214.643.6150
Michelle Schulz,
Founder & Managing Partner
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Michelle Schulz is a widely recognized leader in international trade law and the Founder and Managing Partner of Schulz Trade Law PLLC based in Dallas, Texas. As a go-to authority in the international trade and compliance arena for over two decades, she has been involved in almost every aspect of import and export compliance and enforcement matters.
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Signature Topics
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International Trade Law
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Export & Import Compliance
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ITAR & EAR Licensing
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Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
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International Contracts
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Sanctions & Embargoes
Career Highlights
As outside trade counsel for major corporations, Michelle represents Fortune 500 companies and other corporate clients in matters relating to compliance with U.S. and international regulations governing export of dual-use commodities, defense articles, software, and technology. Her clients are located across the globe, including North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, among other areas. Michelle also serves as an outside advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative on the Industry Trade Advisory Committee for Aerospace (ITAC-1), where she holds a secret level security clearance.
Michelle is well-versed in defense exports under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), as well as dual-use exports under Export Administration Regulations (EAR). She is highly experienced in the U.S. Customs Regulations, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR), and Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) regulations. Michelle routinely navigates compliance issues in sanctions, embargoes, Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs), Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), country of origin, valuation, and trade data reporting to the U.S. Census Bureau (Census). She also frequently leads corporate counsel, buyers, and sellers through the due diligence process for international trade in mergers and acquisitions.
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During the Obama administration, Michelle served six years on the President’s Export Council Subcommittee for Export Administration (PECSEA), advising the U.S. Department of Commerce and its Bureau of Industry and Security on Export Control Reform (ECR). She chaired the PECSEA’s Data Transition and Security Subcommittee, focusing on export controls for technology, software, and encryption during the Export Control Reform initiative.
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Michelle’s practice is solution focused. She has a reliable history of negotiating with government enforcement agencies with a solid understanding of government regulations, requirements, and expectations. Additionally, through offering service with kindness and care, Michelle collaborates with corporate teams to design and implement effective trade compliance programs and mitigate risk exposure.
Michelle is fluent in English, German, and French, and actively maintains a global network of seasoned local trade experts around the world. She is licensed to practice in the State of Texas and U.S. Court of International Trade.
Credentials
Education
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University of Texas School of Law
Juris Doctor (J.D.) (2001)
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Vanderbilt University
Master of Arts (M.A.), German (1998)
Delta Phi Alpha Honors Society
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Tulane University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), French & German (1995)
Graduated with Honors, Magna Cum Laude,
Phi Beta Kappa ​​
Additional Studies
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University of Paris IV-Sorbonne (Paris, France)
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Goethe Institute (Paris, France)
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Lessing-Kolleg (Marburg, Germany)
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University of Leiden (The Netherlands)
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Fulbright Educational Program (Vienna, Austria)
Licenses & Bar Admissions
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State of Texas (2002)
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Supreme Court of Texas
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U.S. Court of International Trade (2008)
Memberships & Accolades
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Secretary, European American Chamber of Commerce (EACC) Texas Board of Directors
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Chair of the International Law Section of the Texas State Bar from 2017-2018
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Recognized in Texas as a Rising Star for International Law, Super Lawyer Magazine, 2010-2011
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A leader in her field, Michelle frequently presents on international trade topics at professional conferences worldwide
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Chair Award, International Law Section, Texas State Bar, 2017 & 2018
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Advisor, President’s Export Council Subcommittee on Export Administration (PECSEA), and past chair of PECSEA Data Transmission and Security Subcommittee
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Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Aerospace (ITAC-1), Advisory Committee to U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative, past chair Export Expansion Subcommittee
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D/FW French-American Chamber of Commerce, past member of the Board of Directors
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Dallas Regional Chamber Trade Development Committee, past Vice Chair
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Dallas/Fort Worth Organization of Women in International Trade, past Vice President of Legal
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Youth 180, past Member, Board of Directors
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Institute for the Economic Empowerment of Women, Mentor to Entrepreneurs from Afghanistan and Rwanda
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Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2010-2011
​Authorship Bios:
Past Publications
“The Evolution of U.S. Export Controls: Technology and the U.S. Response to Russian Aggression” – Article for Circuits (e-Journal of the Computer & Technology Section of the State Bar of Texas), October 2024.
Past Presentations
2024
“Update on Sanctions and Embargoes” – Panelist. International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA), November 19, 2024, online webinar.
“Trouble at Sea or Smooth Sailing? Navigating Trade Issues Under New Administrations” – Panelist. USMBA's 30th Annual Conference, November 6-8, 2024, Cancun, Mexico.
“Policy, Initiatives, and Regulatory Framework Shaping the Global Space Economy” – Panelist. 4th Annual EU-Texas Economic Leadership Forum and Ambassadors’ Gala, October 24, 2024, Cox School of Business, Dallas, TX.
