“Detail-oriented trade compliance counsel delivering practical, results-driven solutions for importers, exporters, brokers and manufacturers facing U.S. customs enforcement, litigation, and regulatory challenges.”
- Miami, FL
- [email protected]
- 202-518-6315
Denise is a bilingual (Spanish/English) attorney who has exclusively practiced Customs and International Trade Law since admission to the Florida Bar in 2017. Cross-trained across 40+ federal agencies, she specializes in:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) matters: tariff classification, valuation, country of origin/marking, C-TPAT, protests, enforcements, prior disclosures, seizures, penalties, and trade remedy.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory compliance and enforcement defense.
- Multi-agency import/export compliance: DHS, TTB, FTC, CPSC, FCC, USDA, and related administrative proceedings.
- Court of International Trade (CIT) litigation: Appeared as counsel in CIT cases, including IEEPA tariff refund actions.
She represents foreign and domestic manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, and customs brokers in compliance audits, penalty mitigation, voluntary disclosures, and strategic litigation. Denise’s work also includes advising on trade remedies under Sections 122, 232 and 301, free trade agreement eligibility, and enforcement actions pursued by CBP and other partner government agencies. She has significant experience in developing and implementing internal compliance programs designed to enhance trade compliance and minimize exposure to penalties.
Denise is an active contributor to industry discussions on trade enforcement and customs modernization. She is particularly adept at translating complex regulatory requirements into clear and practical guidance for clients.
Recent Highlights
- CIT IEEPA Tariff Litigation: Second chair on multiple filings challenging unlawful IEEPA tariffs, advising clients on protests, refunds, and potential CIT consolidation post-CAFC mandate in V.O.S. Selections.
- Active Thought Leadership: Regular commentator on tariff developments, including SCOTUS/CAFC rulings on presidential tariff authority and importer strategies for refunds.
- CBP Enforcement Trends (2025–2026): Guiding clients on rising broker penalties, e-Allegations program expansion, and 2026 trade enforcement outlook.
Leadership and Community
- Trade and Cargo Security Summit (TCSS): Represented OFW at CBP’s annual Trade and Cargo Security Summit, engaging with officials on global supply chain challenges.
- The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade: Former Vice Chair and Secretary (2020–2026), advancing women/girls’ leadership, health, safety via grantmaking and advocacy.
- United Nations: Adviser to Holy See Mission at UN General Assembly (Third Committee, 2015) on trade, women’s advancement, and crime prevention.
Denise’s Insights & Articles
- Heightened Trade Enforcement Makes Customs Brokers More Vulnerable to Penalties, International Trade Today, Feb. 19, 2026.
- Base Metals CEE Releases Updated Guidance on Steel and Aluminum Content Reporting, International Trade Today, Feb. 11, 2026.
- CBP Adopting Tighter Restrictions on Section 232 Steel/Aluminum Content, Despite Lack of Guidance, International Trade Today, Dec. 11, 2025.
- Co-Author, Bloomberg Law, INCOTERMS 2020, June 3, 2021.
- Co-Author, Bloomberg Law, U.S. CUSTOMS TARGETS USE OF FORCED LABOR, Jan. 21, 2021
- Co-Author, Bloomberg Law, USMCA IMPORT CONSIDERATIONS FOR PRACTITIONERS, JUNE, 2020.
- Co-Author, Bloomberg Law, PPE IMPORTS DURING COVID-19, April, 2020
- Co-Author, Bloomberg Law, USDA and CBP Combat Non-Compliant WPM, January 7, 2020.
- Co-Author, Diaz, J. and Calle, D., 2020. Export Laws. In: Int’l Law Deskbook 2020. Tallahassee: The Int’l Law Section of The Florida Bar, pp.33-54.
- Co-Author, Diaz, J. and Calle, D., 2020. Trade Laws. In: Int’l Law Deskbook 2020. Tallahassee: The Int’l Law Section of The Florida Bar, pp.55-64.
- Co-Author, Diaz, J. and Calle, D., 2020. Customs Laws. In: Int’l Law Deskbook 2020. Tallahassee: The Int’l Law Section of The Florida Bar, pp.73-100.
