Grunfeld Desiderio Lebowitz Silverman & Klestadt

What Grunfeld Desiderio Lebowitz Silverman & Klestadt does

Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt LLP (GDLSK) is a privately held U.S. law firm organized as a Limited Liability Partnership, founded in 1972 and headquartered in New York. The firm is exclusively focused on U.S. customs and international trade law, representing enterprise clients in customs valuation, tariff classification, antidumping and countervailing duty (ADD/CVD) proceedings, Section 201/232/301 trade remedies, UFLPA forced labor exclusions, customs audits, and litigation before the U.S. Court of International Trade and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Service delivery is anchored in deep domain expertise accumulated over more than 50 years, including attorneys with prior tenure at CBP, DOC, USITC, DOJ, and the Court of International Trade.

The firm offers two core practice areas (Customs Law Services and Trade Law Services) supported by approximately 30 specialized service modules covering the full spectrum of cross-border trade legal matters. Revenue is generated through professional-services fees for representation, advisory engagements, and compliance consulting; pricing is matter-specific and not publicly disclosed. GDLSK operates through a direct-attorney relationship model, distributing services across five U.S. offices (New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Milwaukee), a wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary (GDLSK Trade & Customs Advisors Limited), and affiliated offices in Beijing and Shanghai via Jincheng Tongda & Neal Law Firm. Client base consists of enterprise importers, exporters, manufacturers, trading companies, customs brokers, sureties, trade associations, and foreign governments.

The firm monetizes its expertise through representation in high-stakes trade matters, with public disclosures indicating involvement in matters tied to $13+ billion in client savings, $150 billion in invalidated tariffs, and 1,800+ cases filed at the Court of International Trade. Its go-to-market relies on thought leadership (industry conferences, webinars, trade publications, professional associations such as the ABA and Customs and International Trade Bar Association) and referrals rather than paid acquisition channels. There is no evidence of technology platform development, software products, AI tooling, or recurring subscription revenue streams.

Name

Grunfeld Desiderio Lebowitz Silverman & Klestadt

Legal name

Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt LLP

Website

https://gdlsk.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GDLSK is a New York-headquartered U.S. law firm exclusively focused on customs and international trade law, representing enterprise importers, exporters, and manufacturers in tariff classification, ADD/CVD proceedings, trade-remedy litigation, and customs compliance across five U.S. offices and Asian affiliates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Trade Law

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (54111), Legal Services (5411)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Trade, Export Controls & Customs Compliance (BPAHAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Customs Consulting & Brokerage Outsourcing (Managed Brokerage, Brokerage Operations) (TLACAFAI)

Keywords

• Customs law services
• International trade law
• Antidumping countervailing duty
• Tariff classification
• Trade remedies litigation

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Services - Customs and Trade Law: The firm provides specialized legal counsel in customs and international trade law, including customs valuation, classification, trade remedies (ADD/CVD), Section 301 tariffs, compliance audits, and litigation before the Court of International Trade and other trade tribunals. Revenue is generated through legal fees for representation, advisory services, and compliance consulting.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

GDLSK is a law firm exclusively devoted to customs and international trade matters, providing legal counsel and representation on customs valuation, classification, audits, ADD/CVD proceedings, trade remedy litigation (Sections 201, 232, 301), UFLPA compliance, USMCA matters, and disputes before the U.S. Court of International Trade and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Services are billed as customized legal engagements for importers, exporters, manufacturers, trading companies, foreign governments, customs brokers, and sureties.

Product overview

GDLSK is a premier customs and international trade law firm offering comprehensive legal services through two core practice areas: Customs Law Services and Trade Law Services. These core areas are supported by 30 specialized service modules covering the full spectrum of international trade matters including ADD/CVD investigations and litigation, customs audits and compliance, tariff classification, valuation, country of origin determinations, forced labor exclusions (UFLPA), trade remedies (Sections 201, 232, 301), USMCA compliance, export controls, and product admissibility. The firm also provides educational programs including preparation courses for the Customs House Broker License Exam.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Customs Law Services Specialized legal counsel in customs valuation, classification, enforcement, audits, compliance management, and country of origin determinations for enterprise importers.
• Trade Law Services Expert representation in antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings, Section 201/232/301 trade remedy cases, and litigation before the Court of International Trade and CAFC.
• Compliance Assessments and Customs Audits Third-party compliance reviews and customs audits to help companies avoid unexpected assessments and identify duty savings opportunities.
• Trade Remedies: Sections 201, 232 and 301 Counsel on trade remedy provisions including Sections 201, 232 and 301 tariffs and exclusions for importers and exporters.
• ADD/CVD Litigation in the CIT and CAFC Litigation services before the U.S. Court of International Trade and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in ADD/CVD matters.
• Forced Labor Exclusions: UFLPA Representation Representation for importers facing detentions and exclusions under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).
• International Trade Litigation Comprehensive litigation services for international trade disputes before various courts and agencies including the Court of International Trade and CAFC.

Quantifiable outcome

• $20 million saved for one client using first-sale method of appraisement
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Jincheng Tongda & Neal Law FirmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated office relationship providing legal services in China. Jincheng Tongda & Neal Law Firm maintains offices in Beijing and Shanghai, enabling GDLSK to serve clients with Chinese business operations and provide comprehensive cross-border trade legal counsel.
• GDLSK Trade & Customs Advisors LimitedcoreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary in Hong Kong operating as the firm's Asian regional headquarters, providing customs and trade advisory services to the firm's international client base.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• White & Case: Global firm with significant international trade practice handling trade remedies, sanctions, export controls, and WTO disputes for multinational clients.
• Sidley Austin: Global Am Law firm with a substantial international trade and customs practice handling trade remedies, customs compliance, and WTO matters for enterprise clients.
• Hogan Lovells: Global full-service firm with strong trade and customs practice spanning tariff classification, trade remedies, and export controls, often competing for the same Fortune 500 importer mandates.
• WilmerHale: Premier Am Law firm with an international trade, investment, and market access practice, frequently engaged on high-stakes trade remedy and Court of International Trade matters.
• Baker McKenzie: Largest global law firm by geography with a global trade and customs practice, frequently handling classification, valuation, and trade remedy matters for multinational importers and exporters.
• King & Spalding: International trade and government investigations practice with substantial experience in trade remedies, customs, export controls, and tariff matters, competing for many of the same Section 301 and CIT engagements.

Direct peers

• Crowell & Moring: International trade practice with deep experience in antidumping/countervailing duty proceedings, Section 301 matters, and Court of International Trade litigation. Most direct comparable among Am Law 200 firms with a dedicated trade group.
• Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: Large international trade practice with leading Section 301, ITC, and Court of International Trade capabilities, serving a comparable roster of multinational importers and exporters.
• Steptoe & Johnson: Washington-based firm with a renowned international trade and investment practice covering trade remedies, customs, export controls, and sanctions, with comparable DOJ/government-experience bench.
• Kelley Drye & Warren: Established trade practice with significant experience in antidumping/subsidy proceedings, Section 337 ITC litigation, and customs matters, serving many of the same Fortune 500 importers.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grunfeld Desiderio Lebowitz Silverman & Klestadt