Laura Ardito

Associate

• lardito@steptoe.com
• vCard
• Washington Office

Laura Ardito is an associate in the Washington office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where she is a member of the International Department. 

In Ms. Ardito’s international trade litigation practice, she represents clients in proceedings before the US Department of Commerce, including antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, and in appellate litigation before the US Court of International Trade and US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Ms. Ardito was part of a Steptoe team that won a unanimous victory in the first case interpreting antidumping law heard by the US Supreme Court.

In Ms. Ardito's regulatory practice, she assists clients in complying with economic sanctions laws, export controls, and customs regulations. Ms. Ardito also assists with associated enforcement actions, including conducting internal investigations, preparing voluntary disclosures, and responding to penalty notices.  

Ms. Ardito advises corporations on human rights and social responsibility initiatives. She also advises clients on international investments, including matters related to bilateral investment treaties. Ms. Ardito has experience working on client matters involving the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Prior to joining Steptoe, Ms. Ardito was a law clerk to the Honorable Peter B. Krauser, the Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Ms. Ardito also served as a Legal Fellow at the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, where she focused primarily on international legal regimes to address human trafficking. In addition, Ms. Ardito held internships with the US Department of Justice, Organized Crime and Racketeering Section; and the Honorable C. Philip Nichols, Jr. of the Prince George’s County Circuit Court and US Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals. 

Ms. Ardito serves on the firm’s pro bono committee. She provides pro bono representation in the areas of immigration and international human rights.

Prior to law school, Ms. Ardito worked at Vital Voices Global Partnership, an international non-governmental organization, on human trafficking and forced labor issues.

Select News & Events

• Steptoe Trade Team Successfully Challenges Commerce Department Dumping Margin Calculations
• Corporate Social Accountability Webinar on Forced Labor, April 27, 2010, (A Steptoe-Sponsored Event)
• A Historic Decision for International Trade: U.S. Supreme Court’s First-Ever Ruling on the Antidumping Law

Selected Publications

• Commentary on Developments in Section 1581 (c) NME Cases
  Fall 2010, Georgetown Journal of International Law
• The International Trade Commission Increases Its Focus on the Public Interest in Section 337 Cases
  September 29, 2010
• Laura Ardito on: Abdullahi v. Pfizer, Inc.
  April 2009, LexisNexis Emerging Issues Analysis
• International Law Advisory - U.S. Census Bureau Updates List of Harmonized Tariff Schedule Codes Prohibited from Use in AES Export Declarations
  March 19, 2009
• International Law Advisory - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Issues New Penalty Guidelines For Violations of the Export Declaration Regulations
  January 9, 2009
• Customs Law Advisory - US Customs Proposes To Change Country Of Origin Rules For Most Imports
  August 12, 2008
• Customs Law Advisory - US Court Decision Highlights the Need for Importers to Review the Terms and Conditions that Govern Customs Broker Services
  March 31, 2008

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association, International Section
• Maryland State Bar Association