Jayme White, the longtime Democratic trade adviser for the Senate Finance Committee, was approved on a 80-18 vote to be the new deputy U.S. trade representative for the Western Hemisphere, Europe, the Middle East, labor and environment. "His intellect and understanding of the key issues are second-to-none, but he also asks the thoughtful questions about how the policies we develop in Washington will affect workers across the country," USTR Katherine Tai said as she hailed the Senate vote the evening of Sept. 22.

Christopher Stagg joined Miller & Chevalier as counsel in its International Department, the firm announced. Stagg formerly served as a senior policy adviser with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls at the State Department, where he worked as the deputy lead in rewriting the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations, the firm said. This work also entailed revising the U.S. Munitions List and Commerce Control List. At his own firm, Stagg cultivated experience on export controls, economic sanctions and Committee on Foreign Investments in the U.S. matters, the firm said.

Naboth van den Broek, former co-chair of the International Group at Wilmer Hale, has joined Akin Gump as a partner in the international trade practice, working out of the Washington, D.C., London and Geneva offices, the firm announced Sept. 20. Van den Broek has experience in international dispute settlement and arbitration matters at the World Trade Organization and at various European Union, United Kingdom and U.S. tribunals, the firm said. His expertise also includes international trade, free trade agreements and international compliance.

Former CBP Executive Assistant Commissioner for Trade Brenda Smith recently joined Expeditors as global director of government outreach, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Joe Walker, former head of Squire Patton's white collar practice, joined the white collar team at Orrick as a partner, the firm announced. Walker has expertise on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act matters and cases before the Securities and Exchange Commission, Orrick said. Walker also served as a prosecutor in the Department of Justice Criminal Division, Fraud Section, where he led the first joint FCPA enforcement action between the SEC and DOJ. He has represented “major financial institutions in enforcement matters” and was “a DOJ- and SEC-appointed FCPA compliance monitor for Weatherford International as well as counsel to the monitor in the first-ever FCPA monitorship by an arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation,” the firm said.

Elaine Trevino, a former deputy secretary for California's agriculture department, has been chosen to be the next chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the White House announced. Trevino is president of the Almond Alliance of California. USTR Katherine Tai issued a statement after the announcement: “Elaine Trevino understands the importance of America’s farmers and farming communities to the vitality of our economy. Her experience will help the Biden-Harris Administration craft durable trade policy that creates broad-based prosperity. Throughout her impressive career serving in leadership positions at the state and federal level, Elaine has developed strong relationships with key stakeholders and demonstrated a keen understanding of trade and agriculture policy. If confirmed as Chief Agriculture Negotiator, Elaine would be the first woman of color and the first Latina in this critical position that will help USTR advance President Biden’s vision to increase American competitiveness and Build Back Better. I hope the U.S. Senate can quickly confirm her to fill this important role so she can get to work on behalf of the American people.”

The Biden administration announced it is nominating Marisa Lago to serve as the undersecretary of commerce for international trade, a position that directs the International Trade Administration, which has an annual budget of about $483 million. Lago is the director of the New York City Department of City Planning, and served in the Obama administration as the Treasury Department's assistant secretary for international markets and development. If confirmed by the Senate, she would replace the acting undersecretary, Diane Farrell.

Richard Sofield has joined Vinson & Elkins as a partner in its National Security and International Trade practice in Washington, the firm said. Sofield joins from Wiley Rein, where he led the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. practice group, focusing on cross-border investment and national security matters, the firm said. For 24 years before joining Wiley Rein, Sofield worked as a government attorney, including as director of the foreign investment review staff for the National Security Division at the Department of Justice. Overseeing DOJ's participation in CFIUS, Sofield reviewed more than 1,000 acquisitions for national security purposes, the firm said.

The National Foreign Trade Council announced that NFTC Vice President Jake Colvin will become the NFTC president on Oct. 1, replacing Rufus Yerxa. “I am thrilled that the NFTC Board has selected Jake Colvin as the next President,” Rufus Yerxa said. “Jake has been a huge asset to the organization for many years and nobody else knows its mission better." Yerxa said he relied on Colvin as the group worked on the issues of e-commerce, World Trade Organization reform, and China issues. "I have no doubt that NFTC’s leadership and influence in these and other areas will continue growing through Jake’s efforts.”

Dawn Shackleford, the assistant U.S. trade representative for the World Trade Organization and multilateral affairs, has been chosen to be assistant USTR for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, which covers Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands, in addition to Southeast Asia. "Dawn has demonstrated great skill and expertise across multiple positions at USTR,” USTR Katherine Tai said. “Her diplomatic experience and judgement will be invaluable as we engage our trading partners and resume our work to enhance U.S. economic cooperation in Southeast Asia and across the Pacific.” Shackleford was the lead negotiator on the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and the lead negotiator for customs and trade facilitation in European trade talks that faltered. She joined USTR in 2004, after working at the Pentagon. Kent Shigetomi will serve as acting assistant USTR for WTO and multilateral affairs.