Hills & Company

Hills & Company is a prominent international consulting firm specializing in global trade, investment, and public policy strategy. Founded in 1993 by former United States Trade Representative Carla A. Hills and former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Roderick M. Hills, the firm leverages decades of high-level government and private sector experience. Based in Washington, D.C., it advises multinational corporations, sovereign governments, and financial institutions on navigating complex international regulatory and commercial landscapes. The firm is particularly renowned for its expertise in trade agreement negotiations, market access issues, and international dispute resolution.

History

The firm was established in 1993 following Carla A. Hills' tenure as the U.S. Trade Representative under President George H. W. Bush, where she was the chief negotiator for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Both founders brought distinguished public service backgrounds, with Roderick M. Hills having served as counsel to President Gerald Ford and chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. From its inception, the company positioned itself at the intersection of Wall Street and the United States Congress, capitalizing on the increasing globalization of the late 20th century. Its early work focused heavily on implementing the new rules established by the Uruguay Round and the creation of the World Trade Organization. Over the decades, the firm has advised on every major U.S. trade initiative, from the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement to debates over China–United States relations and Trans-Pacific Partnership accession.

Services

Hills & Company provides strategic counsel across a spectrum of international economic issues, with core services including trade policy and negotiations advisory, where it guides clients through processes at the World Trade Organization and in bilateral talks. The firm offers comprehensive market access and regulatory compliance analysis, helping corporations overcome barriers in key economies like the European Union and Japan. Its international dispute resolution practice assists in cases before bodies like the United States Court of International Trade and in investor-state arbitration under treaties like the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. Additionally, the firm conducts investment strategy and risk assessment for projects in emerging markets and provides senior-level advocacy and government relations services in Washington, D.C. and other world capitals.

Notable projects

The firm played a significant advisory role during the original North American Free Trade Agreement implementation, helping numerous corporations structure cross-border supply chains. It has been consistently involved in China–United States trade relations, advising clients during the China–United States trade war and negotiations surrounding the Phase One trade deal. Hills & Company consultants have provided strategic input to sovereign nations, including Mexico and Chile, during their respective accession negotiations to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The firm also advised a consortium of global financial institutions on the trade finance implications of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. Furthermore, it has guided major technology and pharmaceutical companies on intellectual property provisions within the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement.

Leadership

The firm is led by its co-founder and Chairman & CEO, Carla A. Hills, who remains one of the most influential figures in international trade. She is supported by a senior team comprising former high-ranking officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the United States Department of Commerce, and the United States Department of State. This leadership includes individuals with direct experience in the Senate Finance Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee, and major diplomatic posts. The firm's managing directors often have prior careers at institutions like the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and leading Fortune 500 companies, providing a blend of public policy and commercial expertise.

Recognition and awards

Carla A. Hills personally has received numerous accolades, including the President's Citizens Medal and the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Award. While the firm itself maintains a discreet profile, its work and principals are regularly cited in influential publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Bloomberg News. The firm's experts are frequently called to testify before the United States Senate Committee on Finance and the United States House Committee on Ways and Means. Its reputation is cemented by the continued involvement of its leaders in elite forums like the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Bilderberg Meeting, and the Trilateral Commission.

Category:International trade consulting firms Category:Companies based in Washington, D.C. Category:American companies established in 1993