Becker’s footprint extends globally with team members advising a broad range of public and private clients located throughout North America, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. Our representation includes legal counsel to clients involved in cross-border corporate transactions and litigation, strategic governmental advocacy to multinational corporations and sovereign governments and advisory services as it relates to international customs and trade issues.
BECKER’S INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
Customs and Trade
Corporate Transactions
Cross-Border Litigation
International Government Relations
Becker’s Government Relations Team provides lobbying and advisory services to multinational corporations and sovereign governments doing business in and with the United States. The team has particularly strong experience in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. The Becker team has worked with agencies and legislative committees with direct influence and decision-making authority over foreign policy, defense, security, and related development funding and policy. Becker has strong relationships going back many years with influential Members of Congress and longstanding relationships with leadership in the Biden Administration at the White House/OMB, USDOD, STATE, DHS, USAID, USACE, and others.
Team members include former elected officials, former legislative aides to state legislators, former chiefs of staff to U.S. Congresspersons, and campaign managers for a myriad of elected officials. This first-hand working knowledge of government, at every level, provides clients with valuable insights, unparalleled access, and a deep understanding of the legislative, administrative, and regulatory processes to help navigate the maze of government. At its core, the team is diverse and bipartisan, enabling team members to work successfully on both sides of the aisle.
Meet the International Government Relations Team
Chris Berardini
cberardini@beckerlawyers.com
Chris brings clients an extensive level of experience and knowledge of the inner workings of Capitol Hill from over thirteen years spent as a Chief of Staff in the United States Congress. In this position, he formed extensive strategic coalitions with the diplomatic community and was responsible for Congressional country caucuses from the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. He has specialized relationships within the Executive Branch, including working with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Export-Import Bank, and USAID. Federally in Washington, DC, Chris currently represents the State of Qatar and has also represented the Kingdom of Morocco achieving significant trade, investment funding, and diplomatic accomplishments for them.
Omar Franco
ofranco@beckerlawyers.com
Omar co-founded Becker’s Federal Lobbying practice in 2011 and leads the DC office. He is the former Chief of Staff for Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, Senior Appropriations Committee Member who is the Ranking Member on the Infrastructure subcommittee and sits on the Defense and Foreign Operations subcommittees. Omar represents a wide variety of clients including Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, higher education institutions, trade associations, non-profit organizations, and municipal governments. In 2020, Franco was named a “Top Lobbyist” by the National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics (NILE). He has also been recognized as a “Hired Gun” in The Hill’s annual list of Top Lobbyists since 2018.
José K. Fuentes
jfuentes@beckerlawyers.com
José has over 30 years of experience working in the government and political arena at the state and local level in Florida. His clients include multinational corporations such as Hitachi, Motorola, Siemens, and Mitsubishi. He is a member of the City of Miami Mayor’s International Council and past Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Asian-American Advisory Board. Through his representation of the Consulate Generals of both Japan and Canada, José works hard to enhance and strengthen the relationship between these nations and Florida. José has received numerous recognitions including the International Governmental Relations Award by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and was recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) with a commendation for helping to strengthen the relationship between the U.S., Florida, Japan, and Latin America. José has led several delegations to Japan including coordinating a mission to Tokyo in cooperation with Miami-Dade County’s Office of International Relations as well as coordinating a transportation trip on Japanese technologies for client, Miami-Dade TPO, in junction with the US Japan Council.
Anthony Bedell
abedell@beckerlawyers.com
Anthony Bedell is a Senior Corporate and Government Relations Director in Becker’s Federal Lobbying Practice. He most recently served as the U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs, the number two governmental affairs position in the Office of Secretary Elaine L. Chao. He was originally appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs in May 2017. Politico magazine has described Anthony as an “influential lobbying firepower.” Anthony’s clients include global toll-road operator Transurban as well as Hitachi Vantara and Hitachi, Ltd.