“Updates on Sanctions and Embargoes in 2024” – Panelist. Corporate Counsel Symposium, SMU Rowling Center for Business Law & Leadership, October 11, 2024, Dallas, TX.
“Doing Business in the United States: What You Need to Know About Import Customs Issues” – Panelist. EACC New York (European American Chamber of Commerce), September 19, 2024, online webinar.
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“ITAR for Allies” - Panelist, 2024 ICPA ITAR Conference, May 31, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas.
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“International Trade: Coping with Enforcement Challenges” - Panelist, State Bar of Texas International Law Section’s 33rd Annual International Law Institute, May 16, 2024, in Houston, Texas.
“Importing into China,” “Whistleblowing,” and “HTS and PGA Compliance” - Speaker, ICPA Conference, March 17-20, 2024 in San Diego, CA.
“Protecting EAR and ITAR-Controlled Technical Data Overseas: Upskilling Compliance Teams and Understanding the Practicalities That Work” - Speaker, ACI’s Advanced Forum on Global Export Controls, February 28-29, 2024 in Washington, DC.
2023
“ITAR Updates: Ready, Aim, Comply” - Virtual presentation recorded by ICPA, December 2023.
“Customs Issues in Tax Planning” – Speaker at the State Bar of Texas Tax Section’s International Tax Symposium November 10, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.
“Importing into China” - Speaker at ICPA 2023 Asia-Pacific Conference October 24, 2024 in Portland, Oregon.
“Doing Business Extraterritorially” - Speaker at UT Law Government Institute, Annual Conference, September 28, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.
“Imports 101: An Introduction to Import Regulations and How They Can Impact Your Business” – Presenter at IEEW's 2023 Leadership Development Week July 18, 2023 at Oklahoma Christian University.
“ITAR Regulatory Updates,” Speaker at ICPA-ITAR Spring Conference April 25, 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas.
“Where are Government Investigations Going?” - Speaker at the ICPA Annual Conference, March 14, 2023 in Orlando, Florida.
“Licensing Requirements and Exemptions: How to Prepare and Secure an ITAR License” - Speaker at American Conference Institute - ITAR, February 2023.
2022
“Russia Sanctions,” - Panelist at the International Compliance Professionals Association Virtual Seminar, February 2022.
“Heading Out” - Export Compliance Panel, Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association, Summit of the Americas, February 2022.
2021
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“Exporting to the Cloud: Lowering Your Company’s Online Risk” - Speaker, Association of Corporate Counsel, Southern Methodist University, October 2021.​
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2019
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“What a Transactional Lawyer Needs to Know about U.S. Economic and Trade Sanctions” - Speaker, Special Institute on International Mining and Oil & Gas Law, Development, and Investment, April 2019.
“Creating a Functional Export Compliance Manual” - Speaker, International Compliance Professionals Association, March 27, 2019.
2018
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“Knowing Your Legal Position: And Planning Strategically with CTPAT” - Speaker at the NCBFAA G-TEC 2018 Global Trade Educational Conference July 2018.
2017
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“The Core Elements of an Export Management and Compliance Program: How to Design Effective Policies and Procedures for Your Global Business” - Speaker, American Conference Institute (ACI), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Boot Camp, May 2017.
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“Anti-Boycott and OFAC Compliance: So Far...Yet So Close” - Speaker, International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA), March 2017.
2016
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“Cuba Sanctions: Navigating the Recent Changes” - Speaker, Austin International Business Law (IBL) Roundtable/IBLCT Meeting, May 2016.
In The News
2024
"Class Notes: Class of 2001"
UT Texas Law Alumni & Giving, October 2, 2024.
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2021
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"SMU Corporate Counsel Symposium"
Polsinelli, October 22, 2021.
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"Michelle Schulz From Polsinelli To Speak at 2021 ICPA Fall Conference"
European American Chamber of Commerce, September 13, 2021
2019
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"‘Final nail’ in the coffin? Trump’s new tariff ante on China will hammer Texas businesses and consumers"
The Dallas Morning News, August 30, 2019.
2018
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"Akerman Expands Texas Presence with Team of Corporate Lawyers"
Akerman, April 4, 2018
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"International Trade Group Leaves Gardere for Akerman"
Yahoo Finance, February 20, 2018.
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"Akerman Strengthens Dallas International Trade Team"
BCG Attorney Search Law Firm News, February 20, 2018
2017
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"Gardere Partner Michelle Schulz Appointed Chair of State Bar's International Law Section"
The Texas Lawbook, July 10, 2017.
2016
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"Cuba Sanctions Are Changing"
Chambers and Partners, November 29, 2016
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"Gardere Partner Michelle Schulz Named Co-Chair of Firm’s International Practice"
General Counsel News, June 21, 2016.
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