Event Calendar

Start Date: 11/7/2025 8:00 AM EST
End Date: 11/7/2025 12:20 PM EST

Venue Name: Virtual Event

Location:

 
Tenth Trade Law Fall Update—Friday, Nov. 7, 2025
Virtual Conference (Zoom link to be provided)
 
"BACK TO THE FUTURE: TRADE AND CUSTOMS LAW AND ENFORCEMENT IN 2025"
 
For exporters, importers, lawyers, and compliance professionals, 2025 has been a year of nonstop and disruptive change in tariffs, policies, and practices,  with a constant stream of announcements, events, and negotiations.  On Friday, November 7, the Tenth Annual Trade Law Fall Update will cover key need-to-know issues for the trade and customs community in the unique environment of 2025.
 
Professor Juscelino Colares and the Organizing Committee for the Trade Law Fall Update welcome you to the program, to be held online via Zoom, free of charge.
 
The morning’s discussion begins with our first panel on coping with tariffs and trade restrictions based on the content of an imported product, or how it was manufactured.  How do companies and counsel look back in supply chains, for instance, to report to Customs on origin or value of content in tariffed "derivative" products? 
 
We then shift to the timely topic of refunds—how can importers get repaid after duties change, or in the wake of litigation, and what steps to take to preserve rights to refunds?
 
The hot topics of the day in trade and Customs law will be the focus of our final morning panel, including the U.S. Supreme Court's review of IEEPA tariffs, tariff implementation and enforcement, and other issues.
 
The Hon. Leo M. Gordon, U.S. Court of International Trade Judge, will introduce public opinion expert Bruce Stokes, our keynoter, who will talk about where the American public is on the trade and tariff issues of today, and what it means for the future of trade policy and American engagement with the world.
 
Professor Colares will conclude the Update with brief closing comments. 
 
CLE credit is available upon request. 
 
Register at: https://case.edu/law/our-school/events-lectures/tenth-trade-law-fall-update-back-future-trade-and-customs-law-and-enforcement-2025

8:00-8:15 AM:  Connection via Zoom link (please refer to your pre-conference confirmation     email).  All Times are in Eastern Standard Time (EST). 

8:15-8:20 AM:  Welcome: Paul Rose, Dean and Professor of Law, Case Western Reserve University School of Law
 
8:20-8:30 AM:  Introduction: Juscelino F. Colares, Schott-van den Eynden Professor of Business Law and Professor of Political Science, CWRU School of Law
 
8:30-9:30 AM:  Panel I:   Tracing Content in Imported Products: Legal Requirements and Practical Strategies
The age of higher potential duty liability due to new and novel tariffs and forced labor concerns has prompted a renewed focus on customs enforcement, particularly relating to supply chain traceability.  This panel reviews the role of origin in duty assessments and enforcement, the sometimes-inconsistent rules of origin that apply, and the problems of proving origin and content in a globally connected supply chain.  This is often a challenge that requires planning and technology to meet, so our clients can be successful in their compliance duties.
 
Moderator:  Lawrence M. Friedman, Partner, Barnes Richardson & Colburn, LLP (Chicago)
Speakers:
Jason Kenner, Member, Sandler Travis & Rosenberg (NYC)
Barbara Kunzinger Broussard, International Trade and
   Geopolitical Risk Management Counsel, Carrier  (DC)
Beata Spuhler, Counsel, Faegre Drinker (Minneapolis)

9:30-9:40 AM: Break

9:40-10:40 AM:  Panel II:  Give Me My Money Back!  Refunds in Trade and Customs Practice
In 2025, ever-changing tariffs made duty refunds a major topic of interest for stakeholders and their clients. If the Supreme Court rules against IEEPA-based tariffs, could these tariffs be refunded, and how?  What Customs rules govern duty refunds, and how are these rules being applied where Trump reciprocal trade agreements cut tariffs retroactively?  What do importers need to do to preserve their rights to get overpaid tariffs refunded—and to avoid traps for the unwary?  How do duty refunds work in a trade remedies context?  How do contractual terms of sale such as DDP affect duty refunds?  Our panelists will address all these topics and more.
 
Moderator:  Amy Porges, Principal, Porges Trade Law PLLC (DC)
Speakers:
Matthew Nicely, Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP (DC)
Patrick C. Reed, Of Counsel, Roll & Harris, LLP (NYC)
 
10:40-10:50 AM: Break

10:50-11:35 PM:  Hot Topics in Trade and Customs Law

Moderator:  Lynn Fischer Fox, Partner, Arnold & Porter (DC)
Speakers:
Luke Tillman, General Counsel, LONGi (DC)
Richard M. Wortman, Partner, Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt, LLP (LA)
 
11:35-11:40 AM:  Introduction to Keynote Speaker: The Hon. Leo M. Gordon, U.S. Court of International Trade Judge
 
11:45 AM-12:15 PM:  Keynote Speaker:  Bruce Stokes, Visiting Fellow, German Marshall Fund
Americans have long held two views on trade: that it has boosted consumer choice and innovation, but also that it destroys jobs, lowers wages, and does not lower prices.  Bruce Stokes, expert on American public opinion, will address where the American public is now on trade, tariffs and the economy, and what this means for the future of trade policy and American economic engagement in the world.
 
12:15-12:20 PM: Closing Remarks:  Juscelino F. Colares, CWRU School of Law.