Robert M. Kossick, Attorney
Robert is a Board Certified International Attorney, Licensed Customs Broker, and Certified Export Specialist whose practice focuses on the planning, compliance, enforcement, and security dimensions of U.S. import and export transactions. With over twenty years of professional experience split between the United States and Latin America, Robert brings seasoned, specialized, and multicultural know-how and perspective to the analysis and resolution of customs and trade issues.
As a member of Harris Sliwoski’s international trade law group, Robert helps clients optimize duties, demonstrate reasonable care, comply with PGA requirements, obtain export licenses and permits, protect intellectual property rights, achieve supply chain security, navigate import entry/liquidation and export clearance/verification processes, challenge administrative determinations, respond to agency inquiries and communications, and disclose violations. On enforcement matters, Robert works zealously to blunt the impact of penalty, seizure/forfeiture (merchandise and currency), and liquidated damages claims.
Robert has, over the course of his legal career, practiced customs and trade law with a Fortune 50 corporation, worked as a foreign legal consultant in Mexico, served as a trade policy analyst under former U.S. Trade Representative William Brock, and provided trade consulting services for the World Bank and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Robert worked as a credit analyst with a large commercial bank, conducted independent archaeological fieldwork under the auspices of the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, and served as an infantryman in the United States Marine Corps.
Robert holds a Ph.D. in International Trade and an LL.M. in Inter-American Law, writes and speaks on international trade matters, and is proficient in Spanish. When not engaged with clients on customs and trade issues, Robert enjoys reading, writing, preserving historic properties, woodworking, gardening, skiing, trekking, and Airstreaming with his wife.
More About Robert M.
Recognition/Honors
Fulbright Professional Scholar, ITESO, Mexico
Fulbright Professional Scholar, CIDE, Mexico
Volunteer Activities
Mentor, IPS Mentorship Program, Washington State Bar Association
Member, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Region Alert Working Group, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Chair, Board Certification Committee, International Law Section, The Florida Bar
Judge, Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition
Volunteer, Refugee Aid Project, San Antonio, Texas
Volunteer Income Tax Assistant, Colonia of El Cenizo, Texas
Commissioner, Planning and Zoning Commission, New Braunfels, Texas
Commissioner, Historical Landmark Commission, New Braunfels, Texas
Volunteer, Toys for Tots, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Certifications
Board Certified in International Law, The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization
Licensed U.S. Customs Broker, CBP
Certified Export Specialist, NCBFAA
Member, The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Mediator, A.A. White Dispute Resolution Institute
Published Articles
Regular contributor to the award-winning China Law Blog
Pages 29-31, Florida Bar International Law Quarterly, Fall 2023.
Co-Author, Forced Labor Reviews in Mexico, The International Law Quarterly, The Florida Bar, forthcoming.
Co-Author, Customs & Trade Law chapter, The International Law Deskbook, The Florida Bar, forthcoming.
Author, Nearshoring to Mexico: The Opportunities, Challenges, and Key Questions to Ask, Bloomberg Law, 2023.
Author, UFLPA Compliance Practice Pointers, Bloomberg Law, 2023.
Author, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act & US SMEs, Bloomberg Law, 2023.
Author, Navigating Tough Copyright Issues In International Trade, Law360, 2022.
Co-Author, Managing Trademarks in the U.S. Customs Regulatory Environment, Law360, 2022.
The Role of Firm-Level Legal and Administrative Capacity in Explaining Firm-Specific Dumping Margin Outcomes in U.S.-Administered Antidumping Investigations (2000-2014): An Econometric Analysis, Doctoral Dissertation, Tulane University School of Law, 2016.
The Rule of Law & Development in Mexico, Arizona Journal of International & Comparative Law, 2004.
Modernizing Mexico’s Tax Administration: The Development & Implementation of the e-SAT, Southwestern Journal of Law & International Trade, 2004.
The Role of Information & Communications Technology in Strengthening Citizen Participation & Shaping Democracy: An Analysis of Mexico’s Initial Experience & Pending Challenges, Revista del CLAD: Reforma y Democracia, 2004.
Citizen Participation in the Digital Age: Reforming the Mexican Telecommunications Law, CIDE Working Paper No. 136, 2003.
El Portal Tramitanet: Adoptando Tecnología de Información y Comunicación con el Propósito de Transformar la Prestación de Servicios Gubernamentales, Cauces (UNAM), 2003.
El Sistema Declaranet de México: Aumentando la Rendición de Cuentas, la Transparencia y la Eficiencia del Sector Público, a Través de la Automatización y la Desintermediación del Proceso de Declaración Patrimonial, Bien Común (Fundación Rafael Preciado del Partido Acción Nacional), 2003.
La Transformación en la Prestación de Servicios Gubernamentales en México: El Caso del Portal Tramitanet, CIDE Working Paper No. 141, 2003.
The Enforcement of Local Judgments in Mexico: An Analysis of the Quantitative & Qualitative Perceptions of the Judiciary & Legal Profession, University of Miami Inter-American Law Review; reprinted with permission at Juez (Consejo de la Judicatura Federal), 2003.
E-Governance & Mexico’s Developmental Objectives, Canadian Chamber News, 2002.
E-Governance in Mexico, Mexican Forecast; reprinted with permission at North American Free Trade & Investment Report and Mexico Tax, Law and Business Briefing, 2002.
Mexico’s Emerging E-Government Program: The Role of the Internet in Promoting Democratic Governance, Economic Development, and the Rule of Law, Law & Business Review of the Americas, 2002.
The Role of the Internet in Mexico, Inter-American Trade Report, 2002.
