Canadian Technology Law Association upcoming events

RECORDING: CAN-TECH 2026 Spring Conference: Building the Modern Technology Lawyer (9 Jun 2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

RECORDING: CAN-TECH 2026 Spring Conference: Building the Modern Technology Lawyer

Recorded on Thursday, June 4, 2026
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. MT | 12 to 5 p.m. ET | 1 to 6 p.m. AT

Back by popular demand, the CAN-TECH Spring Conference was set for June 4, 2026. This year, the conference focused on preparing junior to mid-level technology lawyers for the realities of modern practice.

The half-day, pan-Canadian program, with hybrid in-person and webcast sessions, featured panels across five satellite locations, (Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Halifax and Montreal) each hosted one live panel and participated in the other panels via Zoom, and discussed a range of topics, including:

key skills for handling technology transactions – including if they go wrong;
a critical exploration of the current and future privacy law landscape; and
guidance for both in-house and in-firm lawyers on developing a successful career in technology law.

This program contained 1 hour of Professionalism Content.

The program consisted of five sessions:

Opening Remarks: 12 to 12:10 pm (All times were in ET)

Co-Chairs:

Kristal Allen, Partner, Dentons Canada LLP
M. Imtiaz Karamat, Associate, Deeth Williams Wall LLP

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

Vancouver Panel: 12:10 to 1 pm - Hosted by McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Modernizing Technology Contract Clauses: Practical Guidance for Lawyers: Join us for an essential session designed specifically for junior and mid-level lawyers, where our expert panel will focus on the key contractual clauses that are becoming more heavily negotiated and increasingly relevant in today’s modern technology landscape. As technology continues to evolve, these clauses are taking on new importance in commercial transactions. Our panel will discuss how to approach drafting and negotiating these provisions, offering practical guidance and real-world examples. This session will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to confidently address the complexities of technology contracts and stay ahead in the ever-changing digital environment.

Moderator: Cecilia Barnes, Commercial & Technology Lawyer, Lawson Lundell LLP

Featuring:

Curtis Chance, Associate, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Jenny Huang, Senior Legal Counsel, Providence Health Care Ventures

Karen Claus, Founder and Technology Lawyer, Karen Claus Law

Halifax Panel: 1 to 1:50 pm - Hosted by McInnes Cooper

Beyond the Contract: The Unwritten Rules of Tech Transactions: Closing a technology transaction requires far more than strong drafting skills. This panel brings together experienced practitioners to focus on the practical, day‑to‑day skills lawyers need to support transactions effectively and add real value to deal teams. Panelists will share concrete strategies for communicating legal and commercial risk to clients in a way that is clear, credible, and decision‑focused, alongside guidance on negotiating confidently and appropriately. The discussion will also move beyond contract terms to explore the operational, organizational, and interpersonal skills that help transactions move from deal momentum to closing. The panel will briefly touch on how AI tools are being integrated into transactional practice and what this means for efficiency, training, and evolving roles on deal teams.
Moderator: Charlotte Henderson, Associate & Trademark Agent, Stewart McKelvey

Featuring:
- Lola Williams-Afolabi, Lead Counsel, Williams Armstrong LP
- Robert Cowan, Partner, McInnes Cooper
- Patrick Kahn, Associate, McInnes Cooper

Networking break: 1:50 to 2:10 pm

Toronto Panel: 2:10 to 3 pm - Hosted by Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Navigating Your Career in Technology Law: Practical Insights for Thriving in a Dynamic Industry: Building a successful career takes more than strong legal skills in the rapidly evolving technology sector. Join our expert panel—featuring practitioners from law firms and in-house legal teams—as they share candid insights on how they built their careers. From navigating early challenges and developing a professional profile to cultivating client relationships and adapting their mindset over time, this session offers practical guidance for junior and mid-level lawyers looking to thrive in today’s legal landscape.

Moderator: Thanasi Lampropoulos, Counsel, A.U.G. Signals Ltd.
Featuring:

Andrew S. Nunes, Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Allan Oziel, Partner, Oziel Law

Neetu Toor, VP, Legal & Information Security, Loopio Inc.

Calgary Panel: 3 to 3:50 pm - Hosted by Dentons Canada LLP

When Tech Contracting Goes Wrong: Failures, Delays, and Deal Breakdowns: This panel discussion will delve into the challenges that arise when technology contracting does not go as planned. Drawing on hard won real-world experiences from legal professionals, the session will examine common pitfalls in drafting, negotiating, and managing technology contracts, including software development agreements, SaaS arrangements, and IT outsourcing deals. Panelists will discuss issues such as scope creep, shifting requirements, uncertainty regarding rights in intellectual property, and failures in performance or delivery, and how these issues can lead to missed deadlines, budget overruns, and unmet expectations. This conversation seeks to help you identify the common causes and consequences of project failures and delays - including lack of communication between stakeholders and inadequate risk allocation – and take a proactive approach to help prevent them.

Moderator: James Swanson, Founder, Swanson Law

Featuring:

Kristal Allen, Partner, Dentons Canada LLP

Sam Delechantos, Associate, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Networking break: 3:50 to 4:10 pm

Montreal Panel: 4:10 to 5 pm - Hosted by Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)

Privacy & Cybersecurity in Canada: What’s New, What Matters, and What’s Next: This panel proposes a hybrid view (common law and civil law) on Canadian developments in the privacy and cybersecurity landscape. Come and join our panel of experts for a fascinating discussion as they comment on the latest legislative efforts, interpretation, and jurisprudence!

