Practice Areas: International, White Collar Crimes, Business Litigation; view more
Licensed in Florida since: 1990
Education: University of Miami School of Law
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2025 Call today:
786-785-8466
Becerra Law, P.A.
2800 Ponce de LeonSuite 1400
Coral Gables, FL 33134 Visit website
Details
Robert J. Becerra is a Florida Bar Board Certified expert in International Law. He concentrates his practice in the areas of civil litigation, white collar criminal defense, grand jury investigations, cargo loss, federal agency investigations, disputes between exporters and importers, trade based money laundering, export enforcement, FDA detentions and investigations, Customs seizures and civil forfeitures, and other proceedings related to international trade. He has been counsel of record in a number of reported decisions, and he has tried a large number of cases, mostly jury trials in both civil and criminal cases in state and federal courts.
Mr. Becerra has consistently received the highest “AV” rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory for legal skills and professional ethics and is rated “Superb” in the lawyer rating website www.avvo.com. He is listed as a SuperLawyer in the 2024 edition under “International”, and he is listed in “The Best Lawyers in America, 2025 edition under “Criminal Defense: White Collar”. Mr. Becerra is a member of the Miami-Dade County Bar Association; the International Law Section of the Florida Bar, the American Bar Association, where he is a member of the Criminal Justice and International Law Sections.
Mr. Becerra has been quoted and published in a variety of publications both web based and in print, on issues involving international trade such as cargo issues, criminal enforcement in the food and drug industry, and has presented at seminars before both attorney and industry trade groups.
Practice areas
International, Criminal Defense: White Collar, Business Litigation, General Litigation, Transportation/MaritimeFocus areas
Admiralty & Maritime Law, Criminal Law - Federal, Litigation, Transportation Law, White Collar Crime
- 30% International
- 30% Criminal Defense: White Collar
- 20% Business Litigation
- 10% General Litigation
- 10% Transportation/Maritime
First Admitted: 1990, Florida
Professional Webpage: http://www.rjbecerralaw.com
Bar/Professional Activity:
- United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, 2023
- Florida Bar Council of Sections, Immediate Past-Chair
- Florida Bar’s International Law Certification Committee, Chair
- Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, Presenter
- Miami-Dade County Bar Association, Member
- United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, 2024
- Chair of the Florida Bar Council of Sections, 2023
- United States District Court, Northern District of Florida, 2024
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, 2019
- Chair of the Foreign Legal Consultants Committee of the Florida Bar International Law Section, 2022
- Chair, Florida Bar Grievance Committee 11"J", 2023
- Chair, Florida Bar International Law Section, 2020
- Immediate Past-Chair, Florida Bar International Law Section, 2021
- Chair-Elect, Florida Bar Council of Sections, 2022
- Chair-Elect, Florida Bar International Law Section, 2019
- Member, Florida Bar International Law Certification Committee 2016-2019
- U.S. Court of International Trade, 2015
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Supreme Court of the United States, 1994
- Treasurer, Florida Bar International Law Section, 2017
- Member, Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association
- U. S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1991
- Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association
- United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1997
- U. S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 1991
- Member, American Bar Association, Criminal Justice and Litigation Sections
- U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1994
- U. S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1991
- Secretary, Florida Bar International Law Section, 2018
- Florida, 1990
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Client, an importer, was sentenced to probation in federal court despite the prosecution advocating for a prison sentence despite over $1,000,000 in evaded import duties., 2024
- Prevailed in a trademark case in federal court on a motion to stay and compel arbitration, over strenuous objection of the plaintiff., 2020
- Won appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit where my client was appellee in an appeal from a final judgment in its favor for damages against a U.S. importer for breaching a contract to which the Convention on the International Sale of Goods (CISG) applied to the contract., 2023
- Prevailed at a federal bench trial in the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division, in an international business case where client was Chinese exporter of tablets, involving the Convention on the International Sale of Goods (CISG), 2022
- Prevailed in an appeal to the Third District Court of Appeal of Florida from an order denying a motion to compel arbitration. The Court of Appeal reversed the order, and remanded for the granting of the motion to compel arbitration, 2020
- In Miami-Dade state court, client moved to compel arbitration. Motion was denied. Took appeal of order denying motion to compel arbitration to Third District Court of Appeal. Order was reversed in client's favor, remanded for lower court to enter order compelling arbitration., 2020
