Sidley senior managing associate Justin Becker has been named to the the LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s 2022 “40 Best LGBTQ+ Lawyers Under 40” list. The annual list recognizes legal professionals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their field and have demonstrated a profound commitment to LGBTQ+ equality.
Justin has been a leader fighting for LGBTQ+ rights since his law school days, when he galvanized the Duke University School of Law's student body into opposing a proposed constitutional amendment to the North Carolina state constitution that would restrict the definition of marriage to one between a man and a woman. In the subsequent years, Justin has remained a dedicated alum, returning to support OUTLaw — the school's LGBTQ+ student affinity group — speaking on panels about being out in a large law firm, and hosting events to mentor LGBTQ+ students entering the legal profession. Justin also remains dedicated to the greater community, by providing pro bono services including assistance for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, drafting amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court in support of protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, and research in an effort to modernize state HIV laws. He has also joined the board of AsylumConnect, a global resource that uses technology to facilitate the safe navigation of people fleeing persecution due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Justin has experience in a variety of trade remedy matters, including anti-dumping and countervailing duty issues involving major investigations and reviews before the Department of Commerce and investigations and reviews before the International Trade Commission. He has appeared before the Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and has argued before a Chapter 19 NAFTA panel. Justin also counsels U.S. and foreign clients on national security and international legal issues, including transactions reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.