Leonard is Of Counsel with the Transportation practice group of Troutman Sanders LLP. His practice is based out of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

Leonard spent twelve years in the logistics industry between college and law school. During that time, he gained invaluable commercial experience while overseeing the movement of hundreds of containers per week between the United States and  Europe, Africa, and Asia.  Leonard’s commercial background has complemented his legal skills in the representation of clients from around the world. His commercial and legal experience has enabled him to better assist clients in export and import compliance matters involving U.S. Customs & Border Protection, the Office of Foreign Assets Regulations, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry Security, and in courts throughout the United States. Leonard has spent considerable time counseling clients on export and import compliance planning and assisting clients in enforcement proceedings with various federal agencies.

Leonard received his undergraduate degree from the Victoria University of Manchester, England where he graduated, with honors. He received his law degree from New York University School of Law.

Representative Experience 
U.S. Customs & Homeland Protection
Represent European corporation in enforcement proceeding commenced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Mitigated fine, penalty and repayment of duty arising out of alleged misclassification from $2,100,000 to zero after establishing that client used reasonable care in its Customs activities.

Represent European corporation in suit commenced against U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Obtained judgment at Court of International Trade upholding client's view of the proper classification of the product and obtained a refund in excess of $1,000,000.

Represent foreign manufacturer and advise appropriate corporate structure for foreign manufacturing and distribution subsidiary to maximize compliance with U.S. Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Customs regulations.

Represent foreign corporation in making voluntary prior disclosure to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Disclosure involved significant breach of U.S. security regulations and use of voluntary disclosure resulted in a warning letter but no fine or penalty.

Represented various corporations in obtaining rulings on proper classification, valuation and marking of products imported into the United States.

Bureau of Industry & Security
Represent multi-national pharmaceutical manufacturer in providing advice with regard to U.S. sanctions and export license regulations.

Represent U.S. exporter in voluntary disclosure proceeding involving the exportation of dual-use items without appropriate export license.

U.S. State Department
Represent U.S. software and solutions provider in identifying appropriate control mechanisms when dealing with Department of Defense contracts and obtaining when necessary appropriate Technical Assistance Agreements from U.S. State Department.

Represent foreign purchaser of U.S. based assets that required approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

Office of Foreign Assets Control
Advised numerous foreign and domestic clients on matters involving trade with Cuba, North Korea, Libya, and Iraq.

Federal Maritime Commission
Represent logistics companies in enforcement proceedings and administrative litigation.

Litigation
Federal District Court and Court of Appeals litigation on behalf of transportation companies and logistics providers.

Presentations and Speaking Engagements 
"Import Compliance: Importer Security Filing Penalty Mitigation Guidelines," Hampton Roads Global Business Conference, September 2009.

"Import Product Classification: General Introduction," Virginia Conference on World Trade, October 2006.

E-Commerce for Freight Transportation Conferences

Brussels, Belgium, July 2003.

San Francisco, California July 2002.

Singapore, September 2001.

Las Vegas, Nevada, May 2001.

Amsterdam, Netherlands, October 2000.

Singapore, September 2000.

Las Vegas, Nevada, June 2000.

Barcelona, Spain November, 1999.

National Industrial Transportation League: Shipping Act Seminars

San Antonio, Texas November 1999.

Dallas, Texas, February 1999.

Los Angeles, California February 1999.

Publications
Brief for Amicus Curiae Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority in Support of Respondent.
Journal of Commerce, August 25, 1997 (Will the FMC Investigate Panama Over its Contract with Port Operator?).
Journal of Commerce, January 21, 1999 (NVOCCS Left at the Station).
Journal of Commerce, February 17, 1999 (Bundling Unaffiliated Shippers).
Journal of Commerce, November 22, 1999 (Middle Ground on Carrier Antitrust Immunity).
Journal of Commerce, April 13, 2000 (Industry Needs to See FMC as Neutral).