A retired undersecretary of state, Nicholas Burns, has been named by the White House as its nominee for ambassador to China, and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who also was chief of staff in the Obama White House, has been chosen to be the ambassador to Japan. The announcement came Aug. 20.

A former assistant U.S. trade representative for services and investment is joining Rock Creek Global Advisors as a managing director. A founder of the firm noted that Daniel Bahar led in digital trade policy and negotiations and represented USTR on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). "His experience in negotiating investment rules with China, developing cutting-edge digital trade policy, and dealing with the intersection of national security and global commerce will be of great benefit to our clients," Daniel Price said.

After the sudden death of Richard Trumka, Liz Shuler was elected president of the AFL-CIO, the federation of unions announced Aug. 20. Shuler is the first woman to lead the AFL-CIO. Shuler started as an organizer at Electrical Workers (IBEW), and worked at that union's political/legislative affairs department in Washington, D.C., before becoming secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO.

Chris Pelham, former assistant U.S. attorney in the Central District of California, joined Norton Rose as a partner in the global investigations team at its Los Angeles office, the firm announced earlier this month. Pelham joins from Jones Day, where he most recently served as counsel in Shanghai, China. He is the sixth U.S. lateral partner to join the global investigations team and will focus on cases of money laundering, healthcare fraud, embezzlement allegations, conflicts of interest, and commercial and public bribery, the firm said.

Mi-Yong Kim, former chair of the Operating Committee for Export Administration at the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, joined Bass Berry as counsel in its Washington, D.C.-based International Trade Practice, the firm announced Aug. 10. Kim worked at Commerce for over 18 years, nearly 10 of them as a senior attorney with the Office of Chief Counsel for Industry and Security. Kim will work on national security issues, including matters involving the Export Administration Regulations, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., the firm said.

Erik Autor, president of the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones, will leave the group as of Sept. 1, he said in an email. A replacement hasn't been named.

Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and an advocate for free trade, announced that he will not run for re-election. Kind has served in the House of Representatives for 26 years, representing a largely rural district in Wisconsin. "I always tried to make decisions that I thought were in the best interest of the people at home here and not for powerful special interests or the political leadership of either party," Kind said during his retirement speech. Kind was one of the founding members of the New Democrat Coalition, a centrist House group that promotes fiscal responsibility and economic growth.

Michael Brown advanced to president and CEO of Avalon Risk Management, succeeding founding partner Lisa Gelsomino in that role, the surety said Aug. 9. Brown was most recently executive vice president at the company, overseeing sales and marketing. Gelsomino plans to spend more time with her family but “will continue to serve Avalon as a Senior Advisor focusing on her continued role in the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) through various working groups,” the company said.

Jahna Hartwig, former associate general counsel for ethics and compliance at Booz Allen, joined Wilson Sonsini as a senior counsel for the national security practice in the firm's Washington, D.C., office, the firm said in an Aug. 9 news release. Hartwig will look to bolster Wilson Sonsini's national security team using her experience with export control and sanctions compliance, International Traffic in Arms Regulations matters and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act proceedings, the release said. Prior to Booz Allen, Hartwig held director and associate general counsel positions at Sikorsky Aircraft.

Gregg Sofer, former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, joined Husch Blackwell in its White Collar, Internal Investigations and Compliance practice group, the firm announced Aug. 2. Sofer has a background in national security law, including experience in export controls, sanctions, trade secrets and regulatory compliance, the release said.