Senior U.S. Congressional Trade Counsel Joins Wiley Rein

Washington, DC—Wiley Rein LLP announced today that Stephen J. Claeys has joined as a partner in the renowned International Trade Practice. Mr. Claeys brings to the firm 25 years of experience advising members of Congress, senior White House and U.S. Department of Commerce officials, and clients on international trade law and policy, and supervising the enforcement of the U.S. trade remedies laws. He most recently served as trade counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways & Means, Subcommittee on Trade.

Mr. Claeys will provide legal and policy advice to the firm’s clients, with a focus on bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, trade remedies and safeguards, foreign market access barriers, e-commerce and digital trade, agriculture trade, and customs enforcement.

“Steve has unparalleled experience in the substantial, complex issues impacting our clients, and his recent role advising Members of Congress in all areas of multilateral trade negotiations, trade remedies, customs issues, and trade policy gives him an invaluable perspective on emerging trends in this dynamic area of the law,” said Alan H. Price, chair of the firm’s International Trade Practice. “Steve is an outstanding and talented lawyer with an incredible background in public service and in the private sector, making him an ideal addition to the team. We’re pleased to have him join the Trade Practice.”

In his prior congressional role, Mr. Claeys also served as House Ways and Means Committee staff lead on all areas of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement negotiations, as well as advising on other trade agreement negotiations. He drafted and helped secure passage of legislation on Trade Promotion Authority, amendments to the U.S. trade remedies law, reauthorization and restructuring of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement, and Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Russia.

Prior to his six years on the Hill, Mr. Claeys served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping/Countervailing Duty Operations at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Import Administration, and served as a National Security Affairs Special Advisor to the White House, Office of the Vice President.

“Wiley Rein’s International Trade Practice has one of the country’s most elite trade remedy and trade policy teams,” said Mr. Claeys. “With an extraordinary record of winning large and complex trade cases on behalf of major U.S. industries, the team also helps clients navigate the policies and regulations governing our international economy. The group is among a limited number of practices that regularly serve as principal counsel for major unfair trade investigations. I look forward to working side by side with these talented and sophisticated attorneys, and their impressive clients.”

Wiley Rein’s International Trade Practice, recognized by a leading international directory as one of the country’s elite international trade practices, represents clients in domestic and international trade regulation matters, market access issues, and dispute resolution. Named an “International Trade Group of the Year” for seven consecutive years by Law360, the Trade Team has significant experience with the many issues shaping industries’ global competitive environment.