Jonathan Fried brings unparalleled experience from his long and distinguished career in the Canadian public service in diplomacy and international affairs, trade and finance.
He helps Bennett Jones advise its clients in navigating international trade and financial regulations and frameworks in other areas such as competition, informatics and telecommunications, extractive industries, and ESG matters including sustainability and governance.
Jonathan was the personal representative of Canada's Prime Minister for the G20 and the Coordinator for International Economic Relations with Global Affairs Canada from 2017 to 2020. His mandate encompassed COVID-19 responses and other international trade and economic matters.
As Canada’s World Trade Organization (WTO) Ambassador from 2012 to 2017, Jonathan was General Council Chair in 2014 and Dispute Settlement Body Chair in 2013. He also served as:
- Canadian Ambassador to Japan
- Executive Director for Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean at the International Monetary Fund
- Senior Assistant Deputy Minister for the Department of Finance and Canada's G7 and G20 Finance Deputy
- Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister
Jonathan was formerly Canada’s Chief Negotiator on China’s WTO accession and Canada's Chief NAFTA Counsel.
He is a Senior Advisor with the Albright Stonebridge Group in Washington, DC, Senior Associate to the Center for Strategic and International Studies also in Washington, DC, and Advisor to Llewellyn Consulting in London, UK.
Jonathan is a Distinguished Fellow of the Asia-Pacific Foundation and is one of two Lead Advisors to the World Economic Forum’s International Trade and Investment Platform. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Health Standards Organization and the Advisory Boards of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, the World Trade Board, and the Central and East European Law Institute.
Starting his professional life as Professor of International Law at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, Jonathan has been an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center, the University of Ottawa, and the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs of Carleton University. He has published numerous articles and book chapters on international legal, trade and financial topics.
Bennett Jones