Michael Lux joins Graf von Westphalen's customs & foreign trade law team

Starting in March 2012, the internationally renowned customs law expert Michael Lux will strengthen Graf von Westphalen's foreign trade law team led by Lothar Harings and Marian Niestedt. He will be based in the law firm's Brussels office.

Michael Lux worked at the European Commission as a head of division for 25 years and is a recognized expert in trade and customs law with in-depth knowledge of European institutions. He oversaw major amendments to the Community Customs Code and its implementing provisions as well as the development of the modernized Customs Code. Before joining Graf von Westphalen, he was head of the "Customs Processes" unit in the Directorate General "Taxation and Customs Union" (TAXUD) of the European Commission. Prior to that, he had headed the units "Customs Law and Control of the Application of EU Legislation", "Tariff", "Customs Processes of Economic Significance, Customs Contingents, Relief from Customs Duties" and "TARIC." Michael Lux started his career at the regional tax office in Hamburg as head of the "Foreign Trade and Market Organization" department before joining the German Federal Finance Ministry as a specialist in the "Customs Tariff" and "EDP in Customs Administration" departments. Michael Lux is the author of several books, commentaries and numerous articles on trade and customs law topics. In addition to his teaching activities in these subject areas he regularly speaks on trade and customs law topics at international conferences. "What impressed me particularly about Graf von Westphalen is the broad expertise of the team led by Lothar Harings and Marian Niestedt whom I've known and valued for many years," says Michael Lux.

In addition to classical legal consulting work and representing companies in appeal procedures, Michael Lux will be advising associations at a European level as well as focus on activities in the areas of "customs compliance" and "coaching customs and export control officers."

"Michael Lux' expertise reinforces our consulting offer in the area of customs and foreign trade law," says Lothar Harings, head of the law firm's foreign trade practice. Robert Theissen, Managing Partner at Graf von Westphalen, adds: "The appointment of an internationally renowned expert like Michael Lux testifies to Graf von Westphalen's excellent position in foreign trade law."