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Ian A. Laird

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Areas of Focus

Overview

When geopolitics leads to disputes, Ian A. Laird’s clients trust him for his extensive experience in international arbitration and under different treaty rules. Ian represents clients who are dealing with sensitive commercial and international disputes around the globe. With a keen eye for political risk, clients rely on him for his ability to respond quickly and efficiently when needs arise.

Ian frequently advises Fortune 500 corporations on geopolitical concerns when their investments face challenges overseas. He has worked extensively with clients involving issues in the energy and natural resources sector — such as power generation, oil and gas, and mining. As a former chief of staff to a Canadian cabinet minister and a senior political aide to the Ontario Minister of Energy, Ian has run political campaigns and understands the intimate workings of government and politics as well as their impact on industry.

Ian represents a range of clients and acts as an arbitrator in international arbitration proceedings, primarily involving disputes between corporations and foreign sovereign governments. For 25 years, Ian has counseled parties in investment arbitrations under the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Canada United States Mexico Agreement, the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement, the Energy Charter Treaty, and other international investment agreements, typically applying the arbitration rules of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and under the major international commercial arbitration rules. He is currently acting as counsel and arbitrator on numerous international arbitrations and disputes, most recently involving the United States, Canada, Egypt, Kuwait, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Turkey.

Ian is a D.C.-licensed Special Legal Consultant based in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office.

Career & Education

    • Canada
      Chief of Staff to the Minister, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2003–2004
    • Canada, Province of Ontario
      Special Assistant to the Minister, Ontario Ministry of Energy, 1988–1989
      Special Assistant to the Minister, Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, 1989–1990
    • Canada
      Chief of Staff to the Minister, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2003–2004
    • Canada, Province of Ontario
      Special Assistant to the Minister, Ontario Ministry of Energy, 1988–1989
      Special Assistant to the Minister, Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, 1989–1990

    • McGill University, B.A., joint honors, philosophy and political science, 1987
    • University of Windsor, Faculty of Law, Windsor, Canada, LL.B., 1993
    • University of Cambridge, Faculty of Law, Cambridge, U.K. (St. Edmund's College), LL.M., 1998
    • McGill University, B.A., joint honors, philosophy and political science, 1987
    • University of Windsor, Faculty of Law, Windsor, Canada, LL.B., 1993
    • University of Cambridge, Faculty of Law, Cambridge, U.K. (St. Edmund's College), LL.M., 1998

    • Ontario, Canada
    • Licensed to practice as a Special Legal Consultant in the District of Columbia
    • Ontario, Canada
    • Licensed to practice as a Special Legal Consultant in the District of Columbia

  • Professional Activities and Memberships

    • Law Society of Ontario—Called to the Ontario Bar, and enrolled as a Solicitor of the Court of Appeal of Ontario
    • District of Columbia—Licensed to practice as a Special Legal Consultant
    • Ontario Bar Association (OBA)—International Law Section, Past-Chair, Section Executive Committee
    • Canadian Bar Association (CBA)—International Law Section, Past-Co-Chair, Trade and Investment Committee
    • American Bar Association (ABA)—International Law Section, Member
    • Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC)—Arbitration Committee and ICC Canada Roster of Arbitrators
    • Young Canadian Arbitration Practitioners (YCAP)—Founder and former Executive Committee Member
    • International Investment Law Center (International Law Institute, Washington, D.C.) (IILC)—Co-Director of Center
    • ILI Series on International Law, Arbitration and Practice (Juris Publishing)—Co-General Editor
    • American Review of International Arbitration (ARIA), Term 2019 – 2024—Advisory Board Member
    • UNCITRAL, Working Group III—Observer delegate representing the International Law Institute
    • Co-founder and co-chair of World Arbitration Update
    • Co-founder and co-chair of Washington Arbitration Week

    Professional Activities and Memberships

    • Law Society of Ontario—Called to the Ontario Bar, and enrolled as a Solicitor of the Court of Appeal of Ontario
    • District of Columbia—Licensed to practice as a Special Legal Consultant
    • Ontario Bar Association (OBA)—International Law Section, Past-Chair, Section Executive Committee
    • Canadian Bar Association (CBA)—International Law Section, Past-Co-Chair, Trade and Investment Committee
    • American Bar Association (ABA)—International Law Section, Member
    • Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC)—Arbitration Committee and ICC Canada Roster of Arbitrators
    • Young Canadian Arbitration Practitioners (YCAP)—Founder and former Executive Committee Member
    • International Investment Law Center (International Law Institute, Washington, D.C.) (IILC)—Co-Director of Center
    • ILI Series on International Law, Arbitration and Practice (Juris Publishing)—Co-General Editor
    • American Review of International Arbitration (ARIA), Term 2019 – 2024—Advisory Board Member
    • UNCITRAL, Working Group III—Observer delegate representing the International Law Institute
    • Co-founder and co-chair of World Arbitration Update
    • Co-founder and co-chair of Washington Arbitration Week

    • French
    • French

Ian is very professional and is always available to respond to urgent matters … He is a pleasure to work with and has commercial sensibility … Ian is tremendously familiar with the ICC procedures and is fantastic in trial. 

