Program Details
2026-10-09 12:00:00
Over 1,000+ webinars
Course Overview
2026-10-09 12:00:00
2h CLE Credits
Intermediate
2
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm ESTThis session covers the basics of customs law compliance, the most common types of trade fraud targeted in Government investigations and FCA cases, and the pre-filing phase of Trade Fraud Task Force investigations, from the structural shift in DOJ enforcement posture to the practical defense decisions that determine whether a matter stays administrative or escalates to a civil False Claims Act case or criminal prosecution. Attorneys will learn how investigations are triggered, how to respond to Civil Investigative Demands and CBP pre-penalty notices, when voluntary self-disclosure is advantageous, and how to manage parallel proceedings risks before a complaint is ever filed. Attendees will leave with a concrete framework for advising importer clients the moment an investigation signal appears.
Jennifer M. Smith-VeluzDamien DuMouchel 1:10 pm - 2:10 pm ESTThis session covers the full litigation and settlement lifecycle of a customs False Claims Act case, from evaluating core defenses through negotiating resolution. Attorneys will examine the landmark Ninth Circuit decision in Island Industries v. Sigma Corp. (2025), reverse false claims theory, qui tam dynamics, and the anatomy of recent DOJ settlements including Perfectus Aluminum’s $549.5 million resolution. Practitioners will leave with a working framework for assessing scienter, materiality, damages exposure, and parallel proceedings risk in Trade Fraud Task Force investigations.
Jennifer M. Smith-VeluzDamien DuMouchelJennifer M. Smith-Veluz is a Shareholder in Butzel Long’s Washington, DC office with nearly two decades of experience in international trade law. Her practice spans the full range of trade matters, including international trade agreements and dispute resolution, antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings, export controls, economic sanctions and embargoes, anti-boycott laws, customs compliance, and trade adjustment assistance. She represents clients before the International Trade Commission, the Department of Commerce, Customs and Border Protection, the Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, the Office of the US Trade Representative, and the Department of Labor, and advises businesses across a wide range of industries on managing global trade risk.
Damien DuMouchel is a Shareholder in Butzel Long’s Troy office. His practice concentrates on white collar criminal defense, corporate investigations, and professional discipline matters for lawyers and judges, including the defense of individuals and corporations in federal investigations and prosecutions.
Jennifer M. Smith-Veluz is a Shareholder in Butzel Long’s Washington, DC office with nearly two decades of experience in international trade law. Her practice spans the full range of trade matters, including international trade agreements and dispute resolution, antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings, export controls, economic sanctions and embargoes, anti-boycott laws, customs compliance, and trade adjustment assistance. She represents clients before the International Trade Commission, the Department of Commerce, Customs and Border Protection, the Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, the Office of the US Trade Representative, and the Department of Labor, and advises businesses across a wide range of industries on managing global trade risk.
Damien DuMouchel is a Shareholder in Butzel Long’s Troy office. His practice concentrates on white collar criminal defense, corporate investigations, and professional discipline matters for lawyers and judges, including the defense of individuals and corporations in federal investigations and prosecutions.
Requirements
The Alabama State Bar MCLE Commission requires attorneys to complete 12 credits, including 1 ethics, by December 31 of each year. All credits must be reported by February 15 of the following year. A maximum of 12 credits, including 1 ethics credit, may be carried over for 1 year only.
Formats
