Regarded by many as a pioneer in the trade litigation and policy realm, Steptoe LLP’s Washington DC-based practice is praised by clients as ‘probably the strongest in DC and maybe in the world’. Acting on behalf of companies, industry associations and sovereigns from across the globe, the team routinely secures key roles in high-profile and challenging trade disputes. Among its recent matters, the group continues to represent the British Columbia Lumber Trade Council in the long-running Canadian softwood lumber case, including in interactions with US agencies, courts, bi-national panels under NAFTA and the WTO. Deputy international trade chair Amy Lentz leads the softwood lumber work, and is particularly noted for her expertise in WTO disputes. Eric Emerson spearheads the trade remedies unit, where he is widely recognized for his focus on antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings and related matters; he recently obtained a unanimous final negative injury determination from the USITC for the sole Trinidadian producer of urea ammonium nitrate. Also recommended are Matthew Yeo, who specializes in WTO dispute settlement proceedings and is highlighted as an ’outstanding figure regarding the issues on the combination of China and WTO’; Jeffrey Weiss, who co-chairs the international trade policy department; and trade remedies specialist Thomas Trendl.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Eric Emerson's team has very long-standing experience which provides confidence and trust. I was able to completely rely on its expertise and deep knowledge. Lawyers' communication skills are outstanding and they managed to make very technical topics understandable to non-initiated persons.’
‘Eric Emerson and associate Chris Forsgren form a great team for any company facing an antidumping case. They are complementary to provide their client with best-in-class advice based on their great experience and knowledge.’
Key clients
- British Columbia Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC)
- Methanol Holdings (Trinidad)
Work highlights
- Represented the Canadian softwood lumber industry (British Columbia Lumber Trade Council) in the decades-old dispute over imports of lumber from Canada.
- Obtained a unanimous final negative injury determination from the ITC for the sole Trinidadian producer of urea ammonium nitrate, in the antidumping and countervailing duty investigations by the DOC and the USITC.