Akin Grows International Trade Practice With Return of Sally Laing in Washington, DC
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(Washington – DC) Akin announced today that Sally Laing has re-joined the firm as an international trade partner in its Washington, D.C. office. Laing returns to Akin after serving as chief international trade counsel for Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) and the Senate Finance Committee, where she was instrumental in shaping trade legislation and pushing forward U.S. trade policy. Prior to her Senate tenure, Laing was Assistant General Counsel in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). At Akin, Laing joins an elite trade policy and trade remedies (TPR) practice that is seeing increased demand due to the heightened regulatory environment.
Laing’s addition further strengthens the firm’s robust international trade team with a particular focus on advising clients on complex trade policy matters including legislation, negotiations and enforcement while also contributing to the increased focus on emerging critical issues related to technology and digital trade. "Sally has helped shape U.S. trade policy over the past decade, and her return now adds more depth to our market-leading trade policy practice,” said Kim Koopersmith, the firm’s chairperson. “Sally’s first-hand involvement in U.S. trade policy formulation on Capitol Hill and at USTR will enable her to provide clients with unparalleled insight and strategic counsel.”
Jonathan Poling, head of Akin’s international trade practice, added, “Sally has proven herself at the highest levels of the government and in her prior tenure at the firm. Her experience sets up our trade practice for future success and will help drive further synergies between our international trade, public policy, regulatory, litigation and corporate practices. We are delighted to welcome Sally back to Akin.”
Laing has worked closely with Senate leadership and administration senior officials to draft and secure passage for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada and the Taiwan Trade Agreement implementation bills, as well as legislation addressing Russian sanctions and U.S. trade competitiveness. She played a key role with the Finance Committee’s tax team and Senate leadership in the drafting, defending and passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. She was also instrumental in pushing forward Senate priorities during the negotiation of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the Kenya and Taiwan trade agreements, including by working with business leaders and foreign officials from Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Kenya and Taiwan.
Laing started her legal career at Akin first as a summer associate and then as an international trade associate and counsel. “Akin’s international trade practice was a powerhouse when I was here a decade ago,” said Laing. “The opportunity to return to what is now the world’s leading international trade practice is extraordinary.”
More About Akin’s International Trade Practice
Akin’s renowned international trade practice guides clients through the strategic decisions, regulatory frameworks and disputes that shape how goods, services and technologies move around the world. The practice is among the largest, most distinguished and most geographically diverse in the world.
Akin’s team includes former high-ranking national security and foreign policy officials from the departments of Justice, Commerce, State, Treasury, Defense and Homeland Security, as well as the USTR, White House and Congress. With lawyers and advisors located in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, the team brings a global perspective to clients’ matters.
The firm’s broader regulatory section has more than 130 professionals covering antitrust, communications, cybersecurity, financial services, environmental, government procurement, health care, international trade, privacy and transportation issues.
Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers and advisors in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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