Michael Milne is a Partner in Cassidy Levy Kent’s Ottawa office and a nationally recognized leader in solving the most complex and high‑stakes challenges in international trade.
He provides strategic counsel across the full spectrum of trade law, including Canadian customs compliance, forced labour legislation, sanctions, export controls, controlled goods regulations, and global trade policy. Michael also brings deep expertise in antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, representing clients across a broad range of sectors—from steel and building materials to paper products, food, and consumer goods.
Renowned for his sharp legal insight and pragmatic, solutions‑oriented approach, Michael is consistently commended by clients for his responsiveness, commercial acumen, and ability to distill complex issues into clear, actionable strategies. Frequently described as “the glue” that keeps multifaceted projects on track, he is steadfastly committed to delivering practical, results‑driven advice with a focus on efficiency and exceptional client service.
With a distinguished record of success before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, the Canadian Federal Courts, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the Canada Border Services Agency, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Michael’s influence extends across borders. He remains a trusted advisor for organizations navigating the fast‑evolving landscape of international trade, regulatory risk, and geopolitical change.
Honors
- 2026 – Chambers Canada, International Trade/WTO
- 2026 – Legal 500 Canada, International Trade – “Leading Lawyer”
- 2026 – Recognized by BestLawyers in International Trade and Finance Law
- 2025 – Canadian Lexpert Directory, “Repeatedly Recommended” in International Trade Regulation
- 2024 – Lexology Index “Recommended”
- 2022 – 2024 – Lexology Client Choice Award – Exclusive Winner in Canada for “Trade and Customs”
Representative Matters
- Successfully represented the Canadian thermal paper industry in the first Canadian antidumping case concerning a paper product in 30 years. Secured the first ever non-market economy finding for China involving a product outside the steel and aluminum industries.
- Successfully represented Ivaco Rolling Mills in its 2024 antidumping complaint against wire rod from China, Egypt, and Vietnam before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.
- Successfully represented Barilla Canada Inc. in 2023/2024 expiry review of antidumping duty protection against dry wheat pasta from Türkiye before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.
- Successfully overturned a CBSA sanctions-related seizure of goods for export to a Russia-adjacent country of a high-tech product on appeal.
- Successfully overturned an adverse CBSA origin determination for a North American textile company in a “bet-the-company” appeal arising from a CBSA origin verification..
- Designed customs compliance programs for multinational corporations seeking to set up a Canadian importing presence.
- Advised Canadian insurance, mining, energy, software, beauty, fashion, and computer technology companies engaged in various commercial transactions globally with respect to:
- Canadian forced labour laws, including advice with respect to due diligence and reporting obligations;
- Canadian economic sanctions and export controls;
- Canadian business transactions on trade-related due diligence and representations and warranties; and
- Trade policy, identifying opportunities and risks arising from geopolitical developments.
Professional Affiliations
- Law Society of Ontario
- Canadian Bar Association
Recent Speaking Engagements
- Panelist, IE Canada, 2025 International Trade Summit, “Anti-Dumping and Countervailing in 2025” (Nov 2025)
- Speaker, The Wilson Centre, Canada Institute, “Canadian Economic Sanctions: Trends and Interaction with the United States” (Nov 2023)
- Speaker, Royal Canadian Military Institute, “The Long Arm of the Law: Navigating U.S. and Canadian Sanctions and Export Controls for Canadian Businesses” (May 2023)
- Speaker, The Canadian Institute, 12th Annual U.S. Export and Reexport Compliance for Canadian Operations Conference, “Third Party and Supply Chain Due Diligence and Screening Action Plan” (Jan 2023)
- Speaker, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Seventh Trade Law Fall Update on “EVs and the Transformation of North American Auto Trade” (Nov 2022)
- Speaker, Ontario Bar Association, “Advocacy and International Trade: Best Practices for Virtual Dispute Resolution” (June 2021)
Education
- J.D., University of Toronto Faculty of Law
- A.B., cum laude, Dartmouth College; Story Prize for best philosophy thesis written in the graduating year; nominated for Rintels Prize for best undergraduate thesis written in the graduating year; high honors earned in the major (philosophy)
Bar Memberships
- Ontario