- Obtained settlement on behalf of seafood importer against freight logistics company for allowing seafood importer's container of shrimp to thaw and become spoiled., 2018
- Customs and Border Protection seized shipping vessel for allegedly having secret compartments. Filed lawsuit against Government to get vessel back for owner. Litigated forfeiture action against Government. Arrived at settlement whereby vessel owner eliminated alleged compartments and paid storage charges in return for release of vessel., 2019
- Obtained a $310,000 attorney's fee award against a Coffee import/export company in Miami, 2010
- Client was Venezuelan national accused in civil action in Miami Dade Circuit Court of stealing up to 60 million dollars from defunct Venezuelan brokerage house in Caracas. I filed motion to dismiss for forum non conveniens, arguing that case belonged in Venezuelan courts. Plaintiff, a Venezuelan national, claimed that because he was an asylum applicant in USA, Venezuelan courts would deprive him of due process and be unfair. After remand from an appellate court, I convinced the Miami court to dismiss the case anyway in favor of a Venezuelan court. Case against my client was dismissed., 2013
- Client had monies seized from bank account in Miami by federal government. After requesting judicial forfeiture proceedings and negotiating with government, it agreed to return almost all of the seized funds., 2011
- Won not guilty verdict for clients, a cell phone exporter and its purchasing manager, in a federal criminal money laundering trial involving exports to Colombia and wire payments through the Black Market Peso Exchange., 2014
- In representing a London vehicle importer, obtained both a settlement and a civil theft judgment against a Florida automobile broker who failed to deliver vehicles after being paid by the London importer., 2016
- Represented a seafood wholesaler in a lawsuit brought against another seafood wholesaler in Miami-Dade Circuit Court for the conversion(theft) of a container load of frozen fish imported from Brazil. Becerra obtained a jury verdict in his client's favor in a very circumstantial case, resulting in a Final Judgment for his client $110,000., 2009
- Convinced State Attorneys' Office to dismiss charges against client, a manager of a company, accused by her employer of stealing company funds. Also convinced Department of Economic Opportunity (unemployment compensation) to reinstate her unemployment benefits over employer's objection at unemployment compensation appeal hearing, 2012
- Represented president of freight forwarding company who was charged in Florida state court with possessing unstamped cigarettes and evasion of cigarette tax, all Florida felonies. Convinced prosecutor to dismiss felony charges and arranged no contest plea to misdemeanor of failing to have a permit to export cigarettes. No sentence, fines or taxes owed., 2017
- Obtained a misdemeanor plea agreement and sentence for a client that is an importer of food ingredients in a very high profile case. The case involved dog food ingredients from China which were tainted, resulting in the deaths of thousands of dogs and cats. The government originally indicted the client with 26 FDA misdemeanors and a felony wire fraud conspiracy. Through negotiation, a plea agreement was reached whereby the client pled guilty to two misdemeanors and the felony wire fraud conspiracy was dismissed along with 24 other misdemeanors, and the government agreed in the plea agreement to a probationary sentence and fine. Client was sentenced to probation and a fine., 2010
- Represented client charged in New York State Court with Enterprise Corruption, money laundering and illegal bookmaking in regard to an internet sports betting network. Worked out plea deal with prosecution dismissing all charges and allowing client to plead guilty to disorderly conduct, which is less than a misdemeanor under New York law., 2012
- Robert J. Becerra had a client that was importing scrap gold into the U.S. from Panama. Customs claimed the scrap gold was really jewelry, requiring a different duty rate, and therefore seized the scrap gold for forfeiture. Becerra filed a petition for remission of the forfeiture, showing that any alleged misdeclaration was a mere mistake and requesting return of the scrap gold. Customs granted the petition, returned the more than $170,000 worth of scrap gold, in return for a payment of duty at the jewelry rate., 2008
- Represented Shipper of computer parts from Florida to Dominican Republic. Defendant, an ocean carrier, had container with shipper's goods stolen from its warehouse/truck yard. Lawsuit filed and resulted in confidential settlement., 2013
- Client was sued for violating Americans with Disabilities Act. Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed case after I filed a motion to dismiss for failing to plead with the particularity required by Supreme Court precedent, 2011
- Lower court dismissed $60 million fraud case against client/defendant in Miami Court in favor of forum in Venezuela. Plaintiff took appeal. Appellate court affirmed dismissal of case in favor of court in Venezuela, 2014
- Obtained a below Federal Sentencing Guidelines sentence of probation with home detention for a client convicted of tax evasion, 2011
- In a Florida lawsuit between an exporter and a trucking company, I represented the trucking company. The exporter alleged that the trucking company had either lost or stole about $170,000 worth of its cargo. The trucking company filed a motion for summary judgment against the exporter. On the eve of the hearing on the motion for summary judgment, the exporter filed a dismissal of all its claims against the trucking company., 2015
