OUR WORK
International Trade | Global Ethics and Compliance | International Development
The Global Trade Group works with a variety of industries on trade matters. Some of our clients include major producers of:
- Technology Products and Technical Information
- Defense Goods and Services
- Aerospace, Avionics and Navigation
- Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Items
- Steel Products and Manufactured Components
- Food and Agriculture Products
- Consumer Goods
International Trade
Our professionals have extensive experience working with U.S. and non-U.S. regulatory agencies to assist companies with compliance with global international trade requirements. We advise and represent companies on the full range of complex import and export matters, including:
- Export Controls requirements enforced by the U.S. Department of Commerce (EAR compliance) and by the U.S. Department of State (ITAR compliance).
- Global Customs and Import Regulatory Compliance, including assistance with entry requirements (HTS, valuation, country of origin), NAFTA and preferential duty treatment, other agency requirements (FDA, EPA, DOT, etc.), and responses to requests for information.
- Development of Export and Import Procedures and Manuals that are effective, but also feasible and cost-efficient for companies.
- Automated, Comprehensive Export Control Screening Services (BIS Denied Party Lists, DDTC Debarred Parties, OFAC Sanctions, Politically Exposed Persons, etc.)
- Set-Up, application and validation for Customs and Border Protection C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Program. We offer an internal assessment to determine benefits and costs related to joining the C-TPAT, and have great success rate in working with CBP during C-TPAT validations.
- Advising and representing companies in Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duty (AD/CVD) Proceedings. We have extensive experience assisting companies in U.S. Department of Commerce investigations and Reviews, along with helping companies to comply with Customs requirements involving AD/CVD entries.
- Compliance with Buy American Act and other domestic sourcing requirements in Government Procurement and Defense contracts.
With our experience and practical approach, we are often able to resolve trade compliance matters both effectively and in a cost-efficient manner.
Global Ethics and Compliance
In today's market, companies of all sizes face both internal and external compliance risks. For example, the EEOC receives nearly 90,000 employee complaints each year, and at the same time, companies are being subject to increased investigations involving fraud, bribery, environmental and safety violations, and a variety of other compliance risks.
Therefore, it is important to have a reliable structure in place for notifying employees of their regulatory and ethics obligations, and for properly handling complaints and potential violations. A corporate ethics program that emphasizes a culture of compliance also often leads to increased productivity, better cooperation among employees, and improved employee morale.
We assist companies in all aspects of corporate ethics and compliance, including:
- Development of a Corporate Code of Conduct / Code of Ethics, and country-specific procedures, as needed.
- On-site and online ethics and compliance training for all employees, along with country-specific and department-specific training, as needed.
- Automated and Comprehensive Due Diligence and Know Your Customer ("KYC") Screenings
(PEP, AML, State Owned Entities, etc.).
- Set-up and management of an "Employee Hotline" (Whistleblower Hotline) as required by Sarbanes-Oxley, along with implementation of country-specific Privacy Requirements.
- Legal review of internal investigations
involving fraud, corruption/bribery, environmental and safety violations, and other compliance violations.
- Training of internal investigators, including trainings on the investigation process, collecting evidence, conducting interviews, and drafting investigation reports.
- Responding to and handling inquiries and investigation notices from regulatory agencies.
- Assisting companies with assigning compliance staff and development of reporting and escalation procedures.
Our team is known for working with companies to develop modern, engaging and effective compliance programs. We recognize that a corporate culture that fosters ethics and compliance can greatly increase morale and productivity, but also does not need to be complicated or costly.
International Development
Our professionals work closely with both developing country governments and non-governmental organizations, such as the International Legal Resources Center (ILRC), the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to assist with government reform measures to reduce corruption, increase transparency, and establish rule of law. We provide legal review of constitutions and national legislation, and training for government officials as part of capacity building and pilot program implementation. We also work closely with international organizations to assist in drafting harmonized model rules and best practices. We believe that our work helps to both improve local standards of living and encourage foreign investment in local communities. In addition, our holistic approach that includes consultation with citizen groups, government agencies and industry, leads to solutions that are feasible and sustainable for communities.