Lawyer Profile
Lewis Retik
Ottawa, Ontario
Overview
### Bio
Lewis Retik is a partner in Gowling WLG's Ottawa office. He leads the Food and Beverage Group and co-leads the Cannabis Group.
His practice is focused primarily on regulatory and commercial law with respect to commercializing regulated products, including: regulatory licencing, product distribution, product classification, manufacturing, advertising, packaging, and labelling.
Lewis has extensive experience working with companies of all sizes, ranging from recent startups to large international companies in regulated industries, including: food, natural health products, cosmetic, drugs, and technology. He also addresses regulatory compliance and commercial issues that relate to e-commerce, multi-level marketing, direct selling, consumer protection, and products that use the radio frequency spectrum.
He is often responsible for working with clients to develop regulatory strategies that are both consumer-friendly and compliant.
In addressing client issues, Lewis regularly interacts with senior government officials within such departments and agencies as Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Competition Bureau, Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and Environment Canada.
### Career & education
#### Education
2001
University of New Brunswick, LLB
1998
McGill University, BA, Hons.
#### Languages
English
##### Memberships
- Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters
- Canadian Bar Association
- Canadian Health Food Association
- Consumer Health Products Canada
- Cosmetics Alliance Canada (CCTFA)
- County of Carleton Law Association
- Direct Sellers Association
### Publications & speaking engagements
**Articles**
- "The (New) Risk Of Cross-Border Business", SSN Update, April 2025.
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 2002 (ON)
Professional Details
Awards & Recognition
Chambers Canada 2025 (2024)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2012 (2012)
The Best Lawyers in Canada 2012 (2012)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2013 (2013)
The Best Lawyers in Canada® 2013 (2013)
The Best Lawyers in Canada 2014 (2013)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2014 (2014)
The Best Lawyers in Canada 2015 (2014)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2015 (2015)
The Best Lawyers in Canada 2016 (2015)
Best Lawyers in Canada 2021 (2020)
Best Lawyers in Canada 2022 (2021)
Best Lawyers in Canada 2023 (2022)
Best Lawyers in Canada 2024 (2023)
Best Lawyers in Canada 2025 (2024)
Best Lawyers in Canada 2026 (2025)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2016 (2016)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2017 (2017)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2018 (2018)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2019 (2019)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2020 (2020)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2021 (2021)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2022 (2022)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2023 (2023)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2024 (2024)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2025 (2025)
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2026 (2026)
Chambers Canada 2018 (2017)
Chambers Canada 2019 (2018)
Chambers Canada 2020 (2019)
Chambers Canada 2021 (2020)
Chambers Canada 2022 (2021)
Chambers Canada 2023 (2022)
Chambers Canada 2024 (2023)
Chambers Canada 2026 (2025)
Ivan P. Phelan Award, DSA Canada's Awards (2024)
Legal 500 Canada 2020 (2019)
Legal 500 Canada 2021 (2020)
Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Corporate Lawyers in Canada 2017 (2017)
Lexpert Special Edition: Agribusiness and Cannabis 2020 (2020)
Pro Bono Initiative of the Year, Canadian Law Awards (2025)
The Best Lawyers in Canada 2017 (2016)
The Best Lawyers in Canada 2018 (2017)
The Best Lawyers in Canada 2019 (2018)
The Best Lawyers in Canada 2020 (2019)
Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer 2023 (2023)
Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer 2024 (2024)
Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer 2025 (2025)