William Pellerin

William Pellerin has extensive experience litigating and advising on international trade law matters and disputes. He is among the very few lawyers in private practice in Canada to have argued before the WTO Appellate Body and dispute settlement panels. He frequently litigates trade remedy matters and advises clients with respect to trade and customs compliance. He has a thorough understanding of international trade policy and government processes. In 2022, he actively represented clients before the CBSA in 16 separate normal value reviews or re-investigations, a market-leading level of activity in Canada. He is co-leader of McMillan’s sanctions speciality niche, where he leads one of Canada’s most active economic sanctions practices. He is also at the forefront of Canadian regulations relating to supply chains and forced labour. As former deputy director, trade remedies and North America trade with Global Affairs Canada, he oversaw and coordinated Canada’s response to international trade disputes and appeals. In his prior role as counsel to the Government of Canada’s Trade Law Bureau, he litigated for Canada in its challenge to the US’ imposition of duties on softwood lumber from Canada, one of the largest trade disputes in the world.