Sean Robert Stephenson

Sean Stephenson is a partner in the Regulatory group of Dentons’ Toronto office. Sean 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 and has led some of the most complex and “once in a generation” matters. His practice includes WTO law, free trade agreements, antidumping and countervailing duties, tariffs, 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, as well as in disputes, investigations, and in enforcement proceedings.

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, USMCA, CAFTA-DR, CPTPP and bilateral investment treaties in a large number of sectors. He is the co-editor of globally leading Research Handbook on Investment Law and Sustainable Development published by Edward Elgar.

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.