Served as associate general counsel and acting chief counsel on China enforcement at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
Served as legal advisor to the U.S. Mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Advises companies and sovereign entities on cross-border trade and investment policy and international dispute resolution.
Partner-in-charge of the firm’s Geneva office.

Stephen Kho handles matters related to trade policy and international dispute resolution. He represents companies and governments on matters ranging from market access and investment to public international law.

Stephen spent nine years at the USTR in the Executive Office of the President. As the principal attorney on China matters, he was responsible for developing dispute and advocacy positions related to China’s obligations in the WTO. He formulated policy and legal strategy, consulted Congress and industry, and coordinated interagency efforts on these matters.

Stephen’s substantive experience covers a range of trade issues, including:

Services and financial services
Trade in goods
Intellectual property rights
Investment
Electronic commerce
Subsidies
Trade remedies
Government procurement
Non-tariff trade barriers.

Stephen was also the lead USTR attorney on intellectual property and government procurement matters. In that capacity, he led the U.S. delegation in related WTO and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) dispute resolution proceedings and participated in numerous free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations.

As legal advisor at the U.S. Mission to the WTO in Geneva, he managed the WTO dispute settlement portfolio for the U.S. government.

Representative Work

Advising U.S. companies on foreign market access barrier issues, such as tariff misclassifications, technical standards, pricing and reimbursement restrictions and licensing requirements.
Assisting U.S. companies in international investor-state arbitration and other investment rights in relation to FTAs and bilateral investment treaties.
Representing and advising companies and sovereign entities with regard to:
- FTA negotiations
- WTO dispute settlement proceedings
- Investment treaty negotiations
- International border disputes and national security issues
- Generalized System of Preference (GSP) proceedings, Section 301 and Notorious Market List proceedings.
Creating and implementing strategies to enforce the intellectual property rights of U.S. companies in foreign jurisdictions.
Advocating before U.S. Congress, the U.S. executive branch and foreign governments with respect to draft legislation and regulation in the areas of climate change, intellectual property rights, agriculture, cybersecurity and financial services.

"Steve has a great legal mind, with a strong grasp on the policy side of the equation."

Chambers Global, 2021

Languages
Mandarin
Taiwanese
English

Education
LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center, with distinction, 1998
J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, with honors, 1995
B.A., University of Virginia, with honors, 1991

Bar Admissions
District of Columbia
Maryland

Recognitions

Diversity Journal, Asian Leadership Award, 2023.
The Legal 500 US, International Trade, 2023-2024.
Best Lawyers Switzerland, International Arbitration and Trade Law, 2022.
The Legal 500 EMEA, WTO, Switzerland, 2020-2021.
Chambers Asia-Pacific, International Trade/WTO in China, 2009- 2018, and Asia Pacific Region, 2009-2022.
Chambers Global, International Trade/WTO, Asia Pacific Region and China, 2009-2024
Chambers Global, International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy, USA, 2018-2024.
Chambers USA, International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy, 2017-2024.
Who’s Who Legal, Trade and Customs, 2013-2018.

Speeches and Publications

Panelist, “General Assembly,” AMHPAC Congress 2024, Mexican Association of Protected Horiculture, August 28, 2024.
Speaker, “Trade and Investment Policy Commission, ” International Chamber of Commerce Mexico (ICC Mexico), May 21, 2024.
Panelist, “What’s at Stake for the United States at the 13th WTO Ministerial?, ” Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), November 20, 2023.
Speaker, “USMCA: An overview of its implementation. Challenges, potential disputes and win-win opportunities,” hosted by Dorantes Advisors, October 20, 2022.
Speaker, “Global Governance at a Crossroads: Finding Solutions to Challenges Facing the Multilateral Trade System,” Webinar, British Institute of International and Comparative Law, June 29, 2022.
Speaker, “AAPI Representation and Justice,?” Webinar, Georgetown Law APALSA Trailblazers, April 15, 2021.
Presenter, Joint Climate & Trade Briefing, National Association of Manufacturers, June 12, 2020.
Panelist, “Predicting the Unpredictable: The Future of U.S. Trading Relations with Asia and What it Means for You,” Akin CLE Program, May 30, 2019.
Speaker, NAPABA Chicago Convention, November 9, 2018.
Panelist, ICDR Young & International and the Georgetown International Arbitration Association, November 6, 2018.
Speaker, “Trade Disputes: What You Need to Know,” 2018 International Trade Update at Georgetown Law School, Washington, D.C., March 9, 2018.
Speaker, “Adapting and Implementing International Trade Strategies in a Time of Uncertainty,” IBA’s Investing in Asia Conference, New York, December 7, 2017.
Panelist, “The Impact of Economic Nationalism on International Trade, Investment and M&A,” Geneva, November 9, 2017.
Panelist, “The Impact of Economic Nationalism on International Trade, Investment and M&A,” London, November 7, 2017.
Speaker, “Trade and Trade Agreements, Europe, UK and U.S.,” The Global Series—Europe 2017, London, September 26, 2017.
Speaker, “Next Steps on NAFTA—The Process & Politics of Renegotiation,” United States Fashion Industry Association Webinar, June 6, 2017.
“Global Trade Academy: Legal Foundations and New Directions, the WTO and Beyond,” Institute of Economic Law, November 17, 2016.