Canada > Technology > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s full-service technology practice routinely acts for producers and users of technology, and is well versed across the full spread of transactions, intellectual property, regulatory compliance and cybersecurity issues. In addition, the firm’s pre-eminent banking and finance capability marks it as a popular choice for financial service-related outsourcing and fintech matters, while other industry sweet spots include e-commerce, life sciences, manufacturing and energy. Montreal-based Sunny Handa, who handles both regulatory and transactional work, heads the national group, which was recently bolstered by the arrival of cybersecurity and privacy specialist Imran Ahmad from Miller Thomson.

McCarthy Tétrault continued to cement its top-tier position with strong showings across the full range of outsourcing agreements, M&A, fintech and data security. The transactions side of the practice was further strengthened by the arrival of Toronto-based Christine Ing, who joined in 2018 from Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and has particular experience in the fintech space. Montreal-based Charles Morgan co-leads the team alongside Ing and has a strong record in complex and cutting-edge transactions; he recently advised National Bank of Canada on its $150m debt issuance and innovative blockchain simulation in the US financial markets. George Takach is also highly sought after for transactional matters, while Barry Sookman ranks among the market’s leading regulatory specialists. On the more junior end, Michael Scherman, who provided support on several fintech matters over the past year, is a talented associate in the practice group.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP’s highly regarded technology practice differentiates itself through its track record in high-end technology transactions and its considerable strength in outsourcing arrangements, where it is particularly active on the customer side. The firm also houses a dominant fintech practice, which routinely advises leading Canadian banks on strategic IT matters, including payment modernization. Wendy Gross is sought after for her impressive record in advising financial institutions and retail clients on mobile banking, mobile wallet and loyalty-related matters. Michael Fekete, who co-chairs the practice together with Gross, has notable expertise in cloud computing, government procurement and privacy. Up-and-coming partner Ted Liu is also recommended. Named lawyers are based in Toronto, but the national group also utilizes specialists in its Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver offices.

Prominent Toronto boutique Deeth Williams Wall LLP houses a full-service technology practice that is best known for its emphasis on privacy and health care-related matters. The firm focuses exclusively on IT and IP law and has strong expertise in technology transfers, e-commerce and dispute resolution. Names to note include Amy-Lynne Williams, who is considered a top choice for complex outsourcing and electronic payment agreements, and Richard Austin, whose practice spans regulatory and transactional issues.

Fasken’s IT practice combines a robust regulatory offering with experience in commercial transactions, including outsourcings and infrastructure service agreements. The firm also houses a dynamic start-up and emerging companies practice, which is particularly dominant in Vancouver and Montreal. In Vancouver, department co-head Karam Bayrakal is highly regarded for his experience in all aspects of acquiring, transferring and developing technology, while in Toronto Andrew Nunes advises technology clients on a varied mix of corporate and commercial matters.

Goodmans’ multi-disciplinary technology group brings together skill sets in M&A, finance, venture capital investing, regulation and commercial matters. The Toronto-based team, which acts for both technology providers and users, is particularly well known for its strengths in outsourcing agreements, corporate transactions, and privacy and data protection law. Richard Corley has a strong profile for outsourcing, where he routinely advises clients on procurement issues and litigation, while Peter Ruby is a go-to name for privacy issues. Also recommended is Jamie Firsten, who is a key contact in the firm’s emerging companies’ practice.

Calgary-headquartered Bennett Jones LLP routinely advises energy and natural resources companies on technology issues, including clean tech and licensing matters. Other practice strengths include health care, electronic payments and outsourcing agreements. Key lawyers include Stephen Burns, who advises on outsourcing, IT procurement and privacy issues; data protection expert Martin Kratz QC; and up-and-coming technology specialist Sébastien Gittens, all of whom are based in Calgary. Toronto-based Matthew Flynn recently joined from McCarthy Tétrault to co-head the fintech and blockchain group.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP has an impressive track record in advising public sector entities on major outsourcing transactions, with recent strong showings in the health and defence sectors. The practice group also stand out in technology M&A, intellectual property and privacy matters. Toronto-based group head Mark Fecenko is noted for his procurement expertise and is a popular choice for clients in the health care, energy and education spheres.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s ability to plug into its extensive global network makes it an attractive choice for multinational technology clients. In a recent example, the team advised Calgary-headquartered software company Solium Capital on its C$1.1bn acquisition by Morgan Stanley, which involved legal teams in the US and the UK. In addition to a strong corporate transactional offering, the group advises on a variety of related issues including outsourcing, venture capital investments, and data security. The department is led jointly from Toronto by Robert Percival, who spearheads the sourcing and technology contracting team, and intellectual property specialist. Anthony de Fazekas. Toronto-based associate Andrew McCoomb is highlighted as a rising star for contentious matters.

Torys LLP’s technology group is regularly engaged by major Canadian banks to advise on fintech issues and regulatory compliance. In addition, the firm houses a strong public sector practice, which counts Payments Canada (the provider of Canada’s national payments systems) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board as key clients. The team is jointly headed by Adam Armstrong, who focuses on outsourcing and licensing transactions, and payments and cards specialist Joel Ramsey. Counsel Ebad Rahman, who specializes in technology contracting, outsourcing and sponsorship arrangements, is also recommended.

Baker McKenzie fields a robust technology practice with strengths in commercial transactions and data protection matters. The group also distinguishes itself through its ability to link up with teams from across its global network to provide advice to multinational clients on the implementation of cross-border IT projects. Department head Theo Ling enjoys a strong market profile for his specialist expertise in privacy and data protection law.

Dentons has demonstrated strengths in commercial transactions, joint ventures and M&A, which transfers well to its increased focus on start-ups and emerging companies. The national technology group is also well versed in licensing, privacy and trade secrets-related matters. Toronto-based Michael Beairsto has a solid record in technology and e-commerce, while Edmonton-based Tom Sides has an emphasis on intellectual property matters.

Gowling WLG draws on the wider firm’s full service offering to provide multi-disciplinary coverage of the technology sector, from regulatory compliance to venture capital investing to IP concerns. The practice is chaired by Viona Duncan, who is based in the fast-growing tech hub of the Waterloo region. Ottawa-based corporate finance partner Lorraine Mastersmith is also recommended.