Nicolas Guzman

Partner

Overview

Nicolas Guzman counsels clients in all aspects of international trade laws and regulations. Nick has extensive experience in import, trade compliance and international customs issues, including maquiladora manufacturing operations in Mexico. He assists clients with import tariff classification, valuation, country of origin determination and marking issues, and eligibility determinations under free trade agreements and duty preference programs.

Import Operations

Nick assists clients with establishing import operations, from the development of internal controls through the planning and execution of post-entry audit processes. He also conducts compliance reviews of existing customs practices, including the enhancement of customs procedures and training company personnel on import-related topics.

Customs Investigations and Trade Compliance

Nick represents clients undergoing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)-focused assessments and penalty investigations. He has significant experience drafting prior disclosures, prepenalty petitions, mitigation petitions, ruling requests on various issues and formal protests relating to the importation of merchandise into the United States.

International Trade

Nick regularly assists clients with international customs compliance issues. He has significant experience with customs compliance requirements for maquiladora manufacturing operations in Mexico, as well as with tariff classification and country of origin determinations worldwide.

Nick is fluent in Spanish and has conducted compliance reviews in Latin America and has provided Spanish-language training and advice to company personnel.

Representative Matters

  • Represented a manufacturing company in the administrative challenge of a tariff classification determination before U.S. Customs and Border Protection headquarters
  • Led a team of international employees through a multifaceted winding down of Mexican maquiladora operations
  • Assisted a client in obtaining a binding ruling from U.S. Customs and Border Protection validating an alternative valuation methodology for engineering assists
  • Represented a large produce client in a prior disclosure related to inaccurate preferential claims under the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)
  • Assisted client in the development and execution of an internal post-entry audit program

Credentials

Bar Admissions

District of Columbia
Illinois

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of International Trade

Languages

Spanish

Education

Notre Dame Law School
J.D. (2009)

University of Notre Dame
B.A. (2006)

Insights & Events

Leadership & Community

Pro Bono

  • Counsel – Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation

Professional Associations

  • American Association of Exporters and Importers
  • International Compliance Professionals Association
  • Hispanic National Bar Association

Civic Activities

  • Illinois Medical District — Commissioner  
  • Erie Neighborhood House — Board President, Current
  • Latino Leadership Council — Board Member, Current
  • National Museum of Mexican Art — Trustee, Current

Firm Leadership

  • Diversity and Inclusion Committee 
  • Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP — Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Honors

  • Chambers Global — International Trade: Customs, Up & Coming, 2023
  • Law360 — Rising Star, 2023
  • Hispanic National Bar Association — 2023 “Top Lawyers under 40”; Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, 2023
  • Chambers USA — Nationwide, International Trade: Customs, “Up and Coming” Lawyer, 2021-22
  • Crain’s Chicago Business — Notable Nonprofit Board Leader, 2021
  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2021-23
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.
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