Department profile
Bennett Jones LLP

Competition/Antitrust

Canada Guide 2027 : Nationwide - Canada

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Bennett Jones LLP

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About

Provided by Bennett Jones LLP

We deliver unmatched competition and antitrust counsel in Canada and abroad, guiding clients through merger reviews, foreign investment and complex enforcement matters with insight and credibility.

Our Competition/Antitrust Group includes the most recent former Commissioner of the Competition Bureau, several former Bureau and Department of Justice officials and the foremost competition counsel in the country. We regularly appear before and are retained to litigate on behalf of the Bureau. Our experience and credibility with the Bureau has afforded us a deep, seasoned understanding of the Bureau's priorities, concerns and enforcement orientation, and unique insights into how the Bureau conducts its investigations.

As the only Canadian law firm with competition law capability in Washington, DC, we advise US and international clients and law firms on the Canadian aspects of North American and global competition regulation and antitrust enforcement; reviews under the Investment Canada Act; and litigation matters including class action proceedings. Our clients rely on our anticipatory and pragmatic approach to guide them through complex merger and foreign investment review processes.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition/Antitrust - Nationwide - Canada

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Bennett Jones is a well-known law firm with a strong reputation in the field of competition law, featuring well-established litigation expertise. The team possesses notable experience in handling cartel investigations, often defending clients in class actions alleging possible bid rigging or price fixing. The firm also represents clients in domestic and cross-border merger reviews and advises on foreign direct investment issues. It is a popular choice with clients from the FMCG, financial services and technology industries. It further benefits from the support of former Commissioner of Competition Melanie Aitken, who heads the team and advises on Canadian law from Washington, DC.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Bennett Jones advised Plains All American Pipeline on competition law issues arising in the CAD5.15 billion sale of its NGL business to Keyera.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Bennett Jones provided clear, commercially-focused and practical advice throughout the process. Their support was instrumental and the team was thoughtful, responsive and effective throughout, demonstrating strong expertise in Canadian competition law and the regulatory process.

    Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada

  • The quality of counsel was unsurpassed and allowed several significant hurdles to be strategically addressed and ensured the transaction could be navigated successfully.

    Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada

  • The Bennett Jones team has a wealth of knowledge and experience that was vital to the success of securing a discontinuance of the Competition Bureau’s investigation. The team was great: always responsive, always thoughtful.

    Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada

  • They offered deep knowledge of the Bureau and they had deep relationships within it. They were able to explain Canadian procedure well and had an excellent ability to predict and navigate the Canadian regulatory process. The team is very adept at understanding complex industries and is able to develop efficient regulatory strategy advice for clients.

    Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada

  • Bennett Jones are down to earth, reliable and provide thoughtful legal analysis and advice. They are experienced lawyers, we are confident we are in good hands. Both the partner and associate levels are very knowledgeable, experienced and provide excellent support. They are responsive to tight deadlines and the expectations of the client's senior management. It is a top notch service.

    Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Adam Kalbfleisch
    Adam Kalbfleisch

    Adam Kalbfleisch

    Adam Kalbfleisch is a Toronto-based competition lawyer who continues to impress with his work on a high volume of cross-border merger and foreign investment mandates. He is active on transactions in a number of key sectors, including energy, mining and technology.

    • He's a very commercial and sophisticated counsel.

      Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada
    • Adam's experience was invaluable.
      Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada
    • Adam is absolutely top notch. He provides concise, strategic advice.
      Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada

    • He's excellent, Adam is very commercial and responsive.

      Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada
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  • Emrys Davis
    Emrys Davis

    Emrys Davis

    Emrys Davis often defends high-profile clients in class actions concerning allegations of price fixing and other allegations of anti-competitive behaviour.

    • He would actually respond to specific questions without strenuous work and cut to the heart of the issues - he was very direct.

      Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada

    • He was exceptionally responsive and helpful at every step of the way.

      Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada

    • He's a responsive, incredibly smart, thoughtful and strategic litigator. He knows the Tribunal processes like the back of his hands and is a great strategic thinker and adviser on complex litigation.

      Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada
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  • Zirjan Derwa
    Zirjan Derwa

    Zirjan Derwa

    Zirjan Derwa is held in high esteem for advising clients from the financial services and technology sectors on merger clearance and foreign direct investment mandates.

    • His ability to understand complex regulatory issues and his knowledge of the Competition Bureau ensured we could navigate a very challenging transaction. His advice and strategic vision is unparalleled and was absolutely critical to the transaction’s success.

      Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada

    • He’s fantastic. He's dedicated to the industry, gives good advice, has a good approach to regulatory matters, and provides catered solutions to what we’re trying to accomplish.

      Competition/Antitrust respondentCanada
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Ranked Individuals at Bennett Jones LLP (3)

Nationwide - Canada

Members

Provided by Bennett Jones LLP

Bennett Jones LLP has rankings in the following guides

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