and foreign policy, federal energy policy and U.S. Customs regulations including issues arising from the Jones Act. She also advises clients on energy, environmental and foreign affairs legislative and policy issues on Capitol Hill and in the executive branch.

Leanne’s experience includes international transactions involving state sell-offs to private companies and state contracting with private companies, particularly in the areas of nuclear energy and oil exploration. Her tax practice covers federal registrations, taxes and fees due on importation, including customs duties, fees and oil spill fees.

In her trade and foreign policy practice, Leanne advises clients on issues related to compliance with the foreign assets control programs applicable to U.S. persons, extraterritorial sanctions laws, antiboycott laws and export restrictions. She counsels firms regarding transactions and investments involving the governments, nationals and products of countries subject to trade sanctions and, where necessary, assists them in obtaining licenses from the U.S. Department of Treasury to enter into transactions otherwise prohibited or with respect to blocked property. Leanne also helps clients obtain export licenses from the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security to allow them to export items that are subject to the export control regulations.

Leanne assists on a wide range of matters for the firm’s legislative affairs practice and provides counsel in the representation of such interests, with a particular emphasis on federal energy tax policy and legislative issues surrounding U.S. sanctions programs.