Steptoe LLP‘s Washington, DC-based international trade practice is widely recognized as one of the strongest globally, handling high-profile and complex trade disputes for companies, industry associations, and sovereigns. Notably, the firm represents the British Columbia Lumber Trade Council in the long-running Canadian softwood lumber case, coordinating litigation strategy across US agencies, courts, NAFTA panels, and the WTO. The team offers deep expertise in antidumping, countervailing duties, customs, tariffs, and duty-reducing programs. Eric Emerson, who served as Head of the firm’s Beijing office for many years, is chair of the Trade Remedies practice. Amy Lentz handles disputes before the WTO, whilst Thomas Trendl has deep knowledge of AD/CVD duties. Matthew Yeo heads the firm’s WTO dispute practice.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Excellent subject matter experts. ’
‘Steptoe has a deep bench of seasoned professionals that have and maintain great access to various trade officals and agencies.’
‘There is an incredible focus on trade remedies work that draws on decades of experience at all levels of Government and includes former insiders who have keens insights and ideas on policy and process.’
‘Steptoe in my view has the best trade policy/remedies in the world. Steptoe was one of the first, if not the first, to put a trade remedy specialist into its office in China, and that helped me enormously. Steptoe has continued that effort with trade lawyers in Brussels and London.’
‘Eric Emerson was the trade partner in China, and is now a leader of the practice. Tom Trendl is a leader in the trade remedy world, including antidumping and countervailing duty, safeguard,232, 301 and other cases, court reviews, NAFTA panels, and WTO proceedings.’
Key clients
- Vietnam Trade Remedies Authority
- British Columbia Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC)
- Tata Steel Ijmuiden and Tata Steel UK
- Koehler Paper
- US Agricultural Association
- Minth Group / Minth Mexico Coatings S.A. de C.V.
- Westlake Chemical Corporation
- Bluestar Adisseo
- ArcelorMittal SA
- ATC Tires Pvt. Ltd.
Work highlights
Representing the Canadian softwood lumber industry (British Columbia Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC)) in the decades-old dispute over imports of lumber from Canada, the largest and most complex CVD case ever litigated.
Representing Koehler Paper in two antidumping reviews of thermal paper and related litigation, including two Court of International Trade appeals.
Achieved rare complete victories for both Tata Steel UK and Tata Steel IJmuiden in the antidumping investigations of Tin Mill Products from the United Kingdom and Tin Mill Products from the Netherlands.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Amy Lentz
Matthew Yeo
Practice head
Eric Emerson
Other key lawyers
Amy Lentz; Tom Trendl; Matthew Yeo