Bruce Thelen stands out as a highly accomplished Trade Lawyer, offering extensive expertise in international trade and commerce across the globe. His practice encompasses a wide range of critical areas, providing clients with comprehensive legal support in navigating the complexities of global markets.
Mr. Thelen expertly guides clients through intricate customs and trade regulations, ensuring regulatory compliance and resolving issues related to fines, penalties, seizures, and investigations. His proficiency extends to handling custom audits, advance rulings, and challenging decisions made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Furthermore, he provides strategic counsel on preferential trade agreements, including the USMCA, and addresses complex matters such as antidumping and countervailing duties. In today’s evolving global landscape, Bruce offers crucial guidance on forced labor compliance and optimizing product sourcing and supply chain strategies to minimize duties and enhance efficiency.
Recognized for his exceptional skills, Bruce Thelen has been honored by Best Lawyers in America as Detroit’s “Lawyer of the Year” for International Trade in 2017, 2019, and 2021. The Lawyer Network also distinguished him as Michigan’s International Trade Lawyer of the Year for 2021, solidifying his reputation as a leading trade lawyer in the region and beyond.
Beyond his focused trade practice, Bruce frequently serves as “international general counsel” for both domestic and international clients. In this capacity, he advises on a broad spectrum of cross-border transactions, including acquisitions, direct investments, joint ventures, and strategic alliances. His expertise extends to establishing subsidiaries and branch offices, structuring distribution and licensing agreements, navigating cross-border finance, and managing international regulatory compliance. He is adept at handling intricate financial instruments such as interest rate and currency swaps, and provides critical counsel on supply chain risk management and export controls.
While Bruce’s practice spans diverse industries, he possesses particularly deep experience in the automotive sector. He has represented global vehicle and parts manufacturers across all regions, managing manufacturing and distribution complexities. His automotive experience is uniquely broad, encompassing specialty projects from amphibious vehicles to Formula 1 racing programs, and advising start-up electric vehicle manufacturers as well as iconic brands like the manufacturer of the classic London black taxi. His deep industry knowledge provides clients in the automotive sector with a trade lawyer who truly understands their specific challenges and opportunities.
Bruce’s leadership extends to his role as chair of Dickinson Wright’s international practice team, coordinating lawyers across various practice groups to deliver comprehensive solutions for clients. His legal career began in corporate finance at Dewey Ballantine Bushby Palmer and Wood in New York, providing him with a strong foundation in commercial law. He is admitted to practice in New York, Michigan, and the U.S. Court of International Trade, demonstrating his qualifications to handle complex international trade matters across jurisdictions. For businesses seeking a highly experienced and globally-minded trade lawyer, Bruce Thelen offers unparalleled expertise and a proven track record of success.
