“I draw on my domestic and overseas legal experience, specialized expertise on both the practice and policy sides of the international trade equation, and capacity for interdisciplinary analysis of either a qualitative or quantitative nature to help importers, exporters, brokers, forwarders, and sureties navigate the compliance, enforcement, and facilitation issues which characterize the contemporary trade environment.”
- Washington, DC
- rkossick@ofwlaw.com
- (202) 518-6334
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 split between the United States and Latin America, Robert brings seasoned, specialized, and multicultural know-how and perspective to the analysis and resolution of customs and trade issues.
As a member of OFW’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.
Robert has, over the course of his legal career, practiced customs and trade law with a Fortune 50 corporation, worked as an attorney/foreign legal consultant with law firms in the U.S. and Mexico, served as a trade policy analyst under former U.S. Trade Representative Bill Brock, and provided trade consulting/advisory services for the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Washington District Export Council (DEC), and a leading digital supply chain and logistics platform. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Robert worked as a credit analyst with a large commercial bank, conducted original and independent archaeological fieldwork under the auspices of the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, and served as an infantryman in the United States Marine Corps.
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, woodworking, gardening, skiing, trekking, and Airstreaming with his wife.
Leadership & Community
- Member, Washington District Export Council (DEC), U.S. Department of Commerce
- Member, Board of Directors, Global Sanctions Training Foundation
- Guest Lecturer, University of Washington School of Law
- Case Study Author, National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America
- Mentor, IPS Mentorship Program, Washington State Bar Association
- Member, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Region Alert Working Group, U.S. CBP
- Editor, International Law Deskbook (2nd Edition), International Law Section, The Florida Bar
- Chair, International Law Deskbook Committee, International Law Section, The Florida Bar
- Chair, Board Certification Committee, International Law Section, The Florida Bar
- Judge, Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, Mexico, DF
- Volunteer, Catholic Charities/San Antonio Legal Services Advocacy, San Antonio, TX
- Volunteer, Refugee Aid Project, San Antonio, TX
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistant, Colonia of El Cenizo, TX
- Volunteer Mediator, Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center, San Antonio, TX
- Volunteer, Toys for Tots, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, New Orleans, LA
- Commissioner, Planning and Zoning Commission, New Braunfels, TX
- Commissioner, Historical Landmark Commission, New Braunfels, TX
- Member, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, New Braunfels, TX
News & Insights
Recommended Strategy for Importers on 2025 IEEPA Tariff Refunds
On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued a pivotal decision affecting importers seeking refunds of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
President Trump’s Executive Order (EO), “Increasing Medical Marijuana And Cannabidiol Research,” May Benefit The Cannabis Industry, But Alone, Does Not Reschedule Marijuana
Today, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO), Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research. While the EO is being widely hailed as a significant advancement
CF‑28/29 Enforcement: What Importers Are Seeing Now on IEEPA and Steel/Aluminum Tariffs
In recent months, there has been a noticeable shift in how U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is handling Requests for Information (CF‑28) and Notices
Past Experience
- Import Facilitation, Compliance, and Enforcement
- Export Controls & Economic Sanctions
Credentials
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.)
Tulane University (BS/Anthropology; BA English Literature)
Professional Certifications
- Board Certified Specialist, International Law (trade track), The Florida Bar
- Licensed Customs Broker, Port of Miami, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Certified Export Specialist, NCBFAA
- Subject Matter Expert Consultant Designation, OnFrontiers
- Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- Certified Mediator, A.A. White Dispute Resolution Institute, University of Houston
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
- The Florida Bar
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of International Trade
Articles
- Customs and Trade Law, in The International Law Deskbook, The Florida Bar, forthcoming.
- The 2026 USMCA Joint Review and the Future of North American Trade Integration, The International Law Quarterly, The Florida Bar, 2025
- The Greening of Trade, The International Law Quarterly, The Florida Bar, 2024.
- Beyond WROs, CAATSA, and UFLPA: Completing the Forced Labor Compliance Picture at Home and Abroad, Bloomberg Law, 2024.
- Forced Labor Reviews in Mexico, The International Law Quarterly, The Florida Bar, 2023
- Nearshoring to Mexico: The Opportunities, Challenges, and Key Questions to Ask, Bloomberg Law, 2023.
- UFLPA Compliance Practice Pointers, Bloomberg Law, 2023.
- The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and U.S. SMEs, Bloomberg Law, 2023.
- Navigating Tough Copyright Issues in International Trade, Law360, 2022.
- Managing Trademarks in the U.S. Customs Regulatory Environment, Law360, 2022.
- 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.
- Citizen Access and Professional Responsibility in the Mexican Justice System, in Reforming the Administration of Justice in Mexico, University of Notre Dame Press, 2007.
- 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, 2003.
- Le Ejecución de Sentencias en México: Perspectivas Cuantitativas y Cualitativas del Poder Judicial y de la Profesión Legal, Juez (Consejo de la Judicatura Federal), 2003.
- E-Governance & Mexico’s Developmental Objectives, Canadian Chamber News, 2002.
- E-Governance in Mexico, Mexican Forecast, 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.
