WASHINGTON (May 13, 2025) – Patrick Childress, former assistant general counsel in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), has joined Holland & Knight's International Trade Group as a partner in Washington, D.C.
"Patrick's skill set and experience further bolster our market-leading trade practice and provide our team with robust and multi-faceted capabilities across the full spectrum of international trade issues," said Ron Oleynik, co-head of Holland & Knight's International Trade Group.
"This has been a time of significant disruption in global trade," said Robert Friedman, co-head of Holland & Knight's International Trade Group. "Our Tariff Task Force and broader trade team are incredibly busy advising corporations, governments and other stakeholders around the world on issues related to the evolving tariff landscape, heightened trade-related enforcement actions, government investigations and treaty negotiations. Patrick's senior-level government experience advising administration officials, Congress and executive branch agencies on some of the most consequential trade matters, coupled with his years as a trusted practitioner in the private sector, make him an invaluable asset."
Mr. Childress' addition to the International Trade Group follows that of Partner Christopher Stagg, who joined Holland & Knight's Tysons, Virginia, office in December, as well as Partners Tahlia Townsend and Daniel Goren, who joined the Firm's Stamford, Connecticut, office earlier this month.
Mr. Childress joined USTR's Office of the General Counsel in 2020, where he advised administration officials, Congress and executive branch agencies regarding active trade matters. He also advised senior U.S. officials and negotiated with foreign trading partners on a broad portfolio of international trade law and policy issues, including digital trade, climate, trade in automotives, foreign investment and regional matters involving Canada and Mexico. Mr. Childress represented the United States in trade disputes under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and before the World Trade Organization (WTO) as well as served as the lead lawyer for USTR on policy issues related to the implementation of the USMCA.
Prior to this role, Mr. Childress worked at top private firms for more than a decade, representing corporate and sovereign clients in an array of investor-state and commercial arbitrations.
"I am eager to leverage my experience advising three presidential administrations on international trade policy and litigation to advocate for Holland & Knight's clients. As the international trade landscape continues to evolve, I look forward to helping clients manage these challenges and position themselves for success in the future," Mr. Childress said.
Mr. Childress earned a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School and a B.A. degree from Virginia Tech.