- Represented client in high profile criminal fraud case involving the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Client sentenced to bottom of Guideline Range although government claimed he was mastermind of scheme to defraud, 2011
- Obtained federal court settlement for auto parts distributor/importer whereby Customs and Border Protection returned all seized auto parts to the auto parts distributor/importer which had been alleged to be counterfeit., 2017
- Robert J. Becerra a case brought by his client, a U.S. importer, against a Chinese manufacturer of Christmas lights for breach of contract and warranties, won an appeal in the Third District Court of Appeal taken by the defendant of an order denying their motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction, 2009
- Settled civil case between joint venture partner and joint venture entity which extracted client from joint venture in its totality, without any surviving restrictions in return for substantial settlement payment, 2012
- Robert J. Becerra had a client, an exporter of machinery, that had $50,000 seized out of its operating account by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who alleged that the monies were traceable to narcotics money laundering. Becerra, through negotiations with ICE, was able to convince them that the Client was an innocent owner of the funds, having received them for payment on an export of goods. ICE agreed to return all the money back to the Client., 2009
- Represented shipper of computer goods that were shipped from Florida to Colombia. When container was opened in Colombia it was found that much of the cargo was missing and replaced with sacks of concrete. I filed a lawsuit for shipper against trucking company, Ocean Transportation Intermediary and ocean carrier. Case was settled prior to trial in favor of Shipper, 2013
- Represented a cheese importer who imported adulterated cheese from Nicaragua and then violated a hold on that cheese by the Food & Drug Administration. Importer then attempted to fool Customs and FDA into thinking the cheese was being re-exported when in fact it was already sold nationwide. After a guilty plea, obtained a sentence for the principle that was a minor fraction of that requested by the government., 2010
- Represented importer whose goods, cellular phones, were seized by US Customs. After government refused to return goods, I sued the Department of Homeland Security in federal court in Miami demanding the return of the goods. Settlement was entered into by the parties whereby all goods were returned to my importer client without payment of any monies, costs or fees to the government., 2013
- Client and Chinese supplier were engaged in litigation over bills unpaid by client amounting to the millions for product imported into the US. After months of litigation, entered into settlement providing for terms allowing over 10 years to make installment payments and a discount of over 33% from amount owed on invoices., 2011
- Robert J. Becerra of Becerra Law, P.A. settled a civil forfeiture case in federal court in the Middle District of Florida which resulted in the federal government returning to Becerra Law’s client, an automobile exporter, 21 BMW vehicles worth over one million dollars, without the exporter having to pay any funds or storage costs to the federal government. , 2014
- Represented consignee of goods shipped from Africa which were stolen. Obtained favorable settlement from ocean carrier., 2011
- Obtained favorable settlement for auto exporter in civil forfeiture case in New Jersey state court involving the State of New Jersey's seizure of the exporter's funds for the purchase of luxury vehicles for export to China., 2016
- Obtained 50% reduction in sentence in federal criminal export violation case for client's cooperation after guilty plea where government requested only a 20% reduction, 2012
- Robert J. Becerra represented a defendant in a federal criminal case involving a sting operation brought by the government. The defendant accompanied a crew of robbers from New York to Miami for the purpose of robbing drugs from a drug dealer which was portrayed by an undercover law enforcement officer. When the defendants arrived at the undercover officer's offices, they were arrested. Client was charged with drug trafficking charges, robbery charges and firearm possession charges. Client went to trial and obtained not guilty verdicts on the drug trafficking and gun possession charges, but was convicted on the robbery charges. This resulted in only a two year sentence for Becerra's client, when co-defendants, who were convicted at the same trial of the drug and robbery charges, all received sentences of 15-20 years., 2006
- Represented Indian exporter of cosmetic products. Exporter sold container loads of petroleum jelly to U.S. importer. U.S. importer failed to pay exporter's invoices, and then claimed poor quality as the reason. After lawsuit in Miami state court, case settled with importer returning product to exporter, plus $60,000 payment., 2012
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- International Law, Florida Bar, 2014
Honors/Awards:
- Named to "Florida Legal Elite" list in Florida Trend Magazine in "International" practice., Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine, 2021
- Top Lawyer, South Florida Legal Guide
- Super Lawyer in “International”
- “AV Preeminent” rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
- Who's Who in American Law, Marquis Who's Who, 2009
- Listed in "The Best Lawyers in America" 2015-2025 editions under "Criminal Defense: White-Collar", The Best Lawyers in America, 2025
