overview
Ryan Gallagher is a lawyer in McMillan's Vancouver office and is a member of the firm's Competition Group and Transportation Group. Ryan's practice focuses on transportation and logistics with a particular emphasis on the rail industry. Ryan has particular experience in counseling, negotiating, and attending to regulatory and arbitration matters involving rates and conditions of service on and with Class I railways on behalf of some of the largest shippers and rail-users in Canada. Ryan also has assisted the firm's clients with various commercial negotiations, regulatory submissions before the Canadian Transportation Agency, industrial property development issues as well as environmental permitting and approval issues.
Ryan also practices competition law, including merger reviews, and supports the firm’s Investment Canada Act practice.
Prior to joining the firm, Ryan was an associate in a firm focused on railway regulatory matters.
Representative Matters
Ryan was a member of the firm's team on the following transportation matters:
- Fortress Investment Group (NYSE:FIG) in connection with the formation of Central Maine & Québec Railway and purchase of the assets of bankrupt Montreal, Maine & Atlantic railway, following derailment at Lac-Mégantic, Québec (July 6, 2013)
- Teck Coal vs. Canadian Pacific Railway, final offer arbitrations (May and June 2009)
- Teck Resources Limited, agreement with Westshore Terminals Limited (2012)
- Teck Resources Limited and affiliates before the Federal Rail Freight Service Review, Transport Canada (2010-2013)
- Canpotex Limited and related entities in rail transportation services with Canadian National Railway Company
- Canpotex Limited and related entities in rail transportation services with Canadian Pacific Railway Company
- Canpotex Limited and related entities in rail transportation services with Union Pacific Railroad
Ryan was also a member of the firm's regulatory team on the following recent transactions:
- Thoma Bravo, LLC, in its acquisition of TRADER Corporation (autoTRADER) for C$1.575 billion (2016)
- Tahoe Resources Inc., in its business combination with Lake Shore Gold Corp. (2016)
- Plentyoffish Media Inc. in its acquisition by The Match.com Group for US $575 million (2015)
- The WhiteWave Foods Company in its US$550 million acquisition of Sequel Naturals Ltd. (2015)
Presentations
Data Solutions for Enhancing Transportation PerformanceRailway Line Capacity Metrics
Publications
CN Rail Acquires H&R Transport - Competition Analysis
The Transport Finance Law Review – Edition 6
Transport Canada Relaxes Mandatory Off-Duty Time for Truck Drivers Transporting Essential Cargo
Don't Count Your Efficiencies Before They Hatch: Exploring The Factors That Impact A Railway's Operating Ratio
The Transport Finance Law Review – Edition 5
Regulations Implementing the Transportation Modernization Act
The Transport Finance Law Review – Edition 4
Investment Canada Act Threshold Increases to $1 Billion (Cdn)
Bill C-49: Some Welcome Improvements to Rail Service Level Arbitration
Bill C-49: Is the Line Haul Interswitching Remedy Really New?
Bill C-49: Government of Canada Proposes to Amend the Canada Transportation Act
Investment Canada Act Threshold Increase - $1 Billion (Cdn)
Canadian Transportation Agency Closes Railway Capital Structure Consultation
The Govt of Canada Extends the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act
Rail Level of Service Decisions and Shipper Service Requirements
Will the Government of Canada Extend the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act?
Final Report: Canada Transportation Act Review – Part II (Rail Freight Traffic)
Final Report: Canada Transportation Act Review
Update: Safe and Accountable Rail Act Receives Royal Assent
Update: Government of Canada Proposes to Change Federal Railway Liability Regime
The Disclosure of Rail Carrier Costing Information
Update: Liability for Rail Shipments of TIH Commodities
Apportioning Potential Liability for the Rail Transportation of Hazardous Commodities
Shipper Incentives To Invest In Infrastructure And Operations
News
McMillan LLP Acts for West Fraser in $4 billion Acquisition of Norbord
McMillan Lawyers Earn 38 Rankings Across 21 Categories in the 2021 Chambers Canada Directory
McMillan Receives an Impact Deal of the Year Award at the ITR Americas Tax Awards
McMillan Lawyers Earn 41 Rankings across 23 Categories in Chambers Canada 2020
McMillan Highlighted in both Lexpert's Top 10 Deals and Top 10 Business Decisions
McMillan Named Competition Law Firm of the Year by Chambers Canada
McMillan lawyers are well represented in the 2019 edition of Chambers Canada
Legislation to require tougher insurance for oil shipments by rail
Canadian Regulation of Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions in the Transportation Sector
De-railed
McMillan helps complete the cross-border sale of assets of Montreal, Maine & Atlantic railway
Education
- University of British Columbia, LLB - 2006
- University of British Columbia, B.Sc. (Hons. Biochemistry) - 2000
Year Of Call
- Called to the British Columbia bar - 2007
Practices
business law
unilateral conduct and distribution practices
negotiated transactions
regulatory compliance
competition and antitrust
Industries
transportation
rail
marine
trucking
terminals
Directorships and Professional Associations
- Canadian Bar Association
- Vancouver Bar Association
- Canadian Transportation Research Forum
Awards & Rankings
- Recognized by Chambers Canada (2021) as a leading lawyer in the area of Transportation: Rail & Road
- Recognized by Chambers Canada (2020) as a leading lawyer in the area of Transportation: Rail and Road
- Recognized by Chambers Canada (2019) as a leader in Transportation: Rail & Road