ITC adds general counsel, unfair imports director

   The U.S. International Trade Commission has appointed Dominic L. Bianchi to general counsel and Margaret D. Macdonald to director of the Office of Unfair Import Investigations.
   The general counsel and other attorneys in that office provide legal advice and support to the commissioners and ITC staff on investigations and research studies. They also represent the USITC in all litigation involving its determinations and activities as well as providing assistance and advice on general administrative matters, including labor relations, personnel and procurement.
   Prior to his appointment, Bianchi served in several roles in the agency, including acting general counsel, chief of staff under Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun and congressional relations officer.
   Macdonald will manage the agency’s section 337 investigations, which involve allegations of unfair methods of competition and unfair acts in import trade. The majority of cases brought under this law involve allegations of infringement of intellectual property rights and primarily patent rights. OUII conducts pre-institution review of complaints, advises the commission on institution of investigations, and participates (when appropriate) as a party to the proceedings.
   Prior to joining the ITC, Macdonald was a partner at the Washington law firm of Perkins Coie LLP, where she represented clients in intellectual property matters in U.S. District Court and at the ITC.