Experience 

Charles has extensive experience in the fields of government affairs and international trade.  He primarily advises and represents private companies and sovereign governments in regulatory and policy matters that are resolved through a combination of legal and political analysis and argumentation.  Charles is a dual national of the United States and Belgium.  He has practiced an equal number of years in Washington DC, and Brussels.  He is also an accredited mediator.

Charles' work in the area of government affairs focuses primarily on helping foreign interests gain access to the internal market of the European Union.  These matters are at the intersection of government affairs with other substantive areas, including international trade and regulatory law.  They involve the development of comprehensive lobbying strategies and position documents targeting the Commission at working and political levels, Parliament, Council and/or the EU Member States.

In the area of import regulation, Charles focuses on trade remedy proceedings (principally antidumping and safeguards).  He has represented foreign producers and trade associations from a variety of countries and across a variety of industries.  He has also advised foreign governments on application of the relevant WTO rules in this area.  Charles has written and lectured in the field.

In the area of export regulation, Charles works with US colleagues to provide integrated EU and US export controls and/or economic sanctions advice to global companies.  Matters consist of guidance in specific transactions, the development of compliance programs and assistance in representations before the authorities for potential past infractions.

With respect to energy, Charles has advised foreign companies on the rules applicable to exports to the European Union, including provisions of the Energy Charter Treaty and Partnership and Cooperation Agreements.  He has also advised EU companies on emerging EU climate-change legislation, including Carbon Capture and Storage and the Emissions Trading Scheme.

With respect to product safety, Charles has assisted leading manufacturers in product recalls.  His work has included managing contacts with the relevant EU and Member State authorities and broadening clients' participation in related regulatory and legislative efforts.  Charles is an active participant in EU officials' efforts to solicit stakeholder input on the review of existing legislation and official guidance documents.

Before entering private practice, Charles assisted Professor John H. Jackson at Georgetown University Law Center and worked in both the International Law and Policy Group of General Electric and the Trade Section of the European Commission Delegation in Washington DC.  He is also a member of Georgetown's European Law Alumni Advisory Board.

Education 

Georgetown University Law Center, LLM, 1999 • College of Europe, Bruges, LLM, 1997 • Fordham University School of Law, JD, 1996 • Brown University, AB, 1993

Admitted

• Brussels (B List), 2004
• District of Columbia, 2000