Author's Biographies
Bruce Aitken
Specializes in arbitration, customs/international trade and government procurement/homeland security
Mr. Aitken started his career at the World Bank; he has been a Partner in both boutique and international law firms. In 1993, he formed the predecessor of Aitken Berlin, LLP, which he co-founded with Alan Berlin in 1995.
He has successfully worked in trade cases involving all major U.S. trade laws, and those of other countries. He is the only American to have been named to the Dispute Resolution Panels of the U.S.-Can. FTA, the NAFTA, the WTO and the WIPO. Beginning in 1996, Mr. Aitken served as Legal Advisor to China's State Planning & Development Administration as part of China's successful effort to join the WTO. He co-authored a book on Antidumping published by the China Chamber of Commerce in 2003. He has taught NAFTA at Georgetown Univ. Law School (LLM Program) and in 2004 he created a major on Trade Negotiations, for the LLM Program at American U.’s Law School, which he taught from 2004-8. In 2016, he launched the Trade Negotiations Training Center in Malaysia with the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (he is Vice Chair of its Legal Development/Training Committee) and the Malaysian Bar Council. He was named an International Super Lawyer (top 5% designation) in the Washington Post (2013-18).
In 2002, he formed the Homeland Security Industries Association (www.hsianet.org). From 2004 through 2009, he co-anchored the homeland security shows on World Business Review & 21st Century Business with Gens. Alexander Haig & Norman Schwarzkoph (broadcast on Bravo, CNBC and the Star Alliance). Since 2017, Mr. Aitken has served on the Board of Directors (Chairman, 2018-2020) of the Computer & Communications Industry Association in Brussels and Washington D.C.
An award-winning feature & documentary film producer, he advises on film law (including compliance with SEC crowdfunding rules). He has published widely and given over 200 speeches in 20 countries. He has testified before Congress many times and has appeared on Al Jazeera, BRAVO, CNBC, CNN, C-Span & the Star Alliance. He is Graduate of Fordham U. (BA, Eco.), Columbia U. (MBA, In’l. Bus.) & Amer. U. (JD).
For more information about Bruce Aitken, please visit LinkedIn. Direct Line: (202)468-0968 E-mail: [email protected]
Specializes in arbitration, customs/international trade and government procurement/homeland security
Mr. Aitken started his career at the World Bank; he has been a Partner in both boutique and international law firms. In 1993, he formed the predecessor of Aitken Berlin, LLP, which he co-founded with Alan Berlin in 1995.
He has successfully worked in trade cases involving all major U.S. trade laws, and those of other countries. He is the only American to have been named to the Dispute Resolution Panels of the U.S.-Can. FTA, the NAFTA, the WTO and the WIPO. Beginning in 1996, Mr. Aitken served as Legal Advisor to China's State Planning & Development Administration as part of China's successful effort to join the WTO. He co-authored a book on Antidumping published by the China Chamber of Commerce in 2003. He has taught NAFTA at Georgetown Univ. Law School (LLM Program) and in 2004 he created a major on Trade Negotiations, for the LLM Program at American U.’s Law School, which he taught from 2004-8. In 2016, he launched the Trade Negotiations Training Center in Malaysia with the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (he is Vice Chair of its Legal Development/Training Committee) and the Malaysian Bar Council. He was named an International Super Lawyer (top 5% designation) in the Washington Post (2013-18).
In 2002, he formed the Homeland Security Industries Association (www.hsianet.org). From 2004 through 2009, he co-anchored the homeland security shows on World Business Review & 21st Century Business with Gens. Alexander Haig & Norman Schwarzkoph (broadcast on Bravo, CNBC and the Star Alliance). Since 2017, Mr. Aitken has served on the Board of Directors (Chairman, 2018-2020) of the Computer & Communications Industry Association in Brussels and Washington D.C.
An award-winning feature & documentary film producer, he advises on film law (including compliance with SEC crowdfunding rules). He has published widely and given over 200 speeches in 20 countries. He has testified before Congress many times and has appeared on Al Jazeera, BRAVO, CNBC, CNN, C-Span & the Star Alliance. He is Graduate of Fordham U. (BA, Eco.), Columbia U. (MBA, In’l. Bus.) & Amer. U. (JD).
