About Us

Timothy E. Punke | Partner
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Tim Punke has over a decade of experience working in both the private and public sectors, including work in all three branches of government. Since leaving government service in 2005, Punke has helped a broad range of Fortune 500 companies, industry associations, and public entities on a diverse set of issues, including international trade, market access, customs policy and regulations, intellectual property protection, port and cargo security, tax policy, immigration, and competitiveness issues.

Punke previously served as chief international trade counsel to the Senate Finance Committee. During his four years on the committee, Punke advised Chairman Max Baucus and other members of the committee on international trade and international tax issues, as well as international competitiveness policies.

Punke’s work on the committee included oversight of all aspects of the committee’s international economic agenda, including passage of the Trade Act of 2002 (Trade Promotion Authority and Trade Adjustment Assistance); implementation of trade agreements with Australia, Singapore, Chile, Jordan, and Morocco; and free trade negotiations with Thailand, Central America (CAFTA), Colombia, and Panama. Punke worked on dozens of international trade disputes, including U.S.-Canadian softwood lumber trade, intellectual property protection and technology standards in China, beef exports to Japan, and the U.S.- EU trade case regarding the Foreign Sales Corporation tax provisions. His experience also included work on customs issues, miscellaneous tariff legislation and international sanctions. While on the committee, Punke was responsible for the communications and press strategy for trade related issues.

Prior to joining the Senate Finance Committee, Punke served at the White House National Economic Council. At the White House, he helped drive the interagency effort to implement China’s accession to the World Trade Organization. Punke also helped prepare for and staff the president’s participation in the 1999 WTO Ministerial in Seattle, and the 2000 G7/G8 summit in Okinawa, Japan.

Punke has taught classes on international trade dispute resolution at Georgetown University Law School, negotiating skills at the George Washington University Elliot School of International Affairs, and international business transactions at the University of Baltimore Law School. He speaks frequently on international trade topics, and has appeared as a witness before congressional committees. His legal background includes work as a partner at Preston Gates Ellis and as an associate at Dewey Ballantine. He was also a law clerk to Judge Sidney Thomas of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Punke is active in Democratic politics. He ran the 2000 Gore-Lieberman campaign for the state of Wyoming, and has been involved in numerous presidential and congressional campaigns. He currently serves on the steering committee for the New Democrat Caucus and is active with Third Way.

Punke received both his J.D. and B.A. from Cornell University. He is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a fellow of the U.S.-Japan Leadership Program. His interests include triathlons, running, and backpacking.

Tim is married to Lori Otto Punke. They have one son, Jack.