Gregory Spak
Biography
Overview
Greg Spak supports clients in the full spectrum of issues arising from international trade regulation. A partner in the White & Case global trade group since 1995, his significant track record and reputation have made him a trusted adviser for sovereign governments and global companies involved in international trade.
As a litigator, Greg has handled trade-related litigation before national administrative agencies, national courts at the trial and appellate level, and arbitral panels organized under regional and multilateral trade agreements. In recent years, he has gained significant experience handling disputes before the World Trade Organization (WTO). He has also acted as lead counsel in several proceedings before WTO panels and the Appellate Body.
Committed to providing clear, value-driven counsel, Greg's advisory practice spans international trade issues resulting from various types of government investigations, including false claims and customs fraud, as well as from private corporate matters. Greg's thorough knowledge of the regulatory landscape makes him a trusted adviser regarding compliance with laws and regulations related to customs, export control, cross-border investment and economic sanctions.
Noted for his critical insight into the latest developments in international trade law, Gregory has lectured at professional events and seminars across the globe. He has also written widely on related topics for a number of respected legal publications.
Experience
Peru – Additional Duty on Imports of Certain Agricultural Products (DS457) (WTO panel proceedings)
Representing the Government of Peru in WTO litigation involving import duties on agricultural products and the correct interpretation of the relevant international agreements.
Philippines – Taxes on Distilled Spirits (DS396/403) (WTO panel and Appellate Body proceedings)
Advised the Government of the Philippines and the private sector in WTO litigation involving taxes imposed on distilled spirits, and the proper interpretation of the relevant international agreements.
Bottom-Mount Refrigerators from Mexico (anti-dumping proceedings)
Represented a major Mexican producer of refrigerators in US-based trade remedy litigation in which the company successfully defeated allegations of unfair trade.
Global Industrial Company – International Trade Matters
For more than 25 years, Greg has been an active adviser to a global industrial company in matters involving international trade. His advice has related to matters including customs, export control, economic sanctions, trade remedy litigation in several countries and international negotiations
"Free Trade Agreements: What they mean for Kenya and Africa", November 24, 2020: Webinar presented by Anjarwalla & Khanna in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce (Kenya)
"The New Global and Regional Trade Policy: The Challenges of the World Trading System", November 6, 2018: ALACERO Latin American Steel Conference, Cartagena, Colombia
"Implications of the Section 232 Measures for Trade in North America", October 22, 2018: CANACERO 6th Congress of the Mexican and Iron Steel Industry, Mexico City, Mexico
Panelist, "La guerra comercial en el marco de la OMC," USMCA ¿Qué esperar del nuevo acuerdo? (USMCA: What to expect from the new deal), October 19, 2018: co-sponsored by the American Chamber in Mexico and White & Case, Mexico City, Mexico
"WTO Litigation and its Influence on Latin America", December 2015: World Trade Organization’s Latin America & the Future of International Trade Law Conference, Mexico
"WTO Dispute Resolution", Winter Semester 2014: lecture series delivered at the University of Richmond Law School
"Circumvention of Trade Remedies: The Respondents' Perspective", February 2014: Georgetown University Law Center, International Trade Update 2014, Washington, DC
"Perspectiva del demandado: Diferencias, aspectos comunes, y algunas observaciones prácticas", December 2012: Geneva, Switzerland, invited presenter at the WTO's Curso Avanzado Sobre Solución de Diferencias de la OMC (Advanced Course on Dispute Resolution of the WTO)
"International Trade and the WTO: Law, Practice and Ethics", September 2012: area law school students and invited lawyers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Guest Lecturer
"International Trade Law and the Federal Circuit", February 2012: ," presented at The Federal Circuit: 30 Years Back, 30 Years Forward, American University Law Review and the Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property
"Análisis de la información y valoración de pruebas en los procedimientos contra prácticas desleales de comercio internacional", May 2011: Mexico City, at a conference "Retos del Sistema Mexicano de Prácticas Desleales de Comercio Internacional" sponsored by the Secretaría de Economía and CANACERO
"Resolution of Disputes in the World Trade Organization", 2008 & 2010: Georgetown University Law Center, for advanced seminar on International Courts and Tribunals
"Tariffs May Not Be the Best Way to Counter French DST, Experts Say, Tax Notes," July 16, 2019 (quoted)
"Will Ecuador's Efforts to Boost Trade Ties Pay Off?," Latin America Advisor, (November 26, 2018) (quoted)
"Courts and Tribunals of Specialized Jurisdiction: The World Trade Organization," 2012, (appearing in The Rules, Practice, and Jurisprudence of International Courts and Tribunals, Giorgetti, editor, Martinus Nijhoff) (co-authored with Gisele Kapterian)
"2011 International Trade Law Decisions of the Federal Circuit," American University Law Review, 2012 (co-authored with F. Hansen and D. Hickman)
"The Byrd in Your Hand is Not Worth What You Think," Latin Lawyer, March 2006
"Sunset Cases: The ITC and Commerce in Court and the WTO," International Trade Update, Washington, DC, March 2005
Leading Lawyer, International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy – Nationwide, Chambers USA 2011-2023
Leading Lawyer, International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy – The Legal 500 USA 2011-2023
Mention: The Legal 500 USA 2021-2022: International Trade
Thought Leader, Trade & Customs, Who's Who Legal Thought Leaders 2023
Global Leader, Trade & Customs, Who's Who Legal Thought Leaders 2022
Best Lawyers, International Trade and Finance Law, 2021
The International Who's Who of Trade and Customs Lawyers, 2013-2020
Named one of the Top 30 Practitioners in International Trade, Best of the Best USA, Euromoney Expert Guides 2018-2020
Best of the Best USA in International Trade, Euromoney Expert Guides, 2016-2020