Jeffrey I. Kessler, Top US Commerce Department Trade Enforcement Official, Rejoins WilmerHale

Jeffrey I. Kessler, Top US Commerce Department Trade Enforcement Official, Rejoins WilmerHale

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WilmerHale is pleased to announce that Jeffrey I. Kessler, formerly the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance at the US Department of Commerce, has rejoined the firm as a partner based in Washington DC.

Mr. Kessler will help clients facing a wide range of trade-related challenges, with a special focus on matters involving the US trade remedy laws; trade issues involving China; disputes under World Trade Organization rules; and general trade policy. He rejoins the firm’s International Trade, Investment and Market Access Practice.

After his unanimous confirmation by the US Senate in 2019, Mr. Kessler led the 360-person organization that enforces the US antidumping and countervailing duty laws, monitors foreign compliance with trade agreements, and administers the nation’s foreign-trade zones program.

As the Commerce Department’s top trade enforcement official, Mr. Kessler implemented an aggressive trade enforcement effort, including by initiating the most-ever trade remedy investigations in a single fiscal year, and placing greater emphasis on anti-circumvention and self-initiation. He also spearheaded several groundbreaking regulatory initiatives, and successfully renegotiated a series of product-specific trade pacts known as suspension agreements.

“We’re thrilled to have Jeff back,” said Robert Novick, the firm’s co-managing partner who is also a member of the firm’s trade group. “Jeff is a fast-rising star in international trade law with the savvy and experience to give clients the best chance for success.”   

“I am delighted to rejoin the stellar team at WilmerHale,” Mr. Kessler said. “I look forward to guiding our clients through the many trade- and investment-related challenges that they face in doing business around the world.”

Before joining the Commerce Department, Mr. Kessler was counsel at the firm, which he joined in 2011. He holds a JD and MA (Economics) from Stanford University, an MA (Philosophy) from the University of Chicago, and a BA (Philosophy and Classics), magna cum laude, from Yale University. 

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