Charlene Barshefsky

Charlene Barshefsky (born August 11, 1950) 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.

Life and career

Barshefsky attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, 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, as U.S. Trade Representative, 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 (as of 2007) 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. In addition to her law practice, Ambassador Barshefsky serves on the board of directors of Intel, American Express, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, The Estee Lauder Companies, and The Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

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.

Barshefsky lives in Washington, DC with her husband. They have two daughters.

External links

• WilmerHale profile

Government offices
Preceded by Mickey Kantor	United States Trade Representative 1997 – 2001	Succeeded by Robert Zoellick