London – Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that Anthony Gardner, former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, will join Sidley as senior counsel. He will be a member of both its International Trade and Privacy and Cybersecurity practices, and split his time between the firm's London and Brussels offices.
Former Ambassador Gardner has devoted more than 27 years of his distinguished career to U.S.-European affairs as a government official and lawyer. During his diplomatic assignment, he played a pivotal role in some of the most challenging issues in the U.S.-EU relationship, including the negotiations to conclude a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement, the Privacy Shield Agreement facilitating the transatlantic transfer of personal data by companies based in Europe and the Umbrella Agreement facilitating the transatlantic transfer of data between law enforcement authorities. He was also instrumental in U.S.-EU coordination of sanctions against Russia following its annexation of Crimea and the facilitation of U.S. participation in EU-funded research programs.
"Thanks to his deep personal and professional roots in Europe, Ambassador Gardner displayed a rare understanding of European affairs and improved U.S.-EU commercial and political ties at a critical time in the relationship," said Antonio Tajani, president of the European Parliament. "During his tenure he made relations with the European Parliament a priority on important issues relating to trade, data privacy and the digital economy."
"I am eager to continue my involvement in U.S.-EU relations, particularly in trade, competition and regulatory issues, especially relating to the digital economy and data privacy," said Mr. Gardner. "I was drawn to Sidley because many of its partners are deeply involved in these issues, and I have had long-standing relationships with several of them. The breadth of the firm's global reach and extensive resources make it a natural fit."
Prior to his role as U.S. Ambassador to the EU, Mr. Gardner served as managing director of a London-based private equity firm. He also served as Director for European Affairs on the U.S. National Security Council, where he was responsible for U.S. relations with the European Union.
"Tony's deep knowledge of Europe and the EU institutions made him one of our most effective ambassadors and a key resource in trying to conclude TTIP," said Michael Froman, former U.S. Trade Representative in the Obama administration. "His role in helping to promote U.S.-EU cooperation in many areas and to resolve difficult issues as they arose was also widely appreciated in the Obama administration."
"Tony's arrival, fresh from his Brussels post and with his singularly informed view of the trade and regulatory issues that exist between the U.S. and Europe, could not have come at a better time for Sidley and our clients," said George Petrow, Sidley's managing partner for the European region. "We and our clients are fortunate that he chose to join us."