WASHINGTON—Christopher Adams has joined Covington as a Senior Advisor in the Public Policy and Government Affairs and International Trade practices in Washington. Mr. Adams will focus on China policy and trade issues.
Mr. Adams most recently served as the Senior Coordinator for China Affairs at the Treasury Department. He coordinated China policy issues across the U.S. government, led negotiations with China on a broad range of trade and investment issues, managed the highest level U.S.-China economic policy dialogues for the Obama and Trump Administrations, and advised the Treasury Secretary and other cabinet officials.
“Chris’ addition further strengthens the firm’s China practice and deepens our expertise and capability to help clients in one of the world’s largest and most important markets,” said Timothy Hester, Covington’s Chair. “We have developed a unique capability through our lawyers and senior advisors in Washington, Beijing, and Brussels to help clients understand the processes of governments around the world and provide comprehensive legal, regulatory, and business counsel for their most challenging global matters.”
Prior to his position at the Treasury Department, Mr. Adams helped develop and implement U.S. trade policy toward China with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) from 2007 to 2015 as Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for China Affairs, Senior Policy Advisor to the Deputy USTR, and Minister Counselor for Trade Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, USTR’s first representative in China.
Mr. Adams directed government affairs, public relations, and corporate marketing in China for the Eastman Kodak Company from 2001 to 2006 as Chief Representative for China, Vice President, North Asia Region, and Director, Olympic Programs. During this time, Mr. Adams was elected to four consecutive terms as a Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in China and served on the Chamber’s Public Policy Development Committee. Mr. Adams also assisted companies with market access issues as a commercial officer in the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service in Beijing and Taipei, from 1993 to 2001.
“I am excited to join such a strong team of lawyers and policy advisors,” said Mr. Adams. “I look forward to offering my experience and insight to help the firm’s clients understand the unique issues businesses face and take advantage of the opportunities in China and to help Chinese clients navigate overseas markets.”
Mr. Adams, who is not a lawyer, received an M.A. from Stanford University, an M.B.A. from Rutgers University, and a B.A. from the University of California, Irvine.
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