Conducting Due Diligence in Mexico, Inter-American Trade Report, 2001.
Regulating the Internet in Latin America, Inter-American Trade Report, 2001.
The Emerging Disharmony of Latin American E-Commerce Regulation, Tulane Journal of International & Comparative Law, 2001.
The Internet in Latin America: New Opportunities, Developments, and Challenges, American University International Law Review; reprinted with permission at Cyberspace Lawyer and IADB E-Commerce Brief, 2001.
Fondos de Capital Privado, Contaduría Publica, 2000.
Foreign Private Equity Financing, Inter-American Trade Report, 2000.
Litigation in the United States and Mexico: A Comparative Overview, University of Miami Inter-American Law Review, 2000.
Structuring Private Equity Transactions in Mexico, NAFTA: Law & Business Review of the Americas, 2000.
Speaking Engagements
Episode #07, Six Days in Suez Podcast, October 24, 2023.
[Forced Labor Series]: Tackling the Intricacies of Forced Labor with Bob Kossick and Fred Rocafort, Simply Trade Podcast, October 24, 2023.
Webinar, Managing Forced Labor Risk from a SME Perspective, NCBFAA, 2023
Webinar, Nearshoring 360, International Law Section of The Florida Bar, 2023.
Podcast Interview, Forced Labor in Comparative Perspective, Six Days in Suez, 2023.
Webinar, Managing Forced Labor Risk in the Contemporary Trade Environment, Content Enablers, 2023.
Webinar, Navegando Verificaciones de Origen T-MEC (USMCA), Rivadeneyra Trevino y del Campo, 2023.
Webinar, Analyzing Forced Labor Networks, BITE, 2023.
Presentation, E-Commerce Best Practices from a Trade Perspective, Independent Retailers Conference/Fashiondex, 2023.
Presentation, Nearshoring to Mexico, Independent Retailers Conference/Fashiondex, 2023.
Webinar, Of Particular Import: Protecting Brands from Infringing Imports, Alt Legal, 2023.
Podcast Interview, Forced Labor from a SME Perspective, Simply Trade, 2023.
Webinar, Protecting, Clearing, and Enforcing Trademarks in International Trade, Content Enablers, 2023.
Podcast Interview, Managing Trademarks: Key Points for the Automotive Sector, Global Auto Industry, 2023.
Webinar, Exporting to the United States: Challenges and Opportunities from a Sri Lankan Perspective, Sudath Perera Associates, 2023.
Webinar, Navigating RASAs, NCBFAA, 2023.
Webinar, Leaving China for Mexico: The Challenges and Opportunities of Nearshoring, WSBA, 2023.
Webinar, Managing Trademarks in International Trade, Stafford CLE Webinar, 2023.
Guest Lecture, U.S. Import Policy & Practice, University of Washington School of Law, 2023.
Webinar, The Pros and Cons of Leaving China and Nearshoring to Mexico, NCBFAA, 2022.
Podcast Interview, Preguntas y Respuestas sobre la Gestión de la Propiedad Intelectual en el Ámbito Aduanero Estadounidense, ASIPI, 2022.
Panelist, Protecting Your Company in the U.S.-Philippine Trade Context, FPACC, 2022.
Podcast Interview, U.S. Customs Compliance: Challenges Faced by Manufacturers, Global Auto Industry, 2022.
Webinar, Imports 101: What Every Lawyer Should Know, WSBA, 2022.
Guest Lecture, The Rule of Law & Development in Mexico, Tulane University Law School, 2004.
Presentation, The Role of Information & Communications Technology in Strengthening Citizen Participation & Shaping Democracy: An Analysis of Mexico’s Initial Experience & Pending Challenges, World Bank, 2003.
Presentation, Modernizing Mexico’s Tax Administration: The Development & Implementation of the e-SAT, Inter-American Bar Association (La Federación Interamericana de Abogados), 2003.
Presentation, Transparencia y las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación: Un Análisis Sobre el Estado Actual de los Portales de la APF, CIDE-Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), 2003.
Presentation, Los Desarrollos y Retos de Gobierno Electrónico en México, CIDE Telecommunications Research Program, 2003.
Presentation, Mexico’s Emerging E-Government Program: The Role of the Internet in Promoting Economic Development, Democratic Governance, and The Rule of Law, Inter-American Bar Association, 2002.
Presentation, El Sistema Nacional e-México, The World Bank, 2002.
Presentation, The Protection of Intellectual Property Rights in Digital Content in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, University of Miami Inter-American Law Review Symposium, 2002.
Presentation, The Current State of Contract Formation in the United States: The UCC, CISG & UCITA, Universidad Panamericana, 2001.
Presentation, Litigation in Mexican Courts, American Bar Association, 1999.
Presentation, Mexico’s Foreign Investment Law, International Trade Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce, 1998.
Media Appearances
Interview, Analysts: Falling US-China Trade Is Harbinger of What’s to Come, Inside US Trade, 2023.
Interview, The Impact of UFLPA Enforcement on SMEs, International Trade Today, 2023.
Interview, Trade Ramifications of the Inflation Reduction Act, Thompson Reuters/ALB, 2022.
Interview, Enforcement Trends under the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act, The Dispatch, 2022.
Practice Areas
Education
- Tulane University Law School (Ph.D.)
- University of Miami School of Law (LL.M. Inter-American Law)
- Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO), Diplomado en Derecho Mercantil
- St. Mary's University School of Law (J.D.)
Languages
- Spanish (Proficient)
Bar & Court Admissions
- Florida
- Texas
- U.S. Court of International Trade
