Competition/Antitrust
Global Guide 2024 : Canada
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 863 0900About
Provided by Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
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.
Chambers Review
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg is a leading law firm with a premier Toronto-based competition department, identified for its skilful handling of the antitrust elements of multi-jurisdictional transactions. The team is a popular choice with clients from the pharmaceutical, energy and technology sectors, as well as with private equity houses. The firm fields a sizeable team that adeptly handles both class actions concerning allegations of involvement in cartels and anti-competitive behaviour in advertising, as well as defending clients in behavioural investigations before the Competition Tribunal.
Work Highlights
- Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg defended Giant Tiger Stores in the class action proceedings concerning an alleged cartel to fix the price of bread.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"In terms of Canadian competition law talent, I consider the Davies competition law team to be at the pinnacle."
"Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg has an extremely strong understanding of the competition laws and is able to work through complex issues in a timely manner because of the team's understanding, passion and dedication."
"The team provided high-quality services efficiently."
"The lawyers are able to quickly grasp the complex business and operational issues, provide insight, counsel and potential implications on various alternatives for consideration."
"No matter the issue, Davies provides timely responses and practical feedback."
"In terms of Canadian competition law talent, I consider the Davies competition law team to be at the pinnacle."
"Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg has an extremely strong understanding of the competition laws and is able to work through complex issues in a timely manner because of the team's understanding, passion and dedication."
"The team provided high-quality services efficiently."
"The lawyers are able to quickly grasp the complex business and operational issues, provide insight, counsel and potential implications on various alternatives for consideration."
"No matter the issue, Davies provides timely responses and practical feedback."
Notable Practitioners
John Bodrug is much admired for the depth of his expertise in merger clearance and foreign direct investment matters, with notable recent experience in contested merger filings in the technology sector.
"I think of John as one of the most brilliant minds in Canadian competition law."
"His ability to analyse and see through complicated issues as if they were transparent is uncanny."
"He is one of the smartest competition lawyers around."
Sandra Forbes is highly esteemed for her ability to represent defendants in competition class actions, with a particular focus on disputes concerning allegations of price fixing and misleading advertising. She also has an active commercial litigation practice.
"Her clear and concise advice, paired with her formidable presentation skills, are appreciated by all audiences."
"She is a top competition litigator, who is very smart, highly experienced and excellent in oral submissions."
Anita Banicevic advises clients on significant merger review files, as well as providing assistance with competition-related class actions.
"She delivers thoughtful, practical advice and she has an understanding of the efficiencies defence that makes her an essential adviser to any firm considering a merger."
"She is a sophisticated and thoughtful competition lawyer."
"Her strengths are that she is a great lawyer but also very practical, so gives good legal and strategic advice."
Elisa Kearney has a broad practice advising clients on contested merger clearance filings and on Competition Bureau investigations into allegations of anti-competitive behaviour.
"Elisa is great to work with - she's communicative, diligent and understands nuances and subtleties of the influence of stakeholders on ultimate outcomes."
Mark Katz assists clients with merger control filings. He has experience acting for both private equity houses and pharmaceutical companies.
"He's very friendly and trustworthy; people like his demeanour."
"Even under stressful circumstances, he's very calm and reassuring."
Charles Tingley represents clients in Competition Bureau reviews of proposed mergers, including in the energy and natural resources and retail sectors.
"Charles has a real talent to find the heart of every issue, no matter how complicated, and gives understandable, practical advice to our organisation."
"His abilities extend beyond legal advice as he always considers the many moving parts in our complicated industry when providing his opinions."
Ranked Lawyers at
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Canada
Members
Provided by Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP