Robert T. Novick's practice centered on helping companies and industry associations develop and execute strategies to secure and preserve market access, address government relations and legislative concerns, and navigate international trade, investment, and regulatory challenges. He represented global businesses across sectors—including aerospace, agriculture, technology, consumer goods, energy, and pharmaceuticals—in matters involving trade policy, negotiations, government affairs, and dispute resolution. From 2012 to 2023, he served as the firm’s co‑managing partner, and retired from WilmerHale in 2024.

Mr. Novick joined WilmerHale following senior leadership roles in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, where he served first as Counselor and then as General Counsel from 1997 to 2001. In those roles, he directed the Administration’s litigation priorities and positions in WTO, NAFTA, and bilateral agreement disputes, led key negotiations, and served as a principal negotiator of the U.S.–China WTO market‑opening agreement while overseeing U.S. participation in China’s WTO accession talks. Before entering public service, he practiced in Washington, D.C., focusing on trade litigation, import‑relief laws, customs issues, and international arbitration. His later work also addressed notable issues such as the Anti‑Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, global climate‑trade interactions, and internet censorship, and he handled significant WTO dispute matters involving major multinational clients, including Boeing and the Information Technology Industry Council.