 He led the Bureau that is responsible for overseeing work on international trade and investment policy; international finance, development, and debt policy; economic sanctions and combating terrorist financing; international energy security policy; international telecommunications and transportation policies; and support for U.S. businesses and the private sector overseas.Nominated by President of the United States Barack Obama on August 6, 2009, Fernandez was sworn in as Assistant Secretary on December 1, 2009.Fernandez came to the United States Department of State after having served as a partner in the New York City office of Latham & Watkins, and Global Chair of the firm's Latin America practice.