The Legal 500

For some, ‘no other firms match the qualifications and expertise’ of Sidley Austin LLP in the trade arena and it has a ‘tremendous pool of talent’. The practice covers the spectrum of trade issues, and recently advised SAB Miller on the strategy, design and development of classification criteria for alcohol for customs purposes. The ‘outstanding’ Arnoud Willems heads the practice, and ‘stays ahead of the game’. Richard Weiner, who divides his time between Washington DC and Brussels, is also recommended. The group also includes a senior trade policy adviser (non lawyer).

In 2011, VVGB Advocaten/Avocats lost the well-respected Folkert Graafsma to Holman Fenwick Willan LLP, but the firm retains a strong position in the market, primarily thanks to the reputations of Marco Bronckers and Edwin Vermulst. Bronckers is well known for his international trade practice and has argued before WTO panels and the WTO Appellate Body, and Vermulst is a trade defence expert. Work highlights included representing the Chinese government in the headline Footwear dispute and WWAN Modem anti-subsidary litigation.

Van Bael & Bellis’ ‘top-notch’ team is well recognised for anti-dumping cases, but also handles work relating to customs and WTO matters, and clients consider hiring the practice to be ‘money well spent, when stakes are high’. The group successfully represented Chinese Taipei and Japan in a WTO dispute concerning the implementation of the EU’s Information Technology Agreement. This sizeable team includes Jean-François Bellis, who is ‘a master of his domain’; Richard Luff, who is ‘excellent to work with’; the ‘logical and practical’ Philippe De Baere; and Benoît Servais, who has ‘vast case experience’. Pablo Muñiz was made partner in 2011.

Covington & Burling LLP has well respected trade remedies expertise and a growing practice in economic sanctions and export controls. Practice head Georg Berrisch concentrates on litigation, and has over 20 years’ experience handling trade cases in Brussels. He is assisted by Lisa Peets, who splits her time between London and Brussels. Recent highlights include several new cases for the Council of the EU including two disputes concerning the EU’s countervailing duties against polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from the UAE and Pakistan.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.’s trade practice assisted the European Investment Bank in the Boeing-Airbus dispute between the US and the EU. The practice’s key figure is Olivier Prost, who handles matters concerning trade remedies, market access, investment protection and WTO regulatory law. The department recruited counsel Pieter Jan Kuijper and senior associate Alexis Massot, replacing departures in 2010.

Hogan Lovells International LLP’s well established trade practice recently represented the Chinese government in the first ever anti-subsidy case brought in the EU against China and acted for Asia Pulp & Paper in both the anti-subsidy and anti-dumping investigations into the glossy paper trade. Practice head Lourdes Catrain and Hugo Paemen are recommended. Nikolay Mizulin joined Mayer Brown.

Mayer Brown delivers ‘quick responses, even within short deadlines’. The firm recently recruited Nikolay Mizulin from Hogan Lovells International LLP, whose emphasis is on trade remedies, WTO disputes, trade negotiations, and customs. Mizulin works closely with highly respected practice head Paulette Vander Schueren, who is ‘knowledgeable, thoughtful and gives the full and precise picture’. Recent work includes representing ZTE Corporation in the EU anti-dumping, safeguard and anti-subsidy investigations into Chinese WWAN modems.

McDermott Will & Emery Belgium LLP has a strong international trade practice, which is well known for arguing cases in the WCO, WTO and European Courts. Recent work includes advising Polyplex Corporation (India) in various customs matters, trade protection issues and anti-dumping and anti-subsidy compliance. Clients also include the Turkish Directorate General for Foreign Trade, and Worldwide Stationery in Hong Kong. Clive Stanbrook QC, Philip Bentley QC, Frank Schoneveld and Wilko van Weert are key contacts in the practice.

Squire Sanders LLP handles all types of trade law and has a growing WTO practice, where the firm has been assisting the Brazilian government in WTO disputes since September 2010. The department’s key contacts are practice head Vassilis Akritidis, whose practice covers trade defence, customs law and WTO matters; and Robert MacLean, who is experienced in anti-dumping cases and customs legislation.

Steptoe & Johnson LLP’s ‘top-notch’ trade lawyers provide EU and WTO trade expertise in the areas of anti-dumping, customs, export control and dispute resolution. The firm advises the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association on regulatory issues that impact EU members’ international trade interests, and recently carried out an anti-dumping investigation for the client. Guy Soussan and practice chair James Searles are recommended.

Working closely with its Geneva office, White & Case LLP Avocats Advocaten covers all key areas of trade and is particularly recommended for its WTO practice. The firm is seeing more anti-dumping and safeguard cases, and recently represented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Saudi Aramco in EU anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations relating to imports of PET from Saudi Arabia. James Killick leads the practice, and is recommended along with Ian Forrester QC.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP’s trade practice recently attracted a number of new clients including BNP Paribas and Philip Morris, which the firm is advising on EU sanctions rules relating to Libya and the Ivory Coast. Till Müller-Ibold and James Modrall are the key contacts.

Crowell & Moring’s comprehensive trade law practice acts for clients such as Telenet and Rio Tinto. Practice head Laurent Ruessmann handles international trade and customs matters under WTO, EU or EU member state legislation.

Herbert Smith LLP’s trade practice is particularly well recognised for its WTO expertise. Recent work includes representing BSkyB in an ECJ dispute concerning the customs classification of set-top boxes and on implementation of a WTO panel report. Craig Pouncey heads the team, which includes EU and WTO specialist Lode Van Den Hende.

Salans’ office managing partner Edward Borovikov is well known in the market for his WTO, EU, and Russian trade expertise. The team has been acting in a number of anti-dumping and safeguard proceedings.

Recent work for WilmerHale includes high-profile WTO disputes such as China – Raw Materials and EC – IT Products. Consultant Jacques Bourgeois is recommended; he was formerly in charge of foreign trade policy at the European Commission.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP established a trade practice in 2011, when Vasiliki Avgoustidi joined from Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.. Avgousti has been involved in numerous European Commission investigations and recently represented ABM in an anti-dumping investigation against imports of ceramic tiles from China.

Tony Reeves heads Clifford Chance’s international trade group, which works closely with the firm’s EU regulatory and competition practices. Highlights included advising Access Corporation on EU and German control regulations relating to the export of its NetFront web browser; and advising Panasonic on IP issues concerning the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.

Garrigues’ ‘very committed’ team has come to prominence following its recent involvement in high-profile matters, such as advising a Chinese importer in a landmark anti-dumping duties case relating to imports of iron and steel fasteners. José Luis Buendía is recommended along with senior associate Angel Givaja Sanz, who has ‘excellent knowledge of antidumping and customs matters’.

In October 2011, Folkert Graafsma joined Holman Fenwick Willan LLP from VVGB Advocaten/Avocats. Graafsma has ‘a wealth of experience and knowledge on anti-dumping cases’, and teamed up with former Hammonds Brussels managing partner Konstantinos Adamantopoulos to develop a practice handling international trade, including remedies and defence work.

Philip Lee Solicitors’ trade practice, which is characterised by ‘strong expertise and attention to detail’, recently represented Norinco in an anti-dumping matter concerning imports of castings from China. Ursula O’Dwyer shows ‘high competence, efficiency when taking action and intellectual honesty’.