Baker Hostetler Adds to Litigation Practice

Houston, TX, May 21, 2012 — Baker Hostetler announced that J. Garrett Cornelison has joined the firm’s Litigation Group as a Partner in its Houston office in the International Trade and Compliance practice group. Previously, he served as in-house legal and compliance counsel for McDermott International, Inc. and Exterran Holdings, Inc. He began his legal career at Baker Hostetler.

Cornelison’s practice emphasizes the representation of corporate clients in regulatory and administrative affairs arising from international trade laws and regulations. He has experience representing clients on matters involving a variety of U.S. and non-U.S. compliance and trade laws and regulations, including import and export laws, and anti-corruption laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act. 

Cornelison represents clients in matters concerning penalty assessments, licensing procedures, liquidated damage claims, classification rulings, protests, and detention and/or seizure of merchandise. He has also assisted clients in developing procedures for compliance with international trade laws and regulations, has performed audits of clients’ existing import and export compliance procedures and practices, and has directed a number of internal investigations into alleged violations of compliance and trade laws and associated corporate policies. 

In addition to his administrative and regulatory practice, Cornelison has been involved in international trade litigation matters before the U.S. Court of International Trade, the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and U.S. District Court. He has represented clients across a variety of industry sections, including oil and gas, automotive, transportation, petrochemical, transportation and logistics, healthcare, electronics and manufacturing.

Cornelison received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.

“As a leading national litigation firm with an expanding international trade practice, Garrett’s experience in international trade regulatory and administrative affairs and international litigation matters further deepens our ability to meet clients’ increasingly complex needs,” said W. Ray Whitman, chair of Baker Hostetler’s Litigation Practice.

“I am pleased to have Garrett return to Baker Hostetler,” said Lisa Pennington, Managing Partner of Baker Hostetler’s Houston office.  “His expertise helps broaden and strengthen our Litigation and International Trade Practice areas here in Houston and across the country.”