Updated at 5:59 p.m.
A Miller & Chevalier of counsel who specializes in international trade issues has joined McDermott Will & Emery as a Washington-based partner in its regulatory practice group, the lawyer's new firm announced Tuesday.
Jay Eizenstat, who had been at Miller since 2008, focuses on trade law, policy and disputes, as well as market access, concerning companies that do business in Asia. Before he joined Miller, Eizenstat was a trade negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative, where he directed free trade agreement negotiations between the United States and South Korea on rules of origin and customs.
At Miller, Eizenstat lobbied last year for the Motion Picture Association of America Inc. and footwear importer E.S. Originals Inc., according to congressional records. He also was registered to lobby for liquor manufacturer Diageo Singapore Pte. Ltd.
The firm received $10,000 from the MPAA for lobbying Eizenstat did during the third quarter of 2011 on the customs valuation of products that carry digital media and disputes concerning market access in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. It also took in $10,000 from E.S. Originals for advocacy work Eizenstat and another lobbyist did during that quarter on tariff bills concerning footwear.
Miller has yet to report what, if any, payment it received from Diageo. Eizenstat started lobbying for the company in the fourth quarter of 2011. Fourth quarter reports aren’t due to Congress until Jan. 20. He was registered to lobby for Diageo on a South Korea customs valuation dispute.
The McDermott partner said he is “thrilled” about his new job. He said McDermott's global footprint and its commitment to its trade practice were among the firm's features that drew him there.
"It's a terrific group over here," Eizenstat said.
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