— Chambers, 2022

Ian's Insights

Event | 05.20.25

Admissibility and Jurisdiction - WAU 2025

Jurisdiction and admissibility are the gatekeepers of investor-State arbitration —determining if the dispute can be heard at all. From whether an investment qualifies under a treaty to whether a claim falls within the right time frame, these questions go to the very heart of what tribunals can and cannot decide. To what extent jurisdictional issues in investment arbitration have been influenced by standards, general principles and even case law stemming from public international law and the ICJ in particular? This panel, moderated by Ian Laird, will explore the evolving — and often contentious — terrain of jurisdiction and admissibility in ISDS.

View All Insights

Representative Matters

  • Representing the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission (APMC) regarding its NAFTA claim against the U.S. government for damages of at least $1.3 billion CAD concerning APMC’s lost investment in the Keystone XL pipeline (Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission v. United States).
  • Successfully defended a Fortune 100 company in a $120 million commercial arbitration claim brought by an Israeli company under the ICC Rules of Arbitration, involving alleged breaches of a supply agreement governed by New York law.
  • Appointed as claimant-appointed arbitrator in an UNCITRAL arbitration under the Agreement Between The Government of the Republic of Lithuania and the Government of Kyrgyz Republic for the Promotion and Protection of Investments (Garsų Pasaulis UAB v. Kyrgyz Republic).
  • Appointed to a three-member ICC Arbitration Rules panel in respect of a confidential multi-million dollar claim between Canadian and U.S. parties concerning a construction contract.
  • Represented as lead counsel a multinational joint venture in securing a $494 million award against an Egyptian state entity, and defeating a $500 million counterclaim, with respect to the unlawful termination of a contract to build a port in Damietta, Egypt. The arbitration was conducted under the ICC Rules of Arbitration. (DIPCO v. Damietta Port Authority)
  • Representing a Russian national in a $100 million UNCITRAL arbitration against the State of Kuwait. (Lazareva v. Kuwait)
  • Appointed as claimant-appointed arbitrator in an ICSID arbitration under the Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Slovenia for the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments, (Viaduct et al v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, ICSID Case No. ARB/16/36).
  • Appointed as claimant-appointed arbitrator in an UNCITRAL arbitration under the Agreement Between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of India for the Promotion and Protection of Investments, (Aggarwal et al v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, PCA Case N° 2018-03).
  • Successfully defended a Middle Eastern client in a $40 million shareholder dispute with a Hong Kong claimant under the ICC Rules of Arbitration.
  • Represented an Egyptian respondent in an ICC arbitration respecting an $80 million supply agreement dispute.
  • Represented a Canadian uranium mining company in its dispute with the Government of Mongolia and secured an award of damages for US$100 million in respect of the illegal expropriation of its licenses in Mongolia. (Khan Resources Inc. v. Mongolia)
  • Represented an American gold mining company against El Salvador in an ICSID arbitration arising out of the government's improper refusal to issue various environmental licenses and an exploitation concession. (Pac Rim v. El Salvador)
  • Represented U.S. investors in a CAFTA-DR arbitration against the Government of the Dominican Republic relating to the expropriation of a residential and resort project (called "Jamaca de Dios") in the mountain region of central DR. (Ballantine v. Dominican Republic)
  • Acted as a Sole Arbitrator in an ICC supply agreement dispute between American and British parties.
  • Represented an Italian investor in a dispute against Lithuania in an UNCITRAL arbitration under the Italy-Lithuania BIT. The dispute arose in relation to that State's unfair and inequitable treatment of the investor's investment in the country's alcohol industry. (Bosca v. Lithuania).
  • Represented an American-owned Kazakh investor against Kazakhstan in an ICSID arbitration under the U.S.-Kazakhstan BIT relating to the government's expropriation of the investor's oil production concession. (Caratube International Oil Company v. Kazakhstan)
  • Represented numerous U.S.-based, Fortune 500 clients to provide advice on international law and arbitration, in particular with respect to the application of NAFTA.
  • Acted as Sole Arbitrator in ICC contract dispute between American and Italian parties.
  • Represented American shareholders against the Government of Canada in a NAFTA claim. The main claimant, Mr. Marvin Gottlieb, was amongst the many U.S.-based investors who lost in excess of $5 Billion as a result of the Canadian Government's decision to eliminate the income trust tax mechanism with regard to Canadian energy trusts. (Gottlieb et al v. Canada).
  • Represented forty-two Texas claimants before the Superior Court of Ontario in the judicial review of a NAFTA tribunal's jurisdiction award concerning water rights in Mexico of U.S. based investors. (Bayview et al v. Mexico).
  • Represented a U.S. energy services company in a dispute before ICSID arising out of investments in Peru. Successful multimillion dollar final award rendered in 2008. (Duke Energy Peru Investments No. 1, Ltd. v. Peru).
  • Represented United Parcel Service (UPS) in a lengthy and complex NAFTA arbitration against the Government of Canada under the UNCITRAL rules. The dispute concerned alleged breaches by the government's crown corporation, Canada Post Corporation, with regarding to anti-competitive and discriminatory measures taken by Canada and Canada Post in the courier service market in Canada. (United Parcel Service v. Canada).
  • Represented two Canadian lumber firms against the U.S. Government in an UNCITRAL arbitration under the NAFTA. After the demise of the previous Softwood Lumber Agreement, Canadian lumber firms made strong allegations against the U.S. Government with regard to the fairness and impartiality of the U.S. Government's decisions concerning anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties on softwood lumber imports from Canada. Although the tribunal granted jurisdiction and leave for the arbitration to proceed to the merits phase, the intervening signing of the latest Softwood Lumber Agreement by Canada and the United States resulted in the settlement of the arbitration process. (Canfor Corporation v. United States, Terminal Forest Products Ltd. v. United States).
  • Represented a U.S. lumber company against the Government of Canada in an UNCITRAL arbitration pursuant to the NAFTA. Claimant sought compensation from the Government of Canada with regard to alleged breaches of the NAFTA obligations concerning expropriation, national treatment, and fair and equitable treatment. The claimant was ultimately successful on one part of its claim, receiving damages for the breach of the fair and equitable treatment standard under Article 1105, and was able to preserve its business in the face of arbitrary and discriminatory conduct of Canadian government officials. (Pope & Talbot, Inc. v. Canada).
  • Represented a U.S. investor in a NAFTA dispute with the Government of Canada under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. The tribunal awarded damages to the claimant for the discriminatory and protectionist conduct of Canada with regard to lost investments in the PCB waste remediation market in Canada. (S.D. Myers, Inc. v. Canada).
  • In one of the first NAFTA arbitration claims, Ian Laird represented the Government of British Columbia, Canada. This claim did not ultimately proceed to arbitration, but involved important early issues concerning water rights and the role of sub-national governments being subject to investor-state arbitration claims. (Sun Belt Water, Inc. v. Canada).

