Charlene Barshefsky
Encyclopedia
Charlene Barshefsky served as United States Trade Representative, the country's top trade negotiator, from 1997 to 2001. Prior to that, she was the Deputy USTR from 1993 to 1997.
, where she obtained a B.A., double majoring in English & Political Science. She earned her law degree (J.D.
) from The Catholic University of America
.
Barshefsky was nominated by President Clinton to serve with Rufus Yerxa
and Richard W. Fisher
as Deputy U.S. Trade Representatives. In 1999, she was the primary negotiator with China's Zhu Rongji
, laying out the terms for China
's eventual entry into the World Trade Organization
.
Barshefsky was a partner and co-chair of the International Practice Group at the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson. She is currently a partner at the Washington, D.C.
law firm
of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr
. She has written and lectured extensively on both U.S. and foreign trade laws and public procurement regimes.
Barshefsky has been a Vice Chair of the International Law Section of the American Bar Association
as well as a member of its governing council and chair of its Publications Committee.
Life and career
Barshefsky attended the University of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, where she obtained a B.A., double majoring in English & Political Science. She earned her law degree (J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
) from The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
.
Barshefsky was nominated by President Clinton to serve with Rufus Yerxa
Rufus Yerxa
Rufus H. Yerxa is currently Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization . He has served in this position since 2002...
and Richard W. Fisher
Richard W. Fisher
Richard W. Fisher is currently the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, having assumed that post in April, 2005.-Career:...
as Deputy U.S. Trade Representatives. In 1999, she was the primary negotiator with China's Zhu Rongji
Zhu Rongji
Zhū Róngjī is a prominent Chinese politician who served as the Mayor and Party chief in Shanghai between 1987 and 1991, before serving as Vice-Premier and then the fifth Premier of the People's Republic of China from March 1998 to March 2003.A tough administrator, his time in office saw the...
, laying out the terms for China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
's eventual entry into the World Trade Organization
World Trade Organization
The World Trade Organization is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade , which commenced in 1948...
.
Barshefsky was a partner and co-chair of the International Practice Group at the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson. She is currently a partner at the Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, which also goes by the shorter market name WilmerHale, is an American law firm with twelve offices across the USA, Europe and Asia. It was created in 2004 through the merger of the Boston-based firm Hale and Dorr and the Washington-based firm Wilmer Cutler...
. She has written and lectured extensively on both U.S. and foreign trade laws and public procurement regimes.
Barshefsky has been a Vice Chair of the International Law Section of the American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
as well as a member of its governing council and chair of its Publications Committee.