Akana K. J. Ma

Akana K. J. Ma is a Partner in Buchalter’s Portland office and a member of its Corporate Practice Group. He advises businesses operating in global markets on transactions, international trade, technology, data, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. His work includes commercial contracts, foreign offices and manufacturing arrangements, export and import rules, and government contracting matters. He is admitted in Oregon and Massachusetts, with an inactive District of Columbia admission.

Ma earned a J.D. from Boston College Law School and a B.A., cum laude, from Tufts University. He also pursued East Asian Legal Studies at Harvard Law School. His academic background supports a practice that combines corporate transactions with international regulatory issues. That training complements decades of work helping companies evaluate cross-border legal requirements, structure commercial relationships, protect technology, and respond to changing trade and compliance obligations.

Ma has practiced international business and trade law for more than 30 years. He counsels clients on export controls, embargoes, anti-bribery rules, shipping requirements, customs matters, and tariff proceedings. His work has included matters involving the EAR, ITAR, OFAC sanctions, CFIUS review, GDPR-related data transfers, and federal procurement rules. He also advises government and defense contractors on research agreements, intellectual property protections, and regulatory compliance.

Akana K. J. Ma serves on the US Department of Commerce District Export Council for Oregon and Southwest Washington and has held leadership roles in the Oregon State Bar International Law Section. He frequently lectures on export controls, customs, anti-bribery compliance, foreign investment, data protection, and intellectual property. His practice combines transactional planning with regulatory analysis, helping businesses address international legal requirements while pursuing commercial and technology goals.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Buchalter
• Member, Oregon State Bar
• Chair, International Law Section, Oregon State Bar (2010-2011)
• Member, District of Columbia Bar
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association, Division of International Law and Practice
• Member, International Bar Association
• Member, Inter-Pacific Bar Association
• Founding Member, Legal Counsel International
• Director of Associate Apprentice Training, Hood Ski Patrol (2001-2004)
• Member, U.S. Department of Commerce District Export Council for Oregon and Southwest Washington (2007-Present)
• Member, East-West Center Association
• Active Member, Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society (2015-Present)
• Former Certified Member, Oregon State Search and Rescue

Licensed State

• Oregon
• District of Columbia
• Massachusetts

Education

• Boston College Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Harvard Law School
  East Asian Legal Studies
• Tufts University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA) Cum Laude

Awards & Badges