Baker Hostetler announced today that Melvin S. Schwechter has joined the firm’s Litigation Group as a Partner in its Washington, D.C. office and will be the national team leader of the International Trade – Compliance Practice. Schwechter joins Baker Hostetler from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP.
Schwechter’s practice focuses on a wide variety of international trade matters, including customs, export controls, trade sanctions and embargoes, and investments by foreign companies in U.S. businesses. He represents clients, including multinational manufacturers, distributors and financial institutions, before the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. State Department, Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. International Trade Commission on all types of import and export-related matters. These include audits, investigations, penalty proceedings, prior/voluntary self-disclosures, NAFTA and other free trade agreements, classification and valuation of merchandise, export licensing of military and “dual use” products, software, and technology, unfair trade practice proceedings and related administrative actions.
For both U.S. and foreign companies, Schwechter regularly deals with the complex rules surrounding U.S. trade and financial sanctions programs against Iran and other embargoed countries. He also represents clients on appeals of trade-related administrative actions to the U.S. Court of International Trade. He frequently conducts import/export compliance self-assessments for clients and provides import/export training.
He is a Past President of the Customs and International Trade Bar Association and received his J.D. from New York University Law School.
“I am very pleased to be joining Baker Hostetler. I was attracted to the firm by its record of growth and solid reputation,” said Schwechter. “My experience is a great match and I look forward to enhancing and growing the International Trade-Compliance Practice and delivering for our clients.”
“As a leading national litigation firm, I am pleased to have Mel join Baker Hostetler,” said W. Ray Whitman, chair of Baker Hostetler’s Litigation Practice. “He brings the knowledge and expertise needed to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of clients today, particularly regarding international trade compliance.”
“Mel is a tremendous addition to Baker Hostetler’s Washington office,” said Jeffrey H. Paravano, Managing Partner of Baker Hostetler’s Washington, D.C., office. “His proficiency in working with governmental agencies and the courts on international trade-related matters strengthens our firm’s Litigation and International Trade Practice areas.”