For more information about Bruce Aitken, please visit LinkedIn. Direct Line: (202)468-0968 E-mail: [email protected]
Ngosong Fonkem
Specializes in US and International trade compliance, business law and litigation
Ngosong Fonkem, is an attorney at Page•Fura, P.C., a firm that provide companies of all sizes with business-practical representation on all aspects of Customs & International Trade Law. He is a trade compliance lawyer with broad experience in diverse business sectors in the USA and internationally. He has worked on a variety of international trade related issues including US Customs litigation, energy consulting in Southeast Asia, and teaching as a full-time member of the law faculty at the oldest private university in Malaysia.
He currently assists companies with day-to-day compliance with U.S. trade laws and related audits, investigations, and civil enforcement proceedings. He is also an adjunct professor at St. Norbert College Schneider School of Business and Cardinal Stritch University College of Business and Management, where he teaches International Trade and Business-related courses. In 2018, he was nominated to serve as an industry sector advisor within the US Trade Representative’s Industry Sector Technical Advisory Committee (ITAC) on “Customs and Trade Facilitation.” In 2019, he was appointed by the “Turkish Investor and Industrialist Businessmen Association” (YATSIAD) to serve as its U.S. representative.
He is Vice-chair of the “Next Generation” Committee of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association; Board Member on both the Wisconsin Bar Association International Practice Section and Business Law Section; and serves on the executive committee of Dairy Cares of Wisconsin (a charitable organization that raises money on behalf of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. From 2016 to 2018, he served as a commissioner on the Board of Brown County Harbor Commission at the port of Green Bay.
Ngosong frequently speaks on international trade related issues, and regularly makes presentations in the U.S. and abroad on U.S. trade related topics. He has also authored and co-authored numerous articles on trade related topics at peer reviewed law journals and business journals and magazines.
Ngosong received his B.A. from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (2008), J.D./MBA from West Virginia University College of Law (2011), and LL.M. from Tulane Law School (2012).
For more information about Ngosong Fonkem, please visit LinkedIn. E-mail: [email protected]
Specializes in US and International trade compliance, business law and litigation
Ngosong Fonkem, is an attorney at Page•Fura, P.C., a firm that provide companies of all sizes with business-practical representation on all aspects of Customs & International Trade Law. He is a trade compliance lawyer with broad experience in diverse business sectors in the USA and internationally. He has worked on a variety of international trade related issues including US Customs litigation, energy consulting in Southeast Asia, and teaching as a full-time member of the law faculty at the oldest private university in Malaysia.
He currently assists companies with day-to-day compliance with U.S. trade laws and related audits, investigations, and civil enforcement proceedings. He is also an adjunct professor at St. Norbert College Schneider School of Business and Cardinal Stritch University College of Business and Management, where he teaches International Trade and Business-related courses. In 2018, he was nominated to serve as an industry sector advisor within the US Trade Representative’s Industry Sector Technical Advisory Committee (ITAC) on “Customs and Trade Facilitation.” In 2019, he was appointed by the “Turkish Investor and Industrialist Businessmen Association” (YATSIAD) to serve as its U.S. representative.
He is Vice-chair of the “Next Generation” Committee of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association; Board Member on both the Wisconsin Bar Association International Practice Section and Business Law Section; and serves on the executive committee of Dairy Cares of Wisconsin (a charitable organization that raises money on behalf of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. From 2016 to 2018, he served as a commissioner on the Board of Brown County Harbor Commission at the port of Green Bay.
Ngosong frequently speaks on international trade related issues, and regularly makes presentations in the U.S. and abroad on U.S. trade related topics. He has also authored and co-authored numerous articles on trade related topics at peer reviewed law journals and business journals and magazines.
Ngosong received his B.A. from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (2008), J.D./MBA from West Virginia University College of Law (2011), and LL.M. from Tulane Law School (2012).
For more information about Ngosong Fonkem, please visit LinkedIn. E-mail: [email protected]
MINISTER CHULSU KIM
Dr. Chulsu Kim is a senior advisor at Lee International IP & Law Group and Chairman of Institute for Trade and Investment (ITI), a research and consulting organization affiliated with Dentons Lee. His career has been distinguished by the following:
Dr. Chulsu Kim is a senior advisor at Lee International IP & Law Group and Chairman of Institute for Trade and Investment (ITI), a research and consulting organization affiliated with Dentons Lee. His career has been distinguished by the following:
- Kim served with the Korean government, World Trade Organization and Sejong University in Seoul, where he taught trade policy and served as its president from 2002 to 2006.
