With more than two decades of experience shaping and advising on U.S. trade policy in both Republican and Democratic administrations, and across a wide range of multilateral, regional and bilateral trade issues, Cara advises clients across various industries on developing novel public policy strategies. Her expertise helps clients navigate and engage with the White House, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Department of Commerce, other trade agencies and Congress.

Prior to joining Akin, Cara served at USTR as Senior Advisor, where she oversaw key parts of the President’s worker-centered trade agenda specific to the Western Hemisphere and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Europe and the Middle East, labor and the environment. She was also appointed as ITA’s Director of Policy, where she successfully negotiated three international steel and aluminum agreements. These agreements protected U.S. national security, ensured the continued existence of America’s steel and aluminum industries, and eliminated more than one billion dollars in annual retaliatory tariffs against iconic American brands, including Jack Daniels and Harley Davidson.

Drawing on her extensive knowledge and diverse roles across the U.S. government, Cara advises clients on a broad range of trade policy matters, including tariffs, emerging trade policies, legislative initiatives and international trade negotiations. She works with clients facing complex issues that encompass regulatory, legislative and political challenges, devising practical and politically viable policy solutions tailored to each client's needs.

Cara’s ability to navigate the federal government, combined with her deep experience and understanding of complex trade issues, uniquely positions her to provide clients with comprehensive support on their toughest and most sensitive trade issues.