Canadian Technology Law Association

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CAN-TECH Law Committees 2025

The CAN-TECH LAW Association offers a variety of ways for our members to get involved via our various committees. Volunteers are at the heart of what we do, and it is only because of the time and knowledge our volunteers contribute that we are able to fulfill our mission.

Our committees in particular help shape key organizational decisions, provide strategic direction, and move the field of legal technology forward.

Committee volunteer benefits include building a strong professional network, learning about key legal technology issues, and participating in professional development opportunities. Committee members are expected to actively participate in their committee; however members will have the opportunity to work with Committee co-chairs to discuss how much or how little time they can contribute to various initiatives.

Below are current CAN-TECH LAW committee opportunities for 2024. However, we are open to creating new committees based on membership interest.

WOMEN IN TECH LAW (WIT)

Women in Tech Law (WIT) - The Women in Technology Committee (WIT) is a standing committee that supports and promotes female- identifying members of the legal profession working in the technology space. WIT’s mission is to foster an inclusive environment that promotes an equitable and dynamic legal landscape, where women can thrive and contribute to the advancement of their careers in the technology space in Canada. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by women working in the technology space, WIT’s primary goals are to:

Provide leadership development opportunities to help women navigate and excel in leadership positions.

Offer educational resources and events that keep members up-to-date with the latest legal developments and contribute to their professional growth.

Facilitate networking forums where members can connect, share insights, and foster professional relationships that can lead to collaborative opportunities.

For any questions or if you are interested in joining WIT, please reach out to us at mpalmer@weirfoulds.com or wkeung@mccarthy.ca. We welcome your interest and look forward to your involvement in our mission to empower women working in the technology space.

CO-chairs

Mimi Palmer

Toronto

WeirFoulds LLP

mpalmer@weirfoulds.com

Taslenna Shairulla

Toronto

Capital One

taslenna.shairulla@capitalone.com

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION (D&I)

Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) - This is a standing committee whose principal project includes implementing the suggestions outlined in the organization’s diversity and inclusion report from 2020 , and improving the organization’s policies and practices. The committee also supports the planning of D&I events as appropriate.

CO-chairs

Arun Krishnamurti, Google Canada Corporation

Shreya Gupta,Loblaws

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Mentorship Program - We are looking for mentors and mentees for the Mentorship Program which launched in early 2023 with a goal of creating meaningful mentorship relationships between CAN-TECH Law members to help junior members of the organization achieve success in their career. This program will be supported by both WIT and D&I.

CO-chairs

Olalekan (Wole) Akinremi, WeirFoulds LLP

Shreya Gupta, Loblaws

SPRING CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Spring Conference Planning Committee - This is an annually constituted committee which is currently actively planning our 2024 spring series conference.

CO-chairs

Philip Koopmann, Government of Canada

Natalie LaMarche, Bank of Montreal

FALL CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Fall Conference Planning Committee - This is an annually constituted committee which is responsible for planning our fall conference. Volunteers are currently welcomed.

CO-chairs

TBD

ROUNDTABLE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Roundtable Planning Committee - This committee will meet regularly to set up and plan monthly roundtables with the assistance of programming chairs. Volunteers are currently welcomed.

CO-chairs

TBD

PRIVACY & CYBERSECURITY COMMITTEE

Privacy & Cybersecurity Committee - Our objective to create and share core privacy and cybersecurity content while keeping an eye on the horizon. Recent sessions range from an overview of Quebec’s new privacy legislation to a deep dive on the global spyware industry. We also offer opportunities for practitioners of all vintages to share resources and work through this challenging area together. This year we plan to offer a variety of programming, including roundtables, larger panels and discussion sessions and welcome new ideas and interested participants.

CO-chairs

Lisa R. Lifshitz, Torkin Manes LLP

Jade Buchanan, McCarthy Tétrault

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE

Artificial Intelligence Committee - This committee underscores CAN-TECH’s commitment to addressing the evolving intersection of technology with AI and law.

Purpose and Objectives: The AI Committee aims to serve as a collaborative platform for legal professionals, academics, and students to explore and address the multifaceted legal challenges and opportunities presented by AI technologies.

Our objectives include:

Facilitating In-Depth Discussions: Delve into pressing legal issues surrounding AI, such as intellectual property rights, data privacy, liability in AI decision-making, and the ethical implications of AI deployment.

Promoting Knowledge Sharing: Organize study sessions, panel discussions, and workshops to disseminate insights and foster a deeper understanding of AI’s impact on the legal landscape.

Expanding Membership: Actively recruit new members, including law students, to cultivate a diverse and inclusive community dedicated to the advancement of technology law.

Key Topics:

In alignment with recent developments and discussions in the field, the AI Committee will focus on:

Intellectual Property Challenges: Addressing issues related to the ownership and protection of AI-generated content.

Data Privacy and Protection: Examining the implications of AI on personal data and compliance with evolving privacy regulations.

Bias and Fairness in AI: Identifying and mitigating biases in AI algorithms to ensure equitable outcomes.

Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the emerging legal frameworks governing AI deployment and usage.

Liability and Accountability: Determining responsibility in cases of AI system failures or malfunctions.

We warmly invite all members, including practicing lawyers, in-house counsel, academics, and law students, to get involved with the AI Committee. Your participation will contribute to rich discussions and the development of best practices in the rapidly evolving field of AI and law. By engaging with the committee, members will have the opportunity to stay at the forefront of legal developments, network with peers, and influence the future of technology law in Canada.

For more information on how to join and participate in upcoming events, please click here.

CO-chairs

Maya Medeiros

Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

Vancouver

maya.medeiros@nortonrosefulbright.com

Aarani Stoneham

General Counsel, ModiFace, Inc., a L’Oreal Group company

Toronto

aarani.stoneham@loreal.com

FINTECH & DIGITAL IDENTITY COMMITTEE

Fintech & Digital Identity Committee - • The Fintech and Digital Assets Committee mandate is to: i. Encourage, develop, and provide assistance to any of member of Can-Tech Law wishing to expand knowledge on Fintechs and Digital Assets within the confines of what a member can reasonably contribute (time, effort, ethical considerations) and By-Law No. 3 of the Canadian IT Law Association. ii. Provide opportunities to develop a network consisting of members and potential Can-Tech Law members who operate within the Fintech and Digital Assets space. iii. Provide a Discussion Forum which will take place on a “quarterly basis” (“Fintech and Digital Assets Committee Discussion Forum”), if possible, which will include: a) A main presentation which will give a tone/theme to the Discussion Forum; b) Industry/sectoral updates – private practice, in-house, government; c) An opportunity to exchange opinions with any member of Can-Tech Law wishing to participate or attend one of the Fintech and Digital Assets Committee Discussion Forums. iv. Develop material and either opt to present this material at a standalone Roundtable event and/or at the Annual Can-Tech Law Conference, if possible. This could, for example, include a presentation by a special guest/industry leader. v. Operationalize requests originating from Can-Tech Law’s Board meetings, if possible.