- America's Most Honored Professionals, American Registry, 2011
- Rated 10.0, “Superb” by Avvo, a lawyer rating website
- Listed among "South Florida's Top Rated Lawyers," Criminal Law, 2012, 2013
- Ranked AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5*, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
- Named, "Top Lawyer," Criminal Law/Criminal Defense, South Florida Legal Guide, 2012-2019, South Florida Legal Guide, 2021
- Named, "Super Lawyer" Super Lawyers Magazine, 2014-2024, SuperLawyers, 2024
Educational Background:
- University of Miami, B.B.A., Majors: International Finance and Marketing, 1986
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Article discusses the extraterritorial reach of certain federal criminal laws to conduct occurring outside of the United States. , Author, The Extraterritorial Reach of Corruption, Money Laundering, and Fraud Crimes: Offenses Without Borders?, International Law Quarterly, Legal, 2024
- Panel presenter on use of AI in the practice of law, FIU College of Law, 2024, Panelist, AI in the practice of law, FIU College of Law, 2024
- Moderated panel on “Counterfeits or Gray Market?:Latest trends in trademark and intellectual property protection, enforcement and compliance for imported and exported trademarked goods” at the iLaw 2023, the ILS Global Forum on International Law, 2023, Moderator, Counterfeits or Gray Market?:Latest trends in trademark and intellectual property protection, enforcement and compliance for imported and exported trademarked goods”, Florida Bar International Law Section, 2023
- The article discusses the manners and methods of trade-based money laundering through the precious metals markets and ways to avoid involvement in illicit transactions, Author, Gold at the End of the Rainbow: Money Laundering Through the Precious Metals Markets, International Law Quarterly, International Law, 2022
- Moderated panel on “International Money Laundering through the Precious Metals Markets” at the iLaw 2022, the ILS Global Forum on International Law, 2022, Moderator, International Money Laundering through the Precious Metals Markets, Florida Bar International Law Section, 2022
- Moderator, PPE Transactions in a Pandemic: Achieving Compliance and Identifying Fraud”, Zoom Webinar, Florida Bar International Law Section, 2021, Moderator, PPE Transactions in a Pandemic: Achieving Compliance and Identifying Fraud, Florida Bar International Law Section, 2021
- I authored a chapter on international criminal law in the Florida Bar International Law Section's reference deskbook, Author, International Criminal Law, The International Law Deskbook 2020, International Law, 2020
- Zoom webinar on the legal issues presented when importing Gray Market products, Presenter, Gray Market Imports, Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association, International Trade And Logistics, 2020
- Article discussing the market for gray market products and the line where engaging in that market becomes illegal, Author, When the Gray Market Turns Black, International Law Quarterly, International Trade And Logistics; Distribution, 2020
- Presented seminar on trade based money laundering in international trade, Presenter, Trade Based Money Laundering, Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association, International Trade And Logistics, 2020
- Moderated panel on compliance due diligence, Moderator, Compliance in Mergers and Acquisitions, iLaw2020: The ILS Global Forum on International Law, Law, 2020
- Article published in International Law Quarterly, Winter 2018 edition, focuses on recent case law in Florida holding that the Carmack Amendment does not preempt state law claims for wrongful misconduct causing damage to an inland shipment, Author, Crack in the Carmack: Florida Supreme Court holds Carmack Amendment Preemption not Absolute in all Claims involving Inland Shipments, Florida Bar International Law Section, 2018
- Presented on a panel regarding the NOAA's new Seafood Import Monitoring Program at the Seafood Expo North America held in Boston March 11-13, 2018, Seafood Import Monitoring Program, Seafood Expo North America, 2018
- Co-Presenter in this live seminar held on April 18, 2018 at the headquarters of the Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association which discussed administrative, civil and criminal Customs and Trade Enforcement, Co-Presenter, Everthing you Need to Know About Customs and Trade Enforcement, FCBF, International Trade, 2018
- Article published in Daily Business Review on July 24, 2018 regarding trade-based money laundering in international trade and real estate., Author, Trade Based Money Laundering-South Florida is in the Bullseye, American Lawyers Media, 2018
- I was the featured presenter in a seafood industry sponsored webinar discussing criminal enforcement in the seafood industry, Presenter, Comply or Die: Criminal Enforcement in the Seafood Industry, Seafoodsource.com, 2017
- Panelist in Technical Program for the International Precious Metals Institute's 2017 annual conference in Orlando, Florida, Panelist, Staying out of Trouble and Keeping the Feds Away From Your Import Shipments, International Precious Metals Institute, 2017
Industry Groups:
- International Trade
- Transportation
Office location for Robert J. Becerra
2800 Ponce de Leon
Suite 1400
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Phone: 786-785-8466
Selections
12 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2025
Certificates and credentials
Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization
International Law
International Law
