Advertising and Marketing Law
Arlan W. Gates
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2017 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Biography
Arlan Gates practices commercial and regulatory law as a member of Baker McKenzie's Global International Commercial & Trade and Antitrust & Competition groups. He leads the Canadian Antitrust, Competition and Foreign Investment Practice, which has been ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers Canada. He is also ranked by Chambers Canada and by Best Lawyers in the area of advertising, marketing and data protection law and leads the Canadian Advertising, Marketing and Regulatory Practice, providing support to domestic and international businesses on regulatory aspects of market entry and ongoing commercial operations in Canada and abroad. Arlan joined Baker McKenzie as a summer associate in 1999 and has also worked in the Firm's Sydney office.
Practice Focus
Antitrust, Competition & Foreign Investment
Arlan regularly advises on Canadian and international merger control, foreign investment and national security in corporate and commercial transactions, including under the Canadian Competition Act and the Investment Canada Act. He also advises on competition investigations and inquiries by the Canadian Competition Bureau, and provides competition law advice on pricing policies, distribution arrangements, joint ventures and other competitor collaborations, cartels, abuse of dominance, and the implementation of industry-tailored compliance programs.
Advertising, Marketing & Regulatory
Arlan advises extensively on advertising and marketing law, including online, mobile, print and broadcast advertising, deceptive marketing, contests, sweepstakes and promotions, consumer protection, data privacy and anti-spam laws, public/government procurement laws, technology, communications and online sales regulation, and product regulatory compliance involving food, cosmetics, drugs, medical devices, and other consumer and industrial products and services, including commercial contracting and regulatory enforcement matters.
He has particular experience assisting international businesses with the commercial and regulatory aspects of expanding to Canada, and from Canada to other markets. He frequently coordinates regulatory advice across multiple practice areas and countries in both corporate transactions and commercial projects.
Overview
- English
- French
- University of Toronto, J.D., graduated 2000
- University of Cambridge, M.Phil International Relations, graduated 1997
- University of Winnipeg, B.A. Honours, graduated 1995
- Ontario, 2002
- Ad Standards (Canada) - Member
- American Bar Association (Section of Antitrust Law) - Member
- Canadian Bar Association (National Competition Law Section) - Member
- Law Society of Ontario - Member
- Ontario Bar Association - Member
- English
- French
- Ontario, 2002
- Ad Standards (Canada) - Member
- American Bar Association (Section of Antitrust Law) - Member
- Canadian Bar Association (National Competition Law Section) - Member
- Law Society of Ontario - Member
- Ontario Bar Association - Member
- University of Toronto, J.D., graduated 2000
- University of Cambridge, M.Phil International Relations, graduated 1997
- University of Winnipeg, B.A. Honours, graduated 1995
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada™ 2026 for work in:
- Advertising and Marketing Law
News & Media
Additional Information
Case History
Cases
- Representative Legal Matters
- Advised a Japanese conglomerate on competition and foreign investment aspects of its USD 11 billion acquisition of a power grids business in Canada and other jurisdictions.
- Advised a US-based provider of audiovisual services in its response to a Section 11 order and Canadian Competition Bureau inquiry into the proposed sale of its event services business to a competitor.
- Represented a private equity investment firm in obtaining merger clearance for its USD 2.74 billion acquisition of a US publicly-listed global provider of cloud-based public relations software and media services.
- Represented a private equity investment firm in obtaining merger clearance for its USD 2 billion acquisition of a publicly-traded global distributor of aerospace products.
- Advised a Spanish company on merger control and foreign investment in Canada for its acquisition of a majority interest in a British makeup and skincare brand.
- Represented a China-based state-owned enterprise in obtaining Canadian regulatory approval for a strategic financial investment in a Canadian publicly-listed mining company.
- Represented a global manufacturer of building products its USD 7 billion acquisition of a US-headquartered drywall manufacturer.
- Advised a private equity investment firm on merger control and foreign investment approval in Canada for its USD 3.8 billion acquisition of a Canada- headquartered global leader in the manufacture and supply of injection molding equipment to the plastics industry.
- Advised a leading US-based data communications and telecommunications equipment provider in obtaining merger control approvals in Canada and other jurisdictions for its USD 1.2 billion cross-border acquisition of a Canadian manufacturer of advanced video surveillance solutions listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
- Advised a China-based manufacturer on the high-profile foreign investment and national security clearance of its acquisition of a publicly-traded Canadian satellite components and antenna manufacturer.
- Advised a state-owned enterprise on merger control, foreign investment and other regulatory approvals worldwide for its acquisition of control of the former Canadian monopoly grain marketing board through a joint venture with a US-based global agribusiness and food company.
- Advised a US-based pharmaceutical and device business on the clearance of its merger with one of the largest international pharmaceutical companies, which was subject to a Supplementary Information Request (SIR) and approved through a multi-year Consent Agreement.
- Advised a US-based professional services firm in an abuse of dominance complaint and resulting investigation regarding exclusionary conduct by a professional self-regulatory body.
- Advised a global manufacturer in connection with an alleged bid-rigging case and resulting class action.
- Advised a US-based consumer products company on commercial, marketing and regulatory aspects of the expansion of a premium product line into Canada.
- Advised a wide range of consumer-facing companies on sales, marketing and product compliance in Canada and other jurisdictions.
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