UNIBusiness Global Trade Issues Conference
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
UNI Commons
8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Value and Challenges of Trade Agreements
Conference check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. and the conference agenda will include approximately three main speakers, and networking time.
The Speakers
Michelle Erickson-Jones, Gooseneck Land and Cattle, LLC
Michelle Erickson-Jones is a 4th generation farmer from Broadview Mt. She is also an advocate for trade in agriculture, free trade, and the importance of trade agreements in rural America. Michelle is the VP of Virtual for the Organization of Women in Trade, past president of the Montana Grain Growers Association, and a spokesperson for Farmers for Free Trade. Michelle also maintains a blog and social media presence that is largely utilized for advocating for effective farm and trade policy. She can be found on any platform under BigSkyFarmHer. Michelle has previously testified in front of the International Trade Commission on the impacts of Section 301 Tariffs as well as in front of the House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Trade. Prior to returning to agriculture her career was in transportation and operations for UPS and Amazon.com. She has a dual MBA in Operations Management and Mediation/Dispute Resolution. She is a member of OWIT, the Organization for Women in Trade.
Steve Dickinson, Cozen O'Connor Law Firm
Steve Dickinson is co-chair of Cozen’s international practice and represents U.S. businesses with operations worldwide, as well as international clients in their U.S. activities. Steve represents U.S. companies in their international business, including acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, construction and sales contracts, and distribution arrangements, as well as operational issues such as international tax planning, entity formation, financing, employment, intellectual property, and compliance matters. Steve has represented many companies in doing business in China and throughout Asia, as well as in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, and Canada.
Heather Marx, Cozen O'Connor Law Firm
Heather Marx is a member of Cozen’s commercial litigation practice, with a significant emphasis on litigation of customs and tariff disputes. Heather advises both domestic and international clients on strategies for foreign based manufacture, importation, and distribution of goods and how to safeguard against anti-competitive trade barriers, regulatory systems, and trade remedies. She represents clients in matters before U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the International Trade Administration, and the U.S. Trade Representative. Heather is also an adjunct professor, currently teaching the bankruptcy litigation clinic at the University of St. Thomas Law School.
Tom Wallrich, Cozen O'Connor Law Firm
Tom Wallrich is the chair of Cozen’s customs, tariff and trade remedies practice. He represents companies on the full range of issues affecting supply chains and cross-border trade. Tom is experienced in commercial transactions, including purchases and sales of businesses and significant import-export experience particularly in the Pacific Rim and Canada. His commerical dispute resolution experience includes significant litigation, non-litigation, and administrative representations before the International Trade Commission and the United States Trade Representative. Tom is a clinical instructor at the University of St. Thomas Law School as well as serving his alma mater on the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts Internship Board.
Kristi Zentner, Cozen O'Connor Law Firm
Kristi Zentner is a member of Cozen’s corporate practice and represents clients in general business, supply chain management, and tariff, customs, and trade matters. Kristi's primary focus is to draft and negotiate contracts that meet a client's business objectives, with an eye toward avoiding potential disputes and litigation. Kristi regularly counsels clients regarding all aspects of import compliance, from classification to valuation, and country of origin designation to marking requirements. Kristi helps businesses plan carefully to avoid unexpected duty expenses, as well as assisting importer clients with reasonable care requirements, protests, and Customs audits.
Please register here by October 23, 2020. Pre-registered off-campus participants will receive a parking pass and map prior to the conference. This conference is offered free of charge thanks to a grant from the John Deere Foundation and the Bradford Chair in International Business. We thank our generous donors.
Inquiries should be directed to Chris Schrage, at 319-273-2126 or schragec@uni.edu.
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This event qualifies for NASBITE 3 Continuing Education Units.
