Joanne E. Osendarp

Biography

CO-CHAIR, INTERNATIONAL TRADE PRACTICE GROUP

Joanne E. Osendarp advises and represents governments, industry associations, export credit agencies, and companies in international trade and investment matters, including countervailing duty, antidumping, and other trade remedy proceedings before the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission, as well as appeals to the Court of International Trade, the World Trade Organization, and panels under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Joanne has also represented governments in investment arbitrations, state-to-state arbitrations, and international trade negotiations. She is currently assisting the UK government in its negotiation of five free trade agreements, including the UK-Mexico, UK-India, and UK- Canada Agreements, as well as working with the UK on its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Joanne has distinguished herself in international legal circles as Canada’s principal U.S.-based lawyer in its high-profile, ongoing softwood lumber dispute with the United States, called the “biggest trade battle on the planet” by The Economist. Chambers Global recognizes her as having “Foreign Expertise in Canada.” She has been described by her clients as “a senior experienced trade lawyer of international repute blessed with superb judgment.”

Prior to joining Blank Rome, Joanne served as chair of the International Trade practice and co-chair of the International Trade and Investment practice at various Am Law 100 firms. Prior to private practice, Joanne worked for the Government of Canada as senior counsel to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Department of Justice, and was lead counsel for all institutional issues relating to NAFTA, including subsidies and dumping, safeguards, and Section 301 actions. Joanne headed up Canada’s teams in the WTO Aircraft dispute with Brazil and all arbitrations arising out of the 1996 Softwood Lumber Agreement. She was also Principal Counsel for the Agreement on Internal Trade and Assistant Principal Counsel to Canada for the negotiation of the NAFTA.

Experience

  • Representing the Government of Canada in the countervailing duty, antidumping, and injury cases concerning Softwood Lumber from Canada, and related World Trade Organization, North American Free Trade Agreement, U.S-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement, and Court of International Trade appeals.
  • Representing the Government of the United Kingdom in its negotiation of five free trade agreements, including the U.K.-Mexico, U.K.-India, and U.K.-Canada Agreements, and assisting with the U.K.’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
  • Representing the Government of Canada in the countervailing duty and antidumping cases involving Wind Towers from Canada.
  • Represented Export Development Canada in Fabricated Structural Steel from Canada and 100-150 Seater Civil Aircraft from Canada.
  • Represented the Colombian Federation of Biofuels in the countervailing duty investigation of Ethanol from the United States.
  • Represented the Government of Canada in the countervailing duty investigation of Supercalendered Paper from Canada, and related World Trade Organization and North American Free Trade Agreement appeals.
  • Represented the Government of Mexico in the investigation of Sugar from Mexico.

Recognitions

  • 2008–2024, International Trade, listed in Chambers Global
  • 2017–2024, Foreign Expert for Canada, listed in Chambers Global
  • 2017–2023, International Trade, listed in Chambers USA
  • 2007–2023, International Trade, listed in The Legal 500 United States
  • 2022–2023, Hall of Fame, listed in The Legal 500 United States
  • 2008–2022, Leading Practitioner in Trade & Customs, listed in The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers
  • 2018, “Women Worth Watching,” awarded by Profiles in Diversity Journal
  • 2012–2014, Top 250 Women in Litigation, listed in Benchmark Litigation
  • 2010–2022, Leading Practitioner, listed in Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law
  • 2012–2019, International Trade, listed in The Best of the Best USA

Credentials

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • New York

Education

  • York University, BA
  • University of Ottawa, LLB
  • York University, MA