Adams Lee, Attorney

"With the proper perspective and actions, international trade law and policy issues can transform a difficult problem into a unique business opportunity."
Adams Lee

Adams Lee is a skilled international lawyer with more than twenty years experience providing strategic advice and legal guidance on complex international trade and administrative regulatory matters to US and foreign companies, trade associations, and foreign governments. He has advised companies in a broad range of industries on international trade remedy and trade policy issues and helped develop arguments to advance their interests, manage their risks, and create competitive opportunities in US and global markets.

Adams brings a wealth of knowledge to Harris Sliwoski’s international trade practice. He is adept at quickly evaluating strategic options and developing the best comprehensive legal approach in light of relevant policy and case law. Beyond achieving significant DOC and ITC results that improve our clients’ competitive position, Adams helps our clients understand complex trade issues so they can make well-informed business decisions.

Adams spends his free time exploring all that Seattle and the Northwest have to offer.

More About Adams

Rolling with the Regulations of Cannabis Trade Laws with Vincent Sliwoski and Adams Lee, Simply Trade Podcast, December 7, 2023.

Cannabis and International Trade Issues, NCBFAA webinar, December 1, 2022.

It’s Inflation Proof (Or is it?), Here Weed Go! podcast, August 31, 2022.

A Fresh Perspective: What the ITC Cucumber and Squash Reports Say, 2022 FPAA’s Spring Policy Summit, Tubac, AZ, March 15, 2022.

Importing & Exporting Amid A Trade War: Tariffs, Export Controls & Sanctions, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR, March 6, 2020.

The International Cannabis Trade, Harris Sliwoski webinar, March 4, 2020.

The New Era of Doing Business in the US, Madrid Chamber of Commerce, Madrid, Spain, November 7, 2019.

The New Era of Doing Business in the US, Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Barcelona, Spain, November 6, 2019.

Tariffs and Trade, The Transformer Association, Spring 2019 Meeting, April 24, 2019.

Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico – Terminated Suspension Agreement, Resumed AD Investigation, What’s Next? Fresh Product Association of America, April 11, 2019.

Trump’s Trade War: Tariffs, Deals, What’s Next? Deutsche Bank International Investor Mission,  Deutsche Bank, New York, NY, October 13, 2018.

International Trade Under Trump, Korea Summit & China-US Trade Showdown: Impact on Washington Business, True World Group, Seattle, WA, May 17, 2018.

WSCR: Guangxi Delegation – Regulatory Challenges in International Trade, Washington State China Relations Council, Seattle, WA, July 12, 2017.

NAFTA 2.0: U.S.-Canada Trade Issues, American Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver, BC Canada, June 13, 2017.

Softwood Lumber Trade Dispute (Version 2.0): How Did We Get Here, and How Do We Get Off This Ride? American Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver, BC, October 4, 2016.

AD/CVD Proceedings Likely if Cannabis Made Legal to Import, Trade Lawyer SaysTrade Law Daily, December 2, 2022.

Today is the day: a look at what’s at stake and what’s at play in the 2020 election, LexBlog, November 3, 2020.

U.S.-China Trade War Gets Wrapped Up in Twist-Ties, The Wall Street Journal, October 11, 2020.

Will Donald Trump’s trade crusade ultimately benefit Southeast Asia?, South China Morning Post, July 20, 2019.

Global marijuana trade is still five to seven years off, but Canada aims to be world’s cannabis king, Financial Post, June 17, 2019.

Huawei’s Chief Legal Officer Takes Center Stage in Conflict with U.S., Law.com, Corporate Counsel, May 29, 2019.

Companies Brace for New Round of US-China Trade Tensions, Law.com, Corporate Counsel, May 14, 2019.

Will China Open the Door to Disney+? The Hollywood Reporter, April 29, 2019.

End of Oil Sanctions Waivers Expected to Disrupt U.S.-China Trade Talks, Law.com, Corporate Counsel, April 12, 2019.

US Businesses With Ties to Huawei Need to Prepare for Disruption, Law.com, Corporate Counsel, March 12, 2019.

Crisis Firm’s 1.5 billion Port Project Aims to Heighten US Investment in Africa, Law.com, Corporate Counsel, February 20, 2019.

Trump Won’t Meet Xi Before Trade War Deadline – But There Is Still Hope, South China Morning Post, Feb. 8, 2019.

Retaliation Concerns Swirl in Wake of Huawei Indictments, Law.com, January 29th, 2019.

Why This California Farmer Loves Tariffs, The Mercury News, January 12, 2019.

Arrest of Huawei’s CFO Could Prompt More US Businesses to Leave China, The American Lawyer International, December 6, 2018.

Will China Try to Block the Disney-Fox Deal?, The Hollywood Reporter, October 17, 2018.

GCs Turning to Outside Counsel for Calm in the Trade War Storm, Corporate Counsel, August 17, 2018.

What It Means for U.S. Startups if Trump Clamps Down on Chinese Investment, Inc.com, June 28, 2018.

Chinese Tariffs on Salmon and Soybeans Are Likely Just the Opening Move: Why Tech Startups in China Should Gird for Shocks,  Inc.com, June 19, 2018.

China’s ZTE Slams US Ban, Says Company’s Survival At Risk, Reuters, April 19, 2018.

‘Everything Is on the Table’ in China Real Estate Sell Off, Commercial Observer, March 7, 2018.

Trump’s Tariffs May Anger China And Here’s How They May Retaliate, CNBC.com, March 1, 2018.

Chinese Takeover of Waldorf Astoria Owner Anbang Shows New Strategy, CNBC.com, February 26, 2018.

Forget the Tough Trade Talk: Some US Leaders Are Courting Chinese Investment, CNBC.com, May 5, 2017.

Regular contributor to the award-winning China Law Blog and the award-winning Canna Law Blog.

Cannabis Seed Importation Carries CBP Enforcement Risks, Law360, 2023.

CIT 2013: A Review of Appeals from the International Trade Commission, 46 Georgetown Journal of International Law 125 (2014).

Senior Symposium Editor, Journal of International Law and Politics, New York University

President, Student Bar Association, New York University

cum laude, Harvard University

International Trade Attorney, Harris Sliwoski (2016)

International Trade Counsel, White & Case (2004-2016).

International Trade Associate, White & Case (1995-2004).

International Trade Associate, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (1994-1995).

Clerk for Judge Richard W. Goldberg, U.S. Court of International Trade (1993-1994).

New York State Bar Association

District of Columbia Bar Association

US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

US Court of International Trade

Washington State Bar Association

  • Harvard University (A.B., cum laude)
  • New York University School of Law (J.D.)
  • Washington
  • US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • US Court of International Trade
  • District of Columbia
  • New York
  • Chinese
  • Taiwanese (Oral Proficiency)