Theo Ling > Baker McKenzie > Toronto, Canada > Lawyer Profile
Baker McKenzie Offices
181 BAY STREET
SUITE 2100, PO BOX 874
TORONTO, ONTARIO, M5J 2T3
Canada
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Theo Ling
Work Department
Intellectual Property & Technology Law
Position
Theo Ling heads Baker McKenzie’s Canadian technology and data practice and is a member of the Commercial, Data, IPTech, and Trade Practice Group, as well as the Technology, Media & Telecoms and Financial Institutions Industry Groups.
Recognized for his expertise in artificial intelligence, data privacy, cybersecurity, information governance, technology media communications, and procurement law, Theo’s practice lies at the intersection of technology, data, and law.
Theo is ranked by several legal directories, including Chambers, Legal 500, and Best Lawyers, where he is described as “a knowledgeable technology lawyer, with a practical, ‘can-do’ attitude who is excellent at getting things done.” Named by the Financial Times as one of the Top Ten Most Innovative Lawyers in North America, Theo founded the legal industry’s first global legal innovation lab focused on multidisciplinary collaboration.
Career
Theo is known for his creative, pragmatic, and solution-based approach, helping market-leading businesses develop and implement effective global strategies to support multijurisdictional commercial activities and manage complex cross-border compliance risks. His international commercial and regulatory practice focuses on data and technology-related issues, including digital transformation, data governance, data privacy, data security, electronic payments, data monetization, records retention, media/format, electronic signatures, cross-border data transfers, digitization, fintech, and AI and machine learning considerations.
He advises clients on internet-related services involving smart/connected devices regulated under telecommunications and broadcasting laws. Theo also provides counsel on the sale and license of technology, acquisition of technology companies, outsourcing, and software development and consulting arrangements. His clients include highly regulated multinational entities in technology, financial services, healthcare, pharma, and energy and infrastructure industries, seeking advice on managing various stages of their information life cycle and legal data analytics.
Languages
English
Memberships
- International Technology Law Association
- Canadian Technology Law Association
- International Association of Privacy Professionals (CIPP US)
- Canadian Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Law Society of Ontario
Education
- Queen’s University (LL.B.) (1992)
- The London School of Economics and Political Science (Master of Arts International Relations) (1989)
- University of Toronto (Trinity College) (B.A. International Relations) (1988)
Lawyer Rankings
Canada > AI
The Toronto-based AI team at Baker McKenzie draws on the strength of its global network of 70 offices across North America, Latin America, and the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions to advise multinational financial institutions and major multinationals across such sectors as tech, automobiles, education, retail and apparel on government interactions and the bringing of their AI products to market. The practice is headed by Usman Sheikh, who also leads the firm’s global blockchain team, and who assists clients on AI governance, AI product counselling and the protection of AI-generated works; IP specialist Jim Holloway; Theo Ling, who advises clients on AI and machine-learning concerns. Other key figures include Jennifer Bernardo, a partner in the firm’s employment and compensation law practice, and associates Mike Rubinger, Conrad Flaczyk, Matthew Cook and Jacqueline Chan.
Canada > Technology
Lauded for its ‘quick responses, enthusiasm and professionalism’, the team at Baker McKenzie advises on IT licensing agreements, AI solutions, broadcasting and media requirements and the establishment of data governance standards. Practice head Theo Ling is based in Toronto and specializes in digital transformation and data governance projects that involve data privacy, data security, electronic payments, AI and machine learning considerations. Associate Conrad Flaczyk handles cybersecurity and data privacy, IP and M&A matters.