Leading Associates

AI in Canada

McCarthy Tétrault

McCarthy Tétrault maintains a strong position in the market for legal developments in the artificial intelligence space. The practice is regularly sought out for advice on mitigating AI transactional risks, implementing mature AI governance processes and privacy challenges. Leadership of the group is shared between Montreal-based Charles Morgan and Daniel Glover; Morgan assists in developing responsible AI programs and policies and Glover has in-depth knowledge of privacy and cybersecurity. The team benefits from the experience of Barry Sookman, who is geared to support on issues involving the development, commercialisation and use of AI systems. Adam Goldenberg is a name to note for disputes related to AI. Unless noted, all lawyers mentioned work in the Toronto office.

Praxisleiter:

Charles Morgan; Daniel Glover


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Barry Sookman; Adam Goldenberg


Kernmandanten

TELUS Communications Inc.


Bell Canada


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Baker McKenzie

Preeminent in AI matters across Canada, Baker McKenzie’s Toronto-based team also benefits from being a part of the firm’s international AI practice, making it well-placed to advise on AI legal and regulatory developments both locally and globally. Usman Sheikh is a key advisor on AI regulatory and legal developments, governance frameworks and blockchains, and Theo Ling specializes in AI, data privacy and cybersecurity matters. Disputes fall under the remit of Jim Holloway, and Jennifer Bernardo handles AI matters in the workplace. At an associate level, Mike Rubinger, Conrad Flaczyk, Matthew Cook and Jacqueline Chan are key contacts.

Praxisleiter:

Usman Sheikh; Jim Holloway; Theo Ling


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Jennifer Bernardo; Mike Rubinger; Conrad Flaczyk; Matthew Cook; Jacqueline Chan


Referenzen

‘The team is genuinely invested in its clients. They quickly understand both high-level business priorities and granular needs, then deliver solutions that directly address them. With the ability to draw on deep expertise across disciplines and geographies, they bring a breadth of support that is hard to find. They make excellent partners for any technology company.’

‘Our relationship person is Usman Sheikh and he is amazing at managing our matters, ensuring we are working with the right lawyers and on digital assets/ emerging tech matters he provides amazing legal advice. Bakers‘ global reach is also a significant benefit given our global operations.’

‘Usman Sheikh is a stand-out partner. He has significant and deep legal knowledge in his field, up-to-date understanding of the industry and regulators and provides exceptional customer service.’

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  • Supported Fidelity Information Services, a multinational corporation which offers a wide range of financial products and services, in various matters over the course of the last year, including AI-related advice.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

With a particularly active AI practice, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP offers key services such as regulatory and governance advice and transactions involving AI businesses. The team represents clients from key industries across Canada such as financial services, pharmaceuticals and telecoms. The group is led by 4 partners: Wendy Mee specializes in privacy matters, such as developing and using AI systems and advising on data retention practices; Christopher Jones is involved in multi-jurisdictional matters and transactions; Robert Percival advises on emerging technology and transactions; and Anne Glover handles electronic discovery and information governance. All lawyers mentioned work in the Toronto office.

Praxisleiter:

Anne Glover; Christopher Jones; Robert Percival; Wendy Mee


Kernmandanten

SandboxAQ


Evolve Funds Group Inc.


Ten Coves Capital, LP


World Wide Technology Holding Co., LLC


MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF)


Staircase Ventures


Round13 Capital Inc.


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  • Represented SandboxAQ, a newly formed growth capital AI and quantum computing enterprise in its acquisition of Good Chemistry, a computational chemistry company that leverages AI, Quantum and other advanced technologies to accelerate drug discovery and materials design.
  • Advised World Wide Technology Holding Co., LLC, a technology solutions provider with expertise in areas including AI, on its C$1.8bn acquisition of Softchoice Corporation.
  • Advised Evolve Funds Group Inc. on the launch and structuring of Artificial Intelligence Fund (ARTI), an artificial intelligence fund enhanced with generative AI.

