World Law Group welcomes back David Morfesi, Director of International Trade at MinterEllison (member for Australia), as Co-chair of the Trade Group. David previously served in this role from 2021 to 2023 and brings extensive experience advising on cross-border transactions, regulatory compliance, and international trade law and policy.
David previously served as a trade adviser to the US Government, representing the country at the WTO, WHO, WIPO, UNFCCC and UNCTAD, and participating in free trade agreement negotiations and WTO dispute resolution. He has also held senior roles in private practice, academia, and policy, including as partner at a UK law firm, Yeutter Visiting Professor of International Trade Law at the University of Nebraska, and Executive Director of the Institute for International Trade at the University of Adelaide. He has delivered training and technical assistance to trade officials in more than 100 countries and taught at institutions including the WIPO Academy and the US Foreign Service Institute
David rejoins WLG's Trade Group leadership alongside Randy Rucker of Faegre Drinker (member for Illinois, USA) and Michael Brüggemann of Taylor Wessing (member for Germany). His return strengthens the group's leadership with his global perspective and ability to facilitate impactful discussions on sanctions, trade agreements, and other complex trade issues affecting member firms and their clients.
WLG's Trade Group is a platform for lawyers who provide experienced regulatory, compliance, and policy counsel to clients ranging from large multinationals with global operations to small businesses that seek to expand internationally. The group's members bring in-depth knowledge and experience to a variety of challenges most often encountered by companies involved in cross-border trade, including import compliance, export controls, economic sanctions, trade remedies, international trade policies, anti-dumping, national security, and other barriers to entry. They also have experience in resolving WTO disputes, contract disputes, and other litigation matters related to trade.