Don M. Obert
Senior Attorney
Work History
Don concentrates on Customs and International Trade law. Don represents and counsels numerous American, foreign and multinational importers, exporters, manufacturers, customs brokers and freight forwarders involved in the movement of goods and delivery of services throughout the world.
Don has extensive experience in conducting both product and transaction reviews, obtaining binding ruling letters, contesting increased duty assessments, responding to government audits and investigations and defending clients involved in liquidated damages, penalty, seizure and forfeiture proceedings brought by U.S. Customs & Border Protection.
He also advises clients with respect to applicable regulatory requirements enforced by other federal agencies (i.e., Food & Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, etc.), representing importers in related enforcement actions taken by said agencies.
Don further advises and represents domestic industries and importers with respect to the effects of various trade remedies (i.e., antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings) on their products.
In addition, he assists the export community with regard to export controls, sanctions, embargoes and anti-terrorism restrictions, reviewing proposed transactions to insure compliance with applicable law and regulations, obtaining necessary export licenses and addressing enforcement issues brought by the Bureau of Industry & Security, Department of Defense and Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Professional Memberships
Customs and International Trade Bar Association, Member New York State Bar Association, Member (Currently serving as member of Customs and International Trade Committee)
Law School / Graduate School: Brooklyn Law School (JD 1998)