Myron Paul Barlow, Managing Member
Mr. Barlow was formerly an attorney in U.S. Customs’ office of international trade litigation, where he represented the government in suits brought by importers to the U.S. Court of International Trade and appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. After leaving the government, Mr. Barlow practiced customs, international trade, and export control law in the international trade departments of two large multinational law firms and one small customs specialty law firm, before establishing his own firm in 2003.
Mr. Barlow has written numerous published articles on customs law, examples including The Benefits of Operating in a Foreign-Trade Zone, World View (Nov/Dec 2000), Lowering the Cost of Importing: Strategies for Reducing Customs Duties, AHPA Report (Fall 2000), The Tariff Classification of Imported Fasteners, Fastener Technology International (Initial Publications, Inc. Feb/March 1999), and FTZ Advantages for Exporters, Official Export Guide (K-III Directory Corp. 1997). He contributed to the U.S. Customs and International Trade Guide, Matthew Bender / Lexis Nexis, by updating the customs law chapters for the second edition in 2000. He also wrote the material used for the online customs compliance training program at WeComply.com.
Mr. Barlow has presented on customs law issues before many organizations, including the District of Columbia Bar, National Association of Foreign Trade Zones, World Trade Center Institute, San Diego Customs Brokers Association, Federal Publications Seminars, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, and Association of Corporate Counsel.
Mr. Barlow was issued a Certificate of Appreciation from the Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of International Trade for his pro bono work in litigation before that court successfully obtaining trade adjustment assistance for displaced American workers.
Mr. Barlow has represented corporations before the U.S. Court of International Trade, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and in amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court. He has also represented clients before many import/export agencies including U.S. Customs, Canada Customs, U.S. Trade Representative, State Department, Bureau of Industry and Security, Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Maritime Administration, International Trade Commission, and International Trade Administration, among others.
Mr. Barlow has a B.A. in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins University, a M.A. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia, and a J.D. from the University of Miami.
Elaine Bragg, Senior Trade Advisor
Ms. Bragg is a licensed customs broker. She was formerly a U.S. Customs Inspector at Los Angeles, and Vice President of Operations and the corporate licensee at a large customs brokerage. She also served as a customs compliance manager at several corporations including Seagate Technology, Astec America, Pulse Engineering, and Mattel. As the Director of Customs Compliance at DHL, Ms. Bragg was the corporate broker license holder and responsible for supervision of brokerage operations and customs compliance at six U.S. gateways for its express consignment operations. Ms. Bragg has presented on customs topics before numerous organizations including International Compliance Professionals Association, Border Trade Alliance, Energy Traffic Association, and Western Cargo Conference. She currently serves on the Trade Support Network, which provides trade and industry review of U.S. Customs’ Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
Ms. Bragg assists clients with corporate compliance programs, broker management, supply chain security and other import entry related rules, regulations and procedures. She provides training and counseling on the implementation of efficient customs compliance procedures, including knowledge of customs automated and accounting systems. She also assists clients with involvement in customs programs ranging from free trade agreements such as NAFTA to participation in C-TPAT, customs compliance for international carrier operations, and Importer Security Filing rules. In addition she provides support and consulting for importers protesting customs decisions or being audited or investigated by Customs, and provides litigation support for customs cases. Ms. Bragg has a B.A. from Western Washington University.
Erik Autor, Of Counsel
Mr. Autor was formerly President of the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ), where he organized and directed a wide-range of initiatives on issues of critical importance to stakeholders in the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) Program. Prior to joining NAFTZ in 2016, he was President of Autor Global Strategies, LLC, a consultancy providing public policy, advocacy, legal/regulatory, and strategic communications services to business clients with a focus on international trade and investment, customs, corporate social responsibility, and global supply chain management.
Mr. Autor’s experience also includes fifteen years as Vice President and International Trade Counsel at the National Retail Federation (NRF), the world’s largest retail trade association. At NRF he represented and advised member companies in the retail industry on international trade, corporate social responsibility matters, supply chain and transportation, and customs issues. Among his responsibilities were developing and advocating policy-position issues before Congress, the Administration, foreign governments, and international organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Prior to joining NRF, Mr. Autor served as International Trade Counsel and Senior International Trade Counsel to the United States Senate Committee on Finance from 1992-1998 for Senator William Roth (R-DE) and Senator Bob Packwood (R-OR), assisting in Congressional consideration of major trade agreements such as NAFTA and the Uruguay Round and legislation, including the Customs Modernization Act. He began his career as a law clerk to a federal judge at the U.S. Court of International Trade and an associate attorney in the trade practice at the law firm of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom where he worked on customs classification/valuation and antidumping/countervailing duty cases.
Mr. Autor received a J.D. and LL.M. from Duke University School of Law, an M.Sc. (Econ.) from the London School of Economics, and a B.A. (magna cum laude) from UCLA.
Albert Bragg, Customs Advisor
Mr. Bragg is a licensed customs broker. He was formerly the Compliance Manager of a chain of retail stores overseeing merchandise subject to State and Federal regulation, and he has logistics and warehouse experience in the pharmaceutical and retail industries.
Mr. Bragg assists clients to comply with the Customs Regulations and procedures, and provides support for all customs matters including tariff classification, free trade agreements, valuation, reconciliation, prior disclosures, petitions for relief, and audits.
Mr. Bragg received a B.A. (summa cum laude) from the University of Louisville in Asian Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, and History.