Walter Spak

Widely recognized by leading professional guides as one of the top trade lawyers in the United States, his formidable reputation is based on a track record which spans almost 35 years. During this time, he has successfully supported clients with legal issues in virtually every aspect of import and export trade laws.

The complex matters to which Walter brings experience and insight primarily involve the United States and third country trade proceedings, customs issues, bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations, dispute resolution under NAFTA and the WTO and sector-specific trade policy issues.

His international reputation has made him a go-to lawyer for major companies and governments throughout Asia, North America, the Middle East and Latin America, when they are faced with complex cross-border trade and investment issues.

He has played a key role in more than 100 original trade remedies and reviews under the US trade laws and those of third countries. His thorough grasp of customs law has been repeatedly demonstrated by his effective handling of criminal and civil customs fraud investigations, valuation issues, classifications issues, customs audit, country-of-origin matters, marking requirements and general customs advice.

A global authority on international trade law, Walter has also been called on to advise sovereign clients regarding bilateral negotiations and multilateral issues before the GATT and WTO. Among his other notable matters, Walter was actively involved in representing sovereigns in the Subsidies Code negotiations under the Tokyo Round, as well as the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) Agreement and the Safeguards Agreement in the Uruguay Round.

Walter's formidable trade law knowledge and noted skill as a legal strategist have also led to his direct involvement in the drafting of unfair trade legislation for a number of countries in Asia, and in the development and conducting of training programs for the administration of those laws.

International both in outlook and approach, Walter was educated in the United States, Japan and Austria.