Joyce Adetutu
International trade regimes are becoming increasingly interconnected, which means cross-border commercial transactions, and even many domestic transactions, will trigger international trade implications. Our team is uniquely positioned to advise on the full spectrum of international trade issues, including the customs, economic sanctions, and export control laws of multiple jurisdictions. Joyce Adetutu is a partner in Vinson & Elkins’ Export Controls & Economic Sanctions and National Security Reviews (CFIUS) practice group. She focuses her practice on assisting clients in understanding complex legal regimes governing the international trade of goods, services, and cross-border investments.
In her international trade practice, Joyce has represented clients in matters involving economic and trade sanctions administered by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and reviews conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Joyce has also advised clients with regard to the applicability of U.S. export controls to their goods, software and technology and has represented them before the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Joyce also provides counsel to clients seeking help with customs questions, including assisting with questions related to product classification on using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and questions related to imports involving the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection agency.
Joyce’s early experience with large-scale energy transactions gives her an understanding of complex commercial issues when counseling clients on matters related to international trade. Joyce has counseled clients on a broad range of energy-related transactions, including upstream and midstream acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures, as well as the structuring and negotiation of energy projects around the world, including in the United States, the Middle East, and South America.
Experience Highlights
Advised power generation company on the design and implementation of sanctions compliance policies
Advised European energy company on issues related to licensed activities in Venezuela during change in political landscape and shift in U.S. foreign policy related to Venezuelan relations
Advised company organized in Bermuda on international trade issues related to the sale of oil and gas assets to a Chinese oil company
Assisted German automotive company in the analysis of sanctions compliance issues related to exiting Russian market post-Russia/Ukraine war
Advised Chinese data center solutions provider in the drafting and establishment of export control compliance policies and procedures
Advised U.S.-based supplier of production equipment to the semiconductor industry with regard to U.S. export controls applicable to China; assisted client in obtaining BIS licenses authorizing the exportation of company products to various Chinese companies on the Entity List, including SMIC subsidiaries
Advised U.S.-based animal health company on export control and sanctions issues related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Advised metallurgical coal company on CFIUS issues related to an acquisition of a controlling interest in the company by a non-U.S. person and prepared and filed the Declaration to CFIUS related thereto
Advised LNG trade association on impact to LNG industry of proposed Section 301 Tariffs on the maritime and shipbuilding sector and drafted comments submitted to the US Trade Representative regarding the same
Advised U.S. Rubber manufacturer on the impact of tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Mexico under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)
Advised renewable power generation company on issues related to the import of equipment subject to Section 301 Tariffs
Counseled clients across jurisdictions operating in different sectors of the economy regarding the applicability of US sanctions to their business activities including clients in the energy, technology, food and beverage, financial and life sciences sectors
Advised Middle Eastern energy technology company on issues related to sanctions compliance and screening related to activities in Russia post-Russia/Ukraine war
Advised Norwegian transportation and storage company on sanctions, export control, and anti-corruption issues related to establishing a business in the United States
Represented U.S.-based oilfield services company on the analysis, preparation, and filing of OFAC license applications related to activities in Venezuela
Advised Taiwanese blockchain services company on the drafting and establishment of sanctions compliance policies and procedures
Represented Chinese bank in applying for an application to unblock funds
Managed and conducted sanctions due diligence on over 200 corporate and energy/infrastructure transactions
Counseled clients in all aspects of the export, reexport, and transfer of items subject to U.S. export controls including the classification, jurisdictional analysis, and coordinating with relevant agencies for licensing
Advised Middle Eastern energy technology company on issues related to technology exports
Advised Chinese information and communications technology company on potential U.S. forced labor, sanctions, export, and import issues related to U.S. market access for the company’s intelligent automotive products
Advised Chinese data center solutions provider in the drafting and establishment of export control compliance policies and procedures
Advised South Korean semiconductor manufacturer on export control issues related to sales through a third party intermediary
Managed and conducted export control due diligence on over 200 corporate and energy/infrastructure transactions
Advised Middle Eastern energy company on CFIUS issues related to a contemplated acquisition of certain OCS Leases in the United States and prepared and filed the Joint Voluntary Notice to CFIUS related thereto
Assisted energy engineering and construction services company in the preparation and filing of a joint voluntary notice to CFIUS
Conducted CFIUS due diligence for a number of corporate and energy/infrastructure transactions
Advised U.S. energy marketing and trading company on the impact of IEEPA tariffs on the import of power into the United States
Analyzed import considerations for a supplier of law enforcement, military, and personal protective equipment
Advised client headquartered in China on issues related to detained shipments under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
Credentials
- University of Denver College of Law, J.D. (Order of the Coif, Order of St. Ives), 2015
- University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, B.S. (magna cum laude), 2012
- Recognized as “One to Watch” for Energy Law by The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward White, Inc.), 2025
- Recognized as a “Rising Star” by The Legal 500 U.S., 2024
- Member of the Board of Directors of Open Gate Homeless Ministries
- Texas
- Spanish (conversational)
- Press ReleaseMay 7, 2025