Posted by Woods LaFortune LLP on Oct 21, 2014

* By Michael Woods – Senior Partner at Woods, LaFortune LLP After 35 years in both government and private practice, I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to build a fruitful career in international trade law. My own personal path to the exciting work I’ve had the privilege to participate in with respect to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), World Trade Organization (WTO), and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) disputes and negotiations actually started in the small Northern Ontario town of Wawa. In recent years, I have often been approached by law students and new lawyers with questions about a career in the international trade law field. Often times, the question is in terms of “if” rather than “how”.  While it is certainly a challenging area and a career path which may not be as straight forward as fields such as civil litigation, family, criminal and employment law, it is my view that international trade law is a great area for students and new lawyers to consider. In Canada, we have a great tradition and many world class international trade practitioners in both government and in the private sector. In my opinion, more should be done to connect the lawyers in these “two solitudes”. We should work together to leverage Canada’s special bi-juridical tradition because globalization and the growing complexity of the rules governing international trade and investment has created a need for strong international lawyers. Some of the “next generation” who have sought out my advice on the profession have told me that they have been discouraged by warnings that the odds are against those with trade law ambitions. Personally, I always encourage those who are passionate to follow their dreams and tell them about the one lawyer who successfully did. Attached is the text of my March 212 remarks to the International Law Students Association of the University of Ottawa on the topic of careers in international trade law – Speech to International Law Students Association University of Ottawa 2012...

Posted by Woods LaFortune LLP on Oct 17, 2014

Catherine Walsh of Woods, LaFortune LLP, who is also the Vice-President of Membership for the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) Ottawa Chapter, recently attended the International Networking Event hosted by OWIT International on September 28, 2014 at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. The International Networking Event was an immense success and brought together business and trade professionals from a wide range of sectors, both public and private. Guest speakers at the event included Karen Bland, President of OWIT International; Astrid Pregel, Executive Director for Canada WEConnect International; Brian Mitchell, Executive Director of TFO Canada; and Lois Brown, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development. For more information about OWIT-Ottawa and its upcoming networking events, please visit http://www.owit-ottawa.ca....

Posted by Woods LaFortune LLP on Sep 18, 2014

Woods, LaFortune LLP is pleased to announce that it will be participating in the U.S. Commercial Service’s Webinar Series on November 12, 2014. Michael Woods and Catherine Walsh will be providing new exporters information on a number of topics that deserve careful consideration when beginning to export through the “Exporting to Canada: Where to Begin” webinar.  Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) looking to increase sales and profit, and looking to reduce their dependence on the U.S. domestic market are encouraged to attend. Covered topics include: The Canadian Market – Key Opportunities for SMEs; Developing an Export Plan and Marketing Strategy; Entering the Market (Customs Process and Regulatory Considerations); Shipping; International Standards and Contracts; and Protecting your Intellectual Property. Follow this link for more information on the upcoming webinar: Webinar Flyer- November 12 2014 – Exporting to Canada...

Posted by Woods LaFortune LLP on Sep 16, 2014

We are pleased to note that Canada has ratified the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) [http://www.international.gc.ca/media/comm/news-communiques/2014/09/12a.aspx?lang=eng]. See our July 9, and July 28 web articles for details about the Canada-China FIPA and stay tuned for our upcoming article on Investment and State Owned Enterprises...

Posted by Woods LaFortune LLP on Sep 4, 2014

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...

Posted by Woods LaFortune LLP on Aug 29, 2014

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:...