Foley Hoag welcomes distinguished international trade lawyer Iain Sandford to its Paris office. As part of the firm’s globally recognized international litigation and arbitration practice—ranked in the GAR 30—Sandford will enhance our team’s capabilities in WTO and trade law, reinforcing our leadership on the world stage. 

Sandford has more than 25 years of experience advising and representing sovereign States, intergovernmental organizations, and private clients in complex and high-profile international disputes and negotiations. He has handled cases before the World Trade Organization, the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and various international arbitration tribunals, as well as national courts and regulatory bodies. He has also served as a panelist in WTO dispute settlements, and as a mediator in commercial disputes.

“Iain is a highly respected and accomplished lawyer who brings a wealth of experience and insight to our international practice,” said Constantinos Salonidis, Co-Chair of Foley Hoag's International Litigation & Arbitration Department. “He has a proven track record of achieving successful outcomes for his clients in some of the most complex and cutting-edge cases in the field. His expertise in international trade law in particular adds unmatched capabilities to our globally recognized practice.”

“We are delighted to welcome Iain to our team and to the Paris office, which is a hub for our global practice,” added Diana Paraguacuto-Mahéo, head of the firm’s Paris Office and Co-Chair of Foley Hoag's International Litigation & Arbitration Department.  

Sandford's practice covers international economic law issues, including trade in goods and services, investment protection, intellectual property, taxation, energy, climate change, human rights, and sanctions. He has expertise in resolving disputes involving the digital economy, the life sciences sector, and the marine environment.

“I am excited to join Foley Hoag, a firm known for excellence and innovation in international law and arbitration,” said Sandford. “I look forward to contributing to the firm's growth and success in Europe and beyond, offering clients the benefit of Foley Hoag's expertise in areas relevant to their international activities and interests, such as energy and climate, technology, life sciences, and human rights.”

Sandford holds an LL.M. from the University of Ottawa and an LL.B. and a B.A. from Victoria University of Wellington. Earlier in his career, he was a legal officer at the WTO Secretariat in Geneva, as well as a public servant in New Zealand, acting as counsel to teams negotiating intergovernmental agreements and arrangements, including investment treaties.