Alan R. Klestadt Named NCBFAA Customs Counsel

Washington, DC: The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan R. Klestadt, a partner in the law firm of Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt LLP as Customs Counsel for the Association. Grunfeld, Desiderio et al, is one of the nation's largest law firms devoted exclusively to international trade and Customs matters.
           "My father [Lothar Klestadt] was an ardent supporter of the NCBFAA and I have been around the customs brokerage and freight forwarding industry my entire life," Mr. Klestadt noted. "I am deeply connected to the brokerage community, on both a personal and professional level, and I am truly honored by the opportunity to serve as Customs Counsel to the NCBFAA."
           Announcement of Mr. Klestadt’s selection was delayed by the unexpected death on October 16 of his predecessor Harvey Isaacs, who had served as the Association’s General and Customs Counsel for more than 30 years and whose retirement from that post last summer precipitated a three-month search for his successor.
           "Harvey was a committed professional whose contributions to the NCBFAA helped to make it the strong industry voice that it is today," he said. "I am excited to have been chosen to continue his legacy of service and devotion to the Association and to its members."
           As Customs Counsel, Mr. Klestadt will advise the NCBFAA management team on customs issues and regulatory matters as well as support the deliberations of the NCBFAA Customs Committee and Board of Directors. Mr. Klestadt is eminently qualified for his new role having been admitted to the New York bar in 1984; to the U.S. Court of International Trade in 1988; and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in 1989.
           He earned his BA at New York University in 1980 and received his JD degree from Hofstra University in 1983. Mr. Klestadt was also a Staff Member with the International Property Investment Journal from 1982-1983. 
           A member of the New York State and American Bar Associations as well as the Customs and International Trade Bar Association, Mr. Klestadt is a Licensed Customs Broker and has served as an instructor at New York University where he taught various customs courses including Customhouse Brokerage for License Applicants, Customs Law Survey: "Minimizing Customs Duties," and the Customs Law Survey: "Making The Law Work For You." His practice areas include Customs Law, NAFTA, and International Trade Regulation. 
           Headquartered in Washington, DC, the NCBFAA represents nearly 800 member companies with 100,000 employees in international trade - the nation's leading freight forwarders, customs brokers, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs), NVOCCs and air cargo agents, serving more than 250,000 importers and exporters. Established in 1897 in New York, NCBFAA is the effective national voice of the industry. Through its various committees, counsel and representatives, the Association maintains a close watch over legislative and regulatory issues that affect its members. It keeps them informed of these and other related issues through its weekly Monday Morning eBriefing, NCBFAA Quarterly Bulletin, and various meetings and conferences throughout the year.