Speaking Engagements
- Panelist, Trade and Tariff Forum, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, 2025
- Panelist, Trade Policy in A New Administration: Looking Ahead to the Next Four Years, State Bar of Wisconsin Annual Meeting and Conference, 2025
- Webinar, U.S. Sanctions Compliance for the Tech Industry, Nova Ukraine and the Consulate General of Ukraine, 2025
- Panelist, Navigating Tariffs: A Canadian and Global Perspective, Miller Thomson/Vancouver, 2025
- Panelist, Navigating Tariffs: A Canadian and Global Perspective, Miller Thomson/Toronto, 2025
- Panelist, Navigating Tariffs: A Canadian and Global Perspective, Miller Thomson/Montreal, 2025
- Panelist, China-North America Trade and Investment: Evolving Perspectives and Practices, New Challenges and Opportunities, American Chamber of Commerce in Canada, 2025
- Guest Lecture, U.S. Import Policy & Practice, University of Washington School of Law, 2025
- Webinar, Mexico Manufacturing and Trade Operations: A Discussion of the Opportunities and Challenges Arising Under the USMCA, Content Enablers, 2024
- Webinar, Nearshoring Business Operations from China to Mexico: Legal, Due Diligence, and Risk Considerations, Strafford, 2024
- Webinar, Protecting and Enforcing Trademarks and Copyrights in International Trade, Celesq, 2024
- Webinar, The Customs and Trade Dimensions of Nearshoring to Mexico, Content Enablers, 2024
- Guest Lecture, U.S. Import Policy & Practice, University of Washington School of Law, 2024
- Panelist, Geopolitical Impacts to Trade Flows, NCBFAA/G-TEC, 2024
- Webinar, Forced Labor in North American Supply Chains: What’s New?, Content Enablers, 2024
- Panelist, The Impact of a Changing World Order on International Business: The Role of Counsel in Helping Companies Navigate Great Power Competition, Trade Protectionism, Economic Nationalism, and Reglobalization, iLaw Conference, The Florida Bar, 2024
- Panelist, Globalization 2.0: Mexico, Vietnam, and India, The University of Washington International Law Journal Symposium: A Critical Examination of Decoupling, 2024
- Panelist, Nearshoring to Mexico: The Trade and Investment Framework, GlobalAutoIndustry.com-Harris Sliwoski Series on Nearshoring to Mexico, 2023
- Podcast Interview, Forced Labor in Comparative Perspective, Six Days in Suez, 2023
- Podcast Interview, Forced Labor from a SME Perspective, Simply Trade, 2023
- Webinar, Managing Forced Labor Risk from a SME Perspective, NCBFAA, 2023
- Webinar, Nearshoring 360, International Law Section of The Florida Bar, 2023
- Webinar, Managing Forced Labor Risk in the Contemporary Trade Environment, Content Enablers, 2023
- Webinar, Navegando Verificaciones de Origen T-MEC (USMCA), Rivadeneyra Treviño y del Campo, 2023
- Webinar, Analyzing Forced Labor Networks, BITE, 2023
- Presentation, E-Commerce Best Practices from a Trade Perspective, Independent Retailers Conference/Fashiondex, 2023
- Presentation, Nearshoring to Mexico, Independent Retailers Conference/Fashiondex, 2023
- Webinar, Of Particular Import: Protecting Brands from Infringing Imports, Alt Legal, 2023
- Webinar, Managing Trademarks: Key Points for the Automotive Sector, Global Auto Industry, 2023
- Webinar, Exporting to the United States: Challenges and Opportunities from a Sri Lankan Perspective, Sudath Perera Associates, 2023
- Webinar, Navigating RASAs, NCBFAA, 2023
- Webinar, Leaving China for Mexico: The Challenges and Opportunities of Nearshoring, WSBA, 2023
- Guest Lecture, U.S. Import Policy & Practice, University of Washington School of Law, 2023
- Webinar, The Pros and Cons of Leaving China and Nearshoring to Mexico, NCBFAA, 2022
- Panelist, Protecting Your Company in the U.S.-Philippine Trade Context, FPACC, 2022
- Guest Lecture, U.S. Import Policy & Practice, University of Washington School of Law, 2022
- Webinar, Importing 101: What Every Lawyer Should Know, WSBA, 2022
- Guest Lecture, The Rule of Law & Development in Mexico, Tulane University Law School, 2004
- Presentation, The Role of Information & Communications Technology in Strengthening Citizen Participation & Shaping Democracy: An Analysis of Mexico’s Initial Experience & Pending Challenges, World Bank, 2003
- Presentation, Modernizing Mexico’s Tax Administration: The Development & Implementation of the e-SAT, Inter-American Bar Association (La Federación Interamericana de Abogados), 2003
- Presentation, Transparencia y las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación: Un Análisis Sobre el Estado Actual de los Portales de la APF, CIDE-Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), 2003
- Presentation, Los Desarrollos y Retos de Gobierno Electrónico en México, CIDE Telecommunications Research Program, 2003
- Presentation, Mexico’s Emerging E-Government Program: The Role of the Internet in Promoting Economic Development, Democratic Governance, and The Rule of Law, Inter-American Bar Association, 2002
- Presentation, El Sistema Nacional e-México, The World Bank, 2002
- Presentation, The Protection of Intellectual Property Rights in Digital Content in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, University of Miami Inter-American Law Review Symposium, 2002
- Presentation, The Current State of Contract Formation in the United States: The UCC, CISG & UCITA, Universidad Panamericana, 2001
- Presentation, Litigation in Mexican Courts, American Bar Association, 1999
- Presentation, Mexico’s Foreign Investment Law, International Trade Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, 1998