Sean Stephenson

Sean Stephenson focuses his practice on international trade and sanctions, government contracts, investment arbitration, and public international law. He is a frequent advisor to C-suites, boards, private parties and governments.

In global trade matters, Sean is engaged in some of the most complex and “once in a generation” matters. His 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. He has served as counsel in trade, sanctions 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.

Sean’s track record of success includes 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.

Beyond trade and investment, 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 also often sought after for advice relating to ESG and business and human rights issues. This includes matters relating to export controls, trade prohibitions on forced/ child labour, compliance with reporting and due diligence legislation, and complaints to Canada’s ombudsman for responsible enterprise. He is appointed to Public Safety Canada’s Legal Advisory Panel on modern slavery reporting under the Fighting against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act.

Sean is the current Chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s National Section of International Law. During his tenure as an executive in Section of International Law he has led working groups on sanctions and forced labour and the bar’s engagement with Global Affairs Canada and Public Safety Canada. For over a decade he has held a fellowship with an international organization focusing on economic law and sustainable development. He frequently speaks publishes articles on a range of international and domestic law topics and has been featured or quoted in various international and national news outlets. He is recognized as an expert and a rising start in international trade, investment and procurement by Best Lawyers and Legal500.

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. Prior to joining Dentons, Sean’s practice focused on international arbitration and litigation of trade and investment disputes. For more, visit https://www.dentons.com/en/sean-stephenson

Called to the bar: Ontario, 1997