Tom Hatfield Photo
Tom Hatfield Photo
Tom Hatfield Photo

J. Thomas (Tom) Hatfield represents businesses in complex international and domestic commercial disputes. He has advised public and private companies, state-owned companies and sovereign wealth funds on disputes arising in multiple jurisdictions around the world. His practice covers in a wide variety of industries including mining, energy, life science, financial services and transportation.

Tom has appeared as counsel before the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and in international and domestic arbitrations under several major institutional rules including ICSID, ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, and VanIAC. He is qualified as a barrister and solicitor in British Columbia and as a solicitor in England and Wales.

Prior to joining McMillan LLP, Tom practised at international law firms in London, England and Vancouver, B.C.



Representative Matters

  • Representing a US investor in an ICSID arbitration against Mongolia under the US-Mongolia Bilateral Investment Treaty
  • Representing a publicly listed health care provider in a complex ICC arbitration proceeding related to corporate financing transactions
  • Represented an international heavy-oil exploration and development company in its high value ICC arbitration against a sovereign state and state-owned oil company
  • Acted as counsel for a large Canadian aerospace company in the Supreme Court of British Columbia and domestic arbitration proceedings regarding disclosure of confidential financial information
  • Represented the Libya Africa Investment Company (LAICO), a Libyan state-owned asset management company, in multiple claims in Vaduz, Liechtenstein relating to unlawful director appointments by rival factions during the Libyan civil war
  • Advised a junior international gold mining company on strategy relating to enforcement of an ICSID arbitration award and subsequent settlement agreement with a sovereign state
  • Represented the Libya Africa Investment Portfolio (LAIP), a large Libyan sovereign wealth fund, in successfully defending a US$ 500 million claim for breach of a consultancy agreement in the English High Court
  • Represented a large Saudi Arabian chemical manufacturer in a high value and complex LCIA arbitration relating to the use of licensed technology
  • Advised a Quebec based iron ore service company in its Singapore seated international arbitration regarding a dispute under an iron ore sale contract
  • Represented a large Libyan state-owned company in multiple complex, multiparty, multi-jurisdictional international arbitrations involving substantive issues of bribery, frustration and sanctions
  • Advised a junior Canadian international oil and gas company on a multi-jurisdictional dispute plan arising from a contemplated transaction for an exploration block in Iraq

Speaking Engagements

"Losing NAFTA Chapter 11," Canadian Bar Association - International Law Section, Vancouver, BC

December 2018

News


Rankings & Recognitions

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2025) as “One to Watch” in the area of Corporate and Commercial Litigation

Directorships & Affiliations

  • Law Society of British Columbia
  • Law Society of England and Wales
  • The Advocates Society
  • The Canadian Bar Association
  • The Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House)
  • ICC YAAF, North American Representative
  • Young Canadian Arbitration Practitioners, Director

Education & Admissions

2018
Called to the British Columbia Bar
2017
Admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales
2013-2022
Called to the Ontario Bar
2012
JDUniversity of Toronto
2006
BAUniversity of British Columbia

Publications

Insights (2 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

The Potential Impact of the Ukraine Conflict on Contracts Between Canadian and Russian Companies

Legal tools Canadian companies should seek advice on if they are no longer able perform contractual agreements because of the war in Ukraine

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Mar 8, 2022
Featured Insight

The United Kingdom’s New Economic Crime Bill Portends a Sea Change in Anti-Money Laundering Legislation in the West

United Kingdom introduces Economic Crime Bill to expand anti-money laundering capabilities of law enforcement. This Bill portends change to AML laws in Canada.

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Mar 1, 2022