September 3, 2014 – Ottawa, ON – Woods, LaFortune LLP (WL LLP) and the Allam Advisory Group (AAG), a global business and management consulting firm in Ottawa, are pleased to announce their newly forged strategic alliance. WL LLP, also based in Ottawa, is an international trade law boutique with expertise in international trade and investment, trade promotion, market access, customs, as well as procurement and government relations. This unique and exciting alliance allows both organizations to share their collective international business experience and expertise to better serve their clients. WL LLP’s trade law expertise and ability to assist clients with advice on the developments and implications of international trade obligations, including the WTO and the NAFTA, as well as the international obligations and regulations affecting trade with Canada, in addition to representation before administrative bodies, complements AAG’s extensive international business and global expansion expertise and services. With this alliance in place, AAG remains a leader in the industry by providing full turn key international business and trade law solutions. WL LLP looks forward to working with AAG to jointly serve clients looking to do business in key global markets like China, Korea, the European Union, Africa and the Middle East. “This unique partnership complements the extensive global market expansion services of AAG thereby providing the most comprehensive international trade law advisory services to meet our clients’ needs in Canada and internationally,” said Omar Allam, Founder and CEO of AAG. “We are very excited about the extended reach and expertise that this collaboration will bring.” Michael Woods, a founding partner of Woods, LaFortune LLP added, “This alliance will add another level of strength to our international trade law services. We are very impressed with AAG’s leadership. It is great to team up with a fellow Trade Commissioner.” Both Omar and Michael served abroad in the trade wing of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada. About Allam Advisory Group Allam Advisory Group is a full service global business and management consulting firm in Ottawa that offers strategic advisory and consulting services in international business, global expansion, alliance building, strategy, marketing, strategic communications and event management to clients...
Read MoreFirst Nations – The Paradigm Shift and the Domestic and International Implications for your Business
Wayne Garnon-Williams of Garwill Law Professional Corporation and Michael Woods of Woods, LaFortune LLP, will be featured speakers at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business’ (CCAB) Aboriginal Entrepreneurs Conference and Trade Show on October 9, 2014, at the Hilton Lac-Leamy Hotel in Gatineau, QC. The conference promises to provide an exclusive learning and business networking platform. Delegates from diverse industry sectors from across North America, including senior level decisions makers from corporate Canada, government officials and Aboriginal leadership, are scheduled to attend. In light of the recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions in Tsilhqot’in and Grassy Narrows, Wayne Garnon-Williams and Michael Woods will speak to the legal implications of the new paradigm and the opportunities and challenges relating to conducting business involving Aboriginal title land and treaty territories. Whether your organization seeks to do business with First Nations or you are currently in a business relationship on these lands, this joint presentation will walk delegates through what they need to know to strengthen business relationships to ensure mutual long-term prosperity. For more information on the conference see:...
Read MoreThe Next Generation – Canada-US Bilateral Trade
On July 30, Catherine Walsh and Michael Woods had the pleasure of visiting with the latest group of interns at the United States Embassy on Sussex Drive. Vanessa Eyre, Shannon Flynn, Nicole Laity, and Adam Mowrey, who were also joined by Katie Steffen, discussed their experience interning with the U.S. Commercial Service over the course of the summer. Catherine and Michael shared insights about careers in international trade law and Catherine added her views on the wide range of international business options and on the value of an MBA in this context. All agreed that it is a unique opportunity to be able to participate in helping nourish and grow the Canada-U.S. bilateral trade relationship – which features $ 2 billion worth of goods and services crossing the border every day. Woods, LaFortune LLP salutes the U.S. Commercial Service for investing in the future of our vital bilateral relationship via its Commercial Internships for Canadian Students and encourages Canadian students to consider applying at the following link:...
Read MoreUniversity of Toronto – Where it all Began for Michael Woods
The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law Magazine, Nexus, featured a piece in its Spring/Summer 2014 edition on Michael Woods, an alumnus of U of T. The piece highlights the value of his law school experience and the importance of the U of T network in the development of his successful international law career. The full article is available at: http://www.law.utoronto.ca/news/nexus/nexus-archives/nexus-springsummer-2014/global-capitals-canada-s-capital-alumnus-michael...
Read MoreSCC Rulings on Aboriginal Title and their Impact on Business
The Supreme Court of Canada has recently released two very important decisions pertaining to Aboriginal Title, namely Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia, 2014 SCC 44 and Grassy Narrows First Nation v. Ontario (Natural Resources), 2014 SCC 48. Woods, LaFortune LLP, in collaboration with Garwill Law, have drafted a brief note touching on the implications of these two landmark decisions for First Nations, as well as domestic/foreign investors and businesses, which can be found in our Publications section....
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