Strategic Counseling |
Mowry & Grimson attorneys have experience in U.S. trade policy that enables the firm to work with companies on both trade lobbying initiatives and narrower, company- and sector-specific concerns relating to tariffs, customs, market access or AD/CVD provisions of U.S. trade legislation. We maintain regular contacts at all levels of key government agencies involved in the trade policy process, including not only the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Commerce, and the International Trade Commission, but also the Department of State, the Department of Treasury, the White House and the Congress. Mowry & Grimson also provides monitoring of trade and trade-related legislation.
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AND EXPORT CONTROLS
United States law authorizes the President to impose trade embargoes and economic sanctions on foreign countries and their nationals for foreign policy and national security reasons. These rules, which are administered and enforced primarily by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), are extremely complex, constantly evolving, and far-reaching in terms of their overseas application. Mowry & Grimson attorneys have substantial experience in assisting clients in complying with U.S. trade embargoes and economic sanctions programs involving countries such as Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Burma and Sudan. Mowry & Grimson attorneys have worked directly with OFAC, both in obtaining licenses for specific client transactions and in negotiating settlements with respect to potential enforcement actions. We have also assisted U.S. and foreign companies in establishing effective compliance programs to adhere to U.S. trade sanctions against designated countries and their nationals. The U.S. government also imposes export controls, or licensing requirements, on exports of dual-use goods, technology and software to other countries. Mowry & Grimson attorneys have extensive experience in assisting U.S. and foreign manufacturers in navigating the complex web of U.S. export control laws and in obtaining export licenses from the U.S. Commerce Department and U.S. Department of State. Mowry & Grimson attorneys have also defended companies against U.S. government enforcement actions alleging violation of U.S. export control laws and assisted companies in filing voluntary disclosures with the government. Mowry & Grimson attorneys have counted U.S. electronics, technology and medical device manufacturers, as well as universities and insurance companies, among their clients.
CUSTOMS & IMPORT MATTERS
Mowry & Grimson advises U.S. importers on the legal and regulatory aspects of importing goods into the United States. Mowry & Grimson assists U.S. importers in performing internal customs audits and implementing and maintaining effective internal customs compliance programs. We represent clients before U.S. Customs and Border Protection in focused assessment audits, penalty investigations and enforcement actions. Mowry & Grimson attorneys work with companies regarding their supply chain security obligations under the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Program (C-TPAT). Mowry & Grimson also advises companies regarding the U.S. regulations governing the classification and valuation of imported products and works with importers to ensure compliance with U.S. country-of-origin marking and labeling requirements. We also assist companies in complying with labeling and other requirements imposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on imports of food, nutritional supplements, medical devices and cosmetics.
ANTI-BRIBERY
Mowry & Grimson offers counsel to clients in matters involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The FCPA generally prohibits direct or indirect payments, offers or to a foreign government official or a foreign political party, official or candidate made for the corrupt purpose of influencing an official foreign governmental act or decision. The FCPA also requires publicly traded companies to comply with its accounting and recordkeeping provisions. Mowry & Grimson attorneys and consultants have advised clients on the FCPA's applicability to proposed international business transactions and activities; assisted clients seeking to minimize potential liability stemming from the acts of third parties, such as agents and distributors; and counseled corporate clients to develop and implement effective FCPA compliance programs.
MARKET ACCESS
The WTO and free trade agreements are intended to expand market access opportunities for private companies, but sometimes companies still encounter unfair or illegal trade barriers both at home, as importers, and abroad when trying to break into foreign markets. Mowry & Grimson can identify promising foreign markets, devise entry strategies, and craft solutions to market obstacles, all with the aim of helping our clients achieve their business objectives. To that end, we provide legal, business and political advice, intelligence, and representation in capitals around the globe.
REGIONAL TRADE COUNSELING
Mowry & Grimson also advises U.S. and foreign companies and non-governmental organizations on a wide range of issues targeted to specific global regions. Partnered with local firms, Mowry & Grimson's past efforts have included advising companies on US-South Africa trade policy, South American customs laws and the impact of regional free-trade agreements. Mowry & Grimson can identify promising foreign markets, devise entry strategies, and craft solutions to market obstacles, all with the aim of helping our clients achieve their business objectives. To that end, we provide legal, business and political advice, intelligence, and representation in capitals around the globe.