Fasken

Fasken’s wide-ranging AI practice encompasses regulatory compliance, data privacy, corporate work and litigation, representing a variety clients from multinational corporations to start ups. The group is frequently sought out for strategic advice on the adoption and utilization of AI technology in Canada. Ariel Laver has a wealth of experience in technology procurement, confidentiality and software as a service (SaaS), whilst Christopher Ferguson focuses on technology, privacy and cybersecurity matters. Andrew Alleyne is another key member of the team, comfortably handling transactions in the tech space. Counsel David Lametti left the team in June 2025.

Praxisleiter:

Ariel Laver; Chris Ferguson; Andrew Alleyne


Referenzen

‘Go the extra mile in tailored advice to our situation; always building and applying context.’

Kernmandanten

Google LLC


Canaccord Genuity Corp.


Maxa AI


Valence Discovery


Quandri Technologies Inc.


Copperleaf


1QB Information Technologies Inc.


Zafin Labs


DreamwellAI


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  • Advised on Copperleaf Technologies’ $1bn acquisition by Industrial and Financial Systems.
  • Advised on Maxa AI’s $21m Series A financing.
  • Advised on Good Chemistry’s acquisition by SandboxAQ (a spin-off of Google).

Norton Rose Fulbright

The globally integrated team at Norton Rose Fulbright excels at providing clients with strategic advice on AI implementation, including regulatory compliance, transactions and generative AI tool testing. The group has particular specialism in the tech, finance and healthcare sectors. At the helm of the practice, Imran Ahmad, who works out of the Toronto and Montreal offices, is particularly well-placed to advise on privacy matters, and Vancouver-based Maya Medeiros has a particular interest in the ethical and legal implications of AI. In Toronto, Brian Chau has a notable emphasis on AI in its intellectual property aspect, and Kristopher Miks (Vancouver and Toronto) is involved in transactions for AI-focused companies.

Praxisleiter:

Imran Ahmad


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Maya Medeiros; Brian Chau; Kristopher Miks; Manpreet Singh


Referenzen

‘Norton Rose’s exceptional expertise in tech-sector patents played a pivotal role in the success of our patent application.’

‘Brian Chau has consistently offered insightful guidance throughout our patent submissions and responses. His professionalism and genuine commitment to understanding client needs and meeting timelines make him an invaluable partner.’

‘Manpreet Singh has provided valuable advice to my pharmaceutical company on how to leverage AI, and what type of risk mitigation controls to adopt.’

Kernmandanten

Royal Bank of Canada


HSBC


HEALWELL AI Inc.


Larus Technologies


Canadian Tire Corporation Limited


Monsters Aliens Robots Zombies


NowVertical Inc.


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  • Representing Canadian Tire Corporation Limited in its role in the $325m sale of OfferFit to New York-based AI company, Braze.
  • Advising Royal Bank of Canada on its AI patent portfolio.
  • Advising and managing HSBC’s global patent program and its entire portfolio, including in US, UK, China, Hong Kong and India.

BCF Business Law

BCF Business Law, based in Montreal, has a particularly impressive technology and artificial intelligence group, that excels at managing regulatory risk related to AI, AI governance, IP strategy and contract-related issues. It has in-depth knowledge of the finance, manufacturing and insurance industries, advising companies of all sizes. With extensive in-house experience, practice co-head Paul Gagnon is well-placed to assist companies with commercial contracts, strategy and AI issues. He leads the team alongside Misha Benjamin, who has notable proficiency in advising on developing, selling and buying software.

Praxisleiter:

Paul Gagnon; Misha Benjamin


Referenzen

‚The BCF tech and AI practice stands out for its rare combination of legal expertise and real-world experience building and deploying AI technologies. Both leaders have held in-house roles at high-growth tech companies and bring deep, practical knowledge of how AI products are developed, commercialized, and regulated. This enables the team to deliver advice that is not only legally sound but operationally effective.‘

‚What sets the individuals on this team apart is their ability to bridge deep legal knowledge with practical, product-focused insight. Misha Benjamin and Paul Gagnon bring a level of hands-on experience that is exceptionally rare among their peers. Both have served in-house during periods of rapid growth at AI companies, which means they understand the pressures clients face—from negotiating complex data and IP deals to building internal legal infrastructure that can scale. Their counsel is never abstract; it’s grounded in what works in practice.‘

