Automotive

We help automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and innovators navigate the industry’s rapid transition to EVs, new technologies, and evolving regulations with practical legal solutions that drive business forward.
Key Contacts
Beaudoin YannickFlynn MatthewGriffiths LeonardIshai IlanSmith MichaelWoodin Cheryl
Car

Overview

The automotive industry is experiencing exceptional change and disruption, which includes: transition to EVs, new OEM entrants, critical mineral supply for EVs and hybrids (not ICEs), and increasing manufacturing capacity for batteries and EVs.

At the same time, opportunities abound not only for automotive manufacturers, suppliers and dealers, but also for supply chains in other industries and for all levels of government. Advances such as electrification and autonomous vehicles and shifts in consumer choices driven by the desire for sustainability and on-demand mobility, are spurring technological developments across the sector.

We assist all types of automotive clients in navigating this evolving and highly regulated landscape, as innovative incumbents and agile new players alike embrace new technologies and chart the future of personal and commercial mobility. Whether in commercial, regulatory or advocacy matters, our clients benefit from our efficient, practical legal solutions that align with commercial business objectives. With valuable in-house experience with automotive companies in legal, governance and leadership roles, our lawyers have a unique understanding to support designers, suppliers, original equipment manufacturers, technology developers, distributors and service providers.

A Multi-Disciplinary Legal Team

Our team is backed by collaborative and experienced lawyers from all areas of the firm. Our expertise includes:

Capital Projects

Corporate and M&A

Corporate Finance and Financial Services

Employment Services

Our Commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Litigation

Mining and Critical Minerals

Regulatory & Government Affairs

Tax

Privacy, Technology and Intellectual Property

Trade

Client Work

A major municipality, on its EV policy initiatives and the regulation of EV charging infrastructure
A major retail chain, with contracting for the design, implementation and operation of electric vehicle stations and related renewable battery infrastructure
A utility company, on the rollout of various electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Volkswagen
in its selection process for development of a $7B flagship North American EV battery manufacturing facility

Recognitions

Chambers Canada
Environment (Band 1); Competition/Antitrust; Corporate/Commercial: The Elite (Alberta & Ontario), Highly Regarded (BC); Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence); Intellectual Property; International Trade/WTO; Real Estate (Alberta, Ontario, BC & Nationwide)
Chambers Global
Band 1, Environment; International Trade/WTO
Band 2, Competition/Antitrust; Corporate/M&A; Disputes (International & Cross Border)
Band 5, Intellectual Property
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Most Frequently Recommended, Class Actions (Toronto); Corporate Commercial Law (Calgary); Environmental Law (Calgary); Property Development (Toronto); Property Leasing (Calgary)
Consistently Recommended, Competition Law (Calgary, Toronto); Corporate Commercial Law (Edmonton, Toronto); Environmental Law (Toronto, Vancouver); Intellectual Property (Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto); Property Development (Calgary, Vancouver)
Repeatedly Recommended, Property Development (Edmonton)
The Legal 500 Canada
Dispute Resolution: Alberta (Tier 1); Environment (Tier 1); Capital Markets; Competition and Antitrust; Corporate and M&A; Dispute Resolution: Ontario; Intellectual Property; International Expertise; International Trade; Real Estate
Griffiths Leonard

Leonard J. Griffiths

Partner  •   Co-Head of Environmental Practice

Ishai Ilan

Ilan Ishai

Partner

Woodin Cheryl

Cheryl M. Woodin

Partner  •   Co-Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department

At the centre of market-shaping deals and high-stakes disputes, Bennett Jones delivers clarity, strategy and results. Our cross-border teams turn complexity into progress, always focused on what drives your success.

Your Guide to Legal Solutions: Automotive

All the details you need, right at your fingertips. Download our brochure and explore our services.

The Bennett Jones Story

At Bennett Jones, legal solutions are our starting point. What drives us forward is knowing our clients inside and out—their ambitions, obstacles and success metrics.

For more than a century, we have shaped outcomes that matter in business, in law and in the broader Canadian landscape. And our commitment extends beyond legal matters: we invest deeply in the communities in which we live and work.