Washington, DC – Wiley, a DC law firm, announced that Greta M. Peisch has joined the firm as a partner in the International Trade Practice. Peisch most recently served as General Counsel for the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), where she was the primary legal advisor to the agency, including with respect to trade enforcement and trade agreement implementation and negotiations.
"With a decade of experience at the highest levels of government, Greta is a great fit for our team and will be indispensable to our clients," said Managing Partner Peter D. Shields. "We are pleased to welcome her to Wiley, where she's in good company with many other former government officials who returned to private practice."
Peisch accomplished much during her three years as General Counsel for USTR. She led USTR's enforcement agenda, including World Trade Organization (WTO) and trade agreement dispute settlement and implementation of Sections 201 and 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Peisch negotiated the settlement of significant trade disputes, including a years-long dispute with the European Union regarding large civil aircraft; disputes related to the U.S. imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum and the EU's retaliatory tariffs; and a dispute with Canada related to a U.S. solar safeguard measure. In addition, she led the implementation of the first-ever reviews and panel request under the novel Rapid Response Labor Mechanism of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. She acted as agency leadership on legal issues in trade agreement implementation and negotiations, including the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade. She also oversaw negotiations related to Critical Minerals Agreements with Japan, the EU, and the United Kingdom.
"There are strong synergies between Greta's work for the government and the capabilities of our International Trade team," said International Trade Practice co-chair Alan H. Price. "She has worked on behalf of domestic industries and workers throughout her career, and our group differentiates itself by focusing on helping U.S. companies navigate all aspects of the global trade environment."
"Our firm is a great place for Greta to continue her work," added practice co-chair Timothy C. Brightbill. "Her knowledge and experience in developing and implementing trade policies, including those involving digital trade, labor, and the environment, will be extremely valuable to our clients."
Prior to serving as General Counsel for USTR, Peisch was Senior International Trade Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. In this role, she developed policy positions and legislation concerning trade policy, including the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and drafting, passage and implementation of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act, and the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act of 2018. She also previously held other roles at USTR, including Chief Counsel for Negotiations, Legislation and Administrative Law; Associate General Counsel; and Assistant General Counsel.
"Throughout my many years of government service, I have gotten to know Wiley's impressive Trade team," said Peisch. "What sets Wiley apart from other firms is that it is genuinely dedicated to supporting U.S. industries and businesses. That's what I've built my career around, and I am looking forward to helping U.S. companies navigate all aspects of the trade environment at a more focused level."
Peisch earned her J.D. from Yale Law School, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Journal of International Law. She earned her A.B., summa cum laude, from Dartmouth College. Peisch served as law clerk for the Honorable Douglas P. Woodlock of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts from 2010-2011.
