Manatt is no novice

Susan Schmidt, the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips lawyer whose signature appears on the Foreign Agency Registration document (FARA), is no novice. She is a seasoned attorney whose practice focuses on international trade, business, advocacy and government relations.

In her work with Manatt, and prior to that, with the United States Diplomatic Service, she has developed effective strategies to address international opportunities and complex disputes, with experience as an advocate, negotiator and public speaker.

Manatt has influence in numerous federal and state agencies, including the United States Department of Justice.

The firm of experts, with its pristine reputation, is able to provide guidance in the area of parallel proceedings where clients may face a series of aggressive government action, whether administrative, civil and/or criminal prosecution.

Effort to kill request

The prestige and influence of Manatt was called upon in an effort to kill the US extradition request for West Kingston strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Schmidt is not unaccustomed to dealing with foreign governments, policies and treaty matters.

With international media demanding answers to its involvement in the Jamaican stand-off, Manatt stood firm on its claim that it was working on behalf of the Jamaican Government, despite the repeated denials by officials of the Bruce Golding administration.

An official of Manatt reportedly repeated the claim, even after government minister and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) General Secretary Karl Samuda said the law firm had been retained by party members and not the Government.

The claim was again repeated, even after Prime Minister Golding declared that the law firm was "misled".

"As stated in the FARA filing, Manatt was employed by the Government of Jamaica, through Harold C.W. Brady, to assist with existing political and economic matters, including existing treaty agreements between Jamaica and the US," the law firm's public relations officer was quoted as saying.

Schmidt's expertise

Schmidt, who handled the Jamaican case, is an expert at assisting governments, domestic and multinational companies with investment and trade issues before agencies of the US.

In addition to developing and implementing strategies to navigate government approval and regulatory processes relative to cross-border business and investment, she often addresses matters involving the World Trade Organization, the North American Free Trade Agreement, bilateral trade and investment agreements, export controls and compliance, and immigration.

While with the US Foreign Service, Schmidt participated in multilateral and bilateral negotiations. She joined Manatt, Phelps & Phillip at the top of her game.

Manatt is a powerhouse of state influence, especially with the Obama administration, and national litigation capabilities.

Information taken from www.manatt.com