‘This BCF Business Law practice is distinctly unique – they do not operate as just external counsel, but rather a team that is completely embedded in our business, helping shape our strategy and business model. The BCF team have years of in-the-weeds AI and technology specific experience. Unlike other firms, BCF are not simply commercial lawyers who do tech transactions, rather, they are technology-specific lawyers providing an outsized advantage to our business with their in-depth experience and insight from sitting at the forefront of the AI market.‘

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Dentons

Dentons has a comprehensive AI offering, allowing the team to advise on responsible use policies, disputes, regulatory compliance and AI development and governance. Kristen Thompson in Toronto is an authority in AI, privacy and cybersecurity matters, and advises clients on how to prepare for and manage information crises. The group benefits from the experience of counsel Chantal Bernier, who works out of the Montreal office, and was previously a privacy regulator. Kenneth Szeto (also Toronto) joined the team as a partner in October 2024.

Weitere Kernanwälte:

Kirsten Thompson; Chantal Bernier; Jaime Cardy; Chase Irwin; Sean Del Giallo


Referenzen

‚Dentons’ AI practice blends global reach with real on-the-ground insight, helping clients make sense of the fast-changing legal, regulatory and ethical issues around artificial intelligence. They bring together sector specialists, technologists and lawyers who can advise on everything from AI governance and compliance to IP, data privacy, and risk—always with a focus on practical, commercially minded solutions that look ahead as much as they solve today’s challenges.‘

‚I’ve had the privilege of working with Chase Irwin, the managing partner of Dentons Canada’s Ottawa office and co‑leader of the startup program—he really shines by combining deep startup and venture‑capital expertise with hands‑on, practical guidance for founders and high‑growth companies. I’ve also worked with Sean Del Giallo, a partner in the corporate, securities and venture technology and emerging growth practice—what sets him apart is his genuine connection with tech entrepreneurs, grounded in his own creative background, and his ability to guide them through everything from governance to financing to exits.‘

Kernmandanten

Docebo Inc.


Motorola Solutions Inc


Wal-Mart Canada Corp


ATB Financial (ATB)


Lytica Inc.


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  • Advising Docebo Inc. on its terms for a new generative AI-enabled product to enhance an existing product, as part of a multi-jurisdictional team.
  • Acts for MSI on multiple transactions. This transaction was notable for the target’s use of biometric technologies and object detection technologies coupled with its use of AI-based analytics in a high risk environment (children, vulnerable populations, etc.).
  • Advised Wal-Mart on privacy, IP, employment and related risks of an AI-powered chatbot.

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP

The artificial intelligence group at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP is regularly sought out for advice on AI policies, governance and compliance matters. At the helm of the team, Ryan Black in Vancouver has a niche focus on video games, esports, information technology, e-commerce businesses, and counsels clients on emerging technology matters. Practice co-head Alan Macek in Toronto is a key contact for intellectual property matters, including litigation, AI and cryptocurrencies. Counsel Kerri Bennett (also in Vancouver) is another name to note. Previous practice head Shea Coulson left the firm in January 2025.

Praxisleiter:

Ryan Black; Alan Macek


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Kerri Bennett; Tyson Gratton


Referenzen

‘Ryan Black and Tyson Gratton’s knowledge of the space, technology and industry trends is exceptional. They are quick to understand their clients key objectives, which allows them to deliver useful, timely, trusted advice that is grounded in reality and helps their clients achieve their business objectives. They work efficiently and deliver tremendous value. They are leaders in this practice area. ’

‘Ryan Black understands his client’s businesses deeply. He is a true expert in his field and has a deep understanding of the latest technology and trends. That allows his to efficiently deliver practical and useful advice. He is a trusted business partner. ’

Kernmandanten

Rokt Corporation


CharliAI


Tali.ai


MAICE – Multimodal AI Conversation Engine


QiiQ Healthcare


Rainforest Automation


Climate.AI


Spin Master


AI/ML


Lawyers’ Indemnity Fund


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  • Assisted global games platform in trust and safety issues regarding user generated content based on AI imagery and videos across the world.
  • Advised Rokt in acquisition of AfterSell, a Shopify and Shopify Plus partner that helps ecommerce merchants upsell and cross-sell.
  • Advised Lawyers Indemnity Fundon their notices to the profession and performed in-house training for their lawyers on the use of Generative AI.