William Outman primarily handles foreign trade matters, particularly those involving tariff and trade issues arising in the context of import transactions, unfair trade practices and export controls. He has represented both domestic and foreign clients in dealing with US Customs & Border Protection on issues of customs classification and valuation, country of origin, marking, enforcement, transfer pricing, post-entry audits and related matters. Mr. Outman sits on the Steering Committee of the Joint Industry Group, a coalition of trade associations, multinational corporations and professional firms with interests in international trade, including both import and export activities and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Georgetown University International Trade Update. He is on the Board of Trustees and serves as Secretary of the Historical Society of the Court of International Trade, the Chairman ex officio of the Court of International Trade’s Advisory Committee and Past President of the Customs and International Trade Bar Association.

Practice Focus

Mr. Outman has represented client interests before the International Trade Commission, the US Trade Representative, the Treasury Department and Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security, and is a frequent litigator in the Court of International Trade and Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He participated in the drafting of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 and the Omnibus Drug Enforcement, Education and Control Act of 1986. He also actively participated in the drafting of the Customs Modernization Act, which was enacted as Title VI of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.

Representative Legal Matters

• Represented one of the 10 largest US importers in the resolution by means of a USD2 Million offer in compromise of a proposed penalty action in which Customs & Border Protection was seeking the imposition of claims for duty restoration (USD16 million) and penalties in excess of USD60 Million.
• Acted for a major US exporter in the filing of Voluntary Self Disclosures with the Department of Commerce resulting in the closing by the Department of further inquiries as to culpability on the part of the exporter.
• Represented major computer companies in the favorable disposition in the Court of International Trade and, on appeal, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, of classification disputes involving significant duty claims.
• Conducted internal audit investigations with several clients that resulted either in the filing of Prior Disclosures with Customs & Border Protection or providing management with assurances that the internal compliance program would satisfy in full the company's need to exercise "reasonable care" in the discharge of its obligations under the Customs laws and regulations.

Professional Associations and Memberships

• District of Columbia Bar
• Bar Association of the District of Columbia
• Customs and International Trade Bar Association
• Court of International Trade Advisory Committee

Admission

New York~United States (1999)
U.S. Supreme Court~United States (1970)
U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit~United States (1970)
U.S. Court of International Trade~United States (1967)
U.S. District Court, District of Columbia~United States (1966)

Education

Georgetown University  (LL.M. Taxation) (1968)
Georgetown University  (J.D.) (1965)
Washington and Lee University  (B.S. Business Administration) (1962)