Nicolas J.S. Lockhart

NICOLAS LOCKHART is recognized as a leading practitioner in the international trade field, in particular in WTO dispute settlement. At Sidley, Nic has advised a wide range of governments and commercial stakeholders in dozens of World Trade Organization (WTO) disputes. He has also assisted clients with the negotiation of trade agreements. Before joining Sidley, Nic spent five years at the WTO Appellate Body, advising on 16 appeals.

Nic offers clients an in-depth knowledge of WTO practice, procedures and substantive law, covering all stages of WTO dispute settlement. He has extensive experience in oral advocacy at hearings. Nic has worked with WTO members as complainants, respondents and third parties in many disputes, across a wide range of WTO agreements.

Nic features prominently in published rankings of practitioners in the field of the international trade law:

• He is ranked in Band 1 for International Trade/WTO by Chambers Europe 2019 and Chambers Switzerland 2018, in which clients describe him as “very gifted legally and a very talented advocate.” Another source states: “He’s very creative in building arguments and positions and does not feel confined to how things have always been done. He is willing to think of new ideas.”
• In the Chambers 2017 edition, clients called Nic “a tremendous trial lawyer who is an eloquent, convincing and effective communicator.” In Chambers Europe 2015, clients described him as a “fantastic strategist, excellent litigator and very good at thinking on his feet at hearings.”
• He has been listed in the 2020 edition of Best Lawyers in Switzerland.
• He is also recognized as one of the most highly regarded practitioners in Who’s Who Legal 2018 for Trade & Customs: sources from the 2016 edition “have great respect” for Nic Lockhart, highlighting his ‘strong legal arguments’ and ‘excellent legal analysis and writing’ as notable strengths.’”

Nic has appeared on Bloomberg television as a commentator on the international trade implications of Brexit:

• The Outlook for U.K. Trade With the EU Post Brexit – October 28, 2016
• Nissan Deal Raises Questions on Trade, Says Lockhart – October 28, 2016