Insight
Charlene Barshefky, 2017 Washington D.C. "Lawyer of the Year" for International Trade and Finance Law
Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky of WilmerHale.
Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky worked her way from associate to partner at a large Washington, D.C., law firm and became an expert on global trade and investment. When Bill Clinton was elected president, she was asked by Mickey Kantor, the President’s newly appointed U.S. Trade Representative, to serve as his deputy. This position carried with it the title of Ambassador and was a sub-cabinet position, requiring confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Barshefsky hesitated and initially told Kantor no—she and her husband had two small children, and she loved the practice she had at her law firm. Kantor, who had met Barshefsky only once, was evidently impressed, and he begged her to reconsider.
“I thought it over for about 10 days—which in the annals of Washington is unheard of for what is considered one of the plum jobs in government,” says Barshefsky. “Ultimately, I was commuting to work with my husband down one of the major roads, and my husband said, ‘You need to call Mickey Kantor and tell him yes or no. You’re really keeping him waiting, and you just need to decide.’ I said, ‘I remain very torn; I need a sign.’ At that moment—this is a true story—a white car passed us in the next lane and the license plate on that car said G-O-4-I-T, ‘Go for it.’ I said, ‘Oh my goodness! That’s the sign,’ and I went to my office, called Mickey Kantor, and took the job.”
Barshefsky served as deputy and acting U.S. Trade Representative from 1993 to 1997 and, for the remaining four years of the Clinton Administration, as the U.S. Trade Representative and a member of the President’s cabinet. The Clinton administration sealed more than 300 trade agreements during those eight years, including the completion of: the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); the Uruguay Round; global agreements in financial services, telecom, high tech products, and cyberspace; and China’s WTO Agreement, of which Barshefsky was also the architect and lead negotiator. During this period, she notes, U.S. exports exceeded more than one trillion dollars for the first time in history.
“It was a very rewarding experience on so many levels,” she says. “Especially the honor of working with the President of the United States.”
Barshefsky returned to private practice at WilmerHale in Washington, D.C., where she chairs the international trade, investment, and market access practice group. She advises multinational corporations on their global strategy and government relations, market access, investment and litigation matters, and negotiations with governments and private parties. She is a member of and has been honored by many professional organizations, and serves on the boards of directors of the Intel Corporation, American Express Company, Estée Lauder Companies, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She has been listed with Best Lawyers since 2005 for international trade and finance law and government relations.
Related Articles
Moving With the World
by Best Lawyers
Attorney Adrián Vázquez from the Mexican firm Vázquez Tercero & Zepeda discusses the firm's 2019 award, changes coming to the WTO, Mexico's shifting trade strategy, and more.
Contracts and Translations
by Christian Ray Pilares
Working with manufacturers in China can be profitable but challenging. Third party services like law firms and translation services can be helpful.
Technology and the Changing IP Climate in Mexico
by Best Lawyers
Roberto Arochi discusses Arochi & Lindner’s 2019 “Law Firm of the Year” award for Intellectual Property Law in Mexico in an interview with Best Lawyers.
The Economic Landscape Changing Capital Markets Law in Mexico
by Best Lawyers
Michell Nader discusses his firm's 2019 "Law Firm of the Year" award for Capital Markets Law in Mexico.
When the Levy Breaks
by Warren Friedman
Tariffs against China on construction materials are capricious, unpredictable, and often spectacularly ill-timed. How can the industry prepare?
Trending Articles
2025 Best Lawyers Awards Announced: Honoring Outstanding Legal Professionals Across the U.S.
by Jennifer Verta
Introducing the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America and the fifth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.
Unveiling the 2025 Best Lawyers Awards Canada: Celebrating Legal Excellence
by Jennifer Verta
Presenting the 19th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada and the 4th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada.
Discover The Best Lawyers in Spain 2025 Edition
by Jennifer Verta
Highlighting Spain’s leading legal professionals and rising talents.
Unveiling the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa
by Jennifer Verta
Best Lawyers celebrates the finest in law, reaffirming its commitment to the global legal community.
Presenting the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Chile, Colombia, Peru and Puerto Rico
by Jennifer Verta
Celebrating top legal professionals in South America and the Caribbean.
Prop 36 California 2024: California’s Path to Stricter Sentencing and Criminal Justice Reform
by Jennifer Verta
Explore how Prop 36 could shape California's sentencing laws and justice reform.
Tampa Appeals Court ‘Sends Clear Message,” Ensuring School Tax Referendum Stays on Ballot
by Gregory Sirico
Hillsborough County's tax referendum is back on the 2024 ballot, promising $177 million for schools and empowering residents to decide the future of education.
Find the Best Lawyers for Your Needs
by Jennifer Verta
Discover how Best Lawyers simplifies the attorney search process.
Paramount Hit With NY Class Action Lawsuit Over Mass Layoffs
by Gregory Sirico
Paramount Global faces a class action lawsuit for allegedly violating New York's WARN Act after laying off 300+ employees without proper notice in September.
The Human Cost
by Justin Smulison
2 new EU laws aim to reshape global business by enforcing ethical supply chains, focusing on human rights and sustainability
Introduction to Demand Generation for Law Firms
by Jennifer Verta
Learn the essentials of demand gen for law firms and how these strategies can drive client acquisition, retention, and long-term success.
Social Media for Law Firms: The Essential Beginner’s Guide to Digital Success
by Jennifer Verta
Maximize your law firm’s online impact with social media.
ERISA Reaches Its Turning Point
by Bryan Driscoll
ERISA litigation and the laws surrounding are rapidly changing, with companies fundamentally rewriting their business practices.
How Client Testimonials Fuel Client Acquisition for Law Firms
by Nancy Lippincott
Learn how client testimonials boost client acquisition for law firms. Enhance credibility, engage clients and stand out in a competitive legal market.
