King & Spalding has recruited senior World Trade Organization (WTO) litigator Rambod Behboodi as a partner in its Geneva office.

Behboodi has more than 20 years of experience working in a number of different litigation, diplomatic, legal advisory and policy and executive positions. He joins the firm’s International Trade Practice.

Rambod’s extensive experience working with and in the WTO, as well as other international agencies, makes him an excellent addition to our team, said Steve Orava, Chair of King & Spalding’s International Trade Practice. WTO disputes have become an even more important consideration for clients in recent times as the dynamics and processes of global trade shift. Rambod’s skills and market standing expand our ability to advise clients on such disputes.

Behboodi most recently served as a Counsellor in the WTO Rules Division, which handles all litigation concerning trade remedies. He previously held a number of senior positions in the Canadian Government, including General Counsel, General Legal Service, Finance Canada; Head of the Legal Section and Senior Legal Advisor to the Mission of Canada to the WTO, and Trade Commissioner at the Mission of Canada to the EU in Brussels.

Behboodi’s hire comes after the firm recently added two senior counsel in Geneva with Hannes Welge from the European Commission and Hamid Mamdouh from the WTO (see here).

Rambod is another significant recruit for our Geneva office following on from Hannes and Hamid, added Daniel Crosby, Office Managing Partner in Geneva. We have been very active in WTO litigation, often in close collaboration with the team in Washington DC, and Rambod not only enhances the existing practice but offers invaluable insights on matters such as trade negotiations and market access.

Rambod received his BA from Trinity College, University of Toronto, and received his JD and Master of Laws from the University of Toronto as well. He is a Member in good standing of the Bar of the Province of Ontario, Canada.