Shaya Tavaf

Steering countries through the legal maze of international trade

I received my Juris Doctor from the American University Washington College of Law. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Boston University with a focus on Foreign Policy and Security Studies in the Middle East and a minor in French Literature.

I’m now an Attorney Advisor with the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) in the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

My work focuses on international trade, export and investment promotion, intellectual property protection, and digital trade. 

I help partner countries with legal, regulatory, and policy reform in customs and transportation-related matters. I also advise foreign governments on their compliance with international and bilateral trade agreement obligations. 

I have coordinated workshops, consultations and conferences on transportation issues and digital solutions in partnership with IRU experts in various countries in South and Central Asia, as well as Southern and Eastern Europe. The projects focused on boosting connectivity and market access through the implementation of digital solutions such as eTIR. 

The views and opinions expressed by the New Industry Shapers do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of IRU.