Rhonda Schmidtlein, a prominent Democrat and commissioner of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) for over a decade, has announced she will be leaving the agency to join the prestigious law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr (WilmerHale). Schmidtlein will be joining the firm’s Washington office in April, with her final day at the ITC set for February 1.
Schmidtlein has made significant contributions to the ITC, including serving as the agency’s chair from January 2017 to June 2018. The ITC, an independent federal agency, plays a critical role in shaping U.S. trade policies, including the imposition of antidumping duties and regulating imports.
Before joining the ITC in 2013 under former President Barack Obama, Schmidtlein held several key roles at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the World Bank. Throughout her tenure, she earned the respect of policymakers across party lines and was widely regarded by trade experts.
WilmerHale Managing Partner Anjan Sahni praised Schmidtlein for her invaluable experience and expertise in international trade matters, noting her deep understanding of trade issues, which will be a great asset to the firm. ITC chair Amy Karpel also acknowledged Schmidtlein’s integral role in the agency’s work over the past 11 years.
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