- From 1995 to 1999, he served as Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and before that, was the minister of Trade, Industry and Energy from 1993 to 1994.
- As Deputy Minister for Trade from 1984 to 1990, Dr. Kim was Korea's chief trade negotiator. From 1987 to 1990, he chaired the Uruguay Round Negotiating Group on MTN Agreements in his personal capacity.
- In 1990, he became the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO).
- In 1991, he was appointed as President of Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Corporation (KOTRA), a trade and investment promotion agency of the Korean government.
- Board of directors, Chung-Ang University (2015~Present)
- President, Sejong University (2001~2005)
- Korean Minister of Trade, Industry & Energy (1993~1994)
- President, Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (1991~1993)
- Commissioner, Korean Intellectual Property Office (1990~1991)
- International Trader Award, Korean Association of Trade and Industry Studies (2004)
- Korean Negotiation Award, Korean Association of Negotiation Studies (1996)
- James Van Fleet Prize, Korea Society of New York (1995)
- Gwanghwa Medal of the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit (1995)
- Benjamin Rush Award from Dickinson University (1993)
- Yellow Stripe Medal (1991)
- Red Stripe Medal (1981)
ANDREW D. HENDRY, ESQ.
Andrew D. Hendry retired in 2015 as the Vice Chairman and Chief Legal Officer of Colgate-Palmolive Company, a $17+ billion global consumer products company headquartered in New York City. Andy led Colgate’s global legal organization of approximately 250 professionals for more than 24 years as the Company’s Chief Legal Officer and Secretary.
After graduating from Georgetown University (where he has served on the Dean’s Advisory Board) and New York University Law School (where he recently served as his Class Reunion Co-Chair), Andy began his legal career as a corporate associate at Battle & Fowler in New York City. He also served as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force. He moved to the business world when he joined Reynolds Metals Company as a corporate attorney, which led to his appointment as the Associate General Counsel, Corporate Law, for Burroughs Corporation. At Burroughs, Andy progressed through positions of increasing responsibility playing a key role in the acquisition of the Sperry Corporation by Burroughs, forming Unisys Corporation which was then one of the largest computer companies in the world. Shortly after the merger, Andy was elected Vice President and General Counsel of Unisys, a position he held until joining Colgate.
Andy has a proven record of commitment to human rights and social justice. In law school, he was one of the early editors of the Review of Law & Social Change. He is a Lifetime Honorary Trustee of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under Law (where he served as the Development Co-Chair), received in 2013 its prestigious Segal-Tweed Founders Award and in 2015 its Beacon of Justice Award. Earlier in his career, Andy served as Chair of the Pro Bono Committee of the American Corporate Counsel Association and received its Pro Bono Service Award for Outstanding Achievement. Andy was also a Director and Corporate Advisory Committee Chair of the National Legal Aid and Defender’s Association, receiving the Association’s Award for Commitment and Service to Equal Justice in 1999. He also served as a Director of Nancy Reagan’s Just Say No International and on the American Bar Association’s Committee on Substance Abuse.
Andy has been a leader of the legal community throughout his career. He is currently serving on the Development Committee for the American Law Institute and is an advisor to its Compliance Project, having served as a Co-Chair of the 1990 ALI Life Member Class. He is a member of the Berger Society of the National Center for State Courts, a recognition of his many years of service on its Corporate Advisory Board. Earlier in his career, Andy served as Chair of the ABA’s General Counsel Committee and was the founding President of the American Corporate Counsel Association’s Michigan Chapter and a Director of ACCA’s New York and DELVACCA Chapters. Andy has been a member of the National Veterans Legal Services Program Honorary Chair Committee.
Andy has lectured numerous times for such organizations as New York University Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, the University of Ireland Law School at Galway and PLI. He completed the New School Summer Writer’s Program in 2016. He has been featured in the American Lawyer, Diversity and the Bar, Corporate Counsel on-line magazine, practicallaw.com, Columbia Business School on-line magazine and the NY Times. Andy was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in the New York City suburbs. He is married and has one adult son.
Andrew D. Hendry retired in 2015 as the Vice Chairman and Chief Legal Officer of Colgate-Palmolive Company, a $17+ billion global consumer products company headquartered in New York City. Andy led Colgate’s global legal organization of approximately 250 professionals for more than 24 years as the Company’s Chief Legal Officer and Secretary.
