1947 : The Breakthrough

1947

Among the many legal representations by Barnes, Richardson & Colburn, the one that was a big milestone is The Great Rhubarb controversy, a case of tariff classification of fresh Rhubarb from Canada. The issue was whether the Rhubarb was considered a natural fruit that it could be taken as a dessert or taken as a vegetable in its natural state. Based on these classifications, Rhubarb would be subjected to different duty rates. In their argument, Barnes, Richardson & Colburn and their partner Joseph Schwartz argued that the Rhubarb would more likely be taken as a dessert and it was classified accordingly, and subsequently the importer won the case. This was not only a win for the importer but also Joseph and Barnes, Richardson & Colburn.