Maria Vanikiotis

Counsel

Overview

Maria Vanikiotis is a counsel in the International Trade Group of Crowell & Moring and resident in the firm's New York office. Her practice centers around the cross-border movement of goods, with a particular focus on U.S. customs matters. 

Maria has specific experience in country-of-origin determinations and marking rules, free trade agreement verifications, complex customs valuations, Section 301 tariffs, e-commerce issues, and other regulatory import matters. Maria routinely represents clients in engagements with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including requests for information, notices of action, prior disclosures, audits, and penalty or liquidated damages actions, and she has special experience in managing customs investigations. Maria also helps clients build import compliance programs and provides day-to-day guidance to clients seeking clear advice and creative solutions.

Before joining Crowell, Maria worked for a boutique law firm in New York focusing on customs law and, while in law school, Maria was employed as a summer associate in the Brussels office of a large international law firm on matters related to antitrust and competition law within the European Union. As a law student, Maria published a note comparing collective action approaches to antitrust cases in the U.S., U.K., and E.U., for which she won an award for outstanding legal writing. In addition, Maria was an active and accomplished member of both the Fordham International Law Journal and the Dispute Resolution Society.

Career & Education

    • Fordham University School of Law, J.D., 2015
    • London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), M.Sc., 2010
    • Brandeis University, B.A., graduated with high honors, 2008
    • Fordham University School of Law, J.D., 2015
    • London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), M.Sc., 2010
    • Brandeis University, B.A., graduated with high honors, 2008
    • New York
    • New York

Maria's Insights

Client Alert | 10 min read | 07.01.25

Ninth Circuit Decision Underscores Increasing False Claims Act Risks to U.S. Importers

On June 23, 2025, the Ninth Circuit issued a long-awaited decision in Island Industries Inc. v. Sigma Corp. affirming a $26M False Claims Act (“FCA”) judgment against the defendant importer.  Sigma had appealed the judgment after a jury found the company violated the FCA by failing to pay customs duties owed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”).  The Ninth Circuit’s decision addresses an important jurisdictional issue and illustrates the significant financial exposure importers can face under the FCA at a time of increased tariffs and enforcement by the government.  ...

Maria's Insights

Client Alert | 10 min read | 07.01.25

Ninth Circuit Decision Underscores Increasing False Claims Act Risks to U.S. Importers

On June 23, 2025, the Ninth Circuit issued a long-awaited decision in Island Industries Inc. v. Sigma Corp. affirming a $26M False Claims Act (“FCA”) judgment against the defendant importer.  Sigma had appealed the judgment after a jury found the company violated the FCA by failing to pay customs duties owed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”).  The Ninth Circuit’s decision addresses an important jurisdictional issue and illustrates the significant financial exposure importers can face under the FCA at a time of increased tariffs and enforcement by the government.  ...