Firm Principals

David C. Williams has practiced law for over 25 years and has specialized in the various aspects of customs law, international trade law, international commercial transactions and international business operations. He has substantial knowledge of U.S. and foreign import and export controls and requirements and has assisted clients in establishing foreign operations in various industries including the textile, apparel, automotive, telecommunication, electronic and retailing industries. He has personally negotiated joint venture agreements with foreign partners and structured domestic and foreign operations to comply with governmental requirements and to minimize taxes and duties. He has substantial experience in all aspects of international commercial transactions including logistics, finance and intellectual property rights.

Mr. Williams legal practice has involved all aspects of international trade regulation including representing clients before various U.S. federal agencies and advising them on corporate governance issues relating to international operations. He is admitted to the practice of law in New York and the District of Columbia and has litigation experience before federal and state courts. His achievements include:

Negotiated and structured the first private Sino-U.S. joint venture authorized by the FCC to provide long distance service between the United States and the People's Republic of China.

Represented exporters in litigation which resulted in the Supreme Court of the United States declaring the Harbor Maintenance Tax unconstitutional and permitting exporters to claim refunds.

Counseled a major Japanese importer of electronic products with respect to alleged criminal acts and civil penalties in excess of $250 million for violations of the Customs laws.

Advised a major United States retailer with respect to duty obligations incurred in Canada. Worked with the client to restructure Canadian operations and purchasing of merchandise.

Directed the task force of a large U.S. manufacturer of ATM machines in the restructuring of its Central American and European operations to maximize duty and tax savings and to comply with export controls for software.

Advised the government of Israel on the negotiation and implementation of the U.S. - Israel Free Trade Agreement. Served as an advisor to the Export Institute of Israel.

Represented the largest electronic goods retailer in the United States with respect to its importation of allegedly counterfeit trademarked products.

Contact David: 212 368 7110x200 | dwilliams@dcwilliamslaw.com.

Arlen T. Epstein has practiced in the areas of Customs and International Trade law for thirteen years. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Epstein worked for customs brokerages for five years. Both as an attorney and customs broker, Mr. Epstein has assisted importers, exporters, freight forwarders and trade associations in the facilitation of the movement of goods to and from the United States. As a customs practitioner, he has advocated clients interests before a number of federal government agencies including the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission, International Trade Administration and Department of Commerce. Mr. Epstein has represented clients before governmental agencies and commissions with regard to the admissibility of goods and proposed legislation affecting the trade of goods into the United States. He has also successfully represented clients in customs matters before the U.S. Court of International Trade and Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Mr. Epstein is a graduate of New York Law School and is admitted to the practice of law in New York and the District of Columbia. His achievements include:

Represented a major importer in litigation concerning the classification of festive articles resulting in reclassification and a multi-million dollar refund and subsequent annual savings for importers.

Drafted administrative ruling requests for numerous companies including high profile importers of various commodities. Many of these ruling requests resulted in classification of imported goods at lower rates of duty.

Represented importers of various commodities in classification, valuation and country of origin marking matters before the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.

Represented manufacturers, importers, trade groups and other interested parties before the United States Trade Representative with regard to the imposition of retaliatory duties for alleged unfair trade practices.

Prepared comments on behalf of trade groups to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection regarding proposed new regulations impacting the movement of goods and services to and from the U.S.

Educated importers and exporters with regard to new Customs regulations, recordkeeping requirements and electronic data processing systems.

Drafted operations manuals to ensure importers and exporters compliance with current Customs regulations, visa requirements, quota restraints and harmonized tariff classifications.

Contact Arlen: 212 368 7110x208 | aepstein@dcwilliamslaw.com.