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J.J.Kim, Esq.

Managing Partner

Area of Practice

  • Customs & International Trade

  • Maritime & Transportation Law

  • Business Litigation

  • Intellectual Property

  • Food Law

Experiences

J.J. Kim is a founding partner at ACI Law Group. His practice is focused on customs, international trade, maritime, transportation, food & intellectual property law. He represents clients before U.S Customs and Border Protection, USPTO, FDA, USTR and ITC, as well as the Court of International Trade and various other federal and state courts and agencies which regulates the flow of goods, addressing issues such as governance and compliance; valuation
and admissibility of goods; regulatory audits and investigation; anti-grey market; food safety, intellectual property rights; trade remedies, penalties, seizures and liquidated damages cases; cargo claims; country of origin marking; free trade agreements; international contracts; international litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Mr. Kim also handles commercial business disputes and historically was involved in the firm’s international trade and transportation practice, where he handled disputes of all kinds, including employment cases in both court and labor board. In addition, he has been involved in numerous high-value business cases over the course of his career and successfully represented Korean conglomerate. He is the author of numerous articles on international trade issues.

Honors, Awards & Appointment

  • Presidential Award, President Myung-bak Lee (for service to the agreement on KORUS FTA, Oct, 2012)

  • Commerce Award, Commerce Award, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif.

  • Leadership Award, Lieutenant Governor of California

  • Distinguished Service Awards and Letters of Appreciation - received from House of representatives; California Senate; Superior Court Judge; County of Orange; various cities

  • Advisory Panel by Korea Agro- Fisheries Trade Corp (2015 – Current)

  • Advisor/National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (2017 – Current)

  • Advisory Panel by Korean Consulate General of Republic of Korea (2014-2016)

  • Advisor/Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (2011-Current)

  • Advisor/Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency (2024-Current)

Education

Michigan State University

College of Law – LLM

Trinity International University
Trinity Law School – Juris Doctor

University of Washington
Ocean Engineering

Bar Admission

  • State of California

  • United States District Courts for the Central, Eastern &  Southern Districts of California

  • US Court of International Trade

Licenses &  Certification

  • Board Certified California Attorney in Admiralty & Maritime Law

  • US Customs House Broker

  • FSPCA Lead Instructor for PCQI, FSVP Course

Professional Associations

  • Maritime Law Association of the United States

  • Transportation Lawyers Association

  • Foreign Trade Association

  • Los Angeles Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association

  • International Association for Food Protection

Representative Matters & Trials

  • Represented a US importer in connection with a 2.7 million intellectual property violation penalty action from US Customs & Border Protection (19 USC 1526(e), 1526(f). The 2.7 million penalty was mitigated in full and client saved 2.7 million dollars through our representation.

  • Obtained more than 500 favorable protest decisions from CBP addressing the product classification, country of origin, valuation and the eligibility of products for preferential treatment under KORUS FTA, NAFTA and CAFTA. Helped clients recover and save tens of millions dollars in duty and fees.

  • Represented numerous US importers in US Customs' Section 592 penalty actions. 

  • Defended successfully an apparel company in a plaintiff's state court action alleging violation of trade secrets. 

  • Victory, in binding arbitration, on over million dollars claim against foreign apparel company for breach of contract profit. 

  • Represented clients before FDA and CBP on a variety of issues, including FDA warning letters, Penalty Actions, classification, origin marking, Food labeling, record keeping violations. Drafted over 500 CBP Form 28/29 responses, protests, petition for CBP’s liquidated damages claims & complaints on behalf of importers to avert civil monetary penalties and seizures.

  • Represented import clients in prior disclosures of import violations related to tariff classification, valuation, Processing Fee and eligibility for preferential treatment.

  • Represented a large US food importer in connection with FSMA Compliance. Drafted numerous importer’s Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). Reviewed a foreign supplier HACCP Plan and Developed Food Safety Plan for US Food Manufacturer.

  • Provided advice and counsel to a large Korean food manufacturing company and importer as an outside general counsel. Drafted, food Safety plan, supply chain security plan. Attended FDA, US CBP audit on behalf of clients. Developed comprehensive import compliance programs under 19 & 21 CFR.

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