Overview

### Bio
Jacqueline (Jay) Armstrong Gates is a litigator in Gowling WLG's Waterloo Region office. She is the leader of the firm's national Product Liability Group and Advocacy department in Canada.
Harnessing more than 27 years of advocacy experience, Jay manages a broad commercial litigation practice. Her work finds her helping insurance companies, manufacturers, retailers, self-insured entities and other public and private corporations and partnerships (both in Canada and the United States) navigate a wide range of disputes, including:
- Product liability disputes
- Commercial disputes and related litigation
- Shareholder and partnership disputes
- Negligence actions
- Construction liens and related litigation
- Commercial leasing disputes
- Title insurance and general insurance-related disputes, including with respect to personal injury, third-party property damage, wrap-up, and construction and transportation issues
No matter the challenge or how high the stakes, clients count on Jay's ability to focus on the underlying problems, clearly articulate the issues at hand, and develop tailored strategies built around their unique goals.
These qualities have contributed to Jay being repeatedly recognized among Canada's best corporate commercial litigators by the *Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory*, *The Best Lawyers in Canada* and *Chambers Canada*. She is equally well regarded in her local community; she was previously named to the *Waterloo Region Record*'s "Top 40 Under 40" list, is a recipient of the Waterloo Law Association's distinguished Coulter A. Osborne Award, and is a past winner of the University of Waterloo's Alumni Achievement Award.
Over the course of her career, Jay has authored multiple papers and spoken at various events, both in Ontario and throughout the United States, exploring various commercial and insurance dispute topics.
In her spare time, Jay likes to travel, participate in athletic adventures, and remains active within her local community.
### Career & education
#### Education
1994
Queen's University (with studies at Sydney University), LLB
1991
University of Waterloo, BA Political Science
#### Languages
English
##### Memberships
- Past Chair of Ontario Bar Association Awards Committee
- Past Chair Ontario Bar Association Law Day Mock Trial and Law Day Committee
- Past Executive member of the Ontario Bar Association
- Waterloo County Law Association
### Publications & speaking engagements
**Publications and Presentations**
- Panelist, "Leverage your Queen's Law JD: Career Advice from Law'94 Women," Queen's University, September 2019.
- Presenter, Oatmeal seminar regarding the new *Construction Act*, September 2019.
- Presenter, Changes to the *Construction Act* – A Lender's Update, September 2019.
- Co-author, *Product Liability & Safety 2019*, Chambers Global Practice Guide, June 2019.
- Presenter, "Data Breach Crisis Management and the Role of In-House Counsel," 8th Annual ACC Minnesota In-House Counsel Conference, June 2019.
- Presenter, Oatmeal seminar regarding Prompt Payment and Adjudication, June 2019.
- Presenter, "So Sue Me!", Litigation in Canada, University of Waterloo: Institute of Quantum Computing, April 2019.

Practice Areas

• Civil Litigation
• Insurance Law
• Class Action Defendant
• Product Liability
• Construction Law

Bar Information

Called to the bar: 1996 (ON)

Professional Details