Skadden is pleased to announce that Joseph L. Barloon, who was most recently general counsel to the United States trade representative (USTR) and acting deputy USTR, has rejoined the firm as a partner in the Washington, D.C. office. Mr. Barloon will return to Skadden’s litigation practice and will represent financial services companies and other clients in federal and state regulatory, civil and criminal enforcement matters; advise clients on regulatory compliance; and counsel companies impacted by government international trade policy and actions.
As USTR general counsel from 2019-21, Mr. Barloon led U.S. enforcement actions against China, India, France and numerous other countries and was responsible for litigation on behalf of the United States at the World Trade Organization in cases involving the European Union, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Korea and other trading partners. In addition, he was the chief U.S. counsel for adoption and implementation of numerous trade agreements, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Mr. Barloon also served as the acting deputy USTR from 2020-21, with responsibility for all international trade matters involving China, including implementation of the Economic and Trade Agreement Between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China.
Throughout his career at Skadden, Mr. Barloon represented a broad variety of clients, including numerous financial institutions, in state and federal litigation and enforcement. He has particularly in-depth experience in administrative law and procedure and laws governing consumer financial services. In addition to representing clients in litigation and other adversarial proceedings, Mr. Barloon conducted internal investigations, provided compliance advice to financial institutions and assisted with due diligence for financial services transactions. He appeared in state and federal courts across the country and helped resolve a number of high-profile complex litigation and enforcement matters.
“We are thrilled that Joe is rejoining Skadden, especially at a time of heightened state and federal enforcement activity and litigation,” said Anand S. Raman, leader of Skadden’s consumer financial services practice. “The breadth of his experience will be of huge value to our clients.”
“I’m looking forward to being back at Skadden,” Mr. Barloon said. “I am excited to share my experience representing the United States in complex matters of significant consequence, and I look forward to helping firm clients navigate what will be a very challenging enforcement environment.”
Mr. Barloon has been recognized regularly by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the areas of financial services regulation and consumer litigation. He first joined Skadden in 1997 as an associate and was elevated to partner in 2007. Prior to joining Skadden, he clerked for Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Mr. Barloon received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where he graduated summa cum laude, his M.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania and his B.A. from Harvard University.
The National Law Journal highlighted Mr. Barloon’s return to Skadden in an article titled “Under Skadden’s ‘Strategic Refresh’ in DC, US Trade Representative GC Returns to Firm” (March 1, 2021).