King & Spalding Recruits Iain MacVay to Launch London Trade and Customs Practice

LONDON--(Marketwired - May 20, 2013) - King & Spalding has established a London trade practice with the addition of respected partner Iain MacVay as the firm continues to expand its global trade offering. MacVay joins King & Spalding from Bird & Bird, where he was head of international trade and customs for Brussels and London.

MacVay has advised on international trade matters for more than two decades and was one of the pioneers in representing industries in World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement proceedings. He has broad experience in challenging tax and regulatory barriers under WTO rules and other international trade agreements as well as substantial expertise in other trade areas, particularly EU export controls, sanctions and customs. He also represents clients in relation to intra-EU trade matters and has appeared before numerous EU institutions.

MacVay has been particularly active in representing the alcoholic beverages, pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries before the WTO, EU institutions and trade authorities around the world. MacVay is ranked by both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500.

The addition of MacVay to King & Spalding's London office builds on the recent expansion of international trade capabilities in Moscow and Geneva. The firm's international trade group currently consists of more than 40 lawyers and professionals in Washington, D.C., Geneva, Moscow and now London.

"Iain is a leading expert on WTO dispute settlement, market access and regulatory matters and he provides further reach and depth to our international trade group," commented Stephen Orava, leader of King & Spalding's international trade practice group. "His experience of UK and European trade matters will bring new resources to our global practice and create an important axis with our Washington, D.C. and Geneva offices."

MacVay becomes the fifth partner to join King & Spalding's London office since the start of 2012. He brings the total number of partners in the London office to 14.

"The London office has almost doubled the number of fee-earners during the last 18 months and the addition of an international trade practice in London is the latest step in our strategic expansion," added Garry Pegg, co-managing partner of King & Spalding's London office. "We look forward to the London office's ongoing growth with the addition of more leading lawyers as we continue to broaden our London capabilities."

About King & Spalding
Celebrating more than 125 years of service, King & Spalding is an international law firm that represents a broad array of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100, with 800 lawyers in 17 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm has handled matters in over 160 countries on six continents and is consistently recognized for the results it obtains, uncompromising commitment to quality and dedication to understanding the business and culture of its clients. More information is available at www.kslaw.com.