Seminar Agenda

• Export channels and structures
• Distribution and agent agreements
• Current trade embargoes and exceptions
• Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
• Importer’s responsibilities with U.S. Customs
• Surviving a Customs audit
• Penalties and mitigation

International trade is rife with potential pitfalls for the unsuspecting exporter or importer--pitfalls that may result in significant delays, bad publicity, and monetary penalties. Whether your company is a start-up e-commerce business or an experienced multinational, the trade compliance laws are critical to the success of your company. This breakfast seminar will highlight the export and import regulatory requirements that you need to know.

Donna L. Bade’s practice is focused on trade regulation and customs law, import & export trade law, regulatory law and transportation law. Ms. Bade is a licensed customs broker and spent many years working as a customs broker and freight forwarder in Detroit, St. Louis, and Chicago prior to law school. She has lectured extensively on issues pertaining to import and export law and procedures, and has several publications on related topics. Ms. Bade is an adjunct professor at The John Marshall Law School. She also currently serves as Chairman of the Customs Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. Ms. Bade is a past president and director of the Chicago Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Hope College and her J.D. and L.L.M. in International Business and Trade from The John Marshall Law School.

Thomas E. Johnson received his B.S. degree in Economics and International Relations from the University of Utah and his J.D., cum laude, from Northwestern University Law School. He is the former president of the International Trade Club of Chicago and five-time appointee by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the Illinois District Export Council. During his 25-year career, Mr. Johnson has specialized in international trade and investment matters. Mr. Johnson speaks and reads Japanese and has been involved in a variety of licensing, distributing and joint venture agreements involving Japanese companies. In addition, he has preformed a substantial amount of counseling relating to export, import, antidumping, and unfair trade practices. He is the author of the well-known publication “Export/Import Procedures & Documentation” published by the American Management Association.