The Blakes Technology group has been dedicated to steadying clients through the peaks and valleys of the ever-evolving technology landscape for the past two decades. Unlike many of our competitors, it is distinct from our Intellectual Property and Corporate & Commercial groups, highlighting our dedication to technology law. As one of the largest and most experientially diverse technology law practices in the country, our Technology group offers comprehensive counsel on technology transactions, regulation and compliance in Canada.
Every company relies on technology, regardless of industry, and we deftly provide innovative solutions to the most complex technology law issues. Many of our lawyers are cross-trained in a number of legal areas such as corporate, commercial, intellectual property and communications law, and are considered to be among Canada’s top thought leaders in their respective fields. They advise companies of all sizes, from domestic and international players in the technology sector to Canadian start-ups pushing new boundaries in emerging technologies.
Our Technology team has specialized industry knowledge as well as a deep understanding of transactional complexities, providing creative and actionable legal guidance at all stages of technology strategy. Lawyers in the group are experts in major industries in Canada, such as oil and gas, power, financial services, telecommunications, retail and others.
Our practice is conceptually divided into two areas of focus ― transactional and regulatory work.
Technology Transactions
Our Technology lawyers help clients who develop, acquire, use, license and sell technology, data and intellectual property that is integral to their business. Clients value our perspective, developed over years of working with companies on all sides of a technology transaction, from vendors, buyers, issuers and targets, to suppliers and developers. The Technology group appreciates the intricacies of technology transfer, whether via commercial means, such as licensing from a vendor, or acquisition, such as buying and selling the companies that possess technologies.
Technology Regulatory and Compliance
Our lawyers are at the forefront of technology regulation and compliance in Canada. Our team includes experts in various industries and practices, such as Telecommunications, Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Advertising & Marketing, who have extensive experience advising on compliance with laws, applicable policies, industry codes, guidelines, authorizations, and licensing in telecommunications, broadcasting, and other areas.
Our clients often seek guidance when interacting with various federal and provincial government and other agencies, including the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), Innovation Science and Economic Development (ISED), Health Canada and others. The Technology team works with these regulatory bodies on a regular basis, and has advised on some of the most significant regulatory proceedings and business transactions in the industry. We keep abreast of the fast-changing laws, regularly updating clients as new developments affect their business.
Transactions
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TrueContext Corporation, a global leader in field intelligence, on its acquisition by Battery Ventures, in a transaction valuing the company at C$150-million.
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Advent International Corporation on its proposed US$6.3-billion acquisition of Nuvei Corporation, a Canadian fintech payment platform.
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Converge Technology Partners Inc. on its acquisition of Newcomp Analytics Inc.
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Fullsteam Holdings LLC on its acquisition of Vonigo Software Ltd., a provider of enterprise software for service companies.
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​Conexiom, a Luminate Capital Partners portfolio company, on its US$130-million growth investment from Warburg Pincus.
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​Canadian counsel to Comvest Partners on its strategic investment in Gen3 Marketing, LLC.
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​TD on its strategic alliance with Canada Post to expand access to financial services for Canadians, beginning with a new personal loan product.
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GameSquare Esports Inc. on its acquisition of Complexity Gaming valued at approximately C$33-million and concurrent financing.
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Jam City, Inc. on the acquisition by its affiliate of the issued and outstanding shares of Fremantlemedia Canada Inc. from FremantleMedia Group Ltd.
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Snap-On Incorporated on its acquisition of Dealer-FX Group, Inc., a developer and provider of software solutions.
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Apax Partners on its acquisition of a majority stake of Herjavec Group.
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Thinkific Labs Inc. on its initial public offering.
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Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Investissement Québec and other participants on their investment in Inovia Capital’s C$450-million backing of domestic tech champions.
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Next Level Games Inc. on its acquisition by Nintendo Co., Ltd.
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The syndicate of underwriters led by Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Desjardins Capital Markets, and including BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., Scotia Capital Inc. and Beacon Securities Limited, in connection with the initial public offering of Haivision Systems Inc.
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​Canadian counsel to Nasdaq on its US$2.75-billion acquisition of Verafin, an industry leader specializing in enterprise financial crime management solutions​.
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Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe S.A.S. on its acquisition of Reflector Entertainment Ltd., and its subsidiary Reflector Interactive Productions Ltd., from Lune Rouge Innovation Inc.
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One of the world’s largest and leading technology companies on the acquisition of various technology companies, including the transfer, retention and integration of technology and intellectual property assets and employee contracts.
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A global manufacturer on a multi-jurisdictional outsourcing services agreement in respect of services relating to the provision of finance and administration and procurement business process outsourcing.
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A health-care company on a SaaS development and private-label digital platform services transaction with one of Canada’s largest and leading consumer retail operators.
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Financial institutions on the negotiation of payment technology contracts, including advising on data, privacy, security, liability and various other commercial issues.
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A service provider in negotiations for network communication services to enable communication with autonomous/driverless vehicles.
Regulatory Compliance
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A wellness technology company in relation to Canadian IP and technology law compliance matters as they expand their services to Canada.
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A number of clients on various privacy breach notifications and liability matters, and drafting step analysis, discussing security incidents and reporting requirements.
