Adams Lee has more than twenty years’ experience providing strategic advice and legal guidance on complex international trade and administrative regulatory matters to US and foreign companies, trade associations, and foreign governments. He advises companies in a broad range of industries on international trade remedy and trade policy issues.

Adams brings a wealth of knowledge to Harris Sliwoski’s international trade practice. He is adept at quickly evaluating strategic options and developing the best comprehensive legal approach in light of relevant policy and case law. Beyond achieving significant DOC and ITC results that improve his clients’ competitive position, Adams helps them understand complex trade issues so they can make well-informed business decisions.

A folder labeled "FRAUD" sits on a desk with documents, cash, a gavel, and handcuffs, suggesting a legal investigation into tariff fraud.

Tariffs Are Now a Fraud Risk: How Importers Can Avoid CBP and DOJ Trouble

Tariffs Are Now a Fraud Risk: How Importers Can Avoid CBP and DOJ Trouble One internal message can turn a tariff problem into a fraud problem. Not because a single email triggers an investigation by itself, but because once the government starts asking questions, the record your team created under pressure becomes the story the

A clipboard with a checklist titled "The First Sale Doctrine Checklist" is shown in front of stacked shipping containers outdoors.

A First Sale Doctrine Checklist: Six Phases for Successful Tariff Reduction

The First Sale Doctrine Checklist: Six Phases for Successful Tariff Reduction Our recent blog post, The First Sale Doctrine: A Strategic Tool for Reducing Tariffs—But Only If You Do It Right, generated a lot of questions. Many companies, eager to explore potential tariff savings, reached out asking for more granular detail on how to implement

Flowchart showing a three-tiered sale: manufacturer sells at $4 per unit, middleman sells at $7 per unit, then product is imported to the U.S.

The First Sale Doctrine: A Tool for Reducing Tariffs—But Only If Done Right

The First Sale Doctrine: A Tool for Reducing Tariffs—But Only If Done Right What if we told you that some of your competitors are paying less in tariffs than you are—completely legally—simply because they understand one underutilized customs rule that most importers have never heard of? While small businesses struggle under crushing tariff burdens that

A warning sign with a gavel and dollar bills in the background, and bold text reading "Tariff Cheaters Beware!. Retain a tariff lawyer

Tariff Cheaters Beware: A $24 Million Reminder That YOUR Competitors Are Watching

Tariff Cheaters Beware: This Week’s $24 Million Wake-Up Call Earlier this week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision in Island Industries v. Sigma Corp that delivers a clear warning to companies attempting to evade U.S. trade duties: your competitors are watching, and the consequences of cheating can be staggering. This case highlights

Map highlighting China, Vietnam, and Indonesia with text announcing new AD/CVD petitions on hardwood and plywood imports from these countries.

New AD/CVD Petitions: Hardwood and Decorative Plywood from China, Indonesia, Vietnam

New Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions Filed for Hardwood Plywood Imports Introduction On May 22, 2025, new antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions were filed against imports of hardwood and decorative plywood (“plywood”) from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The petition was filed by the Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood. This is a

A white bag labeled "L-Lysine HCl Feed Grade, China, Net Weight: 25 kg, Made in China, UN 1479.

New AD/CVD Petitions: L-Lysine from China

Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions for L-Lysine from China Introduction On May 28, 2025, new antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions were filed against imports of L-lysine from China. The petitions were filed by the Lysine Fair Trade Coalition and its individual members: Archer Daniels Midland Company, CJ Bio America, Inc., and Evonik Corporation.