Gatlin Smeijers

A former Associate Vice President, Legal, at a leading international commodity trading and mining company, Gatlin is a subject matter expert in mining and industrial operations and environmental matters. Known for his commercial acumen, he crafts innovative, tailored solutions to meet clients’ unique business and legal needs. Drawing on his engineering background and “boots-to-boardroom” experience, he provides strategic counsel on managing commercial, operational, environmental, and regulatory risks in a variety of contexts.

Gatlin advises on mergers and acquisitions, asset purchase and sale, financings, operational agreements, and major project development. He guides clients through regulatory approvals, advises on operational compliance, and negotiates complex and novel agreements. Gatlin has particular expertise with:

• large-scale mining, energy, and industrial operations and facilities
• the manufacture, trade, movement, and disposal of hazardous materials, regulated substances and products, critical minerals, recyclable materials, and commodities
• engineering and construction, industrial emissions, health and safety, contaminated sites, and mine closure and reclamation.

He is also a trusted advocate in regulatory and internal investigations, enforcement actions, administrative proceedings, environmental litigation, and offers pragmatic and focused guidance during legislative change and crisis management.

Gatlin is a passionate educator, teaching two full-term courses on engineering law and ethics at the University of Waterloo. Each year, he shares his knowledge and experience with 300 students in the environmental, geological, civil, and architectural engineering programs.