Lawyer Profile
Stephen Zolf
Toronto, Ontario
Overview
Stephen is Co-Leader of the firm's Communications & Media Group, Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment Group and Sports & Entertainment Group. He advises clients operating in the communications and digital media sector in areas including public policy, the legislative framework governing foreign streaming services in Canada and foreign ownership restrictions in the media and telecom sectors. As a principal in the Competition/Antitrust Group, Stephen regularly assists clients on obtaining merger clearance under the Competition Act and compliance under the Investment Canada Act. His expertise encompasses international trade regulation and sanctions. Stephen is currently Co-Chair of the Firm’s Sports, Media & Entertainment Group.
Stephen is recognized as an industry expert in communications and media law. He represents domestic and international clients on Canada’s media regulatory framework, including contribution rules under the Online Streaming Act, Canadian content rules, tax credits, programming rights and copyright. Stephen also advises clients on the CRTC’s regulatory framework for the provision of telecommunications services and on Industry Canada wireless spectrum licensing matters.
Stephen has experience before many administrative tribunals and agencies, including the CRTC, the Canadian Copyright Board, the Competition Bureau and Industry Canada. He has also acted as regulatory/legal counsel in a number of major high profile Canadian media/telecom transactions. Stephen has strong communication skills and a personable approach, and publishes and speaks frequently on regulatory law and policy.
He has been consistently recognized as a leading practitioner of communications and media law by Chambers and Partners, Lexpert, Best Lawyers and Legal Media Group. Stephen was the Telecommunications Contributor to Legal Alert (Carswell) for over 20 years.
Before becoming a lawyer, Stephen worked as an economist and policy advisor for the Canadian government in the area of competition policy, regulatory reform and telecommunications.
Represented MIXI Australia, as Canadian counsel, in its AU$430 million all-cash off-market takeover of PointsBet, a leading Australian and Canadian online betting platform, following its contested acquisition of 66.43% of PointsBet’s shares.
Represented FloWorks International LLC in its acquisition of CAC Industrial Equipment Ltd. for a purchase price of $49.25 million.
Represented a U.S.-based, U.S. private equity-backed global engineered equipment and automation solutions provider to the food processing, packaging and material handling sectors in its acquisition of a leading manufacturer of protein processing solutions headquartered in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada.
Practice Areas
Bar Information
Called to the bar: 1989 (ON)