Canadian Technology Law Association

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CAN-TECH Law Committees 2024

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 kbhogal@osler.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

Wendes Keung

Toronto

McCarthy Tétrault LLP

wkeung@mccarthy.ca

Past WIT Events

CAN-TECH Law Women in Tech Short Film Screening: The Temptations of A.I. Companionship in “Rachels Don’t Run”

CAN-TECH Law Women in Tech presents: Unpacking Canada's Approach to Online Harms

A conversation with women in law and technology/Conversation avec des avocates en droit et technologie

#InspireInclusion: If Not Her, Then Whom?

Women in TECH Book Club - Klara and the Sun

Ask Me Anything: The Road Less Travelled – Women Charting Their Own Paths.

Recording of Women in TECH - Women Telling Stories

Articles/Blog Posts

#InspireInclusion: If Not Her, Then Whom?

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, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

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

Monica Sharma, Clark Wilson LLP

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

Justine Gauthier, Mila

Dorian Morrison, McCarthy Tetrault LLP

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

Taslenna Shairulla, Capital One Canada

Claire Mazzini, Microsoft Canada

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 is an ad hoc committees whose goals will be to discuss and comment on developments in the applicable fields and organize round-tables for members on key topics as appropriate.

CO-chairs

Carole Piovesan, INQ Data Law

Maya Medeiros, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

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.

CO-chairs

Ron Lo, Symend

John Philip Koopman, Government of Canada

Jessica Bishop, Goodmans LLP

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Canadian Technology Law Association

1-189 Queen Street East

Toronto, ON M5A 1S2

contact@cantechlaw.ca