Durbin Introduces U.S. International Trade Commission Nominee & Illinoisan Jim Coughlan In Senate Finance Committee Hearing
In his opening statement, Durbin spoke about Coughlan's qualifications to serve on the U.S. International Trade Commission
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced Illinois native Jim Coughlan at the Senate Finance Committee hearing on his nomination to serve on the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) for a nine-year term.
Key Quotes:
“During my time as Chair [of the Senate Judiciary Committee], it has been my privilege to evaluate literally hundreds of Americans [for federal judgeships]. So, I understand this process, and I understand what makes someone a spectacular nominee for a Senate-confirmed position – especially someone with a background in the law. It is my privilege to introduce you to Jim Coughlan, who is being considered by this body today to be a member of the U.S. International Trade Commission.”
“An Illinois-native, Jim currently serves as senior vice president and general counsel at the Export-Import Bank of the United States… He is both ready and qualified to serve on the International Trade Commission, in large part because he is already familiar with their work.”
“Jim previously served as an attorney in private practice, where he focused on litigation in front of this very body he has been nominated to sit on. Before that, he served as a senior staff attorney at the ITC.”
“But his qualifications don’t stop there. Over the course of his career, Jim served as legal counsel for Senator Carl Levin of Michigan and as a judicial law clerk for Judge Marion T. Bennett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.”
“His excellence has been noticed. Jim was recognized by Chambers Global and Chambers USA—which identifies the most outstanding law firms and lawyers. And he was chosen as a Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Gen X Leaders in Law honoree.”
“Jim is not only a spectacular attorney well-versed on matters of trade, but a good person and can serve our nation faithfully… I have every confidence that he will bring that dedication and loyalty with him in the role on the U.S. International Trade Commission.”
Video of Durbin’s introduction is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s introduction is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s introduction is available here for TV Stations.
The USITC is an independent, nonpartisan agency that provides analysis of trade issues to the President and Congress, and adjudicates violations of U.S. intellectual property and trade disputes. It is headed by six Commissioners who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Mr. Coughlan is currently Senior Vice President and General Counsel at the Export-Import Bank of the United States. He was previously an attorney in private practice where he focused on litigation before USITC, most recently as Partner at Holland & Knight LLP. Mr. Coughlan has been recognized by Chambers Global and Chambers USA, as well as being chosen as a Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Gen X Leaders in Law honoree. He was formerly a Senior Staff Attorney at the ITC, served as Legal Counsel for former U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) and was a judicial law clerk for the Judge Marion T. Bennett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Mr. Coughlan has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Bradley University, a J.D. from the DePaul University College of Law, and an LLM from the University of Illinois, Chicago School of Law. He is from Oak Park, Illinois.
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