Former Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom international trade group head Jeffrey Gerrish is returning to the firm after a two-year stint in the Trump administration, where he served as deputy U.S. trade representative for Asia, Europe, the Middle East and industrial competitiveness.

Starting in August, Gerrish will be a partner in the firm's national security and Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States group, based in the Washington, D.C., office. Tuesday's announcement of his return to Skadden comes four months after the former leader of the practice, Ivan Schlager, decamped to Kirkland & Ellis.

Gerrish is slated to step down from his current position in late July.

"We've been able to achieve a significant amount of really great work since I've been here at the U.S. Trade Representative's office. When I look back at what we've done through the U.S.-China Phase One agreement, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, agreements with Japan, and the renegotiation of the U.S-Korea free trade agreement, we've accomplished a great deal," he said. "Now is a great time to return to the private sector."

Jeffrey Gerrish of Skadden Arps.

Gerrish was appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2018, joining his former Skadden partner, U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer, on the front lines of American trade policy. Gerrish served as the country's lead negotiator for the U.S.-China Phase One talks and played a prominent role in the office's other high-profile negotiations. He also served as the acting president and chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States from April 2018 until May 2019.

Gerrish joined Skadden in 1998 and became a partner in 2007. His financial disclosure for his nomination to the federal government revealed that his partnership share was worth $2.325 million from the beginning of 2016 through April 2017.

"I considered other destinations, but when I looked at everything, by far Skadden was the best choice for me with the global platform that it has and the exceptional lawyers I've worked with in the past, and the diverse client base that will really allow me to utilize all the skills and experience I've developed," he said.

Gerrish added that his time spent in the trenches of complex trade negotiations will enhance his ability to advise clients on navigating trade pacts, market access issues, and unfair trade practices.

"There's a lot of companies dealing with difficult issues in terms of international trade and investment, and they've become particularly acute with everything that's happened with the COVID-19 crisis," he said. "I think I'm uniquely positioned to advise clients in navigating what is a complex environment."

Gerrish's past clients at Skadden included United States Steel Corp., Endo Health Solutions Inc. and Daimler AG, among several others, according to his 2017 disclosures.

"Jeff's deep understanding of international trade, his direct experience reviewing foreign transactions, and his perspective and insights gained while shaping U.S. trade policy at the highest level will enhance Skadden's capabilities in these areas. We look forward to offering clients his counsel in navigating this increasingly complex global trade environment," said Mike Leiter, leader of the Skadden's CFIUS and national security group.

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