Paul Collins

Paul Collins holds the position of senior counsel and has previously led the Competition & Foreign Investment Group in the Toronto office. His focus is on corporate and commercial law, with a particular emphasis on competition law, encompassing transactional and compliance counsel as well as guidance on marketing and advertising law. Paul stands out as a key consultant for foreign investments under the Investment Canada Act, maintaining frequent interactions with the Competition Bureau and the Investment Review Division of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. His leadership was evident during his tenure as chair of the Canadian Bar Association Competition Law Section’s Executive Committee.

Between May 2010 and May 2012, Paul made significant contributions to the Competition Bureau as a Senior Deputy Commissioner, where he oversaw the Mergers Branch. This period was crucial for the Bureau, particularly in reviewing major corporate deals and shaping policies following the 2009 amendments to the Competition Act. His influence extended to the development of the Merger Enforcement Guidelines and several other key guidelines and policies. Paul was also a vital part of the Bureau's Senior Management Committee.

Professionally, Paul has played the role of an Investment Canada Act expert witness, notably for Cineplex Inc., in its legal battle with Cineworld Group plc regarding their failed merger agreement.

As a proactive participant in legal circles, Paul is affiliated with the Canadian Bar Association (Competition Law Section) and the Antitrust Law Sections of both the International Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He has contributed his expertise as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and led the Legislative Reform and Competition Policy Subcommittee of the Canadian Bar Association (Competition Law Section). Paul is also a seasoned speaker, having presented at numerous industry conferences.

Fluent in Greek, Paul brings a diverse cultural perspective to his practice.

Paul's expertise includes:

- Competition & Foreign Investment

Educationally, Paul achieved his LL.B. and an Honours B.A. in Economics from the University of Toronto. He was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1994.

Among his notable recent assignments, Paul served as regulatory counsel for IBM in its landmark US$34B acquisition of Red Hat, advised Univar Inc. as Canadian competition counsel in its US$2B merger with Nexeo Solutions, Inc., and represented Empire Co. Ltd., guiding the Sobeys Inc. parent company through its C$800M purchase of Farm Boy Inc.