Derick Holt
Partner – Wiley Rein LLP
Description of field of expertise
Derick represents clients in complex international trade regulatory matters, including trade remedy litigation with a focus on leveling the playing field for domestic manufacturers through tariffs and protecting American workers, jobs, and communities. His work involves representing a broad range of industries in antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, including steel and downstream steel products, aluminum extrusions, logistics, glass, and renewable energy products. Derick is among the first Black law firm partners to practice trade remedies law at an Am law 200 firm in the United States. He practices before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the U.S. Court of International Trade, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. International Trade Commission. Derick also represents U.S. and international clients on export compliance and national security matters, including export controls and economic sanctions. When Derick is not protecting domestic industries from unfairly traded imports, he represents low-income D.C. residents in landlord-tenant disputes.
What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?
International trade has a significant impact on American competitiveness, the U.S. economy, and Americans’ daily lives. From the steel that goes into our cars, to the door handles on our refrigerators, to the wood floor that we walk on in our houses, we are consistently interacting with products that have been affected by international trade. Historically, communities of color, especially, Black Americans, have been disproportionately impacted by traditional U.S. trade policy and unfair trade in the United States, which has negatively affected wages, employment, and widened the income inequality gap. For the first time, the U.S. government is examining this issue, which will present unique opportunities and incentives for companies to reevaluate their supply chains and make the benefits of trade inclusive for all Americans. Derick’s work also includes counseling and assisting manufacturers in developing and strengthening supply chains across strategic sectors of the economy.
Final thoughts…
Focus on doing top-notch work for your clients and interpret “clients” as broadly as possible. That includes external clients and internal clients (assigning attorneys, junior associates, junior and senior partners, both within and outside of your practice group).