Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw

Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw is one of the world's largest law firms. The company was formed as a result of the February 1, 2002 merger of the Chicago-based Mayer, Brown & Platt and the London-based Rowe & Maw.

Working for the Australian Government
The Australian Government's Office of Trade Negotiations within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) awarded a $A614,306 (approximately) contract to a joint tender bid from Bergner, Bockorny, Castagnetti, Hawkins & Brain and Mayer, Brown, Rowe and Maw for "specialist advice - United States Free Trade Agreement".

The lobbying contract for the two companies in support of the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement was extended until July 2004, even though the company represents the pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Eli Lilly and Company which have lobbied against the maintenance of Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Micky Kantor and Monsanto
Reviewing Monsanto's influence on government policy, Jeffrey St. Clair and Alexander Cockburn pointed to the company's recruitment in 1997 of Mickey Kantor as a member of its board. Kantor, who had previously been Secretary of Commerce and former advisor to Bill Clinton, they wrote, "opened the doors to the White House and got the administration to threaten the European Union on the matter of Monsanto's genetically-engineered grain. Kantor's new law firm, Mayer, Brown & Platt, watches out for the company's interests in matters of international trade, food safety, and product labeling. Prior to Kantor's arrival at the firm in 1997, one of Mayer, Brown & Platt's top lobbyists was William Daley. Daley was tapped by Bill Clinton to fill Kantor's spot in the cabinet as Secretary of Commerce. In that capacity, he has led the charge for Monsanto on several continents."

Contact Details
Website: http://www.mayerbrownrowe.com/

SourceWatch Resources

 * Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA)
 * Richard S. Williamson - Partner