Robert B. Silverman

Background

About Robert B. Silverman

Robert Silverman, a founding partner and Head of Litigation, works with clients across all industries in structuring import transactions to minimize Customs duties, ensure regulatory compliance and eliminate Customs penalty exposure. Robert represents companies during Customs audits involving classification, valuation and eligibility under Free Trade Agreements such as NAFTA, CAFTA, AGOA, GSP, etc; Customs investigations, seizures, exclusions, penalty and liquidated damages assessments. Regarded as one of the foremost footwear classification experts in the United States, Robert has been involved in all major footwear controversies affecting imports for over 40 years. These issues included development of the foxing guidelines, unisex footwear standards, and standards for classifying plastic coated leather upper footwear. Prior to entering into private practice, Robert served as a trial attorney in the Customs Section of the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He represented U.S. Customs in proceedings before the Court of International Trade, Federal District Courts, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. His litigation department continues to litigate on all customs matters, including but not limited to classification, valuation, and penalties before the same federal courts. Robert has written and lectured widely on Customs and trade issues. He graduated cum laude from Brooklyn law school where he was on law review. His undergraduate degree in accounting has proven to be invaluable in working with clients to structure purchase transactions and prepare defenses in penalty cases. He has authored “Analysis of the Customs Regulations Regarding Customs Brokers,” and serves as customs counsel to the NY/NJ Foreign Freight Forwarders and Brokers Association. He has authored numerous articles for Metropolitan Corporate Counsel and other trade publications and has been recognized in “The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers.”