Timothy Cullen is a skilled commercial and regulatory litigation lawyer known for his practical advice for clients dealing with government. He is a partner in McMillan’s transportation (automotive) group, and complex disputes and regulatory regimes group, where he is a co-leader of the public procurement practice. Timothy advises clients in a range of industries, including heavily regulated sectors such as automotive and defence, on public procurement, regulatory inspections and investigations, and compliance with lobbying and election laws, and motor vehicle safety and emissions regulations.
In addition to advising clients on compliance with Canada’s political and integrity laws, Timothy defends clients who are being investigated or prosecuted for breaches of the federal Lobbying Act, the Canada Elections Act, and provincial, municipal and territorial lobbying and election laws. He was appointed to City of Ottawa’s Election Compliance Audit Committee, which he chairs, for the 2022-2026 Term.
Timothy’s automotive regulatory expertise relating to the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act make him a regular advisor and advocate on behalf of manufacturers advancing their interests with Transport Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada (vehicle emissions) and responding to requests for information from regulators and law enforcement. He has represented automotive clients being investigated and prosecuted by Transport Canada/ECCC and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC).
As co-leader of McMillan’s public procurement group, Timothy acts for clients in procurement challenges before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal and in procurement-related litigation in court. He provides advice on the design and conduct of modern competitive procurement processes, and the preparation of procurement solicitation documents. He writes and speaks often about public and private procurement, especially the intersection between procurement and Canada’s integrity laws and policies.
As a commercial and regulatory advocate, Timothy has been involved in complex commercial, regulatory and quasi-criminal regulatory proceedings before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Courts, various Ontario courts, the Supreme Court of Yukon, and numerous tribunals. His colleagues seek him out to provide counsel in applications for judicial review before the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal. He has also represented clients in cross-border and domestic commercial arbitrations, and in sport-related appeals and proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the Dispute Resolution Secretariat (Tribunal) of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada. Timothy has also been retained as an arbitrator in National Sport Organization and Provincial Sport Organization disciplinary and appeal proceedings.
For nearly a decade prior to joining the firm, Timothy served in various roles on Parliament Hill. Over that time, he provided political and policy advice to members of parliament and senators on a range of issues, particularly foreign affairs and international trade. Drawing on this valuable experience, he also serves as a Senior Advisor and General Counsel at McMillan Vantage Policy Group, a full-service, national public affairs firm affiliated with McMillan LLP.
Timothy proudly serves on the Board of the Ottawa Food Bank, and champions fundraising efforts in McMillan’s Ottawa office that support the food bank and other local initiatives tackling food insecurity.
613.691.6112
