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, 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 Bricken’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.
Before joining Harris Bricken, Robert 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.
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, gardening, skiing, hiking, brushing up on his Mandarin, and Airstreaming with his wife.
More About Robert M.
Recognition/Honors
Fulbright Professional Scholar, CIDE, Mexico
Volunteer Activities
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
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
Publications
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.
The Rule of Law & Development in Mexico, Arizona Journal of International & Comparative Law, 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.
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
