Canada: Competition
Our research reveals an impressive array of expertise across the competition law sector, ranging from mergers and acquisitions to cartels and monopolies. We identify 37 exceptional lawyers.
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP boasts a fantastic competition team, with six of its lawyers selected for inclusion. The “incredibly smart” George Addy is a former head of the Canadian Competition Bureau and leads the firm’s competition practice group. Colleagues praised him for his extensive knowledge and “invaluable business acumen”. He is ably supported by John Bodrug, who is “absolutely fantastic” and has been “involved in some of the most complex mergers you’ll ever come across”. Richard Elliott’s previous experience as an enforcement official for the Canadian Competition Bureau gives him a “first-rate understanding of competition law”. A former chair of the legislation and competition policy committee of the Canadian Bar Association, Adam Fanaki is a “favourite” and undertakes a wide range of competition work, ranging from domestic and international mergers to criminal and civil investigations. Sandra Forbes brings her “outstanding litigation skills” to the team and Mark Katz is not only an experienced adviser and litigator but a “prolific scholar” on competition law as well.
Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP is another challenger for the top spot in this sector, also with six listings, and is home to some of the most highly nominated individuals in our research. The “very astute” Brian Facey is co-chair of the competition, antitrust and foreign investment group and was described to researchers as a “leader”. Fellow co-chair Calvin Goldman QC is vice-chair of the ICC task force on the International Competition Network and his “outstanding” work covers all aspects of competition law, including mergers, abuse of dominance and cartels. Jason Gudofsky is well-reputed for his strategic advice to firms involved in merger and joint venture transactions and he is considered by peers to have a “top-notch practice”. Randall Hofley has appeared as the lead litigation counsel before federal tribunals and before Canada’s Federal and Supreme Courts, earning him a reputation as “a very fine advocate”. Robert Kwinter has acted as leading counsel in international cartel matters and is particularly well-regarded for his criminal work. The emphasis of the “terrific” Julie Soloway’s work is on multinational mergers.
Five lawyers from McCarthy Tétrault LLP are recognised for their exceptional work in the field of competition. Donald Houston has over 25 years’ experience of competition practice and was commended to researchers as “head and shoulders above the rest in litigation”. Oliver Borgers’ work includes advising on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, pre-merger notifications and market conduct. Colleagues respect him for his “vast knowledge” and clients choose him for his “commercial approach” to their problems. Neil Finkelstein is described as “leagues ahead when it comes to litigation” and Yves Comtois garnered votes for his “impressive” international competition work. Madeleine Renaud is a former chair of the National Section of Competition Law of the Canadian Bar Association and was described to researchers as “a definite inclusion”.
McMillan LLP retains its reputation for exceptional competition work, with four lawyers listed. Neil Campbell is widely respected for his experience and knowledge of all aspects of competition work and is praised as “one of the best on the merger side”. Partner Martin Low QC specialises in cartel work and has gained a reputation as “a brilliant advocate”. Also a big name in cartel matters, David Kent is commended as “a very smart guy”. James Musgrove has a “very strong practice” covering all aspects of competition and marketing law.
Michelle Lally chairs the competition group at Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and is one of four nominated practitioners from the firm. She is admired for bringing “considerable experience and strategic support to complex cases”. The “superb” Graham Reynolds QC represents both immunity applicants and targets of domestic and multinational competition cartel investigations in a wide variety of industries. Peter Glossop gained votes for his “excellent client relationships and quality advice”, while Peter Franklyn has represented clients such as Proctor & Gamble, Sony and Microsoft and brings over 25 years of experience to the team.
Formerly Canada’s senior civil servant in charge of competition policy and enforcement, Lawson Hunter QC is head of Stikeman Elliott LLP’s competition practice, which is home to four of our nominees. He advises a wide variety of Canadian and multinational corporations on all aspects of federal regulatory law and policy and is “truly brilliant”. Susan Hutton was commended by clients and peers for her “terrific” work across the full range of competition law issues. Shawn Neylan recently led the regulatory teams for Vector Aerospace Corporation in its acquisition by Eurocopter Holding and Katherine Kay has acquired a reputation for “excellent” litigation work.
Sheridan Scott leads a trio of featured competition lawyers from Bennett Jones LLP. Her considerable experience includes acting as Commissioner of Competition from 2004 to 2009 and she was highly recommended in the research as “a fantastic lawyer”. John Rook QC is a “senior statesman” in the words of his peers and is not only an experienced litigator, but a respected scholar of competition law. Randall Hughes was consistently nominated for his cartel work and is considered to be a “very skilled lawyer”.
Two lawyers from Torys LLP are recommended for their strong competition practices. Jay Holsten chairs the practice group and specialises in complex merger review and the competition law aspects of other strategic business arrangements. The “fabulous” Omar Wakil impressed our sources with his experience of advising international clients in Investment Canada Act reviews by the Investment Review Division and the Cultural Sector Investment Review directorate.
Practice group co-chair Barry Zalmanowitz QC flies the flag for Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP and is “the principal guy” for advice and representation in mergers and acquisitions, cartel investigations and other provisions of the Competition Act. Colleagues consider him “one of the best and very tough to go up against”.
At Heenan Blaikie LLP Subrata Bhattacharjee is “very well known” and received many votes for his work providing counsel on merger clearance and cartel matters.
Denis Gascon of Norton Rose OR LLP is widely respected as a “talented” litigator and also received praise for his merger-related work.