David R. Stepp

Partner
Los Angeles Shanghai
dstepp@crowell.com
Phone: +1 213.443.5531
515 South Flower St., 40th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071-2201
R1901-03 Link Square 1, 222 Hubin Road
Huangpu District, Shanghai 200021
China

David Stepp is an experienced trade lawyer who provides multinational companies with strategic advice on global customs and international trade compliance matters. David is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Crowell & Moring. 

His practice focuses on advising companies on their e-commerce strategies globally, conducting global customs and international trade audits, and assisting clients on improving, benchmarking, and coordinating compliance programs across borders.

David has over 30 years of experience handling international trade regulatory matters, including those related to tariff classification, valuation, country of origin marking, free trade agreements, and Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT).

He also has experience in advising on trade remedies and coordinating government investigations, including FCPA matters. 

Prior to joining the firm, David led regulatory initiatives across Asia, as well as advised clients on U.S. customs practices and procedures.


Affiliations

Admitted to practice: California, District of Columbia, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and U.S. Court of International Trade

Professional Activities and Memberships

  • Board of Directors, Northern California World Trade Center
  • Board of Directors, International Visitors Council of Los Angeles (Chairman, 2014, and President, 2013)
  • Member, Global Legal Customs Association (President, 2008-2010)
  • Member, American Bar Association

Speeches & Presentations

  • "International Trade in 2021: What’s Ahead," Crowell & Moring Webinar (February 17, 2021). Presenters: Vassilis Akritidis, Caroline E. Brown, Michelle J. Linderman, Joshua Pond, Nicole Janigian Simonian, David R. Stepp, Robert Clifton Burns, Carina C. Federico, Jackson C. Pai, Nicole Sayegh Succar, Michael Bowen, Chandler S. Leonard, Brian McGrath, Nimrah Najeeb, and Joshua Boswell.
  • "Opportunities and Challenges for Taiwan Companies under the Trade War," Lexcel Partners Webinar (November 16, 2020). Panelists: Robert A. Burton, Evan Y. Chuck, and David R. Stepp.
  • "China, Trade and Supply Chains: Policy and Operational Risks," The National Association of Manufacturers Webinar (October 7, 2020). Presenters: Evan Y. Chuck and David R. Stepp.
  • "The rise of national security: how national security concerns are reshaping international trade with friends (and enemies)," The Future of International Trade Webinar Series (September 17, 2020). Panelist: David R. Stepp.
  • "Supply Chain Considerations for Retail’s New Normal," Crowell & Moring Webinar (August 5, 2020). Presenters: Michelle Ann Gitlitz, Holly A. Melton, David R. Stepp, and Helen Osun.
  • "China in the Crosshairs: An Overview of the U.S. Approach to Mitigating National Security Concerns," Crowell & Moring Webinar (June 23, 2020). Presenters: Caroline E. Brown, Adelicia R. Cliffe, Maria Alejandra (Jana) del-Cerro, David R. Stepp, Gail D. Zirkelbach, Erik Woodhouse, Stephanie L. Crawford, Chandler S. Leonard, and Andrew Blasi.
  • "The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) – A Substantial Rewrite of NAFTA or More of the Same?" Crowell & Moring Webinar (June 10, 2020). Presenters: John B. Brew, Daniel Cannistra, David R. Stepp, Frances P. Hadfield, Maria Vanikiotis, and Walter (Sam) Boone.
  • "COVID-19 And Product Pivoting: Pitfalls and Opportunities," Crowell & Moring Webinar (April 22, 2020). Presenters: Jonathan M. Baker, John Fuson, David R. Stepp, Scott L. Winkelman, Chalana Netasha Damron, Stephanie L. Crawford, and Mariam Sarwar.
  • "Global Trade in a Changing World," Robert Matsui U.S. Courthouse, Sacramento, CA (October 24, 2019). Presenter: David R. Stepp.
  • "The America’s Panel: Has the US gained from its trade rows and where does this leave its trade partners? Have Belgian (European) companies to gain from this?" Managing Risks When Trading Overseas: The Impact of a Rapidly Changing Trade Environment, Antwerp, Belgium (March 15, 2019). Panelist: David R. Stepp.
  • "Trade Wars with China: Analysis of Outcome," Federal Bar Association: 2019 Fashion Law Conference, New York, NY (February 8, 2019). Moderator: Frances P. Hadfield; Panelist: David R. Stepp.
  • "Key Considerations for Cross-Border Transactions in Asia," Asia Pacific Business Outlook (APBO) Conference, Los Angeles, CA (April 17, 2018). Presenter: David R. Stepp.
  • "U.S. – Asia Update 2017: Tracking Emerging Trends & Opportunities," Asia Pacific Business Outlook (APBO) Conference, Los Angeles, CA (March 27, 2017). Presenter: David R. Stepp.
  • "Trends in U.S. International Trade Policy in the New Administration," Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) Annual Meeting & Conference, Lisbon, Portugal (March 16, 2017). Presenter: David R. Stepp.
  • E-Commerce Workshop, American Association of Exporters & Importers and Foreign Trade Association’s 2017 Western Regional Conference, Los Angeles, CA (January 30, 2017). Presenter: David R. Stepp.

Publications


Client Alerts & Newsletters


Media Mentions


Firm News & Announcements

Aug.27.2018 Leading International Trade Lawyer David Stepp Joins Crowell & Moring in Los Angeles