Robert C. Cassidy, Jr.

Mr. Cassidy focuses on legal issues raised by cross-border business transactions, including antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings, economic sanctions, export controls and customs issues. He is experienced in devising strategies for using trade law procedures, such as the antidumping laws, to achieve business objectives and in resolving disputes between companies and the US government arising from sanctions, export controls and customs laws.

Mr. Cassidy served as General Counsel of the Office of the US Trade Representative from 1979-1981 and International Trade Counsel to the US Senate Committee on Finance from 1975-1979. As General Counsel of USTR, Mr. Cassidy was the senior legal officer of the US government responsible for issues arising under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. He oversaw US implementation of the agreements reached in the Tokyo Round of Multinational Trade Negotiations and was the lead US negotiator with Japan on market access issues, including procurement by Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation. As International Trade Counsel to the Finance Committee, Mr. Cassidy was a creator of the procedures for consideration of legislation implementing trade agreements — procedures known today as the “fast track” or “trade promotion authority” procedures. He was also a primary architect of the modern antidumping and countervailing duty statutes enacted in the Trade Agreements Act of 1979.

Mr. Cassidy was a partner at WilmerHale where he was leader of the firm’s International Practice Group and the Trade Group. Mr. Cassidy joined Cassidy Levy Kent (USA) LLP when it was established in early 2011.

Honors

• Listed as a leader in the field of International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy by Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers
• Recognized for his exceptional international trade practice in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
• Consistently selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America in the areas of international trade and finance law
• Recognized as a leader in trade and customs law in multiple editions of Who’s Who Legal, The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers
• Selected as a Washington DC Super Lawyer