Wiley Rein Named ‘International Trade Practice Group of the Year’ by Law360 for Seven Years Running

February 9, 2017

Washington, DC — Wiley Rein LLP has been named an “International Trade Practice Group of the Year” by Law360 for seven years in a row, the only firm nationwide to achieve this honor. According to Law360, a year of success on behalf of the U.S. steel industry and extensive work before the World Trade Organization (WTO) helped Wiley Rein maintain its prominent place on the list.

The firm’s multipronged approach to solving clients’ problems—combining traditional advocacy before U.S. regulatory bodies with lobbying and public relations efforts through the firm’s dedicated public relations subsidiary—are the keys to success, according to International Trade Practice chair Alan H. Price.

Wiley Rein was cited for its “high-profile and extensive traditional trade” work on behalf of Nucor Corp., one of the largest steel producers in the United States and a longtime client. After advocating before the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Court of International Trade to secure antidumping remedies for hot-rolled steel, cold-rolled steel, corrosion-resistant steel, and plate steel, the firm had major victories across the board.

“This is the first time the industry has had an affirmative finding in all four categories,” said Mr. Price.

Additional key successes included winning a duty on Korean phosphor copper on behalf of a domestic metallurgical products company; completing successful trade remedy work for domestic aluminum manufacturers; and filing a novel systemic challenge before the WTO regarding Chinese aluminum, which receives extension government finance and support, resulting in unfair competition for U.S. aluminum producers.

The firm’s exhaustive research in the WTO effort yielded extensive data related to Chinese manufacturing across several sectors. “If you have a problem with China, we’re the people in town you can go to,” said Mr. Price.

The firm’s Trade Practice also saw growth in the resolution of customs issues for clients who manufacture wearable technology, since there are challenges in categorizing their products within the existing classification system.

Given the new Administration’s expressed desire to focus on global trade balance issues, Mr. Price concluded: “There’s going to be a lot of opportunities for American businesses to preserve American jobs. We’re going to be very busy.”

Wiley Rein’s International Trade Team was selected by a panel of Law360 editors who reviewed more than 600 submissions across numerous practice areas from around the nation. In addition to International Trade, the firm received honors for its Government Contracts Practice this year.

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