Nathaniel J. Halvorson
Biography
Nathaniel (“Nat”) Halvorson is a partner in Baker McKenzie’s International Trade practice, based in Washington, DC. He advises multinational companies, industry groups, investors, and sovereign entities on tariff exposure, trade remedies, and trade enforcement strategy. As a former Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative who directed US trade enforcement actions, Nat draws on his experience shaping tariff and enforcement decisions at the highest levels of government to help clients navigate trade risk and uncertainty.
Before joining Baker McKenzie, Nat served as Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative for Monitoring & Enforcement in USTR’s Office of General Counsel, where he served as chief counsel for US trade enforcement matters, directing Section 301 investigations and helping shape US tariff and enforcement strategy across a range of sectors, including semiconductors, automotive, and aerospace. In that role, he managed a team of 40 lawyers responsible for trade disputes, litigation, and tariff actions, and regularly advised senior officials at the White House and National Security Council on trade enforcement strategy, industrial policy, and economic security decisions.
From 2019 to 2024, Nat served as a senior US diplomat in Geneva at the US Mission to the WTO, where he represented the United States in more than 100 trade disputes, including more than 75 hearings, and played a central role in dispute settlement reform negotiations. His experience includes serving as a trade negotiator and lead counsel for key chapters in the renegotiation of NAFTA into the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), including trade remedies, duty evasion, and rules of origin.
Nat’s experience across multiple administrations gives him a practical understanding of how trade policy decisions are made and implemented. He has worked extensively with CEOs, general counsel, and industry leaders to translate business challenges into trade policy solutions and government action into business risk management and strategy.
Practice Focus
Nat advises multinational companies on tariff exposure, trade remedies risk, and enforcement actions affecting global operations and supply chains. He helps boards and executive teams anticipate enforcement risk, assess strategic options, and engage effectively with US trade authorities. He also advises companies and investors on trade risk and supply chain issues in connection with investments and potential acquisitions.
His practice focuses on Section 301 and Section 232 matters, antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings (AD/CVD), safeguard investigations, Section 337 matters before the US International Trade Commission, and related litigation before the US Court of International Trade, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and international dispute settlement panels. He also counsels clients on supply chain strategy, market access, and policy engagement in sectors including semiconductors, automotive, and aerospace.
Representative Legal Matters
Prior to joining Baker McKenzie, Nat advised on the following matters:
- Directed Section 301 investigations, including semiconductors sector actions (2024-2025).
- Advised USTR on economic security matters, including tariffs, export controls, and investment policy.
- Represented the United States in US-EU/UK Large Civil Aircraft negotiations.
- Served as lead counsel for Trade Remedies and Duty Evasion in USMCA negotiations.
- Represented the United States in major WTO disputes, including non-market economy treatment (China) and softwood lumber (Canada).
- Represented the United States in Section 232 national security disputes and related negotiations.
Admissions
- District of Columbia~United States (2015)
- Illinois~United States (2011)
Education
- University of Michigan Law School (JD, cum laude) (2010)
- University of Michigan (MPP) (2010)
- Trinity University (BA, cum laude) (2006)
Languages
- English
- French
- Spanish