Jim Jochum

Jim is one of the nation’s leading trade lawyers, with high level experience in the private and government sectors. He is a trusted adviser to major multinational companies in the legal, regulatory and political aspects of doing business in the global economy. He leverages more than a decade of senior level executive and legislative branch experience to bring practical and cost-effective solutions to challenges faced by companies seeking to enter new markets or utilize global supply chains. Jim is also an authoritative voice in policies at the intersection of international economics and national security.

Jim is the founder and principal in the international trade law firm of Jochum Shore & Trossevin PC where he maintains a vibrant practice focusing on both key executive branch agencies and Congress.  He has represented companies such as Target, The Home Depot, GE, Whirlpool and others before the International Trade Commission and Department of Commerce in protecting their supply chains from challenges under the U.S. trade remedy laws.  In addition, Jim has represented U.S. companies coping with the regulatory burdens of U.S. export controls and foreign companies seeking to invest in the United States in the interagency review process known as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).  Jim also lobbies on behalf of clients before the U.S. Congress in areas such as international trade policy, tax and technology issues.

Prior starting his own firm, Jim was a partner in the global firm of Mayer Brown, and a Presidential Appointee in the Administration of President George W. Bush.  He served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, where he led the agency responsible for implementing U.S. dual-use export controls.  In this position, Jim worked closely with U.S. companies seeking to export high technology and defense articles to foreign markets.  He also was deeply involved in several notable CFIUS reviews.

Jim was also appointed by President Bush to serve as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration.  In this role, he led the agency responsible for enforcing U.S. trade laws.  Jim was a key Bush Administration official in the international economic policy arena, leading the Administration’s negotiations with the Chinese government on several key issues, such as market economy status, and was the lead U.S. negotiator on global steel subsidies at the OECD.

Prior to serving in the Administration, Jim enjoyed a six-year career in the U.S. Senate.  In his work for Senator Chuck Grassley, Jim was known as a top congressional staff member in the areas of international trade and agricultural policy.  As International Counsel to the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, Jim led congressional efforts to reform U.S. export controls.  He played a significant role in major legislation such as the 1995 Farm Bill, the creation of the World Trade Organization and the African Growth and Opportunity Act, among others.

Jim is an adjunct professor in international economics, foreign policy and national security at Georgetown University and American University and is the co-author of Economic Instruments of Security Policy.