About The Firm:

We are a specialized international trade and customs law practice dedicated to helping companies navigate the complexities of global commerce. Our firm provides strategic counsel on the regulatory frameworks that govern cross-border transactions, ensuring our clients can expand their global reach while maintaining full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Our practice provides experienced counsel to companies doing business globally, and specializes in transactional matters in international trade. We work closely with businesses to address compliance requirements with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). When our clients face enforcement actions or regulatory notices, we provide experienced guidance to resolve these matters efficiently and effectively.

Beyond regulatory compliance, we advise on international trade regulations, transportation logistics, and supply chain structuring to help companies optimize their global operations. Our approach is practical and business-focused, designed to facilitate growth rather than simply identify obstacles.

We also handle the commercial side of international business, drafting and negotiating vendor agreements, partnership arrangements, and other critical contracts that underpin global trade relationships. Our transactional experience allows us to anticipate issues before they arise and structure agreements that protect our clients' interests while fostering productive business relationships.

Our mission is straightforward: to help companies grow their market share and access new opportunities in the global marketplace. We combine deep knowledge of trade regulations with practical business acumen, providing clear, actionable advice that empowers our clients to make informed decisions and achieve their international business objectives.

Ann C. Shipherd is an International Trade and Customs attorney with over 15 years of extensive industry experience in imports, exports, customs, transportation, and trade compliance. A licensed United States Customs Broker with a Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law, Shipherd possesses the practical expertise to zealously represent her clients in achieving exceptional results while navigating the complexities of international commerce. She has counseled various industry stakeholders, multinational corporations, importers, exporters, manufacturers, freight forwarders, and global financial institutions through an array of legal matters, including customs and trade compliance, data privacy, import and export compliance, transportation and supply chain, commercial banking, and regulatory concerns. 

November 2025| Small Business Development Center, Florida
Legal Guidelines for Small Businesses: The Dos and Don'ts of Exporting From the US

September 2025| Contractors, Closers, and Connections
Tariff Mitigation Strategies & Litigation Update

August 2025| Manufacturers Association of Central Florida and Clifton Larson Allen
Taxes, Tariffs, and Trade Zones

July 2025| Bay Area Manufacturers Association and Clifton Larson Allen
Tariff Tactics That Impact Your Bottom Line: Operational & Accounting Strategies

July 2025| International Society of Export Controls and Sanctions
Trade and Tariff Working Group

June 2025| Organization of Women in International Trade, Tampa
Make America Trade Again

May 2025| International Society of Export Controls and Sanctions
Trade and Tariff Working Group

March 2025| The International Society of Export Controls and Sanctions
Trump, Tariffs, and Trade Tensions

February 2025| Strategic Partners Tampa Bay
History of Tariffs in the US and 2025 Tariff Update