Robert E. DeFrancesco, III

Robert’s practice involves all aspects of international trade and trade remedy proceedings. He has particular expertise in both U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings and export control matters before the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In addition, Robert has represented numerous clients in both the Section 232 Aluminum investigation before the Bureau of Industry and Security at the U.S. Commerce Department and in the Section 301 investigation of China before USTR. Robert has also actively assisted in World Trade Organization (WTO) matters, providing advice regarding WTO obligations and dispute settlement proceedings for various clients and governments. Clients represented in these proceedings come from industries such as primary aluminum, aluminum extrusions, petrochemicals, steel, semiconductors, renewable energy, and consumer goods, involving products from diverse economies such as China, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, and Turkey.

Representative Matters

• Represented a coalition of U.S. aluminum extruders before the DOC and the USITC in a trade remedies investigation covering aluminum products in all segments of the U.S. economy from automobiles and appliances to windows and doors.
• Advised clients regarding the Bureau of Industry and Security’s regulations regarding the export of lease condensate and crude oil.
• Represented an internet security start-up before the Bureau of Industry and Security in obtaining an export classification for its exports of encrypted products.
• Represented a group of steel producers before both the Court of International Trade and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in one of the seminal appeals of a USITC determination in recent memory.
• Represents numerous U.S. manufacturers in matters involving Section 301 and Section 232 investigations.
• Advised companies in diverse industries, including aluminum extrusions, steel, shrimp, outboard engines, and semiconductors in complex antidumping and countervailing duty investigations before the DOC and the USITC. 
• Represented an outboard engine manufacturer in one of the largest consumer products antidumping investigations before the USITC.

• Advises and represents complainants and respondents in dispute settlement proceedings before the WTO.

• Advised several clients and foreign governments before both the Panel and the Appellate Body WTO appeal.
• Participated in government contracts litigation involving an agreement to supply the U.S. forces in Kuwait and Iraq.
• Examined customs issues and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regulations regarding importation and distribution of ethanol.
• Lobbied before the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee on various trade-related matters.
• Assisted clients in navigating the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) new continuous bond requirements for agricultural products.

Professional Experience

• Assistant Adjunct Professor, International Trade Law and Regulation, George Mason University School of Law (2007-Present)
• Law Clerk, U.S. International Trade Commission, Office of the General Counsel (Summer 2000)
• Law Clerk, Bureau of Export Administration, Office of the General Counsel (Fall 1999) (now Bureau of Industry and Security)

Affiliations

• American Bar Association (ABA), Section of International Law
• Senior Advisor, International Trade Committee (2016-Present)
• Co-Chair, International Trade Committee (2012-2014)
• 2014 Outstanding Committee Award
• Court of International Trade Judicial Conference Committee (2016-Present)

Recognitions

• Listed by Chambers USA in International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy (2023, 2024)

• Named by Law360 as an International Trade MVP (2020, 2022)
• Included in The International Who's Who of Trade & Customs Lawyers (2019)
• Named one of DC's "Super Lawyers" for International by Super Lawyers magazine (2014-2020, 2022-2023)
• Named by The Legal 500 US as a "Next Generation Lawyer" (2017-2022) and a "Recommended Lawyer" (2023, 2024) in International Trade
• Recognized by Law360 as a "Rising Star" in International Trade (2013)
• Included in The Best Lawyers in America directory for International Trade and Finance Law (2023-2025)