DEPARTMENT PROFILE

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

Competition/Antitrust

7 ranked lawyers

Band 1

Nationwide - Canada

Canada 2022 View ranking table

chambers review

department information

Ranked Lawyers

Chambers Review

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What the team is known for

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg is a leading Toronto-based law firm with a premier competition department, identified for its skilful handling of international transactions and related competition matters. The firm fields a sizeable team that adeptly handles both litigation before the Competition Tribunal and competition reviews. Its lawyers also assist with civil and criminal investigations and abuse of dominance cases. The team demonstrates proficiency across a range of sectors including pharmaceuticals, mining and manufacturing.

Strengths

"They are terrific and my go-to firm for Canadian antitrust issues," enthused one source, while another said: "The team is strong, tactical and a pleasure to work with."

One interviewee praised the firm's "excellent service," saying: "The firm brings a strong litigation team that aggressively and successfully represents clients in disputes."

Work highlights

A Davies team led by Elisa Kearney acted for Alstom on its EUR4.4 billion acquisition of the transportation business of Bombardier.

Notable practitioners

Anita Banicevic advises clients on significant merger review files, as well as providing assistance with competition-related class actions.
"Anita Banicevic is an excellent antitrust lawyer." "She is smart and savvy, and she knows the process and the key players."

Charles Tingley stands out for his involvement in significant investment and merger review files, with a particular focus on the financial services sector. He also has experience advising clients implicated in price-fixing investigations and related litigation.
"Charles Tingley is very articulate, knowledgeable and thorough."

Elisa Kearney is noted for her impressive breadth of expertise in a variety of competition matters, as well as her proficiency in matters in highly regulated industries, including cannabis, food and other consumer products.
"She provides clear practical advice and handles things extremely efficiently." "Elisa Kearney is a phenomenal lawyer; she is the sort of adviser who makes your problem her problem."

George Addy is a distinguished figure in the Canadian competition market with an immense wealth of experience. His skills continue to be sought after for his regulatory and transactional expertise.

John Bodrug is much admired for the depth of his expertise in antitrust investigations, transactional clearance mandates and foreign investment reviews. His recent experience includes acting for significant clients in the telecoms and aviation sectors.

Mark Katz is a well-established competition lawyer with considerable experience advising on both domestic and cross-border transactions. Of late, he has impressed for his leading role in a number of significant financial services sector deals.
"He has a very calm approach and is very knowledgeable and thorough."

Toronto-based Sandra Forbes is a skilled class actions and antitrust lawyer who has experience defending an impressive range of competition-related cases, including deceptive marketing and criminal cartel matters. She also has an active commercial litigation practice.

Department Information

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Overview

Faced with heightened scrutiny of competitive practices around the globe, business leaders want to avoid challenges from the authorities – or respond swiftly if they happen. Our unrivalled team takes on the toughest assignments and develops strategies that work.

Leading businesses in Canada and internationally turn to our lawyers for their most demanding merger, cartel and antitrust cases. From Teva Pharmaceutical’s US$40.5-billion acquisition of Allergan’s generics business to Rogers Communications’ premium text services case, we’ve shown that we can navigate and resolve complex issues to meet our clients’ objectives.

Our team includes some of the most highly regarded lawyers in the field. At the forefront of developments in Canada’s competition landscape, we give you indispensable insight into the Competition Bureau’s enforcement approach. And when disputes arise, our top litigators bring extensive experience before the Competition Tribunal and at all levels of courts to win your case.

Across the spectrum of competition and foreign investment issues – from merger reviews to ongoing compliance programs – our team combines cutting-edge knowledge with practical strategies to overcome the most complicated challenges.