Duane Morris Bolsters International Trade Capabilities with the Addition of Corporate Partner Geoffrey M. Goodale in Washington, D.C.

Geoffrey M. Goodale has joined Duane Morris LLP as a partner in the firm’s Corporate Practice Group in the Washington, D.C., office. The addition of Goodale enhances the firm’s international trade capabilities. Prior to joining Duane Morris, Goodale was a partner at FisherBroyles, LLP.

“Geoff is a key addition to our Corporate Practice Group,” said Matthew A. Taylor, CEO and Chairman of Duane Morris. “His extensive experience in the significant and always-evolving area of international trade is a crucial advantage for our global clients.”

“Geoff’s practice brings a key component of strength to our clients as they run their businesses in an increasingly interconnected world,” said Brian P. Kerwin, chair of the firm’s Corporate Practice Group. “His experience will be invaluable to our clients as they navigate the intricacies of a global supply chain.”

“We’re excited to have Geoff join us in Washington, D.C.,” said Patrick D. McPherson, managing partner of the Duane Morris Washington, D.C., office. “He will be a great addition to our office and the firm.”

For over 17 years, Goodale has assisted U.S. and non-U.S. entities of all sizes and in many industries in achieving their international business objectives in cost-effective ways. His practice focuses on export controls, economic sanctions, import compliance, trade litigation, international intellectual property rights protection, foreign direct investment, cybersecurity, anti-corruption, and government contracting matters.

Goodale counsels companies on a wide range of issues relating to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) enforced by the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), and the economic sanctions laws and regulations administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Additionally, he conducts internal investigations and audits to assess compliance in these areas.

Goodale also advises clients on all aspects of compliance with U.S. import laws and regulations, including those relating to determining the proper classification, valuation and country of origin of merchandise. He regularly represents clients in matters involving U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including assisting clients in preparing for and undergoing CBP audits. He also assists clients in developing duty-savings strategies through the effective use of duty drawback, foreign trade zones and subzones, preferential duty programs, and free trade agreements, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Dominican Republic Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).

Goodale’s experience also includes representing both U.S. and non-U.S. companies in all manner of anti-dumping duty and countervailing duty cases before the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), including investigations, administrative reviews, scope ruling requests and anti-circumvention proceedings, as well as in appeals of certain DOC and ITC decisions to the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He also has represented complainants and respondents in trade-related intellectual property rights cases filed with the ITC under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, and appeals of certain such decisions to the CAFC.

Additionally, Goodale possesses extensive experience in advising clients on international mergers and acquisitions. With respect to acquisitions by foreign entities of U.S. companies, this experience includes, among other things: taking actions necessary to clear proposed deals through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS); filing required submissions with DDTC and/or BIS when export-controlled products and technologies are involved; and structuring transactions so as to mitigate foreign ownership, control or influence (FOCI) in a way that is acceptable to the Defense Security Service (DSS) in order for the U.S. company to maintain its Facility Security Clearance (FCL).

Goodale also provides compliance counseling to government contractors on a wide range of matters covered by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). In addition, he provides counseling to clients relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and conducts internal investigations to ensure that clients comply with the requirements of the FCPA and other anti-bribery laws, such as the UK Bribery Act.

A long-standing and active member of the American Bar Association (ABA), Goodale currently serves as co-chair of the ABA Section of International Law’s National Security Committee and vice-chair of the ABA Intellectual Property Law Section’s Business and Trade Division. He also currently is the chair of the Virginia State Bar’s International Practice Section and co-chair of the D.C. Bar’s International Trade Committee.

Goodale is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School (J.D., 2001), where he was a Dean’s Fellow and a notes editor for the American Intellectual Property Law Association Quarterly Journal. Prior to obtaining his J.D., Goodale obtained a M.A. in Government and a B.A. in Russian Studies and Government (with honors) from the College of William and Mary.

Source:  www.duanemorris.com