Yolanda Cash Jackson
yjackson@beckerlawyers.com
Yolanda is an experienced Government Law shareholder who has established a strong reputation for her leadership and commitment to civic, charitable and professional organizations. A Bahamian American, she has served as a trusted pro-bono advisor to Consul Generals of The Bahamas on a host of priority matters from healthcare and educational initiatives to hurricane relief efforts over the years. Yolanda has facilitated executive roundtable discussions for Consul Generals of the Caribbean and South Florida local elected officials to strengthen trade and commerce; coordinated meetings with the Governor of Florida, Consul General, and key members of the Bahamian Parliament that resulted in a Sister Cities trip to Freeport; provided pro bono representation to the National Association of the Bahamas for Hurricane Dorian relief efforts; developed an educational initiative to provide technology resources to Nassau and Lower Bogue Eleuthera; and initiated an active research project to explore the connection between The Bahamas and Bahamian American descendants.
Clarence Williams
clwilliams@beckerlawyers.com
Clarence represents and advocates for a wide range of clients before Congress and federal executive branch agencies. Clients rely on Clarence’s policy and political acumen, gained over 15-plus years of dedicated public service, to help them navigate potential pitfalls in government regulations, procurement, and legislation. As former Chief of Staff for Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL), Clarence specialized in issues including armed services, taxation, and domestic and international trade. As lead staff for Congressman Meek on the House Armed Services Committee, he has engaged with Department of Defense leadership at all levels on issues from policy to procurement to research and development.
Amanda L. Wood
awood@beckerlawyers.com
Amanda represents municipal, corporate and nonprofit clients on matters related to transportation, economic development, natural resources, law enforcement, homeland security and social services. She previously served as Legislative Director to Senator Bob Graham (D-FL), where she was responsible for developing and implementing the Senator’s legislative agenda and strategy. Amanda’s current clients include ShotSpotter, Hitachi Vantara, NTT Data, Next Era Energy, and Genasys Corporation.
International Customs and Trade
International trade involves numerous complex laws, regulations, policies and procedures. Our team has extensive experience in the legal and policy issues governing customs law, international trade law, food and cosmetics law, product licensing and related intellectual property issues. We understand the intricate governmental processes and help our clients avoid any unnecessary difficulties or delays. If some violation may have occurred, we work closely with our clients and the governmental agency to obtain a favorable resolution as quickly as possible. Our main goal is to help our clients be as competitive as possible in today’s global marketplace.
Select International Customs and Trade Experience
- Assisted in applying and getting approval for one of the first alternative site framework applications (and many thereafter) for Port Miami’s Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) No. 281.
- Assisted importer in a “pre-compliance” program reviewing intellectual property rights prior to importation and reporting the same to CBP proactively and thereby decreasing intensive examinations and detentions of merchandise by CBP.
- Assisted importer in filing numerous successful Protests with CBP after receiving Requests for Information (CBP 28) and Notices of Action (CBP 29) from CBP for free trade agreement verification, resulting in continued duty free treatment of merchandise.
- Assisted importer in obtaining the expedited release of time sensitive cargo detained by FDA. Regularly assist importers in successfully obtaining merchandise seized by U.S. CBP.
- Assisted importer in filing voluntary disclosures to CBP for underlying violations of CBP regulations resulting in no additional penalties being assessed for violations.
- Obtained importer permits and COLA approvals for alcohol and tobacco importers with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
- Successfully mitigated penalties from CBP for an underlying intellectual property rights violation. Examples include mitigating a $4,147,823.00 penalty down to $4,000.00, and a $395,225.00 penalty down to $37,320.00.
Meet the International Customs and Trade Team
Jennifer Diaz
jdiaz@beckerlawyers.com
Jennifer Diaz is Of Counsel to the Becker law firm and a Chamber’s ranked, Board Certified International Attorney, specializing in Customs and International trade law and consulting services. Having begun her law career in 2006, Jennifer is considered a leading expert in International Law by the Florida Bar, and due to her well-respected knowledge and experience in working with the Federal agencies that regulate trade, is regularly called upon as an expert witness for a wide variety of trade issues. As an expert in matters concerning U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Jennifer regularly provides customized trainings and comprehensive programs on matters concerning import/export compliance for numerous organizations, including several Fortune 500 companies. Jennifer’s passion for trade extends beyond her legal practice, having served as President Organization for Women in International Trade (OWIT), a global organization which seeks to advance the prominence of women in global trade. Additionally, Jennifer has served as an adjunct professor where she taught International Law. Jennifer is a frequent media contributor, author, and editor of a prominent Customs and International Trade Law Blog, and author of the Top 10 Tips When Importing/Exporting.
