Bennett Jones: International Trade & Investment
Bennett Jones’ International Trade and Investment group is positioned in all aspects of international trade and investment law. Our members have a proven track record of expertise in all of the elements that comprise the regulation of international business, including market access for goods, services, intellectual property and investment. Our practice is also fully integrated with the firm’s extensive cross-border commercial, transactional, tax, banking and dispute settlement services.
The group was established with the objective of becoming best-of-class in Canada. We have formed our team by selective recruitment of proven leaders in all facets of the discipline at both the partner and associate levels, as well as senior advisors who bring the sound judgment necessary for strategic decision-making in the international business and regulatory arena.
Our experience spans domestic trade and investment laws, international rules and treaties, and international dispute settlement in trade and investment matters. Our depth allows us to offer the most comprehensive range of legal services in Canada in relation to international trade and investment regulation. Whether clients require advice on technical border issues or high-level trade policy, treaty negotiation or international relations matters, we are able to draw on our members’ unparalleled expertise in international business regulation to provide timely, practical and informed advice.
Our group includes several partners who are among the most highly-ranked and regarded international trade and investment, customs and commodity tax lawyers in Canada, a former Minister of Public Security (with responsibility for the Canada Border Services Agency), a former ambassador to the United States who was also one of the architects of the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, and a former Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada who was intimately involved in every major international initiative, trade negotiation or dispute involving Canada for more than a decade.
We provide advice and represent on matters involving:
*** Customs and Border Administration
*** Commodity Taxes
*** Trade Remedies
*** Trade Agreement, Policy and Negotiations
*** Investment Treaties and Disputes
*** Import and Export Controls
*** Product Regulation and Standards
*** Foreign Corrupt Practices
*** Extraterritorial Measures and Claw-back Statutes
*** Government Procurement and Bid Challenges
*** International Trade and Energy
*** Nordion Inc. in connection with the due diligence aspects of its US$826M acquisition by Sterigenics relating to an investigation by Canadian and US regulatory authorities. Sterigenics is a portfolio company of GTCR LLC, a leading Chicago-based private equity firm.
*** Lone Pine Resources Canada Ltd. and Lone Pine Resources Inc., in connection with a $400-million cross-border recapitalization and restructuring transaction pursuant to a plan of compromise and arrangement under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) and ancillary proceedings under Chapter 15 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
*** Sinopec Group in connection with its $2.9 billion acquisition of Daylight Energy Ltd.
Recent Recognitions
*** 2015, Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business
Bennett Jones, ranked, Band 1, International Trade/WTO
Market-leading international practice, acclaimed for the breadth of its expertise in trade law. Areas of service include export controls, anti-corruption, customs administration, WTO agreements and related litigation. The firm is active across a variety of sectors, such as oil and gas, manufacturing and IT. Draws on the strength of its Washington, DC, Beijing, Dubai and Doha offices in addition to its Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver teams. “Bennett Jones has the strongest team in the trade community.”“They are committed to trade work in a significant way.”
*** 2015, Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business
Darrel H. Pearson, ranked Band 1, International Trade/WTO
Darrel Pearson leads the team alongside Milos Barutciski, and wins praise for his long-standing and extensive experience of customs and trade remedies. In highlights, he advised Bunzl Distribution on trade verification work.
*** 2015, Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business
Milos Barutciski, ranked Band 1, International Trade/WTO
Department co-head Milos Barutciski is dubbed “a fine lawyer - one of the best in the field,” by market sources. He is well known for his specialisation in business corruption, and operates a well-respected practice which spans both trade and competition law.
Recent Publications
*** Looking Forward: Canadian Class Actions in 2015
*** Canadian Importers May Now Seek Import Duty Refunds
*** Managing Corruption Risk in the Resource Sector
News & Events
*** Internal Controls Calgary 2015
*** Professionalism Series: China’s New Normal: Implications for Canada-China Business
*** Bennett Jones Anti-Corruption Compliance Luncheon Series