Ambassador Michael N. Nemelka returned to Kellogg Hansen in 2020 after serving as the Deputy United States Trade Representative for Africa, China, the Western Hemisphere, and Investment, Services, Labor, and Environment. In addition, he was responsible for global trade policy in the areas of intellectual property, market access, and industrial competitiveness. Ambassador Nemelka was confirmed by the Senate by voice vote without opposition. As Deputy United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Nemelka formulated and implemented U.S. trade policy for the regions and issues under his purview, led important trade negotiations, and developed and executed strategies to address trade barriers and unfair trade practices in countries around the world. Ambassador Nemelka played a key role in the successful implementation and launch of the new United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement, which replaced NAFTA, and in the monitoring and enforcement of the groundbreaking China Phase I deal. He also served as the lead negotiator for the proposed free trade agreement with the Republic of Kenya, which would be the first such agreement between the United States and a country in sub-Saharan Africa, and negotiated important trade agreements with Ecuador and Brazil. Prior to being confirmed as Deputy United States Trade Representative, he served as special advisor to Ambassador Robert E. Lighthizer, the United States Trade Representative.
Ambassador Nemelka helps clients navigate challenges and barriers in international trade and investment, and in dispute resolution before international trade tribunals and arbitrations. He also specializes in complex commercial litigation, and has experience across a broad range of civil and criminal matters. He has tried numerous cases to verdict in federal and state courts, as well as before arbitration panels. He has represented corporate and individual clients in cases involving antitrust liability, trust administration, breach of contract, intellectual property, and government securities and FCPA investigations.