Lori Wallach

Lori Wallach
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Name	Lori Wallach
Occupation	Trade lawyer and activist
Organization	Public Citizen

Lori Wallach is a prominent American trade lawyer and activist, known for her work on trade policy and globalization. She has been a vocal critic of NAFTA and other free trade agreements, such as the TPP and the WTO. Wallach has worked closely with organizations like the AFL-CIO, the Sierra Club, and the Consumer Federation of America to promote fair trade practices and protect workers' rights. Her work has been influenced by economists like Joseph Stiglitz and Paul Krugman, who have also criticized the effects of neoliberalism and globalization on developing countries like Mexico and China.

● Early Life and Education

Lori Wallach was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in a family of social activists. She attended Harvard University, where she studied economics and international relations, and later earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School. During her time at Harvard University, she was influenced by professors like Amartya Sen and Lawrence Summers, who have worked on issues related to global poverty and economic development. Wallach's education and upbringing have shaped her perspective on trade policy and her commitment to promoting social justice and human rights.

● Career

Wallach began her career as a trade lawyer, working on cases related to intellectual property and antidumping laws. She has also worked with organizations like the National Lawyers Guild and the ACLU, on issues related to civil liberties and workers' rights. In the 1990s, Wallach became involved in the anti-globalization movement, working with activists like Ralph Nader and Naomi Klein to oppose the WTO and other free trade agreements. Her work has taken her to countries like Canada, Mexico, and South Korea, where she has worked with local activists and labor unions to promote fair trade practices.

● Public Citizen and Global Trade Watch

In 1995, Wallach became the director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, a organization that monitors and critiques trade policy and globalization. Under her leadership, Global Trade Watch has become a leading voice on issues related to trade policy and globalization, working with organizations like the Institute for Policy Studies and the CEPR. Wallach has also worked closely with members of Congress, like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, to promote progressive trade policies and protect workers' rights. Her work has been influenced by thinkers like Noam Chomsky and Arundhati Roy, who have critiqued the effects of neoliberalism and globalization on developing countries.

● Policy Initiatives and Advocacy

Wallach has been a leading advocate for progressive trade policies that promote fair trade practices and protect workers' rights. She has worked on initiatives like the Trade Act of 2002 and the Fast Track authority, which have shaped U.S. trade policy. Wallach has also been a vocal critic of corporate power and the influence of lobbying groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable. Her work has been influenced by economists like Dean Baker and Thea Lee, who have critiqued the effects of free trade agreements on workers' wages and income inequality. Wallach has also worked with organizations like the ILO and the UNCTAD to promote international cooperation and global governance.

● Criticisms and Controversies

Wallach's work has been criticized by some as being protectionist and anti-globalization. She has been accused of being anti-business and anti-trade by organizations like the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation. However, Wallach and her allies argue that their critiques of free trade agreements are motivated by a desire to promote fair trade practices and protect workers' rights. Her work has been influenced by thinkers like John Maynard Keynes and Karl Polanyi, who have critiqued the effects of unfettered capitalism on society and the environment. Wallach has also been involved in controversies surrounding the TPP and the WTO, where she has worked with activists like Medea Benjamin and Jill Stein to oppose these agreements.

● Awards and Recognition

Wallach has received numerous awards and recognition for her work on trade policy and globalization. She has been awarded the Public Interest Award from the NASW and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Lawyers Guild. Wallach has also been recognized by organizations like the AFT and the SEIU for her work on workers' rights and social justice. Her work has been influenced by thinkers like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Luxemburg, who have fought for human rights and social justice throughout history. Wallach continues to be a leading voice on issues related to trade policy and globalization, working with organizations like the INET and the New America Foundation to promote progressive economic policies. Category:American trade lawyers