Barnes & Thornburg Deepens International Trade Bench With Partners Brittney Powell and Matthew West
Powell and West bring experience in cross-border transactions, economic sanctions, trade remedies, customs and export controls
As companies navigate an increasingly complex global trade environment, Brittney Powell and Matthew West have joined Barnes & Thornburg as partners in the firm’s International Trade practice in Washington, D.C. Their addition strengthens the firm’s bench in cross-border transactions, trade remedies, global trade policy, customs law compliance, economic sanctions and export controls — areas that continue to be a top priority for the firm’s international clients.
“Brittney and Matt strengthen a capability our clients rely on more than ever,” said David Spooner, co-chair of the International Trade group. “Tariffs, sanctions, trade remedies and export controls now shape the economics of cross-border deals in ways they did not a few years ago. Both of them have built careers at that intersection, and together they significantly deepen our ability to guide clients through the regulatory and the litigation sides of trade.”
Powell represents domestic and foreign companies in anti-dumping and countervailing duty proceedings before the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission. She also represents clients before U.S. Customs and Border Protection, advising on customs classification, the Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA), and country of origin and labeling compliance. Her practice further encompasses advising companies navigating complex trade actions — such as Section 301 and Section 232 measures (which can lead to the imposition of tariffs) — as well as export compliance matters.
West focuses on international transactions, U.S. regulation of international trade and investment, and global trade policy. He advises clients on export controls and economic sanctions, U.S. Antiboycott Regulations, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, CFIUS proceedings and customs issues, and has represented clients in civil and criminal enforcement proceedings brought by the Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, Justice, State and the Treasury.
“What makes this pairing so strong is the breadth it brings to the group,” said Linda Weinberg, co-chair of the International Trade group. “Brittney is equally comfortable litigating an antidumping case before the Court of International Trade and advising a client on customs compliance before a problem ever reaches that stage. Matt brings more than 25 years of experience across export controls, sanctions, CFIUS and antiboycott matters. That range is increasingly what clients need from trade counsel, and it complements the strength we've already built in this group.”
Powell joins from Fox Rothschild, where she was a partner in the international trade, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. She counsels clients in areas where environmental and health and safety laws intersect with trade, and advises on due diligence in corporate transactions.
“Clients no longer treat trade as a discrete compliance question,” said Powell. “It now factors into how they source, how they price and how they structure deals. Barnes & Thornburg has built a trade practice with the national reach that kind of work demands, and I look forward to helping clients navigate those decisions.”
West joins from Baker Botts, where he served as firmwide co-chair of the International Trade section. His experience spans industries including aircraft, automotive, chemicals, consumer food products, defense, encryption and data protection, petroleum, semiconductors, shipping, steel, renewable energy and telecommunications, on trade issues involving China, India, Korea, Latin America, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa and Russia.
"Trade policy touches nearly every cross-border transaction today, and clients need counsel who can move fluidly between the regulatory and enforcement sides of that work," said West. "Barnes & Thornburg's platform and its investment in this practice made it a natural next step, and I'm looking forward to working alongside Brittney, David and Linda to build on what's already a strong team."
Powell and West’s arrival continues a period of sustained investment in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office this year. The additions include last month’s return of Adeyemi (Adey) Adenrele as a partner in the White Collar, Compliance and Investigations (WCCI) practice after serving in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland; WCCI partner David Last and Chief Operating Officer Buck Owen in July; partner Michael Mancusi in the Financial Innovation and Regulation practice in March; and WCCI partner Jeffrey Lehtman in February, who now co-chairs the firm’s Latin America Practice Group, formally launched in June.
“Washington is where trade policy is written and where it gets challenged, and our clients need counsel who can work in both arenas,” said Roscoe C. Howard Jr., managing partner of the Washington, D.C., office. “Brittney and Matt each bring that combination, along with a real commitment to this community. They are a strong addition to our office and to the firm.”
About Barnes & Thornburg
Barnes & Thornburg operates 26 offices across the United States, enabling more than 900 lawyers to serve clients nationwide. As one of the 100 largest law firms in the country, we provide seamless coast-to-coast coverage for high-stakes litigation, complex transactions and innovative IP matters. Our national reach and knowledge of local markets help clients conduct business confidently wherever opportunities arise.
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