Dechert Adds 2 Ex-Hughes Hubbard Trade Pros To DC Office
Dechert LLP has added two former Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP attorneys to its international trade and government regulation group, the firm announced on Wednesday.
F. Amanda DeBusk and Melissa Duffy join the firm as partners in its Washington, D.C., office. DeBusk also serves as the chair of Dechert's global international trade practice, the firm said.
"Amanda and Melissa bring substantial breadth and depth of experience, and the unique perspective of a former high-ranking trade regulator, to our clients across a range of key industries facing strategic international trade issues," Andrew Levander, chair of the firm's policy committee, said in a statement. "Our combined team's experience and strategic advice will add real value to nearly every client across our global platform."
DeBusk, who has 30 years of experience in international trade, told Law360 on Thursday that the firm is on a "great trajectory" and that she is "relishing" the opportunity to head the global trade practice group.
DeBusk focuses on "Washington problem-solving in the international field," she said. Her practice covers export controls and sanctions as well as civil and criminal enforcement, regulatory compliance, trade remedies and customs, according to the firm. "Dechert presents a fantastic opportunity and Melissa and I are thrilled to join the international trade team," DeBusk said. "This platform enables us to continue to lead and advise clients on issues that are strategically the most important to them."
DeBusk received her law degree from Harvard Law School and her bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond. Duffy told Law360 that it was Dechert's "well-rounded offering of practice areas" that attracted her to the firm, adding that it supports her trade practice very well.
Duffy, who has 14 years of experience in global trade, said that her practice largely focuses on export controls, sanctions and other trade issues across the tech sector. In particular, she said she has been "cultivating" significant experience in the area of encryption as well as cloud-based solutions and software as a service, or SaaS.
"I'm looking forward to exploring what Dechert has to offer [in those areas], with their Silicon Valley and San Francisco offices," Duffy said on Thursday. Duffy got her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and her bachelor's degree from Principia College.
