Christopher Oates

Chris Oates is a Toronto-based Gowling WLG partner practising in the Advertising & Product Regulatory Group focusing on privacy and e-commerce. His practice includes advising clients on privacy and consumer protection law, including drafting and reviewing privacy policies and advising on privacy in the context of financial institutions, social media, consumer marketing campaigns, e-commerce and Canada's anti-spam legislation. Chris advises organizations on the collection, use, and disclosure of consumer information, including credit reporting, risk management and behavioural advertising and tracking. His experience includes reviewing the adoption of website analytics tools and tracking programs for privacy obligations, reviewing and revising data transfer and processing agreements and advising on data breach responses and reporting obligations. Chris also advises on matters pertaining to direct-to-consumer marketing, including advertising, packaging and labelling review; contest review; advertising in social media; drafting and reviewing talent, media and sponsorship agreements and regulatory law pertaining to foods, alcoholic beverages and cosmetics products. Among other recognitions, Chris has been recognized in Chambers Canada and named an Acritas Star in 2019 and 2020.