For Immediate Release
Contact: Greg Jenkins or Man Cho
Thursday, August 30, 2001 (202) 482-3809

Rahway, New Jersey Native, William H. Lash III Appointed as Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance at the U.S. Department of Commerce

Washington, DC -- William H. Lash, a native of Rahway, New Jersey, was recently appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance at the United States Department of Commerce.

As the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance, Lash will advise on the analysis, formulation, and implementation of U.S. international economic policies and carry out programs to promote international trade, improve access by U.S. companies to overseas markets, and strengthen the international trade and investment position of the United States. His office is responsible for implementing, monitoring, and enforcing foreign compliance with bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.

"Compliance and Enforcement of international trade agreements is the highest priority for the Department of Commerce. We must aggressively enforce our trade agreements to maintain the support of the American people," said Lash.

"Assistant Secretary Lash's expertise and background will sharpen the International Trade Administration's focus on compliance. He will ensure our trading partners live up to their obligations, said Commerce Under Secretary for International Trade Grant D. Aldonas.

Lash has had an extensive career in academia in all aspects of international trade and investment issues. He earned his B.A. in political science from Yale University and his J.D. from Harvard University. He most recently was Professor of Law at George Mason University School of Law, Arlington, Virginia. Previously, Lash served as Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of American Business at Washington University, on the Board of Advisors for the CATO Institute for Trade Policy Studies, and as an Adjunct Fellow at Citizens for a Sound Economy. In addition, he has served as a Legal Analyst for several major television networks.

Lash previously served as the Associate Dean and Director of the Law and Economics Center at George Mason University and Assistant Professor of Law at Western New England College School of Law.

Prior to entering academia, he was a litigation attorney in the Washington, D.C. office of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson. During the Reagan Administration, Mr. Lash served as Counsel to the Hon. Susan W. Liebeler, Chairman of the United States International Trade Commission.