Today Chambers released its 2022 USA Guide, ranking Cassidy Levy Kent’s Washington office as a top firm in both the Trade Remedies/Trade Policy and Customs spaces. Chambers’ ratings follow high praise for CLK’s team in prior USA, Canada, and Global editions of Chambers guides, as well as other highly-regarded ranking publications including Who’s Who Legal — which has referred to CLK as “the foremost trade and customs team in North America” — as well as BestLawyers, Expert Guides, Legal 500, and others. Of special note, the 2020 edition of the Legal 500 called the firm’s Ottawa office one of Canada’s top boutique firms for its trade law practice.
CHAMBERS USA
Chambers USA 2022 ranked CLK’s Washington office in Band 2 of its guide for Trade Remedies and Trade Policy, and Band 4 for its Customs practice.
Chambers described the CLK team as bringing a “depth of knowledge and creative and expert legal and policy advice that is very valuable.” It also noted clients’ appreciation of CLK’s Customs team as providing “exceptional service, value and experience.” The guide then went on to rank five DC partners:
- In recognizing Yohai Baisburd, Chambers lauded him as “detail-oriented, sensitive to deadlines, provides timely communication and is constantly effective in achieving results.”
- Tom Beline was recognized for being “very strong in countervailing duty investigations.”
- James Cannon earned the status of “icon in the industry.”
- Chambers observed Myles Getlan’s “commitment and passion for achieving results,” with one interviewee describing him as “super nice, very smart and very thoughtful.”
- Chambers noted Jack Levy’s experience “always thinking outside the box and achieving business results,” and reported that an interviewee described him as “produc{ing} good results with creative strategies.”
CHAMBERS CANADA
Chambers Canada 2021 again ranked CLK’s trade remedies practice in the prestigious Band 1 level.
Highlighting the Ottawa office’s depth and team approach, Chambers said “The CLK team works very well together,” and quoted a client that “They work synergistically, capitalizing on individual strengths within the group.” Other Chambers sources noted the firm’s “large team and deep bench” on both sides of the border, with one saying: “The firm is large enough to provide resources and access, but small enough that we feel like an important client.”
A number of CLK’s team were singled out by Chambers for particular praise:
- Christopher Kent was identified as an eminent figure in the Canadian trade bar, particularly respected for his deep expertise of trade policy, including regulation and disputes: “‘He is top of the class in international trade in Canada,’ one client enthused.”
- About Christopher Cochlin, clients commented “He draws on a wealth of past experience working as a trade lawyer with the Canadian government,” and praised his “in-depth understanding of policy and the machinery of government.”
- Andrew Lanouette was called an “excellent young lawyer”, and an “extremely intelligent and thoughtful” advocate.
- About Gerry Stobo’s trade practice clients said he is “very well regarded in the trade community with an immense amount of experience and analytical rigor.” Gerry’s procurement practice also received praise, noting that he “… is revered across the procurement law space for his handling of significant transactions and disputes.”
- Lawrence Herman was noted as a well-established and respected trade expert in Canada with a career spanning over 40 years. As Chambers stated, Lawrence has an immense wealth of experience across numerous areas, including advocacy work before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal and under provisions established by free trade agreements, as well as a unique knowledge of the workings of the UN and the WTO.
- Finally, Chambers said about Marc McLaren-Caux: “[he]…is very articulate and clear in his presentation. I would have absolute faith in him to lead on anything.” A peer added: “He is one of the brightest lawyers I have ever met.”
THE FIRM
CLK is a top-rated international trade law boutique specializing in trade remedies, customs, market access, trade policy, trade negotiations, and government procurement. As one of the largest trade groups in North America, the firm is known for its expertise in antidumping, countervailing duty and safeguard litigation, including its deep bench and its thorough case development and prosecution. The firm is well-regarded by clients and decision-makers for its customs compliance practice, for its advise to stakeholders on export controls and sanctions matters, and for its work in trade disputes and appellate matters before the World Trade Organization and pursuant to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA or CUSMA) (formerly NAFTA).