Ronald Kirk

Ronald Kirk, also known as Ron Kirk, is a Senior Of Counsel at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, working out of their Dallas and Washington, D.C. offices. He leads the International Trade Practice Group and is involved in several other practice areas including Sports Law, Public Policy, Crisis Management, and Private Equity.124

Career and Public Service::

• Before joining Gibson Dunn in April 2013, Kirk served as the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under President Obama from 2009 to 2013. In this role, he was the principal trade advisor and negotiator for the U.S., focusing on the development and enforcement of U.S. trade policy.123
• Kirk has also served as the Mayor of Dallas from 1995 to 2001, where he was noted for his economic development initiatives and efforts to reduce crime.2
• Earlier in his career, he was appointed Texas Secretary of State by Governor Ann Richards in 1994 and worked as a legislative aide to U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen.2

Education and Early Life::

• Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Kirk earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and sociology from Austin College in Sherman, Texas. He later obtained his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1979.12

Board Memberships and Recognitions::

• Kirk serves on the boards of several organizations including Texas Instruments and Macquarie Infrastructure Corp. He has also been involved with the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and the LBJ Presidential Library Foundation.13
• He has received numerous awards for his contributions to public service and law, including being named one of "The 50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America" by the National Law Journal.2

Ron Kirk's extensive career spans law, public service, and international trade, making him a prominent figure in both legal and governmental circles.