Shiva Aminian

Los Angeles
Shiva Aminian, a partner at Akin, stands at the forefront of the rapidly evolving intersection between artificial intelligence and international trade. With two decades of experience in export controls and sanctions, Aminian has become a leading voice in AI regulation and global commerce.
"I've been practicing in international trade with a focus on export controls and sanctions for about 20 years," Aminian explained. "I relocated to California in 2016 to focus on building a technology practice. What's fascinating about international trade is how fluid it is. The geopolitical landscape shapes international trade laws at any given time."
Her expertise has become increasingly crucial in recent years, as geopolitical shifts have reshaped the landscape of international trade and technology. She points to a pivotal moment:
"Two years ago, Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor, expressed that preserving a U.S. edge in science and technology is a national security issue. This is the first time in a long time that advancement in science equals national security."
Her practice involves advising U.S. technology companies on risk assessment related to data center locations and potential future controls on large language models. Aminian plays a key role in shaping legislation, helping to revise draft laws and providing input on proposed regulations.
One of the most significant developments in her field has been the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security's imposition of controls on advanced computing chips. As Aminian explains, "The most concrete action has been the U.S. export agency, BIS, imposing controls on certain advanced computing chips going to China and now to other countries, including the Gulf states. These chips are critical for building data centers that run AI models."
Her expertise extends beyond U.S. borders: "I have a large Middle East practice where I help companies obtain licenses for these chips and put safety protocols in place. Another part of my practice is advising investors, particularly from China, on how current rules impact their investments in data center AI-related projects."
Aminian's approach to her practice reflects the dynamic nature of the field. "In my practice, you don't really pick it. You go where the national security focus and threat are, and where the government is going," she says. "Five years ago, you wouldn't have said, 'Let me be a national security AI lawyer.' When I started my practice, it was aerospace and defense for 10 years. But there's been a shift. In this practice area, you have to be very malleable, adaptable and stay two steps ahead of the game."