Ken Wright, partner at the law firm of Baker & Hostetler, has been named by the Orlando World Trade Center (WTC) to the Book of Honor for his outstanding contributions to the WTC’s mission of creating peace and stability through trade.

Mr. Wright’scommitment to international affairs in this area has been demonstrated over the past 20 years.  Specifically, in 2002-2003, Ken was asked to Chair the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce's Global Business Advisory Board (“GBAB”) and its Global Business Network (“GBN”). The GBAB/GBN's mission is to provide advocacy, interaction and education to small and mid-size companies regarding the benefits of global commercial interaction through the tenures and experience of its board of approximately fifty (50) experts in this area and its partners, the Metro Orlando International Affairs Commission, the Mid-Florida Economic Development Commission, World Trade Center Orlando, Rollins College, the University of Central Florida, the National Center for Entrepreneurship and the United States Chamber of Commerce. 

Since the GBN's inception, participation within the community has grown due to Ken's leadership.  He has facilitated such speakers as James Bacchus, Chairman of the World Trade Organization Appellate Body in Geneva Switzerland and Leslie Schweitzer, Senior Trade Advisor for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  On behalf of GBAB/GBN, Ken participated in the 2002 International State of the State Conference and signed a state-wide resolution in support of locating the Free Trade Area of the Americas’ Permanent Secretariat to Florida. 

Currently, Ken serves on the Board of Directors and as Vice Chairman of the Orlando World Trade Center; Chair of the American Bar Association Committee on International Investment in Real Estate; member of the American Bar Association Committees on International Securities Transactions, Privatization Law and International Investment and Development; member of the American Society of International Lawyers; and Founding Trustee of the Orlando Foreign Relations Committee. He additionally serves on the Board of Directors for the Central Florida American Red Cross.  Ken serves as Editor of the 2nd Edition of “Foreign Investment in U.S. Real Estate – A Comprehensive Guide” to be published by the American Bar Association in the near future.

Ken has presented numerous professional and educational seminars including subjects such as International Securitization in Brussels, Belgium in 1993; Key Note Speaker on Travel Industry Opportunities for Timesharing in Asia at the Pacific Asia Travel Association 2000 Annual Conference in Hong Kong; NASDAQ Listing Requirements and Opportunities for Asian Technology Companies, March 2002 in Kuala Lumpur; PKF World Wide Taking Your Company Public, May 2000 in Kuala Lumpur and numerous presentations on “Doing Business in China”. 

Mr. Wright served as Vice-Chairman – International for the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce, 1997-2002; a member of the Board of Directors of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, 1996- 1998; and a member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Pan-Asian Chamber of Commerce, 1995-2001.  Ken was instrumental in bringing the “Australia Investment 2000” conference to Central Florida and has participated in several international trade missions on behalf of our community.

Ken is also rated “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, its highest possible rating, which indicates very high to preeminent legal ability and very high ethical standards as established by confidential opinions from members of the Bar.  Ken Chairs the firm's Orlando Business Group, leads the Far East Team and is an active member of the International Practice Team.

Baker & Hostetler LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 500 attorneys serving clients throughout the world. The firm’s four primary practice groups are Business; Employment and Labor; Litigation; and Tax, Personal Planning and Employee Benefits. Founded in 1916, Baker & Hostetler has 10 offices, located in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Costa Mesa, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando and Washington, D.C., in addition to affiliated firms in Brazil and Mexico. For more information, visit the firm’s Web site at www.bakerlaw.com.