Wertman, Joel

David Weller is a partner in the firm's Regulatory and Government Affairs Department, and a member of the International Trade, Investment and Market Access Practice Group. He represents clients regarding trade and regulatory impediments to accessing foreign markets, in international dispute settlement proceedings, and on trade policy issues.

Prior to joining WilmerHale, Mr. Weller served as Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) for China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and developed and implemented US trade policy with respect to China. He worked regularly with other US government agencies, the Congress and the US private sector to help shape US trade priorities, including with respect to China's World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments, and worked closely with China’s government to negotiate market opening for US goods and services.  

Mr. Weller also served as USTR Assistant General Counsel. In that position, he was USTR's chief legal advisor on China trade issues, including China’s implementation of its WTO commitments. He was the lead counsel in the first WTO case ever filed against China, shaping both the litigation and public affairs strategies for the Administration. Mr. Weller also served as the chief lawyer for negotiations of free trade agreements with Morocco and Bahrain, and was the lead counsel in WTO dispute settlement proceedings with the EU regarding a dispute on US copyright law.

Mr. Weller has worked and lived in China, Hong Kong and Vietnam and is proficient in Mandarin. Prior to joining USTR, he was an associate at a firm in New York.

Practice

Mr. Weller’s practice focuses on the removal of trade and regulatory impediments to exporting to or investing in markets throughout the world, with a special emphasis on China. He represents clients doing business globally with respect to particular government-imposed barriers or restrictions, advising on the use of international agreements, WTO and other international dispute settlement mechanisms, and other strategies to achieve results. He also advises on trade policy issues, including US legislation and trade agreement negotiations.

Honors and Awards

• Named to Law360's list of "10 international trade lawyers under 40 to watch"
• Recognized as a Nationwide leader in the area of International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy in the 2010 and 2011 editions of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business