Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Expands Asian Trade and Customs Practice, Hires 2 New Asian Specialists

    WASHINGTON--July 23, 2001--Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg (ST&R) announced today that it has hired former members of the Chinese and Vietnamese governments, expanding the firm's Asian trade and customs practice and further enhancing ST&R's global market experience. Mr. Zhaokang Jiang (a.k.a. Karl Johnson) of China and Mr. Dzung Pham of Vietnam will both be resident in the firm's Washington, DC office. They will work closely with Ambassador Ronald J. Sorini, who leads the firm's trade negotiations and legislative affairs practice, as well as Thomas G. Travis, managing partner of the firm, who for over 20 years, has actively advised Asian manufacturers and governments on increasing their access to the U.S. market. "The addition of these former Asian government members allows the firm to better represent new and existing clients that operate within or wish to enter these markets," stated Ambassador Sorini.
    Mr. Zhaokang Jiang joins the firm as an associate. Mr. Jiang is a six-year veteran and former Deputy Director of Law and Regulations for the General Administration of Customs of China. Throughout his tenure at the Chinese Customs Service, Mr. Jiang acted as customs representative for numerous negotiations, including the Sino-US intellectual property rights agreement. He led the panel for Customs Law revision, drafted the Regulations on Customs Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights and other major Chinese customs regulations. Furthermore, he counseled numerous task forces of Chinese Customs, including customs modernization, implementation of the customs valuation code, and customs law and regulations reform consistent with the WTO trade rules. He holds two LL.M. degrees from Yale Law School and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, he holds an LL.B. from the East China School of Law.
    Mr. Dzung Pham joins the firm as the Vice President of Trade and Investment Affairs. Mr. Pham possesses extensive experience in aiding U.S. and foreign multinationals in their expansion and activities within Vietnam. Mr. Pham is a veteran of the Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the Vietnam Foreign Investment Board (SCCI), having participated in negotiations with bilateral and international donors including the World Bank, International Financial Corporation, International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank. Throughout his tenure with the Vietnamese government, Mr. Pham advised foreign companies on requirements for entering the market and identified local partners suitable to their needs. Most recently, Mr. Pham assisted one of the world's largest breweries with the development of a successful corporate strategy for entry into the Vietnamese market, identifying and rectifying problems that had inhibited the company's market access for twelve years. He holds two Bachelor degrees from the Hanoi National University and the Hanoi School of Economics, respectively. Mr. Pham earned a Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies.
    The addition of Mr. Pham and Mr. Jiang to ST&R's team of professionals further strengthens the firm's government relations practice composed of former U.S. and foreign government officials and uniquely positions the firm to represent the best interests of its clients in the most efficient manner.
    For more information on ST&R's Asian trade and customs practice, please contact Ambassador Ron Sorini, Mr. Zhaokang Jiang or Mr. Dzung Pham in the firm's Washington, D.C. office by phone (202) 216-9307 or via e-mail at rsorini@strtrade.com, zjiang@strtrade.com or dpham@strtrade.com.

About ST&R
    Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. (ST&R) is an international trade and customs law firm which concentrates its practice in assisting clients with the movement of goods and personnel across international borders, representing them in international trade disputes and assisting governments with their trade relations with the United States. ST&R has offices throughout the United States -- Miami; Washington, DC; New York; Baltimore; Houston; San Francisco; Los Angeles; and Chicago. The company also services its clients through its affiliated consulting company, Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services, Inc., with offices located in Washington, DC, Detroit, Miami and Portland.