Gordon LaFortune

Woods, LaFortune LLP is an innovative, flexible and proactive cost-effective boutique law firm that specialises in all aspects of international trade, customs and investment law.  

The Woods, LaFortune LLP team works closely with our clients to provide them with tailored strategic services.  Through our senior level experience and our network of specialists and subject matter experts, we act quickly to provide strategic, personalized, creative, and cost-effective solutions to clients’ international trade and investment matters and generate positive results for our clients.  

Woods, LaFortune LLP is also often engaged to provide proactive and on-going advice to clients to help them navigate the complex international trade landscape.  Our areas of expertise include:

- Trade Remedies (Anti-Dumping, Countervail, and Safeguards)

- Customs and Country of Origin

- Import Controls

- Export Controls and Sanctions

- Government Procurement

- Investor State Disputes Settlement (NAFTA, CETA, FIPA, BIT litigation)

- Regulatory Compliance 

- Government Relations

Woods, LaFortune LLP gives our clients the competitive advantage they need to compete and win in the global market place.

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Gordon LaFortune is a recognized expert who has been listed by Who’s Who Legal and Chamber’s Global as one of the world’s leading trade and customs lawyers and procurement lawyers.

He began his practice in international trade law in 1990 when he joined the Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (now Global Affairs Canada) focusing primarily on interpretation of international trade law agreements and trade disputes. When he left Government for the private sector in 1995, Gordon expanded his practice to include trade remedies (anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard investigations) government procurement and government relations.

Gordon advises corporations, trade associations and foreign governments on international trade law, customs and procurement issues.  He has represented governments and private sector clients in international dispute settlement cases taken under the Canada – U.S. Free Trade Agreement, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the NAFTA and the WTO.  He has also been involved in investment arbitration cases taken under the North American Free Trade Agreement and represents clients before Canadian administrative tribunals, the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal.

Gordon has developed strategic and analytical reports on a wide range of international trade law-related issues, such as rules of origin, fisheries and agricultural subsidies and environmental measures for foreign governments and trade associations and has participated in technical assistance programs focusing on trade remedies and WTO dispute settlement in Jamaica, The Philippines and Vietnam. He has also been appointed as an expert by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum to present reports on trade liberalization undertaken by Papua New Guinea and Peru to achieve APEC goals.

EDUCATION

• LL.B., University of British Columbia (1987)
• Master of Arts (MA), University of Victoria (1985)
• Bachelors of Arts (BA), University of Victoria (1982)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Ontario Bar Association
• Canadian Chamber of Commerce

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