Debi Sutin

Debi Sutin is a partner at Gowling WLG in Hamilton, Ontario. She leads the Franchise and Distribution Law Group, is a member of the firm's Business Law Group, and is recognized as one of Canada's leading franchise lawyers. Debi advises clients on all aspects of corporate and commercial law, including mergers and acquisitions, managing cross-border transactions, and the negotiation of supply and distribution agreements.

With more than 25 years' experience in assisting Canadian and international franchisors across a broad range of industries, Debi also provides legal advice on all matters relating to Canadian franchise law and the establishment and ongoing operation of franchise systems throughout Canada.

Debi recognizes her clients' need for sound, practical business advice and timely service. She is passionate about making her clients feel at ease and about helping her clients to have a better understanding of their transaction, which may involve a wide range of matters that franchise systems encounter as they expand across the country, including franchise compliance, best practices for franchise relations and early dispute resolution.

A long-serving member of the Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Section, Debi served as co-chair of the 2017 OBA Annual Franchise Law Conference and is a frequent writer and sought-after speaker on franchise-related matters at professional associations and industry events.

Debi is consistently recognized in leading peer review directories, including Chambers Canada, The Best Lawyers in Canada,the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and The International Who's Who of Franchise Lawyers.