Ian's Insights

Event | 05.20.25

Admissibility and Jurisdiction - WAU 2025

Jurisdiction and admissibility are the gatekeepers of investor-State arbitration —determining if the dispute can be heard at all. From whether an investment qualifies under a treaty to whether a claim falls within the right time frame, these questions go to the very heart of what tribunals can and cannot decide. To what extent jurisdictional issues in investment arbitration have been influenced by standards, general principles and even case law stemming from public international law and the ICJ in particular? This panel, moderated by Ian Laird, will explore the evolving — and often contentious — terrain of jurisdiction and admissibility in ISDS.

View All Insights

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers in America: International Arbitration – Commercial, 2025 Edition
  • Chambers Global Guide: International Arbitration: Counsel, USA, 2024-2025
  • Chambers USA: International Arbitration: Counsel, USA - Nationwide, 2024
  • LatinVex: Top 100 Lawyers, 2019-present  
  • Legal 500: North America – United States – Washington DC Elite – International Litigation, Recommended Lawyer, 2025
  • Lexology (formerly Who’s Who Legal/GAR): Thought Leaders USA, Thought Leaders Arbitration, Recommended – Arbitration, 2024

Ian's Insights

Event | 05.20.25

Admissibility and Jurisdiction - WAU 2025

Jurisdiction and admissibility are the gatekeepers of investor-State arbitration —determining if the dispute can be heard at all. From whether an investment qualifies under a treaty to whether a claim falls within the right time frame, these questions go to the very heart of what tribunals can and cannot decide. To what extent jurisdictional issues in investment arbitration have been influenced by standards, general principles and even case law stemming from public international law and the ICJ in particular? This panel, moderated by Ian Laird, will explore the evolving — and often contentious — terrain of jurisdiction and admissibility in ISDS.

View All Insights

Insights

Event | 05.20.25

Admissibility and Jurisdiction - WAU 2025

Speaking Engagement | 05.20.25

"Admissibility and Jurisdiction (including rationae materiae, ratione temporis, and other aspects)," WAU 2025

Firm News | 2 min read | 05.01.25

Crowell & Moring Named to Global Arbitration Review’s 2025 “GAR 100” List

Event | 03.20.25

"The Crisis of Investment Arbitration: What's Next?," The 2025 J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Environmental Law Symposium Foreign Investment and the Environment: Local Communities, Human Rights, and Dispute Resolution

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Practices

Ian's Insights

Event | 05.20.25

Admissibility and Jurisdiction - WAU 2025

Jurisdiction and admissibility are the gatekeepers of investor-State arbitration —determining if the dispute can be heard at all. From whether an investment qualifies under a treaty to whether a claim falls within the right time frame, these questions go to the very heart of what tribunals can and cannot decide. To what extent jurisdictional issues in investment arbitration have been influenced by standards, general principles and even case law stemming from public international law and the ICJ in particular? This panel, moderated by Ian Laird, will explore the evolving — and often contentious — terrain of jurisdiction and admissibility in ISDS.

View All Insights