Josh Teitelbaum, Senior Counsel, International Trade Policy | Akin

Josh Teitelbaum

Senior Counsel

Areas of Focus

Josh Teitelbaum, Senior Counsel, International Trade Policy | Akin

Josh Teitelbaum

Senior Counsel

jteitelbaum@akingump.com

Areas of Focus

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Biography
  • Served as a policymaker for, and public advocate of, the Obama administration’s top international trade priorities, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement as a political appointee in the Department of Commerce.
  • Advised Democratic members of the House and Senate on a variety of issues including trade, health care, education, and financial services.

Josh helps Fortune 500 consumer brands and their trade associations navigate Washington’s most difficult issues. He assists clients in developing effective policy responses, political strategies, and communications messages to achieve favorable outcomes that support their organization’s mission. To achieve these favorable outcomes, he has worked with Congress to shape legislation and with Executive agencies to improve Administration action.

In addition to working directly with Fortune 500 brands and their trade associations, he has significant experience managing multi-sectoral coalitions across a variety of issues from trade enforcement to voting rights. As an experienced leader and manager, Josh works closely with coalition member companies and associations to build consensus on successful strategies and then drives them toward execution. Coalition activities that he has managed include coordinating large scale lobbying activities like fly-ins, speaking at and hosting public events in the U.S. and abroad, and, among other things, crafting regulatory submissions and other public messaging documents.

Prior to joining Akin, Josh served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Textiles, Consumer Goods and Materials with the International Trade Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). While serving in this role, Josh was a policymaker for, and public advocate of, the Obama administration’s highest international trade priorities.

Josh's work included substantial contributions to the development of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement among other multilateral, regional and bilateral trade initiatives. His work spanned a broad cross section of U.S. industries, including textiles, apparel, home furnishings, processed foods, distilled spirits, recreational transportation, cosmetics, chemicals and building materials.

Prior to his role at the DOC, Josh held a number of positions with Members of Congress in both the House and Senate, advising on a wide range of issues, including health care, trade, education and financial services.

Josh's experience with health care policy includes navigating the passage and subsequent implementation of the Affordable Care Act as well as the FDA Safety and Innovation Act of 2012 to reauthorize and modify the review processes for drugs, devices and biologics. He worked closely with constituent health care providers including nursing and physician practices, hospital systems and patient advocates.

Representative Work
  • Represents and advises companies at every level of the semiconductor supply chain in support of their effort to secure CHIPS Act funding.
  • Advises and advocates on behalf of Levi Strauss & Co. and The Gap Inc. before Congress and the executive branch on trade and other issues.
  • Manages the daily activities and long-term strategy of multi-sectoral coalitions like the Alliance for Trade Enforcement.
  • Advised the Healthcare Leadership Council on its campaign to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), which, if triggered, would have led to cuts in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements for health care providers, plans and manufacturers. Secured original sponsors for a bill to repeal the IPAB, then coordinated the identification, pursuit and commitments of Senators and House Mmembers to co-sponsor the bill. Additionally, worked with the leadership in both the House and Senate to include the bill in a larger legislative package. Ultimately, the IPAB repeal was signed into law, preventing potentially harmful cuts to health care access for patients and reimbursement for health care providers.

Education
  • J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 2008

  • B.S., Cornell University, 2005

Bar Admissions
  • District of Columbia

  • New York

Affiliations and Public Service
  • Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Textiles, Consumer Goods and Materials, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
  • Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
  • Staff director, U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Children & Families.
  • Legislative assistant, office of Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC).
  • Legislative counsel, office Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY).
Speeches and Publications
  • “The Politics of Trade,” Sourcing Journal's Fall Summit 2024, New York City, November 2, 2023.
  • Speaker, “Are You Ready for USMCA?,” webinar, hosted by the U.S. Fashion Industry Association and Akin, May 27, 2020.
  • “CARES Act Relief,” National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) Webinar, April 2, 2020

Insights and Achievements

      Publications | Alerts

      September 5, 2023

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          Publications | Alerts

          September 5, 2023

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