Christina Ondrick joined McKool Smith as a principal in the firm's Washington, D.C., office, the firm said in a July 7 press release. Ondrick joins McKool from Paul Hastings, where she litigated patent disputes before district courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the International Trade Commission.

Adam Kaufmann has joined Barnes & Thornburg as a partner in the firm's Chicago-based Intellectual Property Department. Kaufmann comes from Kirkland & Ellis, where he litigated patent cases in front of federal courts and the International Trade Commission. He also worked on America Invents Act proceedings.

Cynthia Whittenburg, who retired as CBP deputy executive assistant commissioner in the Office of Trade earlier this year (see 2102090059), joined the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America Educational Institute (NEI) as an associate director, the trade association said in an emailed July 6 news release. Whittenburg will “assist in expanding the delivery of our content though institutions of higher learning as well as other appropriate avenues as well as assist in the development of additional courses needed to continue our mission,” NEI Executive Director Kiko Zuniga said. “Some of these courses will deal with current issues such as forced labor, USMCA, to name a few.” While at CBP, Whittenburg helped in examining the need for continuing education requirements for customs brokers (see 1910160056), an issue that CBP is still working on and that the NEI is following closely (see 2105040004).

Stu Seidel, a customs lawyer at Baker McKenzie for the past 19 years, retired, the firm said in a July newsletter. Seidel joined the firm in 2001 as a partner in the firm's International Trade group and was editor of the Baker McKenzie International Trade Compliance Update newsletter. Seidel previously was assistant commissioner for the U.S. Customs Service, now known as CBP.

Paul Jameson, trade attorney at Schagrin Associates, has retired after 42 years of practice, the law firm confirmed to Trade Law Daily. Jameson, 70, originally worked for Schagrin from 1985 to 1991, then rejoined the firm in 2013 and stayed until his retirement, according to the firm's website. He received his J.D. degree from the Georgetown University Law Center.

The Association of Women in International Trade appointed three Akin Gump lawyers to program section co-chair positions, according to a June 30 press release from the firm. Suzanne Kane, international trade partner, was named the co-chair or WIIT's Supply Chains section. Yujin McNamara, partner, and Julia Eppard, counsel, were listed as co-chairs of the Trade Remedies section. Each of WIIT's program sections hosts events on international trade topics and promotes the professional development of women in trade.

International trade lawyer Matt Lapin joined Porter Wright as a partner in the firm's Washington office, according to a June 28 press release. Lapin, previously with Torres Law, brings with him experience on export controls and international trade law, including compliance efforts with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations. He also advises on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other domestic and international anti-bribery laws.

D. Michael Kaye has joined Squire Patton as a partner in the firm's international trade practice and commodities and shipping industry group, the firm announced in a June 28 press release. Kaye most recently was global director of business management at Baker McKenzie. Before that, he was chief counsel to Archer Daniels Midland Company's largest business unit. Kaye will work on international trade remedy cases with Squire Patton and provide legal services for international trade and shipping for all commodity sectors, the firm said.

William Michael Jr., former assistant U.S. attorney at the Justice Department, has joined Greenberg Traurig to co-chair the firm's trial practice group, according to a June 24 press release. Michael previously was with Mayer Brown, where he most recently was co-chair of the firm's white collar defense and compliance practice and its global anti-corruption and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act practice. He will split time between the Minneapolis and Miami offices.

Trade lawyer Sara Arami has left Rock Trade Law to join PricewaterhouseCoopers' Customs and International Trade Practice as a senior associate, Arami confirmed to Trade Law Daily. Arami is vice chair of the Chicago Bar Association's International and Foreign Law Committee.