After graduating from Georgetown University (where he has served on the Dean’s Advisory Board) and New York University Law School (where he recently served as his Class Reunion Co-Chair), Andy began his legal career as a corporate associate at Battle & Fowler in New York City. He also served as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force. He moved to the business world when he joined Reynolds Metals Company as a corporate attorney, which led to his appointment as the Associate General Counsel, Corporate Law, for Burroughs Corporation. At Burroughs, Andy progressed through positions of increasing responsibility playing a key role in the acquisition of the Sperry Corporation by Burroughs, forming Unisys Corporation which was then one of the largest computer companies in the world. Shortly after the merger, Andy was elected Vice President and General Counsel of Unisys, a position he held until joining Colgate.
Andy has a proven record of commitment to human rights and social justice. In law school, he was one of the early editors of the Review of Law & Social Change. He is a Lifetime Honorary Trustee of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under Law (where he served as the Development Co-Chair), received in 2013 its prestigious Segal-Tweed Founders Award and in 2015 its Beacon of Justice Award. Earlier in his career, Andy served as Chair of the Pro Bono Committee of the American Corporate Counsel Association and received its Pro Bono Service Award for Outstanding Achievement. Andy was also a Director and Corporate Advisory Committee Chair of the National Legal Aid and Defender’s Association, receiving the Association’s Award for Commitment and Service to Equal Justice in 1999. He also served as a Director of Nancy Reagan’s Just Say No International and on the American Bar Association’s Committee on Substance Abuse.
Andy has been a leader of the legal community throughout his career. He is currently serving on the Development Committee for the American Law Institute and is an advisor to its Compliance Project, having served as a Co-Chair of the 1990 ALI Life Member Class. He is a member of the Berger Society of the National Center for State Courts, a recognition of his many years of service on its Corporate Advisory Board. Earlier in his career, Andy served as Chair of the ABA’s General Counsel Committee and was the founding President of the American Corporate Counsel Association’s Michigan Chapter and a Director of ACCA’s New York and DELVACCA Chapters. Andy has been a member of the National Veterans Legal Services Program Honorary Chair Committee.
Andy has lectured numerous times for such organizations as New York University Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, the University of Ireland Law School at Galway and PLI. He completed the New School Summer Writer’s Program in 2016. He has been featured in the American Lawyer, Diversity and the Bar, Corporate Counsel on-line magazine, practicallaw.com, Columbia Business School on-line magazine and the NY Times. Andy was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in the New York City suburbs. He is married and has one adult son.
DR. REBECCA FATIMA STA MARIA
Tan Sri Datuk Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria is the executive director of the APEC Secretariat based in Singapore, which serves as advisory body, implementation arm and custodian of institutional memory for the 21 member economies that make up the APEC forum.
Dr. Sta Maria was a top-level Malaysian civil servant and trade negotiator.
As Secretary-General of the Malaysian Ministry of International Trade and Investment from December 2010 to July 2016, she oversaw the formulation of Malaysia’s international trade policies and positions. She often took the lead in their implementation as chief negotiator for bilateral and regional free trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Dr. Sta Maria played an integral role in Malaysia’s participation in multilateral forums such as APEC, where she often represented her economy during the APEC Ministers’ Responsible for Trade Meetings and the Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meetings.
In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr. Sta Maria chaired the body that drafted the ASEAN Economic Community 2015 Blueprint as well as the ASEAN Economic Community 2025 Blueprint.
An accomplished academic and writer, Dr. Sta Maria’s scholarship has been recognized through awards from the American Academy of Human Resource Development and from the University of Georgia. In 2017, she authored a book about her personal slice of Malaysian heritage and cuisine, called The Smell of Home.
Before 2010, the position of executive director of the APEC Secretariat rotated yearly among officials assigned by the incumbent host economy. Starting in 2010, the appointment was opened to applications from highly qualified professionals who will, when appointed, lead the Secretariat in fixed three-year terms with an option to renew.
Dr. Sta Maria is the first woman executive director of the APEC Secretariat.
Tan Sri Datuk Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria is the executive director of the APEC Secretariat based in Singapore, which serves as advisory body, implementation arm and custodian of institutional memory for the 21 member economies that make up the APEC forum.
Dr. Sta Maria was a top-level Malaysian civil servant and trade negotiator.
