Robert B. Silverman is one of the Firm’s founding members and heads the Firm’s litigation group.
Mr. Silverman routinely assists clients across a wide variety of industries in structuring import transactions to minimize customs duties, ensure regulatory compliance and eliminate penalty exposure. He represents companies during audits involving classification, valuation and eligibility under Free Trade Agreements such as NAFTA, CAFTA, AGOA, GSP, etc. He also counsels clients in connection with Customs investigations, seizures, exclusions, penalty and liquidated damages assessments. Mr. Silverman is also regarded as one of the foremost footwear classification experts in the United States and has been involved in all major footwear controversies affecting imports for over 30 years.
Prior to entering into private practice, Mr. Silverman served as a trial attorney in the Customs Section of the Civil Division of the US Department of Justice where he represented US Customs in proceedings before the Court of International Trade, Federal District Courts, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
EXPERIENCE
AUTHOR
– “Double Jeopardy Provisions of New York Criminal Procedure Law-Variations on a Federal Theme,” Brooklyn Law Review (1972)
– “Impeachment of Credibility by Previous Convictions – U.S. v. Follette,” Copyright Brooklyn Law Review (1972)
– “An Analysis of the Customs Regulations Regarding Custom Brokers,” Copyright (1987)
– Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, Customs Section (1972-1976)
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
– NY/NJ Foreign Freight Forwarders and Brokers Association, Counsel
– Customs and International Trade Bar Association
BAR ASSOCIATIONS
– New York State Bar Association
– American Bar Association
COURT ADMISSIONS
– US District Court for the Eastern District of New York (1974)
– US District Court for the Southern District of New York (1986)
– US Court of International Trade (1982)
– US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (1982)
– Supreme Court of the US (July 12 1996)
STATE BAR MEMBERSHIPS
– New York (1973)
EDUCATION
– Brooklyn Law School
 J.D. cum laude (1972)
– Member, Brooklyn Law Review
– Brooklyn College of the City University of New York B.S. (1969)