Speaker Background:

Mr. Richard G. Goetz
Dykema Gossett, PLLC



BIOGRAPHY

Richard G. Goetz is the leader of Dykema's International Practice Group.  In this capacity, he provides a depth of experience and judgment derived from 33 years of international practice.  Goetz leads an interdisciplinary practice group to meet the evolving legal needs of clients in a global economy.

Prior to joining Dykema, Goetz's career with Ford Motor Company spanned more than three decades.  Over the last 7 years, he had primary responsibility for legal matters affecting Ford in Asia, Africa, Latin America, The Middle East, Russia , and Canada .  He was a key participant in Ford's entry into China , Korea and other Asian countries, as well as into Eastern Europe .  He also served as the company's director of legal affairs in Venezuela for 10 years.  During his career with Ford, he represented the company on five continents, on a broad range of international legal matters, including joint ventures, acquisitions, dispositions, public offerings, litigation, corporate governance, distribution, licensing, international trade, government negotiations, regulatory matters and compliance programs as well as providing strategic advice and counsel to senior company management on a broad range of issues.

Before joining Ford, Goetz served in the Peace Corps in Ecuador and as a Teaching Fellow at the Universidad Catolica Andres Bello in Venezuela as part of the Latin American Teaching Fellowships program of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Goetz is a former director of the Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce, President of the Colegio Campo Alegre and Director of the North American Association, all in Caracas , Venezuela .  Goetz is a former chairman of the Conference Board's Council of Senior International Lawyers and trustee of the US-China Legal Cooperation Fund.