As Secretary-General of the Malaysian Ministry of International Trade and Investment from December 2010 to July 2016, she oversaw the formulation of Malaysia’s international trade policies and positions. She often took the lead in their implementation as chief negotiator for bilateral and regional free trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Dr. Sta Maria played an integral role in Malaysia’s participation in multilateral forums such as APEC, where she often represented her economy during the APEC Ministers’ Responsible for Trade Meetings and the Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meetings.
In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr. Sta Maria chaired the body that drafted the ASEAN Economic Community 2015 Blueprint as well as the ASEAN Economic Community 2025 Blueprint.
An accomplished academic and writer, Dr. Sta Maria’s scholarship has been recognized through awards from the American Academy of Human Resource Development and from the University of Georgia. In 2017, she authored a book about her personal slice of Malaysian heritage and cuisine, called The Smell of Home.
Before 2010, the position of executive director of the APEC Secretariat rotated yearly among officials assigned by the incumbent host economy. Starting in 2010, the appointment was opened to applications from highly qualified professionals who will, when appointed, lead the Secretariat in fixed three-year terms with an option to renew.
Dr. Sta Maria is the first woman executive director of the APEC Secretariat.
JENNIFER JIN
Jennifer Jin is an innovative and dynamic legal executive with a well-rounded legal experience, having served as Chief Legal Officer for a public-private entity responsible for Wisconsin statewide economic development as well as represented countless mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies in international trade and tax planning and controversy work.
In her most recent role as Chief Legal Officer for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the public-private entity responsible for statewide economic development on behalf of the State of Wisconsin, she ensured as lead counsel for the largest Wisconsin tax credit award in state history - a $2.85 billion-dollar tax credit incentive – that the contract terms clearly articulated the commitments and obligations with specific emphasis on incorporating ironclad enforcement and collection rights as to any potential clawbacks against internationally based entities and individuals.
She collaborated with external partners such as state agencies and other economic development organizations to create partnerships and synergies, including executing a data sharing agreement with Wisconsin Department of Revenue (“DOR”) and enlisting DOR to collect debt on behalf of WEDC. She also managed transformational initiatives involving cross-divisional process improvements, operational efficiencies and staff development; process improvement efforts that were pivotal to a 47% drop in the number of audit recommendations over a two-year period. Throughout her career, she has designed and implemented countless compliance programs that proactively identified and mitigated legal and regulatory risk exposure and worked directly with corporate leadership, boards and board committees to mitigate risks associated with systematic violations of law.
Jennifer Jin is an innovative and dynamic legal executive with a well-rounded legal experience, having served as Chief Legal Officer for a public-private entity responsible for Wisconsin statewide economic development as well as represented countless mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies in international trade and tax planning and controversy work.
In her most recent role as Chief Legal Officer for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the public-private entity responsible for statewide economic development on behalf of the State of Wisconsin, she ensured as lead counsel for the largest Wisconsin tax credit award in state history - a $2.85 billion-dollar tax credit incentive – that the contract terms clearly articulated the commitments and obligations with specific emphasis on incorporating ironclad enforcement and collection rights as to any potential clawbacks against internationally based entities and individuals.
She collaborated with external partners such as state agencies and other economic development organizations to create partnerships and synergies, including executing a data sharing agreement with Wisconsin Department of Revenue (“DOR”) and enlisting DOR to collect debt on behalf of WEDC. She also managed transformational initiatives involving cross-divisional process improvements, operational efficiencies and staff development; process improvement efforts that were pivotal to a 47% drop in the number of audit recommendations over a two-year period. Throughout her career, she has designed and implemented countless compliance programs that proactively identified and mitigated legal and regulatory risk exposure and worked directly with corporate leadership, boards and board committees to mitigate risks associated with systematic violations of law.
BRENNEISEN DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF LAW RAJ BHALA
Raj Bhala, is the Brenneisen Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Kansas School of Law. Bhala is a Senior Advisor to Dentons U.S. LLP. Working from the Dentons Kansas City office with the Public Policy and Regulation team, Bhala consults on International Trade Law, Islamic Law (Sharī‘a), Law of India, and related matters. A Bloomberg columnist, Bhala writes “On Point,” a regular analysis of international law and economics for BloombergQuint, based in Mumbai, India.
