International Law

Our Group

The International Law Group’s experience in Canada and abroad, along with our members’ expanding network of governmental and private sector contacts, greatly assist with the identification, assessment and implementation of international trade and finance opportunities on behalf of clients, as well as negotiations in international, regulatory and cross-cultural business environments. Certain members have vast experience working in overseas law offices of Canadian and foreign law firms, and are qualified to act in jurisdictions outside Canada — adding unique foreign insight to the advice available to our clients.

Our Experience

Our professionals span many practice areas, including corporate/commercial, technology and intellectual property, tax, immigration, energy, environmental and government relations. This makes it possible for us to assemble the right expertise for each client, quickly and efficiently. Our team not only provides multi-faceted, practical and cost-effective advice to domestic and foreign companies, but also foreign law firms.

Our Services

The assignment of a responsible lawyer to each client facilitates high-quality service delivery and a careful control of legal fees. Where possible, we use the services of students, paralegals and associates for legal services that do not require the expertise of a senior lawyer. E-mail, high-end software and other technologically advanced devices also enhance our client communications and business efficiencies.

Our range of services includes:

• Negotiating transactions both inside and outside Canada
• Advising on foreign law issues
• Assisting with international investment transactions
• Preparing and negotiating international joint venture, distribution and licensing agreements, sales contracts and other commercial documents
• Immigration, emigration, and transfer of employees
• Ensuring legal requirements of all relevant jurisdictions in a transaction are met
• Assisting in the resolution of international disputes through mediation and arbitration or litigation
• Advising Canadian clients in penetrating new and developing markets, such as North and South America, China, Korea, Thailand, and the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern Europe
• Accessing international financing through International Financial Institutions (IFIs) including the World Bank and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
• Advising on trade agreements including WTO, NAFTA and the EEC
• Counselling exporters of environmental products and services
• Resolving customs and anti-dumping disputes and appearing on behalf of clients before government tribunals such as the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) and panels established under NAFTA
• Providing non-Canadian clients with advice in respect of compliance with foreign investment restrictions and the Investment Canada Act and all aspects of doing business in Canada
• Tax planning that optimizes cross-border tax efficiencies

Representative Work

• Advising a Canadian software developer on licensing mapping technology to a U.S. licensee
• Assisting a Canadian automobile dealer on the establishment of U.S. operations
• Advising a multinational automotive parts firm with the temporary entry of executive and other skilled personnel to Canada
• Successful completion of litigation outside Canada to enforce patent rights
• Successful negotiation of corporate transactions in Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, China, Russia, Cyprus and the United States
• Advising Canadian corporations on their entry and operations in Mexico
• Assisting corporations from Mexico with their development of business in Canada
• Providing advice and assistance in coordination with local law firms for companies located in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay