Jennifer Diaz is a Board Certified International Attorney who is considered an “expert” in international law by the Florida Bar. She joins an elite group of Board Certified International attorneys in Florida and is among the youngest attorneys to accomplish this feat. She leads the Firm's Customs and International Trade practice assisting clients with issues relating to the import and export of merchandise to and from the United States.
Ms. Diaz is experienced working with the many Federal agencies including the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulating trade. She handles issues relating to proper FDA labeling to registration requirements and entry procedures for cosmetic, over the counter drug, dietary supplements and medical device products; FDA voluntary recalls; classification of goods; antidumping matters; scope ruling requests; seizures, forfeitures, and mitigation of fines and penalties; Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT); trademark recordation and infringement. She has also successfully drafted Protests, Prior Disclosures, CBP Binding Ruling Requests, Freedom of Information Act Requests, and responses to CBP's Request for Information (CF 28) and Notices of Action (CF 29).
Notable Client Accomplishments:
- Assisted importer clients in obtaining the release of cargo that was either detained or seized by CBP.
- Substantially mitigated or cancelled either liquidated damages or penalties imposed on importer clients from CBP.
- Negotiated settlement agreements for the release of seized cargo with federal government agencies including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- Mitigated penalties assessed from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for alleged violations of Cuban Embargo.
- Obtained importer permits for alcohol and tobacco importers with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
Customs and international trade law has been Ms. Diaz's exclusive focus since law school. She interned in the Firm's Customs and International Trade Department during law school and practiced law at Becker & Poliakoff upon graduation. She also gained valuable experience as a Senior Associate with KPMG's Trade and Customs practice in Miami working with Fortune 500 companies to: develop large scale compliance programs for consumer products under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA); create importer policy and procedure manuals and assisted importers with binding ruling request submissions.
Awards & Recognition
- Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Model Star Award, 2012
- Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2012
- Becker & Poliakoff, Community Service Award, 2012
- OWIT (Organization of Women in International Trade), International Member of the Year, 2011 and International Chapter of the Year, 2011
- LatinBiz Woman of Virtue Award, 2011
Presentations
- Bogota, Colombia, Enterprise Florida Trade Mission with the Governor, “Top 10 Tips for Compliance When Exporting to the U.S.,” December 2, 2012.
- Miami, Florida, American Bar Association, International Law Section, Fall Meeting, Moderate Port Miami Tour and Discussion with Port Directors, October 16, 2012.
- Miami, Florida, Miami Dade College, “Hispanic Executive Forum,” October 11, 2012
- Washington DC, CHLI Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, Trade & International Affairs Symposium, “Trade – Challenges and Opportunities,” October 1, 2012
- Miami, Florida, Daily Business Review, Corporate Counsel Summit September 7, 2012
- Miami Beach, Florida, FIME, “How to Effectively Resolve Typical U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CBP Issues for Medical Devices,” August 8, 2012
- Miami Beach, Florida, "How to Solve U.S. Customs Issues When Importing From China,” China Sourcing Fair, July 11, 2012
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida, , “Expanding Your International Footprint,” Presented by UPS, June 5, 2012
- Tampa, Florida, “Free Trade Agreements,” International Trade Certification Program of the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida, May 1, 2012
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Power Business Presentation: “Business has no Borders” Going International, Women’s Power Caucus, April 28, 2012.
- Miami, Florida, “Free Trade - Colombia, Korea & Panama: The Competitive Advantage of the New Free Trade Agreements,” Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, April 11, 2012.
- Miami, Florida, Young Women's Preparatory Academy, March 28, 2012
- Washington, DC, “Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) on Surgical Instruments from Pakistan,” Department of Commerce, March 1, 2012.
- Miami, Florida, “Top 10 Tips When Importing to Ensure Compliance,” Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT-South Florida), February 28, 2012.
- Miami, Florida, "U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trends For Importers and Exporters: What You Need to Know," Economic Development and International Trade Unit Sustainability, Planning and Economic Enhancement (SPEE) Department, February 22, 2012.
