Tiffany Smith Joins Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw Global Trade Practice

16 April 2007 - Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP is pleased to announce that Tiffany L. Smith has joined its Global Trade Practice in Washington, DC as Senior Policy Adviser.  Ms. Smith comes to the firm with fifteen years of distinguished experience working for the Executive Branch and Congress.

Ms. Smith has previously served as the Director of Market Access in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. During her tenure, Ms. Smith led access negotiations for consumer and industrial products during nine Free Trade Agreements (Korea, Malaysia, Oman, UAE, Panama, Columbia, Peru, Dominican Republic and Bahrain) and for Saudi Arabia and Vietnam's accessions to the WTO. Ms. Smith was instrumental in developing the United States' positions on legislation that later determined international negotiating strategy. Her work has made a global impact through establishing policy, sustaining the opportunity for negotiations and concluding international agreements.

"We are delighted to welcome someone of such stature and prominence in the world of international trade," said Jim Jochum, head of the firm's Global Trade Practice. "Ms. Smith's expertise will provide immediate value to our global and multinational clients."

Prior to her work at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Ms. Smith served as a Congressional Fellow for the office of Senator Bob Graham where she authored legislation for the Trade Promotion Authority and for the enhancement of the Andean Trade Preference Act (both passed in the Trade Act of 2002). During her years at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Ms. Smith was influential in major trade initiatives including U.S. - China trade, WTO negotiations, APEC, and the Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue. She designed the first "virtual trade mission" to China and coordinated industry issues for China's accession into the WTO.

"I'm thrilled to be joining this impressive group of global trade attorneys," said Ms. Smith.  "Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw has earned a reputation for excellence in the international trade arena, and a reputation for providing an unparalleled level of service. I look forward to applying my years of senior-level governmental trade experience for clients' benefit."

Ms. Smith received her M.A. in International Affairs at George Washington University where she was a Wolcott Foundation Fellow. She graduated summa cum laude from Stephen F. Austin University with a  B.A. in Political Science.

The prestigious Chambers Global and Chambers USA, have ranked Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw's Global Trade Practice highly in the International Trade/WTO sections.  Chambers' most recent guides noted, "Mayer Brown's international trade practice has made waves in the market as it adds to the number of former senior government officials who have entered private practice. This has created a group that is perfectly placed to provide market access, trade remedy and export control advice."  

In reviewing the caliber of work performed by the Global Trade Practice during 2006 and the feedback gained from interviews with clients, Chambers USA researchers nominated the group for a Chambers Award for Excellence.  These awards, presented each Spring at the release of the updated Chambers USA guide, highlight individuals and practice groups that have stood out from  the competition. 

The Global Trade Practice has professionals in Washington, D.C., Brussels and Beijing, including former trade negotiators, senior U.S., European, and Russian Government policy officials and international trade lawyers with broad experience in all aspects of international trade.  The Practice offers strategic advice and counseling, advocacy and representation to companies seeking to gain and maintain an advantage in the global marketplace and represents clients in public law, in lobbying at the federal, state, and local levels, and in public finance.

Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP is among the largest law firms in the world with more than 1,500 lawyers in seven U.S. cities (Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto and Washington), six European cities (Berlin, Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, London and Paris) and in Hong Kong.  For further information please visit http://www.mayerbrownrowe.com/.