The international trade team at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP ‘understands the nuances of procedure, substantive requirements and policy’, according to sources. The group’s deep industry knowledge is also a recurring theme among clients, with the wider firm’s dominant offerings in the nuclear, defense and aerospace spheres reflected in its trade remedies and trade policy roster. Global head of regulatory Nancy Fischer handles the full scope of trade matters, with significant expertise in trade remedies, customs law, and disputes under NAFTA and the WTO; she is representing a large group of US nuclear utilities in various trade remedy proceedings before US courts and agencies. Stephan Becker leads the international trade practice and is recommended for his experience in trade litigation. Aaron Hutman and newly promoted partner Benjamin Cote are also active in trade remedy and trade policy matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Pillsbury is unique in that it is the only team with such vast experience in all nuclear fuel matters. It works to identify all possible solutions to international trade matters with extreme knowledge of all issues. The team is easy to work with and always asks the right questions to get to the bottom of matters.’

  • ‘The Pillsbury team has been incredibly knowledgeable and is always responsive. Our relationship with the firm dates back to nearly six years and over this time, Pillsbury has been able to provide sound advice on extremely complex and high-profile international trade law matters.’

  • ‘The team has always been appropriately resourced to meet our requirements. The team is led by Stephan Becker and Aaron Hutman, who are both extremely knowledgeable in international trade, in particular in the area of trade remedies. Both have gained an impressive knowledge of the industry.’

  • ‘Moushami Joshi, an associate, has proven to be an indispensable part of the Pillsbury team. Together, Stephan Becker, Aaron Hutman, Moushami and the rest of the team have provided a combination of broad strategic approach in case management; paying particular attention to complex details.’

  • ‘Pillsbury's trade practice has extensive international trade remedies experience in US domestic, regional and multilateral fora, from both private sector and government perspectives. It understands the nuances of procedure, substantive requirements and policy.’

  • ‘Stephan Becker has been practicing in trade remedies and related areas for over three decades and intimately understands US domestic laws and procedures, as well as the applicable rules in regional and multilateral trade agreements.’

  • ‘Pillsbury's personnel are dedicated, thorough, and hardworking. They also collaborate well within and without their organization, providing excellent communication in a timely manner.’

Key clients

  • Ad Hoc Utilities Group (Duke Energy (Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC and Duke Energy Progress, LLC), Constellation Energy (formerly Exelon Generation Company, LLC), Ameren Missouri, Dominion (Dominion Energy Services, Inc., Virginia Electric and Power Company, Dominion Energy Nuclear Connecticut, Inc., and Dominion Energy South Carolina), Energy Northwest, Entergy Corporation, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), and Xcel Energy Services, Inc.)
  • Government of Mexico
  • Government of New Brunswick
  • MP Materials
  • Victaulic
  • KONE Corporation
  • Chevron
  • Ravago Americas
  • Valmet Corporation and Valmet
  • Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), a GE-led joint venture

Work highlights

  • Advising a large group of US nuclear utilities (known as the Ad Hoc Utilities Group) on various trade remedy proceedings at the DOC, USITC, CIT, Federal Circuit and US Supreme Court.
  • Acting as outside US counsel to Mexico’s Secretary of Commerce for NAFTA and WTO matters, including trade remedy proceedings and WTO dispute settlement cases.
  • Representing the Government of New Brunswick in the Canadian softwood lumber case.

Lawyers

Leading lawyers
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Stephan Becker, Nancy Fischer

Other key lawyers

Aaron Hutman, Christopher Wall, Benjamin Cote