Shawn Neylan

Shawn Neylan, a distinguished partner at the firm, provides comprehensive legal advice across a spectrum of Canadian federal regulatory and criminal laws. His areas of expertise include economic sanctions, anti-corruption, commercial bribery, anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing, national security, competition, and forced labor issues. Boasting over 35 years of experience, Shawn counsels clients on compliance, transactional matters, conducts internal investigations, and represents them in complex litigation, including merger challenges and civil conspiracy cases.

Widely recognized for his profound knowledge in competition and antitrust law, Shawn has garnered significant accolades, being cited as a leading lawyer by The Best Lawyers in Canada and The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for his outstanding work in the field.

Renowned for his inventive, practical approach, Shawn is known to tackle legal challenges head-on without unnecessary complexities.

In his role as a professional, Shawn has significantly contributed to the legal community, serving as Co-Chair and Vice-Chair for the Competition Law Committee of the Inter Pacific Bar Association. He has also held leadership positions within the Canadian Bar Association’s National Competition Law Section and engaged in various American Bar Association committees focused on sanctions, anti-corruption, and anti-money laundering.

Shawn's writings and presentations on economic sanctions, national security, competition law, and investment review issues reflect his depth of knowledge and commitment to educating others in these complex areas.

An adventurous spirit, Shawn has experiences as diverse as serving in the 15th Field Artillery Regiment and placer gold mining in the Cariboo during his university summers.

His areas of focus are vast, including Competition & Foreign Investment, Crisis & Risk Management, International Regulation & Compliance, White Collar Crime, and Government Relations.

Shawn’s academic credentials are robust, with an LL.B. from the University of Victoria and a B.Sc. from Western Washington University. He is admitted to practice in British Columbia and Ontario.

Recently, Shawn has led internal investigations concerning economic sanctions and anti-corruption, and has played pivotal roles in significant transactions involving Birch Hill Equity Partners, Torquest Partners, and Ballard Power Systems’ strategic collaboration with Weichai Power.

His recognition in the legal field includes accolades from The Best Lawyers in Canada, Expert Guides, and The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.

Shawn has authored and co-authored influential publications on forced labor in global supply chains and the intricacies of Canadian sanctions laws, further establishing his authority in these critical legal areas.

His contributions to legal discussions extend to global sanctions regimes, sanctions screening, and market views on M&A and private equity, marking him as a thought leader in navigating the complexities of global regulatory environments.