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A number of telecommunications clients on CRTC and ISED licensing, registration, compliance matters
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A Canadian financial and investment services company regarding telemarketing and Do Not Call List matters
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National and international telecommunications companies on wireless spectrum licenses, radiocommunication authorizations and licenses and spectrum auctions
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International online retailers on the review of various French language issues and other provincial governmental labelling requirements
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A transportation technology company on the use of influencers, novel Canadian promotions and contests, and drafting marketing agreements.
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A mobile videogame company on online advertising, contests, direct-marketing and consumer protection issues, age-related videogame restrictions, ownership rules relating to virtual goods and items, and other rules and restrictions relevant to web-based videogame publishers in Canada.
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An international clothing retailer on the launch of its e-commerce consumer sales platform in Canada, regarding e-commerce terms and conditions, general consumer protection and advertising requirements relating to online sales, and specific regulatory requirements relating to French language laws in the Province of Quebec.
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An online delivery service provider on expanding the scope of its services to Canada, including with respect to online terms, advertising, language law requirements and the delivery of regulated products
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A provider of security and authentication solutions with respect to consumer, privacy and procurement issues
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A leading manufacturer of a regulated product on the establishment and expansion of its activities in Canada, including the launch of its e-commerce portal.
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A number of clients on the review of their website’s online purchase process for sale to businesses or consumers
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A number of clients in various industries in relation to online contests, promotions and advertising and on various Quebec French language law issues, including in relation to websites and social media
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Various clients in relation to the provision of online travel agency services
Members of the Blakes Technology team are recognized as leaders in their respective fields in the most recent editions of the following publications:
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Chambers Canada: Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business
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Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business
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The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
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The Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Corporate Lawyers in Canada
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Legal Media Group’s Guide to the World’s Leading Information Technology Lawyers
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Legal Media Group’s Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law
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Who's Who Legal: Telecommunications, Media & Technology
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Who’s Who Legal: Canada
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The Best Lawyers in Canada
People
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David FeldmanPartner | Toronto
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Kiran PatelPartner | Toronto
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Robert PercivalPartner | Toronto
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Ian BiesCounsel | Toronto
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Natalie LaMarcheAssociate | Toronto
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Jake LipnikLaw Clerk | Toronto
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Karl QinAssociate | Toronto
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Sondra RebenchukSenior Innovation Counsel | Toronto
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Anna SeefeldtAssociate | Calgary
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John-Paul BogdenPartner | Vancouver
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Joan ChambersPartner | Vancouver
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Laura CundariPartner | Vancouver
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Troy LehmanPartner | Vancouver
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Steven McKoen, KCPartner | Vancouver
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Rianna RitchiePartner | Vancouver
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Alessandra DavoliAssociate | Vancouver
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Jamie OleksiewAssociate | Vancouver
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Jeremy RogersAssociate | Vancouver
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Ziyao SunAssociate | Vancouver
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Marie-Hélène ConstantinPartner | Montréal
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Sunny HandaPartner | Montréal
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Tricia KuhlPartner | Montréal
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Joanna MyszkaPartner | Montréal
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Céline PoitrasPartner | Montréal
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Chloe BarretteAssociate | Montréal
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Eline CollardStaff Lawyer | Montréal
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Liliane LangevinAssociate | Ottawa, Montréal
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John LenzAssociate | Montréal
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Linda MuhugusaAssociate | Montréal
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Vanita SachdevaAssociate | Montréal
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Renée TousignantAssociate | Montréal
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Sydney WarshawAssociate | Montréal
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Liliane LangevinAssociate | Ottawa, Montréal
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Michelle PeriniAssociate | London
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John-Paul BogdenPartner | Vancouver
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Joan ChambersPartner | Vancouver
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Marie-Hélène ConstantinPartner | Montréal
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Laura CundariPartner | Vancouver
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David FeldmanPartner | Toronto
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Sunny HandaPartner | Montréal
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Tricia KuhlPartner | Montréal
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Troy LehmanPartner | Vancouver
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Steven McKoen, KCPartner | Vancouver
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Joanna MyszkaPartner | Montréal
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Kiran PatelPartner | Toronto
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Robert PercivalPartner | Toronto
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Céline PoitrasPartner | Montréal
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Rianna RitchiePartner | Vancouver
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Chloe BarretteAssociate | Montréal
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Ian BiesCounsel | Toronto
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Eline CollardStaff Lawyer | Montréal
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Alessandra DavoliAssociate | Vancouver
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Natalie LaMarcheAssociate | Toronto
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Liliane LangevinAssociate | Ottawa, Montréal
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John LenzAssociate | Montréal
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Jake LipnikLaw Clerk | Toronto
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Linda MuhugusaAssociate | Montréal
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Jamie OleksiewAssociate | Vancouver
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Michelle PeriniAssociate | London
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Karl QinAssociate | Toronto
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Sondra RebenchukSenior Innovation Counsel | Toronto
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Jeremy RogersAssociate | Vancouver
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Vanita SachdevaAssociate | Montréal
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Anna SeefeldtAssociate | Calgary
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Ziyao SunAssociate | Vancouver
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Renée TousignantAssociate | Montréal
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Sydney WarshawAssociate | Montréal