Competition/Antitrust
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 877 973 5500About
Provided by Stikeman Elliott LLP
Our Competition & Foreign Investment Group provides sophisticated, pragmatic advice on major national and international transactions, as well as day-to-day compliance across all industries. On the litigation side, the team handles high stakes exposures in the criminal, regulatory and class action spheres, using dynamic and highly effective courtroom advocacy and a razor-sharp strategic approach.
We are one of the most active transactional law firms in Canada, with a deep understanding of the competitive dynamics of Canada’s major industrial and commercial sectors. As such, we can effectively evaluate and structure transactions to manage the risk of regulatory intervention by the Commissioner of Competition and other governmental agencies. We have also acted on the most noteworthy foreign investment transactions in recent years, representing both Canadian targets and foreign purchasers.
Our competition litigation practice is a recognized market leader, with top ranked counsel handling the full spectrum of client issues, from cartel investigations, prosecutions and resolutions, to immunity and leniency applications, to contested mergers and other civilly reviewable matters before the Competition Tribunal, to defence of class actions and other lawsuits alleging competition law violations and economic torts. www.thecompetitor.ca
Chambers Review
Stikeman Elliott is a full-service law firm housing a superb competition practice group with notable expertise in contentious antitrust issues, such as competition class actions. The team also wins praise for its representation of blue-chip clients in connection with the competition aspects of high-value global merger transactions, assisting clients with reviews before the Competition Bureau and with Investment Canada Act matters. It is a popular choice with private equity houses, as well as clients from the financial services, retail and TMT sectors.
Work Highlights
- Stikeman Elliott acted as Canadian competition counsel to NFP Corp on its sale to Aon.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"It is a very practical team that has acquired a deep understanding of our business, supported by extremely high technical skills. The team can effectively support complex and cross-discipline files."
"Stikeman Elliott has a range of expertise in various subject matters, and the competition team is able to advise across a number of different industries and provide direct answers in a timely manner."
"The antitrust and regulatory aspects of a complicated transaction were handled skilfully, strategically and effectively."
"All work was completed with high quality and promptness."
"The team is business-minded, practical and hands-on, and can cut through the detail quickly to get to a practical response."
"It is a very practical team that has acquired a deep understanding of our business, supported by extremely high technical skills. The team can effectively support complex and cross-discipline files."
"Stikeman Elliott has a range of expertise in various subject matters, and the competition team is able to advise across a number of different industries and provide direct answers in a timely manner."
"The antitrust and regulatory aspects of a complicated transaction were handled skilfully, strategically and effectively."
"All work was completed with high quality and promptness."
"The team is business-minded, practical and hands-on, and can cut through the detail quickly to get to a practical response."
Notable Practitioners
Lawson Hunter KC is a pre-eminent figure in Canadian competition. He is credited as one of the key individuals behind the creation of Canada's Competition Act.
Toronto-based Paul Collins has a wealth of experience assisting clients with merger clearance investigations.
Katherine Kay stands out for her experience defending clients in high-profile class actions involving allegations of price fixing and misleading advertising.
"Katherine is an exceptional lawyer and advocate with fantastic technical expertise and a high EQ which she uses to effectively deal with all stakeholders."
Eliot Kolers represents clients in disputes over alleged price fixing, including defending interested parties in class actions.
Michael Kilby has a strong focus on merger clearance mandates, including advising a number of private equity houses and clients from the technology and telecommunications industries.
"Michael is an excellent lawyer with a practical and business-minded approach. He makes complicated issues understandable and is able to think outside the box."
"He is very practical, responsive and gives very user-friendly advice."
"He gives an excellent service and is very knowledgeable."
Michael Laskey is a highly rated lawyer in the Canadian competition Bar, with an impressive track record of handling complex cross-border mergers and regulatory reviews.
"Michael is incredibly strong, both technically and from a business perspective, and a quick study in terms of understanding business needs and drivers. He is a pleasure to deal with."
"Michael is super creative, an out-of-the-box thinker and super practical. He intuitively grasps what our business objectives are."
"Michael is very experienced, has excellent judgement and has a strong ability to guide his clients through the competition process."
"Michael is extremely practical, strategic and efficient. He's creative in his thinking and very proactive."
"He is a true superstar."
Danielle Royal is a skilled litigator with noted experience defending clients in class actions concerning allegations of anti-competitive behaviour in the pharmaceutical sector.
Based in Ottawa, Susan Hutton offers notable competition and foreign investment expertise.
Kevin Ackhurst advises clients on Competition Bureau reviews of proposed mergers and acquisitions, including representing financial sector companies.
David Feldman has notable recent activity in the field of merger clearance and Investment Canada Act mandates.
"David is knowledgeable and practical."
Ranked Lawyers at
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Nationwide - Canada
Members
Provided by Stikeman Elliott LLP