The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection enforces myriad tariff, intellectual property, and trade regulations and handles civil seizures and forfeitures.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is the independent Federal agency responsible for regulating the U.S. international ocean transportation system for the benefit of U.S. exporters, importers, and the U.S. consumer.
Exporting to foreign countries is a complicated process requiring in-depth knowledge of licensed commodities and the various requirements and rules of the U.S. agencies that regulate exporting. Customs lawyers find themselves dealing with Customs, Federal Maritime Commissions, Department of Commerce, BIS, State Department, Defense Department and other specialized agency regulations; including the ITAR governing weaponry or OFAC within Treasury. Customs penalty and Customs seizure actions frequently occur to persons or companies unaware of export rules and regulations.
International Trade law is an aggregate of legal rules of international legislation and regulating relations in international trade. This branch of law is now an independent field of study as most governments have become part of the World Trade Organization.
A type of law which encompasses services pertaining to the operational needs of businesses on a day-to-day basis. This includes but is not limited to activities such as contract formation, employment agreements, and dissolution.
A distinct body of law which governs maritime questions and offenses. We are skilled in this body of domestic law governing maritime activities, as well as private international law governing the relationships between private entities which operate vessels on the oceans.