Posted by Woods LaFortune LLP on Mar 3, 2015

Join Catherine Walsh of Woods, LaFortune LLP (@CWTradeLaw) and other leading experts for the Forum of International Trade Training (FITT)’s #TradeElite live Twitter chat on Thursday March 5th, 2015 from 2:30pm to 3:30pm EST. This month’s topic will focus on “Practical Business Perspectives for your International IP Protection”. This is a great opportunity to ask your questions and get real time responses from the experts. Panelists include Becky DeStigter (@intelentreprenr), Ed Marsh (@edbmarsh), Craig Atkinson (@craigaatkinson) and Omar Allam (@Omar_Allam_). Join the conversation!  ...

Posted by Woods LaFortune LLP on Feb 27, 2015

Catherine Walsh and Michael Woods of Woods, LaFortune LLP have been invited by OPUS Advisory Services International Inc. (OPUS Advisory) to speak to a group of Trade Commissioners from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) at the Canadian Foreign Service Institute (CFSI) in Gatineau, Québec on March 3, 2015. This is in the cadre of a one week FITTskills training course, led by OPUS Advisory’s President, Alexander Malaket, which provides clients expert advice in trade finance, procurement, trade policy and promotion, as well as a range of effective training course on international trade. Both Alexander and Michael Woods sit on the Board of Directors for FITT (the Forum for International Training) – a world leader in international business training and professional certification.  The FITTskill’s training courses lead to professional designations (CITP/FIBP) endorsed by the World Trade Centers Association and the Canadian government. Catherine and Michael will be addressing trade law – a key element in the course. Michael, who was a member of the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) for 21 years, is looking forward to comparing notes with the latest generation of DFATD’s trade officers.  Created in 1894, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) has 120 years of experience helping Canadian companies succeed in in the global marketplace.  It features a network of over 1000 trade professionals working in Canadian embassies, high commissions, and consulates located in 150 cities around the world and offices across Canada....

Posted by Woods LaFortune LLP on Feb 25, 2015

The Woods, Lafortune LLP team and Renate Harrison of Harrison Law Professional Corporation are pleased to announce the conclusion of a strategic alliance between them that aims to facilitate the provision of advice and guidance in the growing field of Canada-U.S. cross-border transactions. Harrison Law P.C., is the only Ottawa-based firm devoted exclusively to the practice of U.S. corporate law, and the addition of its services will provide Woods, LaFortune LLP’s clients with a suite of seamless corporate legal services on both sides of the border. Canada and the U.S. enjoy the largest trade relationship in the world, with nearly one million dollars in goods and services crossing the border every minute. Errors in the legal organization, structure or foundation of your business can prove to be extremely costly. To avoid costly errors, it is vital to ensure compliance with the relevant existing laws and regulations in the territory in which your business is operating. It is also highly beneficial to be aware of, and to be able to factor in the latest applicable international trade agreements and the benefits they provide for your business strategy. There are many provisions contained in international trade agreements that your business may be able to leverage in an economically advantageous way.   Our Canada-U.S. cross-border business services include:   Planning and creating U.S.-Canada cross-border business structures (filing of incorporation, partnership, or limited liability company documentation) Evaluating and preparing cross-border tax plans Filing documents with the secretary of state and Annual filings Obtaining Employment Identification Number (EIN) Preparing shareholder or partnership agreements Applications for 501(c)(3) exempt organization status Developing governance structures, policies and procedures Handling of asset purchases and asset sales Assisting with business start-up financing, including angel, and Venture Capital funding Drafting/reviewing of purchase contracts, real estate contracts and leases   If you have any questions concerning Canadian incorporation and business ventures, please contact Catherine Walsh at (613) 513-7131 or by e-mail at walsh@wl-tradelaw.com for a no fee, no obligation consultation. If you have any questions concerning U.S. incorporation and business transactions, please contact Renate Harrison at 613-219-7576, or by e-mail at harrison@harrison.pro....

Posted by Woods LaFortune LLP on Feb 18, 2015

Michael Woods and Catherine Walsh of Woods, LaFortune LLP are proud to be participating as Panelists in the Asian Canadian Law Students Conference 2015 (ACLSC 2015) to be held on Saturday February 21, 2015 in Toronto. The Panel will be discussing and exploring the implications of the “Canada-China FIPA and Beyond”. The conference, which is presented through the combined efforts of law student associations from Osgoode Hall Law School and the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, provides an exciting forum for law students and lawyers across Canada to engage in topical discussion around issues that are of interest to the Asian Canadian community. ACLSC 2015 features some of the most interesting and distinguished members of the legal community in a variety of panels and workshops. Attending the annual conference is a great opportunity to explore career paths, manage professional development, learn about substantive legal issues, and build critical networks with legal professionals and students from across the country. For more information and registration please visit –...

Posted by Woods LaFortune LLP on Feb 9, 2015

Michael Woods, Senior Partner at Woods, LaFortune LLP and the firm’s strategic ally, Wayne Garnons-Williams of Garwill Law Professional Corporation,  were quoted in Howard Woodbury’s article about this summer’s landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) in Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia [2014 SCC 44].  In CCAB’s “Historical Tsilhqot’in”, both were asked to comment on the case’s significance in the domestic and international context.  The SCC’s decision undoubtedly has implications for economic and resource development on First Nations lands. According to Wayne Garnons-Williams “the three main implications of the Tsilhqot’in decision on Aboriginal-industry economic partnership are: (1) greater security for First Nations in future ownership and control of traditional lands and resources; (2) greater understanding by the outside business community that they will be talking and negotiating directly and primarily with First Nations; and (3) environmental standards, as interpreted by First Nations laws, will serve as the requirements for long-term stewardship of the land and resources. Michael Woods added that the Aboriginal-industry economic partnerships will have a “deeper, more rich concept of investment” than industry may have been exposed to in the past. Not only will they be partners in an economic and business sense, they will be real partners in their people-to-people relationship. Wayne Garnons-Williams and Michael Woods will address this topic in more detail as panelists at the CCAB Hot Topic Series  on March 12 2015, in Vancouver. See:...