An ‘incredibly knowledgeable‘ trade boutique, Cassidy Levy Kent LLP houses a comprehensive practice that covers trade remedies, trade policies, customs, dispute resolution, and export controls and sanctions. Based in Ottawa, the Canadian group also stands out for its ability to link up with the firm’s Washington DC office to advise on cross-border cases. Stand-out figure Christopher Kent is widely admired for his expertise in the area and recently teamed up with fellow trade specialists Christopher Cochlin, Andrew Lanouette and Michael Milne to represent Restwell Mattresses as the complainant in an antidumping investigation into imports of mattresses from China. The group further benefits from the seasoned expertise of special counsel Lawrence Herman, as well as senior counsel Gerry Stobo, who stepped down from partnership in December 2021. Younger counsels Susana Lee and Hugh Seong Seok Lee, who re-joined the firm in January 2022 following a three-year stint at the WTO, are also recommended.

One of the few national firms with a full-service international trade practice, McCarthy Tétrault combines strength in anti-corruption matters alongside expertise in more traditional trade spheres, including sanctions, import and export controls and trade disputes. Litigator John Boscariol spearheads the Toronto-based department and covers the waterfront on foreign trade and investment law. Among his recent cases, Boscariol acted for CGC in requesting an interim review of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT)’s imposition of antidumping duties in relation to gypsum wallboard imported from the US into Western Canada, and in seeking a review of the CITT’s decision in the first dispute ever to be launched under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Martha Harrison is also a key contact and specializes in international trade and product regulatory law, with extensive experience in complex trade disputes. The team also includes newly promoted partner Carmen Francis and international trade and procurement specialist Robert Glasgow.

With a well-established record in the international trade arena, Bennett Jones LLP possesses extensive experience across an array of customs trade compliance matters, trade remedies, investment treaty-related issues and economic sanctions and export controls. Group head Darrel Pearson is a 40-year trade veteran and retains a thriving practice; he is acting alongside up-and-coming partner George Reid to represent Hyundai Electric & Energy Systems in administrative and judicial reviews related to special tariffs imposed on importations of large power transformers from the Republic of Korea. Other recommended names include Sabrina Bandali, who handled several complex disputes over the past year, senior counsel Valerie Hughes and Jessica Horwitz.

Dentons‘ Canadian trade practice is particularly well-equipped to advise on sanctions, where it can draw on its global network to provide clients with coordinated advice across multiple jurisdictions, and trade remedies cases. The group also pairs up with the firm’s government and public policy unit for guidance on trade law policy. Toronto-based Paul Lalonde steers the group and brings to bear specialist expertise in government procurement and international trade law.

Trade lawyers at Fasken strike the right note with their ability to ‘go the extra mile when needed‘. Clifford Sosnow splits his time between Ottawa and Toronto and is sought after for his expertise across an array of trade spheres, including anti-bribery law, export controls and sanctions, investment treaty matters and trade remedies. Montreal-based Peter Kirby, who co-heads the practice alongside Sosnow, has a focus on regulatory compliance, trade agreements and trade remedies. Toronto-based government relations and strategy chair Dan Brock is also noted.

Gowling WLG houses a compact but capable international trade group, which advises on trade and investment agreements, export controls and sanctions and customs compliance. Ottawa-based department head Wendy Wagner is highlighted by sources as ‘pragmatic, responsive, knowledgeable and efficient‘. Advocacy associate Hunter Fox provides support on contentious matters.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s record in international trade spans a mix of contentious and compliance work, with notable recent experience in trade remedies, customs issues, economic sanctions and export controls, among other matters. Following the March 2022 retirement of department co-head Richard Wagner, the team is now co-led by international arbitration and trade specialist Alison FitzGerald (who was promoted from counsel to partner in January 2022) alongside Martin Masse, whose practice spans competition, international trade and procurement law.

With a particularly strong record in contentious trade work, Torys‘ trade practice excels in investment treaty arbitrations and other complex trade-related disputes. The group also provides ongoing compliance advice on such matters as anti-corruption, economic sanctions and export control issues. International arbitration specialist John Terry heads the group and advises corporations and government entities on free-trade treaties and WTO matters. Senior associate Ryan Lax actively provides support.