- Co-Author, Diaz, J. and Calle, D., 2020. Customs Laws. In: Int’l Law Deskbook 2020. Tallahassee: The Int’l Law Section of The Florida Bar, pp.73-100.
- Florida Bar, News and Notes, available at Florida Bar News & Journal Search – The Florida Bar
- Daily Camera, June 8, 2017, available at Boulder’s Stashlogix, maker of pot carrying cases, under fire as feds confiscate product – Boulder Daily Camera.
- Avoiding Regulatory Landmines in Recall Situations
- Regulatory Wilde Ride for Meat, Poultry Could Continue in 2018
- RTE Products and Appendix A - Updated Compliance Guideline
Contact Denise to discuss your customs compliance, enforcement defense, or CIT litigation needs.
Practice Areas
- Customs and Related Import/Export Requirements
- Dietary Supplements
- Due Diligence
- Executive and Regulatory Advocacy
- Farm Bill
- FDA Food Law and Food Safety
- Food Labeling and Advertisement
- Food Recalls
- Food Service, Restaurants & Retailers
- Facility Registration
- Supply Chain
- Trade Associations
- Trade Remedies and ITC Investigations
- Trade Policy and Regulations
- APHIS PPQ Permits
- FDA Investigations and Enforcement
- FTC Investigations and Enforcement
- Seafood HACCP Compliance
- FDA Import Issues
- + Many More
- Advise importers and exporters with U.S. federal regulatory compliance.
- Obtained record time releases by advocating for clients to expedite the release of time-sensitive cargo after delays/detentions/holds by CBP, FDA, CPSC, and EPA by strategizing, executing, and escalating within supervisory levels.
- Obtain one-on-one meetings with headquarter level federal government representatives to secure expedited exemptions and alternative pathways for importation and compliance.
- Secure written compliance confirmation or exemptions from CBP, FDA, EPA, CPSC, and other government agencies for importers and/or manufacturers.
- Recover seized property (including currency) by filing petitions for remission with CBP to avoid forfeiture of imported merchandise and mitigate potential penalties.
- Successful negotiations with Intellectual Property Rights holders by obtaining consent to import CBP detain merchandise post importation resulting in an entry release.
- Strategically respond to country of origin marking enforcement actions (CBP Form 4647), responding to CBP Requests for Information (CBP Form 28)/ Notices of Action (CBP Form 29) for FTA verification, GSP validations, etc.
- Prevent CBP from pursuing penalty actions against clients by strategically assisting in drafting and submitting a prior disclosure to CBP.
- Mitigate CBP liquidated damages claims and penalties.
- Proactively obtain CBP binding rulings for clients for confirmation on classification, country of origin marking, FTA eligibility, and complex prospective transactions, including U.S. Goods Returned and dutiable repairs.
- Analyze the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule for product classifications and tariff engineering duty savings opportunities.
- Obtain a Foreign Trade Zone approval from Port Miami and activation with CBP.
- Conduct CTPAT applications, validations, yearly updates, and training programs. Successfully Protest CBP AD/CVD bill statements and Protest CBP liquidated entries for refunds of Section 301 tariffs.
- Assist domestic importers navigate and participate in CBP’s Enforce and Protect Act of 2015 (EAPA) investigations.
- Obtain Import Alert removals.
- Provide guidance on U.S. food labeling requirements.
- Support clients in performing voluntary FDA recalls of food and OTC drug products.
- Advise client with pre-compliance guidance on medical device classification and product code and analysis.
- Assist clients in responding to FDA enforcement actions via ITACs, including, but not limited to, FDA Notice of Actions, refused merchandise, responding to warning letters, and submissions of Form FDA 766 for reconditioning of detained merchandise.
- Organize and draft import policies and procedures manual for OTC and cosmetic importers.
- Obtain TTB wholesaler or importer permits for alcoholic beverages.
- Obtain scope rulings from the Department of Commerce.
- Assist in Anti-dumping/Countervailing order determinations.
Past Experience
News & Insights
Credentials
Education
J.D., St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, Florida
B.A., University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Bar Admissions
State Bar of Florida
Court Admissions
U.S. Dist. Court - Southern District of Florida
U.S. Court of International Trade
U.S. Court of International Trade