Profile: Todd J Friedbacher

Trade and Customs

Biography: Trade & Customs

Todd J Friedbacher counsels and represents governments and private parties on international trade and regulatory issues arising under multilateral agreements such as those administered by the WTO, as well as on all facets of US and EU import, export and foreign investment laws.

In 2000, after six years with Sidley's international trade and dispute resolution group in Washington, DC, Mr Friedbacher opened the Geneva office. From Geneva, he has represented parties as an adviser and member of a delegation in proceedings before WTO panels and the WTO's appellate body in more than 25 disputes covering WTO rules on trade in goods, trade in services, intellectual property, government procurement, agriculture, anti-dumping and subsidies.

Mr Friedbacher also assists governments, trade associations and corporate clients in identifying and addressing strategic goals in the WTO's Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations taking place in Geneva and provides advice and support to stakeholders in WTO accession negotiations. In addition to WTO negotiations, he advises governments and private interests in the negotiation of bilateral and regional trade agreements. Finally, he has also represented clients before arbitral tribunals and the US courts.

Previously, Mr Friedbacher worked in Brussels for the European Commission, directorate-general for competition, in connection with international antitrust matters. He also completed a clerkship with the Court of Justice of the European Communities in Luxembourg.