Jacqueline Armstrong Gates

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.