Tatman provides compliance counseling and support to clients on a range of issues related to export control, sanctions, and anticorruption laws. In this regard, she helps clients evaluate and meet their compliance obligations by analyzing legal requirements and trade policy initiatives that intersect with her clients’ business interests. She also assists clients with preparing license applications, advisory opinion requests, classification requests and commodity jurisdiction requests to relevant U.S. government agencies.
In addition, Tatman has significant experience conducting compliance reviews to assess the exposure of companies in relation to international trade laws. In connection with undertaking compliance assessments, Tatman works with both U.S. and non-U.S. companies to design, build, improve, and implement compliance programs that are tailored to address the areas of legal risk presented by their business operations. She also develops training presentations and seminars on a variety of international trade control topics, which she has delivered throughout the Asia Pacific region, including in China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan.
A key focus of Tatman’s practice is representing companies and individuals in government and corporate internal investigations. She has conducted dozens of internal investigations, many of which have resulted in voluntary self-disclosures to relevant government agencies. Specifically, she has experience representing clients in investigations and enforcement proceedings involving the following U.S. government agencies:
- Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
- Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC)
- Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
- Department of Justice (DOJ).
Tatman also manages national security reviews conducted by CFIUS under the Exon-Florio law and advises on the impact of CFIUS reforms under the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA). Moreover, she assists clients with cross-border transactions by conducting due diligence and developing strategies to mitigate international trade compliance liabilities.
Prior to joining Akin Gump, Tatman clerked for the Honorable Lawrence E. Meyers of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. She also served as a summer law clerk on the House Committee on Homeland Security and worked as an intelligence analyst at the National Security Agency.