Eric M. Solovy

ERIC SOLOVY counsels companies, trade associations and governments on international trade matters, and litigates disputes over such matters. He focuses on the implementation and enforcement of international trade and investment agreements. Eric has been previously named by Law360 Rising Stars as one of the top five international trade lawyers in the United States under the age of 40, and is consistently recognized in Who’s Who Legal: Trade and Customs.

Eric also advises companies on compliance with sanctions administered by U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and export controls administered by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Among other engagements, Eric recently conducted an internal investigation for a global research-based pharmaceutical company regarding compliance with U.S. economic sanctions and export control regulations, and provided advice on designing and implementing robust global trade compliance policies and procedures.  Eric has advised a major multinational parts manufacturer on actions required to comply with the changes to Iran sanctions resulting from the US Government’s withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (“JCPOA”). Eric has also advised financial institutions on the applicability of secondary sanctions, including pursuant to the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (“CAATSA”). In addition, Eric advises investment funds on issues arising from acquisition and ownership of companies subject to U.S. economic sanctions and export control rules.

Before the World Trade Organization (WTO), Eric has been at the center of the most complex and contentious disputes in its history. Further, Eric represents a major global media company on issues involving international and domestic protection of copyrights, and advises the pharmaceutical industry on issues involving international patent and data protection. Eric combines his experience in both international trade and intellectual property law, and frequently counsels, writes, and lectures on the international trade law and policy aspects of intellectual property protection, including with respect to intellectual property protection in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) and various Free Trade Agreements.

Eric has represented governments and counseled interested private parties at every level of dispute settlement proceedings at the WTO, presenting written and oral arguments before WTO panels and the Appellate Body on multiple occasions. Eric has litigated WTO disputes in a number of subject areas, and has particular experience in disputes under the TRIPS Agreement, the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM Agreement), the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). Among other disputes, Eric is counsel to Airbus S.A.S. in the WTO disputes between the United States and the European Communities on government support for the large civil aircraft industry, and has served as counsel to Anheuser-Busch in support of a challenge by the United States to the European Communities’ regulation on the protection of geographical indications. He has also participated in ICSID arbitration on behalf of private investors.

In addition to his experience in private practice, Eric was a law clerk to the Honorable Pauline Newman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He also served in the Office of Legal Adviser of the U.S. Department of State.

Eric has served as an adjunct professor of law at the American University Washington College of Law, teaching a course in International & Comparative Patent Law.