Gowling WLG partner Lewis Retik has been named the recipient of the Direct Sellers Association (DSA)’s 2017 Distinguished Service Award.
The award was presented at the DSA Canada 2017 conference, which took place June 25-28 in Huntsville, Ont. It recognizes individuals for their significant contribution to the advancement of the DSA through participation and leadership on DSA committees, the DSA board, in the community or in public service. The award is not given out annually, which makes the accolade all the more notable.
This year, Retik received the prestigious award for being a dedicated champion of the direct selling industry. Through his legal practice, Retik advances the DSA members’ interests by advising them on Health Canada, Direct Sales, and Competition Bureau matters.
In 2016, Retik also received the DSA’s Partnership in Progress Award, which recognized his devotion to the direct selling industry and the extraordinary lengths to which he goes to ensure seamless maneuvering through the various entities that govern the industry and its products.
Retik is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Ottawa office and practises primarily in the areas of product regulatory and commercial law. He is also the leader of the firm’s Canadian Advertising & Product Regulatory Group and co-leader of its Food & Beverage Group. As part of his practice, he addresses regulatory compliance and commercial issues that pertain to direct selling, e-commerce, multi-level marketing, consumer protection and regulated products.
Retik interacts regularly with senior officials of government from departments and agencies such as Industry Canada, the Competition Bureau and Health Canada. He is listed in prestigious guides such as Best Lawyers in Canada and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, and is actively involved in a number of community-based initiatives and charitable organizations.
The DSA is an association of competitors who foster teamwork and who use their combined strength to ensure fairness in regulations and gain credibility and respect within government.
