Bennett Jones LLP houses a full-spectrum international trade group that is well versed in trade remedies, economic sanctions and export controls, anti-corruption compliance, WTO dispute settlement, customs law and supply chain matters, among other areas. High-profile counsel Darrel Pearson heads the department and is an international trade veteran, with extensive experience in trade strategy, compliance and dispute resolution. The team further benefits from the experience of Sabrina Bandali, who supports Canadian and international clients on a wide scope of international trade and investment law issues. A strong duo of next generation partners are Alison FitzGerald, who splits her time between Toronto and Ottawa and focuses on international arbitration and international trade law, and George Reid, who maintains a broad trade practice. Also noted is Jessica Horwitz, who advises on foreign trade, customs, import and export regulation and economic sanctions. Named lawyers are based in Toronto, unless stated otherwise.

Ottawa-based boutique Cassidy Levy Kent LLP is commended by clients as a ‘specialist practice with deep knowledge of international trade issues and strategies’. A strong performer in trade litigation, including trade remedies before the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT), the team is additionally distinguished by its ability to act in tandem with firm’s Washington office on US-related matters. The group is co-led by Christopher Kent, who is widely regarded as a dean of the Canadian trade bar; Christopher Cochlin, who is sought after for his record in representing North American producers in trade remedies cases — he also advises on trade policy, trade treaty disputes and trade negotiations; and go-to trade litigator Andrew Lanouette. Other key contacts include Michael Milne, who focuses on trade remedies, and sanctions and customs compliance; and next-generation trade partners Marc McLaren-Caux and Hugh Seong Seok Lee. Susana Lee recently left to join the CITT.

Lawyers at Conlin Bedard LLP are ‘experts in the field of international trade law’, according to satisfied clients. The Ottawa-based boutique is widely recognized as a market leader for antidumping and countervailing duty cases, where it has notably secured half of all new Canadian proceedings since the firm’s establishment in 2012. Alongside its signature strength in trade remedies, the team is also equipped to advise on economic sanctions, export controls, trade policy, customs law and WTO dispute settlement proceedings, among other issues. Benjamin Bedard and Paul Conlin co-head the practice and each contributes over 20 years of experience in trade litigation and trade policy matters. The team also draws on seasoned counsel Jean Bédard, who is a former chair of the CITT. A deep bench of up-and-coming trade specialists includes Anne-Marie Oatway and Drew Tyler — both of whom maintain broad international trade practices, with a focus on trade remedies and export controls.

McCarthy Tétrault stands out for the broad scope of its international trade offering. Alongside its strength in traditional trade areas, including trade remedies, trade policy and WTO dispute settlement, it is also recognized as a go-to team for economic sanctions and export controls. Additionally, the Toronto-based group is increasingly handling supply chain issues, including supply chain investigations initiated through the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Sourcing (CORE). Litigator John Boscariol leads the international trade and investment law area and his focus spans the full range of compliance, enforcement and dispute resolution-related matters. Martha Harrison sits in the international trade and the retail and consumer markets teams and her recent activity encompasses customs law, economic sanctions, trade remedies and foreign investment, among other work. The department also draws on Robert Glasgow, who is particularly noted for customs law, and associate Ljiljana Stanic, whose litigation practice takes in procurement and international trade cases.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s international trade practice brings to bear a diverse record in trade-related disputes, investigations and regulatory matters. The practice is now led by Toronto-based white-collar crime and regulatory partner Graeme Hamilton, who handles anti-corruption compliance, economic sanctions, import and export controls and customs laws enforcement. In May 2024, Ottawa-based senior counsel Rambod Behboodi joined the firm from GenevaTradeLaw.com. In October 2023, former department co-heads Jesse Goldman and Matthew Kronby left the firm together with associate Jacob Mantle.

Dentons’ practice demonstrates extensive experience across the full gamut of international trade matters, with strong recent showings in trade remedies, export controls and sanctions, supply chain issues and customs law compliance. Toronto-based department head Paul Lalonde is a regulatory specialist with expertise in all key pillars of international trade, government procurement and anti-corruption law. Toronto-based counsel Sean Stephenson provides dedicated practice support.

During 2023/24, Fasken’s international trade practice kept particularly busy advising on economic sanctions — mainly Russia-related sanctions — and customs law issues, including matters relating to customs valuations and tariff classifications. The team also continues to handle trade remedies and trade treaty-related work. Clifford Sosnow, who splits his time between Toronto and Ottawa, chairs the international trade and investment group and specializes in trade, investment and anti-bribery law. Ottawa-based associate Christopher Little is also noted.

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP’s signature mining offering is reflected in an international trade practice that has strong expertise in advising global natural resources companies on export controls, customs matters and economic sanctions regulations. Other practice strong suits include anti-corruption law, government contracting and supply chain-related work. Toronto-based Brenda Swick heads the department and routinely advises domestic and global clients on trade regulations, dispute resolution and transactional support issues.

A particularly active team on the customs side, Gowling WLG’s international trade practice has also recently undertaken work concerning economic sanctions, and Canadian export controls and permits, among other matters. Administrative law specialist Wendy Wagner steers the practice from Ottawa and brings to bear strong experience in both regulation and litigation. Ottawa-based associate Hunter Fox provides support.

Torys’ possesses niche expertise in NAFTA/WTO issues, where it specializes in representing claimants and respondents in treaty disputes, including international arbitrations. On the regulatory front, the team covers a range of economic sanctions, export controls and anti-corruption-related matters. Toronto-based practice head John Terry is recommended for investment arbitrations. Ryan Lax, who was recently promoted to counsel, has an emphasis on public, commercial and international trade law.

Baker McKenzie’s Toronto-based international trade team is distinguished by its ability to leverage the wider firm’s extensive global platform to advise on multi-jurisdictional trade work, including customs issues and economic sanctions. Department head Julia Webster, who is also a certified customs specialist, brings experience across a broad range of regulatory and contentious matters. Regulatory associates Jacqueline Rotondi and Jing Xu are also noted.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s international trade offering leans on the firm’s tax, dispute resolution and regulatory groups, among others, to provide interdisciplinary support on customs, economic sanctions, export controls anti-corruption and trade policy matters. Toronto-based tax partner Zvi Halpern-Shavim spearheads the cross-practice team and advises on customs law, export controls and economic sanctions. Vancouver-based associate Brady Gordon is noted for trade litigation.