What's my Free Trade Expertise?

When I was only nine years old, my father asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I replied, "the international Thurgood Marshall."

Believe it or not, I actually managed to achieve that childhood fantasy. No, I haven't (yet?) litigated landmark cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, nor have I been appointed to the bench (if called to duty, however, I would be happy to serve my country!). But those weren't the achievements I was thinking about as a kid. I wanted to be the kind of lawyer Marshall exemplified: bold, defiant, and relentless in the search for justice.

It wasn't necessarily an ambition my Haitian immigrant father embraced. Having suffered under the tyranny of the "Papa Doc" Duvalier regime, he wanted a safer profession for me--like a doctor perhaps, or even an engineer (forget that I hated math!). I would eventually prevail and go on to study at New York University law school, where I graduated in 1995.

I practiced at a big law firm in Washington, D.C. for a time, but quickly realized it was not for me. The law firm did introduce me to my first love--international trade. I loved the "big ideas" of trade: Can free trade end hunger and lack? Why is it that some countries prosper under the trading system while others are left to wither in isolation? Is it really true that no two countries that both have a McDonald's have ever fought a war against each other?

I left the law firm and had the amazing fortune to work for the White House during the Clinton Administration. At the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, I litigated cases before the World Trade Organization, negotiated trade deals with some of our major trading partners, and traveled around the world--all while still in my late twenties. Although I loved that job, the Thurgood Marshall in me was calling out to be born. It was one thing to represent the United States, with all of its vast resources and power, but what about those countries that were not prospering from globalization?

I decided to leave the practice of law, sell practically everything I own and move to Africa. I wanted to see what the world had to offer first hand. Most people thought I was crazy--and they were probably right, but I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. I lived in and visited many African countries, including: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt (I even have the obligatory picture of me on a camel to prove it!). I worked on a multitude of projects, like helping Cape Verde prepare to join the WTO, and consulting with the African Development Bank, as well as other projects funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Eventually, I returned to the United States and landed in California. I am now a law professor by day and a writer at night. My work includes both academic and "popular" articles, such as op-eds, blogs, and this website. I'm currently writing a book on free trade that explores how economic history helps to explain why some countries prosper while others fail under globalization.

For a little more about my professional life, please see my resume. If you would like to contact me, you may do so here.

Welcome! I hope you'll stay awhile.

Marjorie Florestal

P.S. In August 2008, I was honored to win an essay contest on why I became a lawyer. Please read my winning entry!