Join us for a timely update on the evolving Customs and Border Protection (CBP) landscape surrounding the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). As enforcement actions, refund opportunities, CAPE filings, valuation questions, and operational expectations continue to shift, trade professionals are being asked to navigate increasing complexity with limited guidance.
This webinar will break down the latest developments, practical filing considerations, emerging risks, and key lessons learned from early industry activity. We’ll discuss how companies are approaching claims management, broker coordination, documentation strategies, and executive decision-making in an environment where trade compliance, finance, and operations must work together quickly and strategically.
Whether you are evaluating refund opportunities, awaiting refunds, managing historical exposure, or preparing your organization for what comes next, this session will provide actionable insights to help your team respond with confidence.
OUR PANELISTS
Erik Smithweiss
Partner, GDLSK.
Erik D. Smithweiss represents clients on issues before U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Commerce, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Food & Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission and other agencies that regulate the international trade in goods. His practice involves import restrictions, rules of origin, preferential trade agreements, marking and labeling, valuation, tariff classification, antidumping and countervailing duty compliance, Fish & Wildlife restrictions, and similar matters. Mr. Smithweiss’ practice includes export controls and sanction programs administered by various agencies. Mr. Smithweiss represents clients in all areas of customs import/export procedure and administration, such as audits, investigations, False Claims Act litigation, penalties, judicial and administrative forfeiture proceedings, compliance programs, administrative rulings and litigation.
Mr. Smithweiss is one of several trial attorneys in the firm and appears regularly in matters before the U.S. Court of International Trade, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and federal district courts. He is the author of “A Race To The Courthouse?: Jurisdiction Over Customs Admissibility Decisions,” 21 Tul. J. Int’l & Comp. L. 291 (2013).
Vince Iacopella
Chief Strategy Officer, Alba
Vince Iacopella is a licensed Customs Broker and past president of the Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association. He’s now Chairman of the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders. In March 2013, he was appointed to the 13th Commercial Customs Advisory Committee for Customs and Border Protection, better known as COAC.
Vince served on the 14th COAC as Trade Co-Chair. While on COAC, Vince worked on customs broker regulations, automation of trade data in ACE, and e-commerce Sec 321 de minimus policy. Vince serves as the Los Angeles Vice Chair of the District Export Council of Southern Council, and is on the Board of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Vince is also on the Board of Governors of the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI).
At Alba, Vince works on growth strategy initiatives that drive value to Alba’s mid-market and global customers. Vince focuses collaboration with US Government agencies, such as the COAC, which allows the trade to influence CBP policy and align it to the commercial interests of the private sector.
Adam Lees
VP of Customs Brokerage, Alba
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Adam Lees has been a Licensed Customs Broker since 1997 and has been actively working in the International Logistics industry for 30+ years. Adam began working in the finance department of a Swiss freight forwarder in 1993 and in 1996 passed the broker’s exam. Since then, Adam has held several positions in the logistics industry including Import and Branch Managers, District Manager, and US Customs Product Manager for multiple freight forwarders and customs brokers. He has worked in ports of all sizes – Hartford, CT; Rochester, NY; Orlando, FL, and JFK.
As the VP of Customs Brokerage for Alba Wheels Up, based in Valley Stream, NY, Adam has direct oversight over the company’s Customs Brokerage operations. As with his previous roles, he is also the Customs Brokerage liaison with Alba’s software vendors.
Adam currently serves as the vice chair of the Regulatory Agency Committee and is a member on multiple NCBFAA committees including the Customs Committee and several sub-committees.
Adam obtained his bachelor’s degree in international business at the University of Vermont.
