Akin Gump promoted two trade lawyers to partners, it said Jan. 4. Jaelyn Edwards Judelson advises clients on sanctions and export controls, and Yujin Kim McNamara advises clients on international trade issues, including dispute settlements and trade remedies.
With all nominations not confirmed during the past two years now expired, the White House has renominated Joseph Barloon, acting deputy U.S. trade representative, to be a judge on the Court of International Trade. If confirmed, he would replace Leo Gordon, who retired. The nomination was among those sent to the Senate Jan. 3.
President Donald Trump announced his intention to appoint Juan Carlos Benitez of Guam to the President’s Export Council, the White House said Dec. 22. The announcement follows a decision last month to appoint six people to the council, which has not met for several years (see 2011180014).
Foley Hoag hired Luciano Racco, previously assistant general counsel at Raytheon Technologies’ Collins Aerospace division, as counsel and co-chair of its Trade Sanctions and Export Control practice, the law firm said in a news release Nov. 30.
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America hired Chris Gillis, previously a reporter with American Shipper, as communications director, the NCBFAA said in a news release.
Wally Adeyemo, President-Elect Joe Biden's choice for deputy treasury secretary, served in the Obama administration as deputy director of the National Economic Council, where his portfolio was international economics, including trade. Adeyemo, who has a Yale law degree, was chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership’s provisions on macroeconomic policy when he served in the Treasury Department during the Obama administration. Adeyemo must be confirmed by the Senate.
Kelley Drye hired John Foote, previously with Baker McKenzie, as a partner in the International Trade practice group, the law firm said in a Nov. 19 news release. Foote's “practice includes customs and international trade policy, compliance and enforcement, with a particular focus on developing internal compliance programs targeting forced labor in supply chains,” Kelley Drye said.
The board of directors of the Semiconductor Industry Association elected Qorvo CEO Bob Bruggeworth and Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf as the group’s chair and vice chair, respectively, for 2021, SIA said in a Nov. 19 press release. SIA President John Neuffer said both are “dedicated industry leaders and accomplished champions for chip technology,” adding that they will “greatly benefit” SIA as it pursues “industry priorities in Washington and capitals around the world.”
Freshfields hired Colin Costello, previously acting director of the National Intelligence Council’s Investment Security Group in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the law firm said in a news release. Costello worked closely with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. process while in government and will be a CFIUS client adviser, the firm said.
The Trade Advisory Group, a consulting arm of A.N. Deringer, hired Elizabeth Merritt as senior trade adviser, the company said in a Nov. 11 news release. Merritt previously was managing director for cargo at Airlines for America.