Chapman Tripp is pleased to announce the appointment of Tracey Epps as Trade Law Consultant. Tracey starts at the firm's Wellington office on 31 October 2016.
Tracey is one of New Zealand's leading international trade lawyers, with over 16 years' experience as an academic, advisor and negotiator; including seven years as a senior advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT) Trade Law Unit. Tracey was Lead Legal Counsel for New Zealand in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, and chaired the Legal and Institutional Working Group in those negotiations from 2013.
In addition to her work on the TPP and other free trade negotiations, Tracey has advised on all aspects of trade and investment law, including trade in goods and services, international disputes (the Australian apples dispute and various World Trade Organisation disputes in which New Zealand has been a third party) and most recently, the legal implications of Brexit for New Zealand's exporters.
In her role at Chapman Tripp, Tracey will work closely with the firm's international arbitration team, focusing on international trade and investment law. “I look forward to making the step into private practice with New Zealand's leading law firm. The international trade landscape has changed significantly for New Zealand businesses over the last decade with the negotiation of free trade agreements with some of our largest trading partners that build on benefits obtained under the World Trade Organisation agreements. I look forward to helping clients navigate this landscape and benefit from the commercial opportunities it affords"," Tracey said.
Chapman Tripp partner and international dispute resolution expert Daniel Kalderimis said:
"Some time ago, Chapman Tripp made a strategic decision to grow its international arbitration and trade law practice to respond to the increasing globalisation of business opportunities in and from New Zealand. We are excited about expanding our capacity with Tracey's unique and extensive experience. Tracey is a leader in her field and it is great to have her on board. She will enhance our ability to advise the public and private sectors on international legal issues and to resolve cross-border disputes."
Tracey holds a Masters of Laws and Doctor of Juridical Science from the University of Toronto. She teaches trade and investment law at the University of Otago and is an author and editor of several books, including International Trade and Health Protection: A Critical Assessment of the WTO's Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and Technical Barriers to Trade Handbook.
