WilmerHale Expands WTO Capacity With Hire Of Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative

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WilmerHale Expands WTO Capacity With Hire Of Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative

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Members of the team have structured, negotiated and concluded a range of landmark agreements with China, most notably China's intellectual property rights agreements, market access agreement and the comprehensive US-China bilateral agreement that paved the way for China's WTO membership, covering all goods, services and agriculture in the Chinese economy. The team advises Chinese entities on their outbound commercial, investment and trade transactions, including obtaining regulatory approvals, and on the structuring of transactions and defending against trade actions. We have implemented investment strategies, structured business transactions and devised sophisticated market access strategies for multinational companies around the world, and have negotiated with and litigated against virtually every major trading nation, as well as emerging market countries. The firm has represented major multinational companies in investigations across China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Thailand. For one US-based client, we helped reduce or eliminate fines following an antitrust investigation in China, Japan and Korea, securing what has been reported as the largest-ever reduction in fines from the US Department of Justice following its investigation. Additionally, WilmerHale has conducted internal investigations for Asian businesses, including one dealing with alleged kickbacks and extortion by sales representatives and another related to a major US-based manufacturer’s acquisition of a Chinese firm for $300 million.

David Weller, former Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) for China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan will join Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr as Counsel in the International Trade and Investment Department. Mr. Weller's long-time Asia experience will further strengthen the firm's reach in the region—China in particular. In addition, as former USTR Assistant General Counsel, Mr. Weller's experience in trade disputes, World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement cases, and free trade agreement negotiations will further expand the firm’s WTO litigation and negotiation capabilities.

As Deputy Assistant USTR, Mr. Weller developed and implemented US trade policy with respect to China. He worked regularly with the US private sector, US government agencies and the Congress to help shape US trade priorities, including with respect to China's WTO commitments. Mr. Weller has been at the forefront of negotiations with China to further open its markets to US goods, services and agriculture, and strengthen the enforcement of intellectual property rights for American goods and technology.

In his prior position as Assistant General Counsel, Mr. Weller was USTR's primary legal advisor on China trade issues, with a focus on WTO matters. He was the lead counsel in the first WTO case against China, shaping both the litigation and public affairs strategies for the Administration. Mr. Weller also served as the chief lawyer for negotiations of free trade agreements with Morocco and Bahrain and was the lead counsel in WTO dispute settlement proceedings with the EU regarding a dispute on US copyright law.

"David is extremely well regarded in China by the US business community and among WTO members, and we are delighted that he has decided to join us," said Charlene Barshefsky, Senior International Partner at the firm and the former US Trade Representative. "His experience in China and in front of the WTO will serve WilmerHale’s clients well," said Robert Novick, Chair of the firm’s International Trade Department.

Mr. Weller has worked and lived in China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam and is proficient in Mandarin. Prior to his government service, he was an associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York and served as law clerk to The Honorable Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum, US District Court, Southern District of New York.

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