“I’m deeply honored to become a fellow at the Center because, for decades, it has supported such thoughtful and informed exchange that has had a meaningful impact on international relations across the entire Asia-Pacific region,” said Dong.
Karen Knudsen, director of the Center’s Office of External Affairs, said, “Nelson has been invited to speak at the Center’s educational events on several occasions, and he has always brought his unique combination of private sector experience and national security perspectives to Asia-Pacific relations, especially in the areas of world trade and foreign investment. He’s helped us bridge the diverse worlds of business, diplomacy and military affairs. Both the Center and the countries we serve can now benefit even more by this more formal affiliation with Nelson as an Adjunct Senior Fellow.”
“It’s a great privilege for our law firm to have Nelson recognized in this way for his special understanding of international trade and the flow of investment across the entire Asia-Pacific region,” said Michael Keyes, partner and head of Dorsey’s Seattle office. “At a time of unprecedented challenges to the global economy and the international trading system, especially across the Pacific, we’re very proud to share Nelson’s expertise and experience through such a recognized center of learning and research as the East-West Center.”
Dong represents technology companies and research institutions in domestic and international and intellectual property transactions. He has special expertise in U.S. export controls, economic sanctions and national security matters, international technology transfers and licensing, and outsourcing and manufacturing in Asia. His clients include research universities, technology consortia, and companies in such diverse industries as agriculture and food, aerospace, defense electronics, telecommunications, healthcare and advanced materials.
He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Committee of 100, a leadership organization of distinguished Chinese Americans; and he serves on the boards of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the Washington State China Relations Council. He was previously an adjunct professor of international law at Seattle University of Law School and frequently teaches and writes about the fields of international technology law, export controls and economic sanctions and national security reviews of foreign direct investment in the United States. He was also a White House Fellow and U.S. Justice Department official during the Carter Administration. A graduate of Stanford University and the Yale Law School, Dong was also the first Asian American to serve as a trustee of Stanford University.
The U.S. Congress established the East-West Center in 1960 as an independent non-profit organization to promote better relations and understanding between the United States and other nations across the Asia-Pacific region. The Center serves as a resource for information and analysis of critical issues, bringing together people to exchange views, build expertise and develop policy options. From time to time, the Center appoints outstanding individuals from the private sector, government, academia and other organizations as Adjunct Senior Fellows to support its diverse projects and activities.