Omar Franco
ofranco@beckerlawyers.com
Omar works extensively in the area of international trade for clients and interacts regularly with US Trade Representative (USTR), US Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and congressional committees with jurisdiction for trade. He serves as Chair of the annual CHLI Trade and International Affairs symposium which allows lawmakers and influencers to discuss timely trade issues impacting US global competitiveness.
International Corporate Transactions
Becker represents clients involved in complex cross-border transactions across the globe, including in East and Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. China represents a significant portion of the firm’s international corporate practice, with team members representing US companies with operations and activities in China, as well as Chinese enterprises that are listed or do business in the US. We have experience in a wide range of China-related matters, and assist these businesses with strategic growth options, such as private equity financing, mergers and acquisitions, and public offerings. We have frequent and regular involvement in China-related transactions, including Reverse Mergers, Alternative Public Offerings, Private Placements, PIPEs, SPACs, IPOs, and Going Private Transactions. We also have extensive connections to the investment banks, hedge funds, private equity, and venture capital that are actively engaged in transactions related to China. Team members are fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and English, and we are able to prepare documentation in these languages and liaise with local PRC counsels to address related issues and concerns.
Meet the International Corporate Transactions Team
Cross-Border Litigation
Approximately half of Becker’s attorneys are full-time litigators, experienced in a range of litigation including corporate governance, breach of contract, real estate acquisition, intellectual property (including trade secret, copyright and patent infringement), non-competition and employment agreements, employment discrimination, bankruptcy, bid protests, land use, class actions and appeals. We represent government entities, publicly traded corporations, insurance companies, financial institutions, developers, entrepreneurs, contractors, design professionals, small businesses and individuals.
Cross-Border Litigation
- Defense of luxury lighting designer, Lindsey Adelman, in a suit against several overseas entities that were using the Lindsey Adelman name and related marks in connection with the sale of imitation and counterfeit lighting products over the internet. In an important case for designers, artists, and intellectual property owners whose brands are being infringed or counterfeited over the internet, Becker won a final judgment and permanent injunction disabling the infringing websites controlled from overseas.
- Defense of former Bolivian President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada and Minister of Defense José Carlos Sánchez Berzaín in civil litigation against them concerning actions taken while in office. After a five-week jury trial, the United States District Court Judge entered judgment in favor of both defendants and ruled that no reasonable jury could find evidence sufficient to hold the former President and Defense Minister responsible for civilian deaths during violent protests in Bolivia which occurred in 2003.
- Representation of a U.S. corporation involved in the telecommunications business in Mexico who was sued by a former advisor seeking $3.8 million in success fees relating to corporate financing. Becker navigated sophisticated international financial transaction and finder’s fee regulations to address the case’s main points involving breach and anticipatory repudiation of two different contracts, as well as indemnification for attorneys’ fees, which resulted in a judgment in favor of client.
Cross-Border Litigation News
“With No Copyright Protection for Client, Broward Lawyers Created Own Road Map,” Daily Business Review
Becker Client Pays No Damages in $3.8M International Financial Transaction Claim
Without copyright protection for a client with sophisticated products showcased in places like the Smithsonian Museum, two South Florida lawyers had to rely on creative legal theories.
Their efforts paid off by convincing a New York judge to shut down online counterfeits of their client’s work. It also left a road map for future intellectual property litigators.
Becker recently achieved a resounding victory on behalf of our client – a U.S. corporation involved in the telecommunications business in Mexico – who had been sued by a former advisor seeking $3.8 million in success fees relating to a corporate financing.
