Locke Statement on President Obama’s Intent to Nominate Michael C. Camuñez as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance

President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Michael C. Camuñez to serve as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance within the International Trade Administration.

“Michael Camuñez brings a wide range of public and private sector experience to Commerce and a unique understanding of market access and compliance issues facing U.S. firms competing in the global marketplace,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “I look forward to working with Michael as we implement initiatives to achieve the goals of the President’s National Export Initiative.”

Camuñez currently serves as special counsel to the president in the Office of the White House Counsel. He previously served as special assistant to the president for presidential personnel, advising the President on his senior appointments in the domestic cabinet and independent agencies.

Prior to joining the administration, Camuñez was a partner in the law firm of O’Melveny & Myers LLP, where he represented Fortune 500 companies in a range of matters involving domestic and international commercial disputes. He also advised U.S. companies doing business abroad in Latin America and Europe on corporate compliance, anti-corruption, and the risks associated with foreign investment and multinational business transactions.

A graduate of Harvard College and Stanford Law School, Camuñez served as the senior policy advisor for national service in the Clinton administration, where he helped establish the Corporation for National Service and its signature program, AmeriCorps. He has also served on numerous boards, including as president of the Mexican American Bar Foundation in Los Angeles County and as a member of the Stanford Law School Board of Visitors.