- Online Webinar, “Importing into the U.S. in Compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” Compliance Online, January 27, 2012.
- Doral, Florida, “Expanding Your International Footprint,” Presented by UPS and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, November 8, 2011.
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida, “Importing Food Products in Compliance with FDA,” Presented by the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development, September 21, 2011.
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida, “2011 Export Readiness Seminar" - U.S. Regulations, Presented by the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development, September 20, 2011.
- Orlando, Florida, “Using Technology and other Tactics to Grow Your Business Internationally," Go For the Greens, September 16, 2011.
- Miami, Florida, “Practical Tools for Trade in the Food Industry,” Presented by the Office of Economic Development & International Trade of Miami-Dade County, September 7, 2011.
- Hollywood, Florida, “How to grow your business through International Trade,” Regional Small Business Conference and Boot camp Presented by the City of Hollywood, Florida, May 19, 2011.
- Tampa, Florida, “Complying With U.S. Export Controls, Fundamentals of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR),” Presented by the U.S. Commercial Service, March 22, 2011.
- Miramar, Florida, “Health, Wealth and Entrepreneurship Women's Conference 2011,” Entrepreneurship Track, Ana G. Méndez University System, March 10, 2011.
- Miami, Florida, “FDA 2011 Update," Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association (FCBF) Legal Seminar Series, February 2, 2011.
- Miami, Florida, “Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) Compliance and Best Practices," Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association (FCBF) Legal Seminar Series, June 16, 2010.
- Miami, Florida, “Importing Food Products in Compliance with FDA and U.S. Customs Rules,” Becker & Poliakoff and the Jay Malina International Trade Consortium (ITC), June 3, 2010
- Tampa, Florida, “Free Trade Agreements,” International Trade Certification Program of the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida, May 12, 2010
- Miami, Florida, “Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) & Department of Transportation (DOT) Vehicle & Engine Compliance and Best Practices," Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association (FCBF) Legal Seminar Series, February 17, 2010.
- Miami Beach, Florida, “How to Effectively Resolve Typical U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Issues for Medical Devices,” FIME International Medical Expo – Miami Beach Convention Center, August 14, 2009.
- Miami, Florida, Effectively Managing Global Trade, “New U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Billion Dollar Settlement; Is Your Company in Compliance,?” hosted by KPMG, LLC and OWIT-South Florida, Miami Free Zone, February 25, 2009.
- Miami Beach, Florida, IFE Americas - 10th Americas Food and Beverage Show, FDA & You: Food & Beverages Importing Regulations (Food Focus: Organics, Beverage Focus: Energy & Functional), October 29 & 30, 2007
- Orlando, Florida, "FDA AND YOUR FOOD SAFETY, Best Practices for Importing Food, Dietary Supplements, and Medical Devices," Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association (FCBF), September 11, 2007
- Boca Raton, Florida, "International Trade Agreements and Regulations," Florida Atlantic Region of Hadassah, April 18, 2007
Activities & Memberships
- Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT-South Florida), President 2010-2011, Treasurer 2007-2009, Board of Directors 2006-2009
- Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, Education Committee 2009-2011, Membership Committee 2006-2008.
- Appointed to American Bar Association, International Section, Young Lawyers Network, Vice-Chair, 2010-2012,
Customs Committee, Steering Group, 2010-2012, International Trade Committee, Vice-Chair, 2011-2012, Steering Group, 2010-2011
- Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Miami Participant, 2009-2010
- Florida Bar, International Law Section, Customs Committee and Steering Committee for International Law Sections Fall Meeting
- Cuban Hebrew Congregation, Board of Directors
- Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Leadership Development Institute (LDI)
Press
Awards
- 2012, AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- 2012, Becker & Poliakoff, “Community Service” Award
- 2012, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, “Model Star” Award
- 2012, Super Lawyers, Rising Stars List
- 2011, OWIT Member of the Year
- 2011, OWIT Chapter of the Year
- 2011, latinbiz Women of Virtue Award