Mr. Somers has counseled national and regional governments, corporations, law firms and trade associations on Canadian and international trade law, disputes and negotiating policy. Clients have included federal and provincial governments engaged in bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations and in drafting national trade laws implementing WTO obligations. He has advised governments and key industries in WTO disputes involving periodicals, agricultural products, lumber, pharmaceuticals and automobiles, and has conducted trade litigation before dispute panels established under the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement, as well as the Canadian International Trade Tribunal and Canada’s Federal Courts in connection with judicial review of administrative proceedings, ranging from customs seizures and freedom of information matters, to defense contracting and agricultural import quotas.
He has advised senior ranks of government on trade treaty implementation, administration and disputes, in countries including Mexico, Canada, Panama, Colombia, China, Ukraine, Central Asia and southern African states.
He also has extensive experience advising financial institutions on capital controls, foreign investment review, and competition laws in relation to monopolies and abuse of dominance, restrictive trade practices, and pricing and marketing practices.
Mr. Somers is a member of the international law branches of the Canadian, American and International Bar Associations. He lectures and writes extensively on customs matters, trade remedy laws, World Trade Organization rules, multilateral treaties, Free Trade Agreements, and foreign investment agreements.
Mr. Somers is fluent in both English and French.
He has advised senior ranks of government on trade treaty implementation, administration and disputes, in countries including Mexico, Canada, Panama, Colombia, China, Ukraine, Central Asia and southern African states.
He also has extensive experience advising financial institutions on capital controls, foreign investment review, and competition laws in relation to monopolies and abuse of dominance, restrictive trade practices, and pricing and marketing practices.
Mr. Somers is a member of the international law branches of the Canadian, American and International Bar Associations. He lectures and writes extensively on customs matters, trade remedy laws, World Trade Organization rules, multilateral treaties, Free Trade Agreements, and foreign investment agreements.
Mr. Somers is fluent in both English and French.