B.C.L., J.D. (Ottawa), LL.M. (UCL), Ph.D. candidate (Amsterdam), associate, Dentons. 

Adv. Sean Stephenson focuses on international trade, investment, arbitration, government contracts, anti-corruption, and public international law. Throughout his practice, Sean has gained extensive experience in investment treaty arbitration, including acting in multiple cases under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules with respect to all phases of proceedings in complex disputes throughout the Americas and Europe. He has acted in and advised on cases under the NAFTA, CAFTA-DR, CPTPP and bilateral investment treaties in a large number of sectors. He has also acted in commercial arbitrations under the ICDR Arbitration Rules.

In international trade matters, Sean’s practice includes WTO law, free trade agreements, antidumping and countervailing duties, import and export controls, sanctions, and customs. He regularly advises and acts for private parties and governments on the full panoply of international and domestic trade law and policy. On export control matters he acted as lead counsel in “once in a generation” matters. He is often sought after for advice relating to the incorporation of ESG and business and human rights supply chain considerations. He has served as counsel in trade and investment matters before arbitral tribunals, federal boards, departments, ministries, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, the Federal Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal. In all matters, he is known to use the full range of legal tools to create leverage for clients in discussions with regulators, disputes, investigations, and in enforcement. In addition, Sean frequently advises on government contracting law. This includes advising on the process and substance of government contracting in Canada as well as procurement challenges under Canada’s free trade agreements. He has acted for both complainants and interveners in bid challenges in various arbitration and tribunal proceedings and has an exceptional track record in this area.

Sean is active in the Canadian and American Bar Associations, holding leadership positions in the Section of International Law for both organizations. He frequently publishes articles and commentary on a range of international and domestic law topics, and has presented throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Sean has been recognized by Best Lawyers, and Legal500 as One to Watch and as a Rising Star. Sean’s experience builds on his training in common law, civil law and international law. He holds an LLM from University College London and holds common law and civil law degrees from the University of Ottawa.