Canada: Internet, e-Commerce & Data Protection
A prominent trend this year has been data protection and privacy, which has prompted the Canadian Privacy Commissioner to review the current Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Lawyers foresee an increased focus on privacy and corporate strategies to combat internal and external breaches. We feature 22 lawyers in this year’s edition.
McCarthy Tétrault LLP fields five of its leading internet lawyers. Former head of the firm’s internet and e-commerce group, Barry Sookman is a “knowledgeable and experienced” litigator, having acted in large matters involving Apple Canada, Nintendo of America and Sega Enterprises. He is “the doyen of internet work” and is a “legend”. Co-leader of the technology group and an experienced computer, consumer protection and security lawyer Wendy Gross is “right at the top” of her field. In Montreal, Charles Morgan leads the technology practice group, where he assists in M&A matters between technology companies and advises on licensing, e-commerce and data protection. In Vancouver, Cheryl Slusarchuk is the head of the national technology group and acts for clients in clean technology matters. She is also known for her in-house experience and industry work on the British Colombia Innovation Council. George Takach does a large amount of M&A/financing within the technology industry, and counts Aastra Technologies, Kobo and CPAS Systems as clients. He is a “solid and trustworthy” lawyer.
Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP enjoys three listings in this chapter. IP and technology “wizard” Sheldon Burshtein acts for clients in clearance, prosecutions, acquisitions, enforcement and protection of intellectual property in the digital arena. Richard Corley is specifically focussed on clean technology and counts xwave Solutions, BCE and Canada’s Wheat Board as clients. In Montreal, Sunny Handa is a “top academic” and is “very prominent” in this area of law.
In Toronto, Duncan Cornell Card at Bennett Jones LLP is “really very good” at advising and assisting on commercial transactions and strategic alliances within the e-commerce and data protection fields. In Calgary, Martin Kratz QC is “well known and internationally recognised”, and he co-chairs the online practice at the firm.
At Deeth Williams Wall LLP, Michael Erdle is an “authority” on IT matters with an emphasis on licensing and dispute resolution. Amy-Lynne Williams is a consistent contributor to the research and is recognised as a leading lawyer in the e-commerce, privacy and software development areas.
From Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Ian Kyer is the founder and first president of the Canadian IP association. He is a “very good” internet and computing lawyer. John Beardwood is “one of the best”: a prominent Toronto lawyer in this area, well known for his roles as a co-chair of the national technology and IP practice group; co-chair of the national outsourcing group; and vice-chair of the privacy and information protection practice group. He is one of the most highly regarded individuals in this year’s practice area edition.
At Torys LLP, Daniel Logan and Gabor Takach are the co-heads of the business and technology sourcing practice group in Toronto where they focus on commercial matters for technology companies and e-commerce transactions.
At Aird & Berlis LLP, Donald Johnston is chair of the firm’s technology team. He has over 20 years experience in the field and enjoys a practice in software development, procurement and financing among other areas.
At his own firm Alan Gahtan has many years experience providing legal advice and solutions on matters concerning IT, e-commerce and outsourcing. He is a “legend”.
Mark Hayes of his own firm, Hayes eLaw LLP, is “terrific”. He received a lot of votes for his IP, media, IT, internet and privacy practice. He assists Fortune 500 companies and website operators with their technological matters. From Gowlings Lafleur Henderson LLP, Lisa Lifshitz is highly nominated for her work in technology licences and agreements.
At McInnes Cooper, in Halifax, David Fraser is a “solid” lawyer in the arena of IT and trademark prosecutions, licensing technology law and outsourcing. He is “among the best”.
At Miller Thomson LLP, Fraser Mann’s practice largely concerns technology procurement, e-health, and IP law. He represents both public and private sector clients. He is “a key player” in this area.