Pierce J. Lee

Counsel

Overview

Pierce J. Lee is a seasoned international trade attorney renowned for his deep expertise in trade remedies and customs law. With experience spanning both law firm practice and an in-house role at one of the world’s largest steel manufacturers, Pierce brings a distinctive blend of legal acumen and practical business insight to every client engagement.

Pierce’s trade remedies practice encompasses the full spectrum of antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) proceedings—from investigations and administrative reviews to scope and circumvention inquiries. He has an established track record of representing clients before the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the International Trade Commission (ITC), and regularly pursues appeals before the Court of International Trade and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to challenge agency determinations. He also advises clients on tariff relief measures under Sections 201, 232, and 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

A particular strength of Pierce’s practice lies in the intersection of AD/CVD and customs law, an increasingly critical area as government agencies and importers alike grapple with issues such as AD/CVD evasion, scope determinations that implicate customs classification and country of origin, and CBP enforcement actions that arise from or overlap with trade remedy proceedings. Pierce’s ability to navigate both disciplines simultaneously allows him to provide clients with a fully integrated and strategically coherent approach that few practitioners can offer.

On the customs side, Pierce provides comprehensive counsel on the full range of CBP compliance and enforcement matters, including tariff classification, customs valuation, country of origin determinations, tariff preference programs and free trade agreement (FTA) claims, quotas, marking, drawback, and duty evasion proceedings under the Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA). He represents clients directly before U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in connection with Requests for Information (CF-28) and Notices of Action (CF-29), and is experienced in filing and litigating protests involving a broad range of issues, including FTA preferential tariff treatment claims, Section 232 steel and aluminum content valuation disputes, first sale valuation claims, and country of origin challenges.

Pierce also advises clients on tariff refund strategies, including recovery opportunities arising from IEEPA-related tariffs. More broadly, Pierce is a trusted adviser to companies seeking to manage and reduce their overall tariff exposure in connection with accessing the U.S. market. From structuring supply chains and sourcing strategies to leveraging FTAs, tariff engineering, and available exclusion or refund mechanisms, Pierce helps clients take a proactive and comprehensive approach to minimizing trade costs and improving their competitive position.

His client base spans major industries, including steel and other metals, automotive, tires, chemicals, textiles, and agriculture. Pierce’s tenure as in-house counsel at a global steel manufacturer gave him firsthand exposure to the commercial and operational pressures companies face, enabling him to deliver practical, business-minded solutions rather than purely academic legal advice.

Outside the office, Pierce is a devoted husband and proud father of three young sons. The same dedication and tenacity he brings to advocating for his clients is reflected in everything he does—including keeping up with his boys at home.

Career & Education

    • University of British Columbia, B.A., economics
    • University of British Columbia, J.D.
    • Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M., international business and economic law
    • University of British Columbia, B.A., economics
    • University of British Columbia, J.D.
    • Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M., international business and economic law
    • District of Columbia
    • New York
    • British Columbia, Canada
    • U.S. Court of International Trade
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
    • District of Columbia
    • New York
    • British Columbia, Canada
    • U.S. Court of International Trade
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
    • Korean
    • Korean