Matthew Tuchband, previously deputy chief counsel for Foreign Assets Control at the Treasury Department, joined Arent Fox as counsel, the law firm said in an Aug. 26 news release.

Adrienne Braumiller and George Alfonso will offer trade-related lobbying through a new lobbying firm founded by the pair, Braumiller said in an Aug. 26 email. Braumiller, who started the Braumiller Law Group, and Alfonso, who also founded The Law Offices of S. George Alfonso, said the two will partner to create a new lobbying firm called Reigncore. The pair "have combined their unique talents and experiences in international trade and artful persuasion to form the cornerstone of Reigncore, in order to provide the consulting and lobbying services best suited for each client’s specific objectives and goals," Braumiller said in the email. Alfonso will be president and Braumiller will be CEO, though neither will "provide legal counsel or representation," Reigncore said on its website. Lobbying areas include the new NAFTA, Section 301 tariff exclusions, and export control reform efforts, it said.

Crowell & Moring hired Nicole Succar, Nimrah Najeeb and Walter Boone to the law firm's international trade practice, the firm said in a blog post. Succar joins as counsel and previously worked at HSBC. Najeeb joins as an associate and previously worked at Dentons. Boone was hired as an international trade analyst and previously interned with a trade association and at the Commerce Department.

Stephen Vaughn, a King & Spalding lawyer and former general counsel in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, will join the advisory board to the Coalition for a Prosperous America, the group said in an Aug. 8 news release. Also new to the advisory board is real estate executive David Lynn, CPA said. According to its website, CPA "is working for a new and positive U.S. trade policy that delivers prosperity and security to America, its citizens, farms, factories and working people."

Pete Mento, previously vice president of global trade and managed services at Crane Worldwide Logistics, recently joined Crowe as managing director, global customs and duties.

Kathie Leonard, a National Council of Textile Organizations board member and president and CEO of Auburn Manufacturing, was appointed to the Export-Import Bank 2019 Advisory Committee, the NCTO said Aug. 2. Leonard will serve as the committee's U.S. textile industry representative and will be part of a team that will make recommendations on export financing products to the bank's board of directors, NCTO said.

Anthony Dearth, who was previously chief of staff in the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, recently joined Alpha Omega Consulting Group, according to the company's list of personnel.

Polsinelli hired Michelle Schulz, previously at Ackerman, as a shareholder and chair of the firm’s International Trade and Customs practice in Polsinelli's Dallas office, the firm said in a news release. Matthew Savage, also previously with Akerman, will join the practice as a trade analyst in Dallas. Luis Arandia Jr., who comes from Givens & Johnston, will join as an associate in the Dallas office. "We expect the dynamic combination of our existing franchise transactions and litigation practice with the exciting work being done in international trade and customs and franchising by our new team members will vigorously move us forward as we continue to expand our footprint to better serve our clients wherever they do business,” said Joyce Mazero, co-chair of the firm’s national Global Franchise and Supply Network practice.

Bradley Hayes, executive director of CBP's Office of Trade Relations, is now acting assistant commissioner for CBP’s Office of Congressional Affairs, according to the July 10 issue of OCA's monthly newsletter.

Vinson & Elkins hired Damara Chambers, previously at Covington & Burling, as a partner and co-leader of the firm's national security practice, Vinson & Elkins said in a news release. "Chambers focuses her practice on national security reviews conducted by [the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States] and other agencies, including the Defense Security Service and the Department of Energy in connection with the mitigation of foreign ownership, control or influence (FOCI), and the State Department in connection with reviews pursuant to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations," the firm said.