International Trade

As international trade has expanded, so have the myriad rules and regulations that govern it. To guide our clients through this complex set of legal requirements, Winston & Strawn has assembled a highly experienced team of international trade lawyers with broadly diversified knowledge and experience.

Our international trade lawyers have decades of experience handling all aspects of international trade law. We have represented both exporters and importers in some of the most significant international trade disputes of the past few decades. Our team is highly respected by clients and our peers, receiving consistent recognition as a leading international trade practice in Chambers Global, Chambers USA, and Legal 500. Based in the firm's Washington, D.C. office, our team also has attorneys stationed in various cities in Europe and Asia to work with clients in those regions.

We are among the most experienced practitioners in trade remedy cases—antidumping cases against low prices, countervailing duty cases against government subsidies, and safeguard cases against surging imports. We handle such cases in the United States and when filed in other countries. We also have been very active—both in our Washington, D.C. and Geneva offices—in handling disputes under the World Trade Organization and other international arbitration tribunals in Europe and around the world.

Beyond handling disputes, we also advise clients on issues involving the Foreign Corrupt

"Very well established and strong, this team is immensely dynamic and robust."

- Chambers Global, 2011

Practices Act, as well as the complex regulations governing both export transactions and import transactions. Our attorneys both advise clients in transactions in advance and represent clients in enforcement proceedings concerning either export control laws or customs laws governing imports. We also represent clients in matters involving regulations of foreign direct investment by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. Whatever the area of concern, Winston & Strawn attorneys have the experience to guide clients through legal complexities to resolve the problem.

Antidumping, Subsidy (CVD), and Safeguard: While others rely on outside consultants, we personally take charge of a matter, digging deep to find the facts and uncover information from unexpected sources.

World Trade Organization: For the past three decades, our lawyers have been working with foreign companies and governments on various matters under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and World Trade Organization.

International Arbitration: Our international arbitration matters have ranged from some of the largest and most complex multi-jurisdictional disputes in the world, to mid-sized, straightforward commercial arbitrations, as well as a variety of mediation and arbitration proceedings.

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: Our attorneys include international transactional attorneys with a core practice assisting U.S. companies in doing business overseas, as well as litigators experienced in representing clients in internal investigations and government enforcement matters.

Export and Import Controls and Economic Sanctions: Winston & Strawn assists in the regulatory, legislative, and licensing aspects of clients’ export compliance with the separate regimes used to regulate the export of military, nuclear, and civilian items.

U.S. Customs Issues and Proceedings: We have extensive experience in analyzing complex customs issues, surveying and auditing import operations, establishing “real-world” compliance programs, and developing practical methods for minimizing customs duties.

Foreign Investment Regulation Services: We are frequently called upon to ensure that planned transactions comply with specific foreign investment restrictions, and, when necessary, obtain required approvals.

Government Relations: Our international attorneys meet frequently with key decision makers in federal agencies (e.g., the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State) in connection with import, export, and foreign policy matters and represent clients’ interests on a wide range of trade matters at the highest levels of the governments of the United States and other nations.

Trade Cases Initiated by Other Countries: In recent years Winston & Strawn has responded as governments other than the United States and the European Union have increased the number of trade cases to impede exporters’ access to their markets.