Michael T. Cone

Contact:

T:  (212) 655-5471

E:  michael.cone@fisherbroyles.com

New York Office

vCard

Michael T. Cone

Large Firm Experience:

  • Baker & McKenzie
  • Coudert Brothers
  • Moquet, Borde, Dieux, Geens & Associés

Corporate Experience:

  • Kellogg Company

Judicial Experience:

  • U.S. Court of International Trade; Law Clerk to the Hon. R. Kenton Musgrave
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan; Intern to the Hon. Anna Diggs Taylor

Executive, Board of Directors, and Advisory Committee Positions:

  • Managing Partner of FisherBroyles’ New York and Washington, D.C. Offices, 2013-2018
  • U.S. Court of International Trade Advisory Committee on Rules, 2008-2019.
  • The Gohan Society, General Counsel and Board Director, 2005-2018.
  • Wayne State University Law School, Program for International Legal Studies Advisory Committee, 2010-present.

Bar Admissions:

  • New York

Education:

  • Washington College of Law – American University, LL.M. (International Business Law)
  • Wayne State University Law School, J.D.
  • University of San Diego Institute on International and Comparative Law
  • University of Michigan, B.A. (Honors Program)

Language:

  • French

Mr. Cone concentrates his practice in the areas of administrative, customs, and international trade law.  He counsels clients on a wide array of regulatory compliance issues, with administrative expertise that includes matters falling under the jurisdiction of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the panoply of other administrative bodies that regulate the importation, marketing and sale of merchandise.  He represents clients in all phases of litigation before federal and state courts, including the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Mr. Cone helps businesses comply with domestic laws and regulations applicable to their imported merchandise, save and recover customs duties, respond to agency inquiries, and address enforcement actions initiated by the government.  He represents businesses in customs audits and defends them against penalty actions brought by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Justice.  He also helps exporters comply with export control regulations.

Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Cone served as a Law Clerk to the Hon. R. Kenton Musgrave of the U.S. Court of International Trade.  In 2008, he was selected by the Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of International Trade to sit on its Advisory Committee for a five-year term.  He also sits on the Advisory Committee of the Wayne State Law School Program for International Legal Studies, and serves as a General Counsel and Director of The Gohan Society, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes awareness of Japanese culinary arts.

Mr. Cone is a frequent speaker at professional and trade events, and has been quoted in the New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, NPR’s All Things Considered and Planet Money, Women’s Wear Daily, BNA’s International Trade Daily, Inside US Trade, and other publications.  In 2007, the New York Times featured his lawsuit challenging gender-based customs duties on its front page.

Mr. Cone’s broad experience and diverse professional background allow him to provide unique insight into the customs and trade challenges facing transnational businesses, and the know how to deliver results on a cost effective basis.

Professional Publications and Media Coverage:

Selected Speaking Engagements:

  • 2019 Georgetown Law International Trade Update – Panel Moderator for session entitled “Customs – Age of Enforcement”
  • Presented on key issues and provided best practice insights to small French companies seeking to enter the US market, pursuant to the invitation of France’s International Chamber of Commerce – Normandy, October 2017
  • Presented “Defending Customs Penalty Actions: Key Points and Best Practices” at Marcus Evans’ 7th International Trade Compliance Convention, May 2017
  • Alongside Thomas Wolf, the US Consul in Bordeaux, presented to French start-ups and small companies on “Exporting to the USA”, pursuant to the invitation of France’s International Chamber of Commerce –  Cognac, April 2016
  • Panelist for “Protest Denied! Now What?”, a session at the annual convention of the International Compliance Professionals Association, March 2016
  • Heritage Foundation Guest Speaker, Trade Roundtable Luncheon, “Why Women (and Sometimes Men) Pay More: Tariffs and Clothing Prices”, December 2013
  • Van Andel Global Trade Center, “Basics of NAFTA”, October 2013
  • French-American Chambers of Commerce – New York, NY & Chicago, IL; “Importing into the US: Evolving Regulatory Compliance & Supply Chain Issues that Affect Your Risk Profile & Bottom Line,” November 2011 (Chicago); and“Importing Merchandise into the US: Issues, Best Practices, & the Changing Environment,” February 2011 (New York)
  • Georgetown Law CLE International Trade Update – Washington, D.C.; “Year in Review: Customs,” February 2012; “Customs Litigation,” February 2011; and “Nuts and Bolts of Litigating a Customs Case,” February 2010
  • Van Andel Global Trade Center – Grand Rapids, MI; “Fundamentals of Exporting and Importing Textiles and Apparel,” November 2012; “Agricultural Imports and the Food Safety Modernization Act,” January 2011; and “NAFTA: Focus on Canada,” November 2007
  • Anchin Block & Anchin – New York, NY;  “Food for Thought: Impact of the Food Safety Modernization Act,” October 2011
  • Convention Mondissimo du Commerce International – Paris, France; “Règlementation Douanière et Transport: La Nouvelle Donne Aux USA,” March 2011
  • ABA International Law Section Spring Meeting – Washington D.C.; “What’s Happening at the CIT,” April 2009
  • International Boston Seafood Show – Boston, MA;  “Shrimp Forum: Ins & Outs of Trading and America’s Favorite Seafood,” March 2007; “Importation of Seafood,” March 2006
  • Judicial Conferences of the U.S. Court of International Trade – New York, NY;  “Making the CIT Accessible to Small Businesses,” November 2004; and “Scientific Expert Testimony at the CIT,” November 2002