Kathryn McNeece

Kate McNeece, Partner at the Toronto office specializing in Competition/Antitrust & Foreign Investment law, has quickly become a cornerstone in the realm of complex legal landscapes following her bar admissions in New York in 2014 and Ontario in 2015. Her expertise spans across the intricate dynamics of competition law, covering mergers and acquisitions, marketing, distribution practices, abuse of dominance, and comprehensive investigations, alongside offering pivotal advice on foreign investment merger reviews under the Investment Canada Act.

Kate has made significant contributions to high-stakes transactions across vital sectors such as energy, renewable energy, construction, telecommunications, and consumer products. Her notable involvement in major acquisitions, such as Pinnacle Foods Inc.'s US$10.9 billion acquisition by ConAgra Brands and Federal-Mogul's US$5.4 billion acquisition by Tenneco Inc., underscores her capacity to navigate complex regulatory approvals and strategic foreign investment considerations, including SOE investment and national security issues.

Before joining McCarthy Tétrault, Kate's distinguished track record included advising on the merger of GE's Oil & Gas business with Baker Hughes and Imperial Oil Limited's C$2.8 billion divestment of Esso retail gas stations, showcasing her versatile expertise in facilitating significant industry-shaping deals.

A respected voice in the legal community, Kate is an active member of the Law Society of Ontario, Canadian Bar Association, and American Bar Association. She plays a pivotal role in shaping discussions on competition law as a Vice Chair of the Podcast Committee of the CBA Competition Law Section and contributes to the ABA Section of International Law's Steering Committee.

Her academic accolades from Columbia Law School, including the James Kent Scholar and Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar awards, along with her role as an editor of the Columbia Human Rights Review, reflect her rigorous legal acumen and dedication to excellence. Kate's undergraduate degree in economics from Yale University adds a valuable dimension to her understanding of the market forces at play in her legal work.

Kate's recognition in the Global Competition Review's Foreign Investment Control 2023 as a Top 40 Under 40, along with her listing as a leading lawyer in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and Who's Who Legal, are testaments to her rising influence and leadership in the field of competition law. Her contributions are not only pivotal in the boardroom but also influential in shaping the future of competition law education, as evidenced by her role as an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School.