WASHINGTON, D.C. – Barnes & Thornburg LLP announced today that David Spooner, an international trade attorney and former high-ranking political appointee, has joined the firm as a partner in the Washington, D.C. office.
“We are pleased to add an attorney with David’s depth and breadth of experience to our Washington, D.C. office,” said Karen McGee, managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg’s Washington, D.C. office. “His years of experience, unique perspectives and solid reputation in international trade matters will be of great benefit to our firm’s already active international trade practice and firm clients.”
Spooner is a former political appointee in the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. Government. Prior to entering private practice, Spooner served as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration, where he led U.S. Government enforcement of trade remedy laws, principally the antidumping and anti-subsidy laws. He administered the Foreign Trade Zone system; oversaw the implementation of laws governing trade in apparel; and chaired U.S.-China talks on macroeconomic reforms and the steel industry.
Prior to his confirmation as Assistant Secretary for Commerce, Spooner served as a Chief Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, negotiating apparel rules of origin, market access provisions, and customs enforcement provisions in free trade agreements with several nations. While at USTR, he was heavily involved in building support for congressional passage of the Bush Administration’s trade agenda.
Before his appointment to USTR, Spooner worked on Capitol Hill, managing the Washington D.C. office and serving as the legislative director and press secretary for a member of Congress, serving as Communications Director for the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, and working for the U.S. House Committee on Rules, which manages debate and amendments in the House of Representatives.
Spooner represents governments, trade associations, and corporate clients on international trade matters, including trade remedies, trade policy, and customs issues. His counsel includes designing and implementing lobbying efforts before Congress and the Executive Branch, as well as before foreign governments.
He earned his law degree from the College of William & Mary School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.
With more than 600 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from its offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Los Angeles, Michigan, Minneapolis, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com.
