Since 2021, Howard Mann has focussed his practice on international investment arbitration. As an arbitrator, Howard brings experience working inside government, advising governments, and a deep understanding of the legal dimensions of international investment law and its linkages to law and policy-making. Over the last decade plus, Howard has also built up significant expertise in the natural resources and infrastructure sectors, including international tax and stabilization issues related to large scale investments.

Prior to this, Howard Mann’s career focused on bringing new thinking to major international law challenges, in particular at the intersection of international economic law and sustainable development. Dr. Mann was the Senior International Law Advisor to the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for more than 20 years. Through his work at IISD, he pioneered new thinking on international investment law and policy. He worked with more than 75 governments around the world on these matters.



Howard began his international law career working for then Prof. Rosalyn Higgins, prior to her appointment to the International Court of Justice. He then worked with the Department of Justice, Canada, actively representing Canada in multiple international environmental negotiations at the UN and bilaterally with the United States. From 1993-1998 he managed his own private practice providing international law advice to governments and other international actors before beginning his work with IISD. 

Howard’s career highlights include representing Canada at multiple United Nations negotiations, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1989-1992), and in bilateral and trilateral negotiations such as the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAFTA environmental agreement,1992-1993). He has appeared before Parliamentary committees, and served on advisory panels for the Government of Canada, OECD, United Nations, International Bar Association and International Commission of Jurists. He pioneered civil society engagement in international arbitrations, and facilitated multiple international negotiations.