As Tariffs and Supply Chain Challenges Dominate Headlines, Pillsbury Expands International Trade Practice with Addition of Three-Partner, Fourteen-Member Team

“As the geopolitical climate grows ever more complex, we increasingly hear from those we represent —regardless of what industry they operate in—that international trade risk has become one of the things that most keep them up at night,” said firm Chair David Dekker. “The trade landscape continues to evolve on a daily basis, and the addition of this large and talented group of trade practitioners materially improves our ability to address related client needs, adding depth to our exceptional existing trade group and adding new facets to it.”

Porter, who served as Chair of Curtis’ International Trade practice, has more than 35 years of experience representing exporters, importers, and foreign governments on the myriad of U.S. laws that affect the cross-border shipment of goods, including trade remedy provisions (e.g. antidumping and subsidy), Customs regulations and other special trade case proceedings such as safeguard, Section 301 and Section 232. His practice encompasses litigation and investigations before domestic regulators, most notably the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). He also advises governments in prosecuting and defending World Trade Organization (WTO) cases, advises companies making submissions to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and helps clients understand potential supply chain risks and disruptions in connection with M&A transactions. Porter is ranked as a leading International Trade lawyer in Chambers Global, Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers USA, and has been named a “Leading Lawyer” by Legal 500 US.

McCullough’s practice also focuses on advising international companies and governments on an array of trade matters affecting cross-border trade in goods and services. He is a recognized authority with respect to trade remedy actions, addressing dumping, subsidization and industry adjustment (safeguards) as well as the international agreements governing such actions. He has significant state representation experience, including appearances on behalf of the governments of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Korea, Japan, Oman, and Vietnam in matters before U.S. agencies.  He has represented many of the same governments in disputes before the WTO.  McCullough has particular expertise in U.S. countervailing duty law where client testimonials in Legal 500 have in the past identified him as “likely the top countervailing duty lawyer in DC”  He is ranked in Chambers Global, Chambers USA and has been named a “Leading Lawyer” by Legal 500 US.

Durling focuses on WTO litigation, trade remedies work, and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) investigations. He defends foreign governments and companies in antidumping, countervailing duty and other trade remedy investigations and also advises on parties’ obligations under WTO agreements, offering extensive experience in litigating WTO disputes and other trade policy disputes. In addition, Durling acts for clients on filings before CFIUS; customs law, including valuation, classification and customs audits; transfer pricing issues; the international regulation of intellectual property; and the intersection of trade and antitrust laws. He is ranked as a leading International Trade lawyer in Chambers USA, Chambers Asia Pacific and Chambers Global.

“Bringing on Dan, Matt, Jim and their team is of great benefit to the firm and its clients,” said Nancy Fischer, Pillsbury’s global head of Regulatory. “These are seasoned practitioners with wide-ranging experience and extensive international profiles, whose expertise is a perfect complement to our strong existing trade group. They also bring a wealth of trade remedy expertise, an area of international trade law that is becoming increasingly critical.”

Porter, McCullough and Durling, are accompanied by a seasoned team of other international trade practitioners, including William Sjoberg, who joins as special counsel with over 30 years of experience defending foreign exporters and U.S. importers in trade remedy cases. He advises governments, state-owned entities, private parties, producers, traders, and exporters on antidumping and countervailing proceedings initiated by national authorities; participates in WTO disputes, both attacking and defending trade remedy measures, laws and regulations; and acts as counsel on both commercial arbitrations and investment treaty arbitrations.

“Pillsbury has phenomenal clients, a diversity of strong practices—including one of the premier international trade practices in the world—and offices in key business centers around the globe,” said Porter. “The firm also has reputation as a place where collaboration and teamwork are really valued. Our team has been together for quite a while, with the partners working together for three decades, so we really value that. We’re just thrilled to be here.”

The arrival of this large team follows a number of other International Trade additions at Pillsbury in recent months. Just last month, former senior advisors at the U.S. Department of Commerce Sahar Hafeez (senior counsel) and Julian Beach (special counsel) joined in Washington, DC. In May 2024, the firm recruited partner Sungbum Lee, an international practitioner with a focus on South Korea.

Ranked by Chambers USA, Chambers Global, Chambers Greater China, Legal 500 US and Legal 500 UK, Pillsbury’s International Trade practice advises leading energy companies, banks, funds, trading companies, aerospace/defense contractors and technology enterprises as they navigate the world’s most challenging markets. When sanctions, export controls, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and other trade or investment issues impact business, clients turn to us.