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.
Torres Law hired John Vernon as of counsel in the law firm's Dallas office, it said in a news release Dec. 7. Vernon previously “held roles in large law firms in Texas, including as Managing Partner for Strasburger & Price, LLP (now part of Clark Hill) and Partner at Kirkpatrick & Lockhart (now part of K&L Gates),” Torres Law said.
Kevin Dempsey, American Iron and Steel Institute interim president and CEO since June, is now in the role on a permanent basis, AISI announced Dec. 2. Before becoming interim CEO, he was the trade group's senior vice president-public policy and general counsel.
William Kimmitt, counselor to the U.S. trade representative, was nominated to be a member of the International Trade Commission for a term expiring June 16, 2029, the White House announced Dec. 2. The Senate received the nomination for consideration.
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 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.
Joseph Barloon, general counsel for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and acting deputy USTR, was nominated by the White House to be a judge on the Court of International Trade. Before joining USTR, Barloon was a partner at Skadden Arps.