He is a member of England's Royal Society for Asian Affairs, Council on Foreign Relations, American Law Institute, Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, and All India Law Teacher's Congress. The Indian Society of International Law has conferred on him Life Membership.
Bhala’s scholarly reputation in international trade is global, based in part on a sustained, prolific publication record. That record includes a treatise, “Modern GATT Law,” in its two-volume second edition, and “International Trade Law,” a four-volume textbook in its fifth edition. He is the first non-Muslim American law professor to write a comprehensive textbook in the field, "Understanding Islamic Law Shari'a)."
Bhala practiced international banking law at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which twice granted him the President's Award for Excellence.
J.D., cum laude, Harvard, 1989; M.Sc., Oxford (Management), 1986; M.Sc., London School of Economics (Economics), 1985; A.B., summa cum laude, Duke (Economics), 1984.
Raj Bhala, is the Brenneisen Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Kansas School of Law. Bhala is a Senior Advisor to Dentons U.S. LLP. Working from the Dentons Kansas City office with the Public Policy and Regulation team, Bhala consults on International Trade Law, Islamic Law (Sharī‘a), Law of India, and related matters. A Bloomberg columnist, Bhala writes “On Point,” a regular analysis of international law and economics for BloombergQuint, based in Mumbai, India.
He is a member of England's Royal Society for Asian Affairs, Council on Foreign Relations, American Law Institute, Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, and All India Law Teacher's Congress. The Indian Society of International Law has conferred on him Life Membership.
Bhala’s scholarly reputation in international trade is global, based in part on a sustained, prolific publication record. That record includes a treatise, “Modern GATT Law,” in its two-volume second edition, and “International Trade Law,” a four-volume textbook in its fifth edition. He is the first non-Muslim American law professor to write a comprehensive textbook in the field, "Understanding Islamic Law Shari'a)."
Bhala practiced international banking law at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which twice granted him the President's Award for Excellence.
J.D., cum laude, Harvard, 1989; M.Sc., Oxford (Management), 1986; M.Sc., London School of Economics (Economics), 1985; A.B., summa cum laude, Duke (Economics), 1984.
VIRGINIE LECAILLON
Virginie has worked since 2009 for a Fortune 300 energy technology services company. During that time, she worked in Singapore (2009-11); Houston (2011-13); Kuala Lumpur (2013-2015, where she became Assistant General Counsel; and Houston again (where she became General Counsel in 2018: 2015-present). She also worked for Colgate Palmolive Company in New York City and in Paris, where she was responsible for handling an arbitration in Tunisia. Prior to that, she worked in, and became a Partner in, the New York/Washington, D.C. customs and trade law firm of Aitken Berlin LLP, where she was an associate and then a Partner.
Virginie earned her French law degree (JD equivalent) from the Université de Rouen, France, in 1996; as well as an Advanced Degree in British & N. American Business Law in1997 from the University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne (France); then an LLM (2001) at American University Washington College of Law; and an Executive MBA (2007) at Manhattan Institute of Management.
Virginie has worked since 2009 for a Fortune 300 energy technology services company. During that time, she worked in Singapore (2009-11); Houston (2011-13); Kuala Lumpur (2013-2015, where she became Assistant General Counsel; and Houston again (where she became General Counsel in 2018: 2015-present). She also worked for Colgate Palmolive Company in New York City and in Paris, where she was responsible for handling an arbitration in Tunisia. Prior to that, she worked in, and became a Partner in, the New York/Washington, D.C. customs and trade law firm of Aitken Berlin LLP, where she was an associate and then a Partner.
Virginie earned her French law degree (JD equivalent) from the Université de Rouen, France, in 1996; as well as an Advanced Degree in British & N. American Business Law in1997 from the University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne (France); then an LLM (2001) at American University Washington College of Law; and an Executive MBA (2007) at Manhattan Institute of Management.
GERALD T. AITKEN
Gerald Aitken is a retired Manager from the New York Security firm, Vortek. He is a Black Belt in karate and formerly ran his own Karate Studio in Baltimore. A published author, he is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University. He first became a Prepper in 1999. He lives in the Hudson Valley in New York state.
Gerald Aitken is a retired Manager from the New York Security firm, Vortek. He is a Black Belt in karate and formerly ran his own Karate Studio in Baltimore. A published author, he is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University. He first became a Prepper in 1999. He lives in the Hudson Valley in New York state.
