Globalization and the subsequent expansion of international trade have fundamentally transformed the nature and scope of international business relations. As such, the paradigm for legal services has evolved from traditional practice areas to ones that truly take into account the emerging global commercial landscape. Increasingly, a number of foreign corporate entities are establishing themselves in Canada, while Canadian entities are venturing abroad.

Now, more than ever, the senior executives of these entities are mindful of the challenges that arise in the global forum, and they depend on international legal expertise as a means to secure the success of their multi-jurisdictional commercial endeavours. Heenan Blaikie’s International Practice group is exceptionally well positioned to provide the finest legal services in a continually evolving international business environment. Established to better service the international needs of our clients, the International Practice group is positioned at the fore of international developments in the legal services industry.

The International Practice group truly operates on a global scale. Through the Africa Practice group, the Asia Practice group, the India and Southeast Asia Practice group and the Middle East and North Africa Practice group, Heenan Blaikie lawyers are regularly involved in projects throughout the Middle East, Africa (Northern and Sub-Saharan), Central Asia, Eastern Europe, India, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

To extend its reach on international markets, Heenan Blaikie opened a representative office in Singapore in 2009, at the heart of the Asian market, and reinforced its practice in Paris in January 2011, thereby becoming one of the leading international business law firms operating in France.

The International Practice group exports the knowledge and expertise of its lawyers throughout the world — particularly in developing areas, where the firm has invested in understanding local legal, political and cultural dynamics. Whether at home or away, our group is dedicated to excellence, efficiency and effectiveness. Accordingly, Heenan Blaikie is prepared to deliver first-rate legal services from the world’s metropolitan centers to the most remote areas.

The International Practice group has among its members, a number of prominent individuals who have made their mark in the international arena. These include, the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, P.C., C.C., O.M., Q.C., Ad. E., former Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Marc Johnson, G.O.Q., FRSC, former Premier of the Province of Québec, and Donald J. Johnston, P.C., O.C., Q.C., a co-founder of the firm, who was Secretary-General of the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Through their numerous achievements and their esteemed international reputations, these individuals have facilitated the growth of Heenan Blaikie’s unparalleled transnational network of contacts in commercial, political and diplomatic circles.

Heenan Blaikie’s International Practice group benefits from the experience and knowledge of a number of accomplished lawyers who specialize in several key sectors, including energy, international trade, public international law, mining, infrastructure and public-private partnerships (PPP) and telecommunications. In each of these sectors, Heenan Blaikie provides specialized consultancy products in addition to core commercial legal services with respect to mergers and acquisitions, project finance and taxation. Additionally, and in response to the particular needs of its international clients, the International Practice group offers an expanded range of comprehensive advisory services in the areas of government relations, judicial and legal reform, and international dispute resolution.

Heenan Blaikie’s International Practice group collaborates closely with HB Global Advisors, which is a consulting firm affiliated with Heenan Blaikie, in providing solutions to client problems. Servicing clients in the corporate, governmental, organizational and institutional sectors, HB Global Advisors draws from the experience of accomplished business professionals, industry specialists and government leaders.

HB Global Advisors assists its clients with the completion of mission critical transactions, negotiations, relationship building and dispute resolution. In particular, HB Global Advisors specializes in the following sectors: business advisory, emerging markets, government relations and public policy advice, First Nations and Aboriginals, and international project financing. It works closely together with Heenan Blaikie whenever a client needs its services.