Moderator: Erwan Joncheres, Lawyer, Satoshi Legal

Featuring:

Frédéric Wilson, Partner & National Co-Leader, Privacy & Cybersecurity, BLG

Caroline Poirier, Partner, Bennett Jones

Katherine Barbacki, Senior Lawyer, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

Spring Conference Co-chairs:

Kristal Allen, Partner, Dentons Canada LLP

Kristal is the co-lead of Dentons’ Venture Technology and Emerging Growth Companies practice, where she supports innovation-driven companies and serves as a strategic advisor from start-up through scale-up. Kristal is a pragmatic lawyer with a commercial focus, frequently advising on issues common to high growth entities such as collaborative development arrangements, technology development and commercialization, customer and supplier engagement, and intellectual property portfolio management.

Kristal brings a wealth of practical and industry knowledge when advising clients, particularly in the health, food, and technology sectors. In her practice, Kristal draws upon her experience in the life sciences and technology industries. Before becoming a lawyer, she held a variety of positions in areas such as technical marketing, regulatory, and new product research and development for major life sciences companies, providing advice to R&D teams, marketers and regulators.

Kristal joined Dentons’ as a partner in 2023, after practicing with another large Canadian law firm, and after several years as senior legal counsel and chief privacy officer to a large public company with global operations.

M. Imtiaz Karamat, Associate, Deeth Williams Wall LLP

M. Imtiaz Karamat is an associate lawyer with Deeth Williams Wall’s Technology and Privacy Group, where he assists both startups and established businesses with commercial transactions and maintaining compliance with privacy laws. Imtiaz’s multifaceted practice covers a range of technology and privacy matters, including advising clients on technology contracting, IP commercialization, privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity.

Imtiaz is passionate about emerging technologies and is always applying creative solutions to support clients with meeting their goals. Prior to entering the practice of law, Imtiaz completed extensive graduate research work in the medical sciences, which uniquely positions Imtiaz to advise clients in technology matters that intersect with the health sector.

Imtiaz regularly contributes to education initiatives in technology and privacy law, including organizing and presenting at local, provincial, and national legal programs.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

There are no refunds.

Stablecoins 101: Hype, Hope or the Future of Payments? (8 Jul 2026)

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Stablecoins 101: Hype, Hope or the Future of Payments?

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Hybrid Event with in person & virtual options. See details below.

IN PERSON: 12 to 1:30 p.m. EDT

Location: Gowling WLG, 100 King St W Suite 1600, Toronto, ON M5K 2A1

12 to 12:30 p.m.: Lunch and Networking
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Webinar

VIRTUAL: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. EDT on Zoom

Featuring:

Adam Garetson, Partner/Leader, Blockchain & Digital Assets Group

Adam is a partner in Gowling WLG's Toronto office and the leader of the firm's Blockchain & Digital Assets Group. Pairing sophisticated experience in both Canada's finance and tech sectors, Adam helps both public and private businesses navigate the complex legal and commercial terrain surrounding blockchain technology and digital assets.

In respect of this evolving space, clients routinely look to Adam to advise on a range of strategic corporate and financing transactions, both domestic and cross-border, and help them comply fully with their regulatory obligations. Prior to joining Gowling WLG, Adam served as general counsel, chief legal officer and corporate secretary for a leading Canadian digital asset market infrastructure company, cryptocurrency marketplace and "decentralized finance" platform. He has also acted as president, director and "ultimate designate person" (UDP) of a Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) registered "crypto-asset trading platform" (CTP) restricted dealer.

In these roles, Adam was instrumental in securing Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) listing, raising capital, effecting mergers and acquisitions, and overseeing corporate governance, internal reorganizations, marketing, continuous disclosure and regulatory compliance. Adam also previously served as director and senior counsel at one of Canada's top global financial institutions for over five years, providing legal guidance and spearheading numerous initiatives related to blockchain and smart contract matters within its Capital Markets division.

Adam has additionally spent over five years at another large national law firm in Toronto, providing corporate and securities law advice to underwriters, broker-dealers, banks, financial institutions and public and private companies on a range of matters. These include public offerings, IPOs, private placements, qualifying transactions, bought deal financings, secondary offerings and share and asset purchase transactions.

A sought-after thought leader, Adam frequently engages directly with regulators and elected representatives at all levels on matters related to blockchain technology and digital assets, including with the Canadian Department of Finance, Members of Federal Parliament, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO, formerly IIROC). In 2022, he served as an expert witness to the Federal Government House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) in connection with its study on blockchain technology.

Adam is also a recognized media commentator on crypto-related issues, having been featured in The Globe and Mail, BNN Bloomberg, CTV, and the Financial Post, among other leading outlets. Beyond these activities, he regularly speaks publicly on topics related to blockchain and digital assets, and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Ontario (Faculty of Law), teaching a course entitled “Digital Assets and Blockchain: Law and Policy.” These varied experiences have established Adam as a leader for clients navigating significant legal and regulatory hurdles and implementing important strategic decisions required for success in the blockchain and digital asset space.

Fees:

IN PERSON:

$15: CAN-TECH Law Members (plus tax)
$25: Non-members (plus tax)

VIRTUAL:

Free: CAN-TECH Law Members
$15: Non-members (plus tax)

Sponsored by: