Robel Sahlu Associate | Calgary, Toronto

Representative matters in which Robel has been involved include acting for:

Competition/Antitrust & Foreign Investment

• Paramount Skydance Corporation on its announced US$111-billion acquisition of Warner Bros, Discovery

• Electronic Arts on its US$55-billion acquisition by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund

• Eldorado Gold on its C$3.8-billion acquisition of Foran Mining Corporation

• Sanjel Energy Services on its acquisition by STEP Energy Services

• Fit Foods Ltd. on its sale to Westcap Management Limited

• Primaris REIT on its various acquisitions of retail shopping centres

• H.I.G. Capital on its C$400-million acquisition of 4Refuel

• MAG Silver on its US$2.1-billion acquisition by Pan American Silver

• Novo Holdings and Novo Nordisk in connection with Novo Holdings' US$16.5-billion acquisition of Catalent, Inc. and the subsequent acquisition of three Catalent facilities by Novo Nordisk

• Canada Cartage Corporation on its acquisition of Coastal Pacific Xpress

• Mubadala Capital on its C$4.7-billion acquisition of CI Financial Corp.

• Sagard Holdings in its sale of its 51% stake in Peak Achievement Athletics, the parent company of Bauer Hockey

• Waste Management on its US$7.2-billion acquisition of Stericycle

• H.I.G. Capital on its sale of portfolio company, BioVectra, for US$925-million

• AstraZeneca AB on its US$2-billion acquisition of Fusion Pharmaceuticals

• Pacific Woodtech Corporation on its US$210-million acquisition of LP Building Solutions’ Engineering Wood Products business

• Canada Cartage Corporation on its acquisition of The GTI Group

• ABC Technologies on its US$165-million acquisition of WMG Technologies

• Stanley Black & Decker on the US$3.2-billion sale of its Security Business to Securitas AB

• Bouygues S.A. on its €1.7-billion acquisition of EQUANS from Engie S.A.

• Truelink Capital on its acquisition of Zep Inc. from New Mountain Capital

• Catchment Capital on its acquisition of Isolatek International from an affiliate of SK Capital Partners

• Frontera Energy Corporation on its US$750-million sale of all of its Colombian upstream oil and gas assets to Parex Resources Inc.

• Catchment Capital on its acquisition of Fidus Systems Inc.

• Valen Distribution on its acquisition of the global integrated supply business of Wesco International

• A global shipping and transportation logistics company on the US$5.2-billion sale of its logistics business to another global shipping and transportation logistics company

• A U.K.-based global insurance brokerage, as its Canadian counsel, on its now terminated US$30-billion proposed acquisition of another leading global insurance brokerage

• A global cooking equipment manufacturer on its now-terminated US$4.3-billion acquisition of another global foodservices equipment provider 

• A global payment processor and ATM manufacturer on its US$2.5-billion acquisition of a global ATM manufacturer and operator

• The special committee of a seafood supplier in respect of a proposed acquisition of another global seafood supplier by a 50-50 joint venture for a transaction valued at approximately C$1-billion

• A global supplier of building material on its combination with a North American cement manufacturer to create an industry-leading joint venture

• A leading online travel search aggregator in its defence of a Canadian class action alleging deceptive marketing practices and violations of provincial consumer protection statutes

Commercial Litigation

• A global healthcare and consumer goods company in respect of alleged damages arising from product recalls

• An international railway company in litigation related to a train car derailment

• A grain dryer manufacturer with respect to product liability claims

• An international consumer goods manufacturer with respect to a contractual dispute and settlement

Business Crimes

• Various companies in conducting risk assessments with respect to international anti-bribery and corruption

• Various companies in conducting internal investigations into potential violations of domestic bribery laws and company policies in conducting internal investigations into potential violations of bribery laws relating to First Nations officials

• Various companies in responding to RCMP investigations into alleged violations of the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act

• Various companies in responding to Competition Bureau investigations into suspected price-fixing, market allocation, and big-rigging conspiracies

• Various clients on transactional due diligence and contractual obligations related to anti-bribery and corruption, sanctions, and anti-money laundering risks

Robel is a member of the Canadian Bar Association Competition Law Section, the American Bar Association Antitrust Law Section and the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers.

He is the current executive member of the Mergers Committee of the national Competition Law and Foreign Investment Review Section of the Canadian Bar Association and the former chair of the Criminal Matters Committee. He is also a vice chair of the Mergers & Acquisitions Committee of the American Bar Association's Antitrust Law Section.

Robel is a former member of the Teaching Team for the Lawyer as a Negotiator course at Osgoode Hall Law School.

• Co-author : Putting the ABC in ESG: The Role of Anti-Bribery and Corruption Compliance Programs in Enhancing ESG Commitments
  Alberta Law Review, Energy Law Edition, Vol. 60, No. 2, December 9, 2022.
• Co-author : Canada Chapter
  The International Comparative Legal Guide: Vertical Agreements and Dominant Firms, Global Legal Group, August 5, 2022.
• Co-author : Overseas Corruption Report – Canada Chapter
  Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, June 2022.
• Author : Putting the Ice on Price: A Snapshot of Anti-Price Gouging Legislation in Canada
  American Bar Association Antitrust Law Section Pricing Conduct Committee, The Price Point, November 2020.

• Speaker : Spotlight on Canada’s Energy Sector: Implications of Recent Changes to Canada’s Competition Act and Investment Canada Act for Transactions
  Petroleum Acquisition and Divestment Association Society, April 16, 2026.
• Moderator : Merger Reviews in a Trade War
  American Bar Association, Antitrust Law Section Spring Meeting, March 26, 2026.
• Moderator : Seeking SIRtainty – What’s New?
  Canadian Bar Association, National Competition and Foreign Investment Review Section, December 10, 2025.
• Speaker : Greenwashing Guidelines in Canada: Best Practices and Disclosure Considerations
  Blakes Business Seminar, Calgary, Alberta, June 19, 2025.
• Moderator : Criminal Matters Roundtable with the Competition Bureau and Public Prosecution Services Canada
  Canadian Bar Association – National Competition and Foreign Investment Section, June 12, 2025.
• Featured : Keeping Tabs
  The Advocates’ Society, March 23, 2025.
• Speaker : Legislative Amendments: Bill C-59
  In-House Counsel Network, November 21, 2024.
• Panel Moderator : Corporate Law – Key Legislative Updates Impacting Canadian Businesses
  Canadian Association of Black Lawyers Annual Conference, October 18, 2024.
• Moderator : Regulating Reverse Payment Settlements in Canada
  Criminal Matters Committee Seminar, Canadian Bar Association, February 1, 2024.
• Contributor : 2023 – The legal year in review
  Asia Business Law Journal, January 19, 2024.