Law firm King & Spalding has hired Ryan Majerus as a partner within its international trade team, based in Washington, DC.

Majerus started on January 13 and will advise clients on international trade, national security and supply chain issues, while also litigating trade enforcement matters such as antidumping and countervailing duty cases.

Working within King & Spalding’s government matters and regulation practice group, he brings “particular expertise in the steel, aluminium, automotive, agriculture and energy industries”, a spokesperson tells GTR.

He leaves his post at the US Department of Commerce as acting assistant secretary for enforcement and compliance, where he oversaw administrative litigation and enforcement of matters including antidumping and countervailing duties.

Majerus also previously served as senior policy advisor for supply chains at the White House National Economic Council, and as assistant general counsel at the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) during the first Donald Trump administration.

He also served for five years at the Department of Justice (DOJ), from 2011 onwards.

Steve Orava, a partner and leader of King & Spalding’s international trade team, says the hire will help the law firm respond to “strong demand for our world-class trade capabilities, particularly in light of the importance that trade will play in the economic agenda of the new administration”.

“With his well-rounded senior-level trade experience having worked for DOJ, USTR and the Commerce Department under both Democrat and Republican administrations, Ryan brings critical insights that our clients will value as well as instant credibility with regulators and policymakers,” Orava says.

In a statement, Majerus says he is joining an “established and highly respected International trade practice”.

“Demand for trade counsel is only going to increase, and the firm offers a unique opportunity to team with the best in the business to advise on pressing trade, national security, and supply chain policy issues and grow a strong practice litigating anti-dumping and countervailing duty cases.”