Ton Zuijdwijk is a senior fellow with CIGI’s International Law Research Program. He is currently researching potential issues related to intellectual property (IP) rights in preferential trade agreements, with a special focus on building scenarios for Canada in the upcoming renegotiation process of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). His research also covers the repercussions of the expected withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union for the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and for the Canada-United Kingdom relationship with respect to IP in the post-Brexit era.
As a general counsel in the Trade Law Bureau of Global Affairs Canada, Ton provided legal advice on World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, NAFTA and bilateral trade agreements, participated in international trade negotiations and litigated before WTO panels and its Appellate Body.
Ton teaches European Union law at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law (Common Law Section). He previously held several teaching appointments at Leiden University (Netherlands), McGill University, Carleton University and the University of Georgia (United States). He also served in the United Nations Secretariat (International Trade Law Branch) and the secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Transfer of Technology Division).
Ton holds an LL.M. from Leiden University, an LL.M. and master of international affairs from Columbia University and an LL.B. and S.J.D. from the University of Toronto. He is a member of the Ontario Bar.