• We know that legal action can sometimes be overwhelming. We are dedicated to providing you help in language that you can understand. If you don't feel like you understand your options, just ask, and we will work to find an explanation that works for you. The firm specializes in Customs and International Trade Law, Food and Drug Law and Other Federal and State Agency Matters that affect importations into the United States; the firm's scope also includes matters before the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Consumer Product Safety Commission and California Agencies - including Proposition 65 cases.

• Mr. Cooper first worked for a San Francisco-Washington D.C.-based Customs and International Trade firm (Martindale Hubbell A-V rated) representing importers before federal agencies regulating imported products. There he also handled numerous cases before the Court of International Trade (New York-based) and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Washington, D.C.-based). He later became a member of the Customs and International Trade firm of Horton, Whiteley and Cooper (Martindale Hubbell A-V rated) as an attorney-owner handling the same regulatory and litigation matters for this Oakland-Newport Beach, California, group.

• Under the current firm structure, Mr. Cooper continues to represent importers of all sizes and locations. He has a strong background in food, agriculture, textile, toy and technology cases, but handles all matters which involve regulation of imported merchandise.  The firm's caseload includes seizures, fines, penalties, FDA matters and Customs classification issues as well as other import-related matters.  Mr. Cooper regularly consults with Customs brokers on Customs and business matters, as well as broker regulatory issues. He has handled product recalls, advised importers on California's Proposition 65 and has successfully litigated reported cases in the Court of International Trade, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the federal district courts in California. 

• Every attempt is made to evaluate each client's representation from an economic standpoint before embarking on drawn-out proceedings before a regulatory agency or a court. Sometimes there are simple solutions to problems and often matters can be handled for a flat fee - thus avoiding problems inherent in hourly billing.  In other situations, however, the billable hour is the fairest and most practical fee structure for resolving legal issues. Therefore, both systems are used in the practice.

The firm offers aggressive and experienced representation in all import matters involving federal and state agencies. Our services include: 

1. Customs and Border Protection matters including tariff classification and value questions
2. Food and Drug Administration matters ("automatic detention," liquidated damages, recalls, drug claims, investigations, reconditioning and conditional release issues)
3. Department of Agriculture ("DOA") (imports of merchandise under DOA jurisdiction, including egg, chicken and meat products)
4. Country of origin marking 
5. Fines and penalties
6. Seizures (petitions and the filing of claims and bonds after a seizure of your property has occurred)
7. Quota issues
8. Use of foreign trade zones and Customs bonded warehouses
9. Liquidated damage claims
10. Entry of merchandise under tariff items 9801 and 9802 and other special tariff provisions
11. Problems encountered by Customs brokers (including planning, penalties and licensing issues)
12. Issues arising under the Generalized System of Preferences and all U.S. free trade agreements
13. Compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
14. Advice on compliance with California's Proposition 65