in 1995–96, punke became a senior policy advisor at the office of the united states trade representative (the ustr), where he advised them on issues ranging from intellectual property (ip) law to trade to agricultural law. punke has also worked on international trade issues from the private sector, including as a partner at the washington, d.c., office of mayer, brown, rowe, & maw. from 2003 to 2009, punke consulted on public policy issues out of missoula, montana.