Kelley Drye Recognized as Law360 International Trade Group of the Year

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP announced today that its International Trade practice has been named one of the 2024 Law360 International Trade Groups of the Year, cementing its standing as a leader in U.S. trade law. The recognition follows a series of significant achievements in protecting U.S. industries, including key victories for the domestic polyester fiber sector and the U.S. aluminum lithographic printing plate industry.

“We are honored to have been named a Practice Group of the Year, by Law360,” said John Hermann, chair of the International Trade practice. ​“This recognition highlights the dedication of our team and our clients’ trust in our ability to deliver results. It’s an honor to be acknowledged for our hard work and impactful outcomes, and we remain committed to providing our clients with exceptional advocacy in the international trade arena.”

The firm’s Trade practice achieved remarkable success in persuading former President Joe Biden to impose safeguards on U.S. polyester fiber imports. This critical measure was designed to protect the U.S. polyester fiber industry, which has faced serious injury from imported fibers used in face masks and hospital gowns. On November 14, 2024, President Biden issued a proclamation based on the firm’s arguments, marking a rare and impactful global safeguard victory.

Additionally, Kelley Drye successfully represented Eastman Kodak Co. in its fight to prevent the loss of its U.S. manufacturing operations for aluminum lithographic printing plates. In November 2024, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) sided with Kodak, ruling that imports of aluminum printing plates from China and Japan were harming the U.S. industry by underselling domestic counterparts. The victory, following a lengthy and complex investigation, ensures the continued viability of this crucial sector.

The firm also successfully assisted in securing a key ruling from the U.S. Department of Commerce, affirming that Vietnam should be treated as a nonmarket economy for the purposes of U.S. antidumping duty law. This decision, a significant win for Kelley Drye’s clients, ensures that U.S. trade law continues to apply its protections to imports from Vietnam.

In addition to these achievements, the firm represented the U.S. Aluminum Association in a groundbreaking case concerning the circumvention of antidumping duties on aluminum foil imports from Korea and Thailand. The firm’s arguments led to the imposition of additional duties on these imports, ensuring a fairer market for U.S. aluminum producers.

Kelley Drye’s International Trade practice has helped businesses and industries remain competitive for more than five decades. The team of more than 20 lawyers and analysts recently added a group of four lateral attorneys bolstering its Export Control and Sanctions team and expanding the firm’s presence in California.

Read Law360​’s full profile on Kelley Drye’s International Trade practice here.