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We are pleased to announce that the 2026 CAN-TECH Law Award of Distinction winner is Lisa R. Lifshitz!
Lisa R. Lifshitz is a Partner at Torkin Manes LLP and Chair of its Technology Group, Co-Chair of its AI & Innovation Group and immediate past Chair of its Privacy, Data & Cybersecurity Group. She practices exclusively in technology, privacy, and cybersecurity law. Lisa has extensive expertise drafting and negotiating technology agreements, including managed services, AI, fintech, and digital agreements.
She represents both vendors and users across private and public sectors, excelling at negotiating large and complex technology transactions and procurements. She advises clients on Canadian privacy and cybersecurity compliance, including trans-border data transfers and breach coaching.
A prolific thought leader, Lisa has contributed to numerous publications including Business Law Today, Canadian Lawyer, The SciTech Lawyer, Oxford Law Pro and was the co-editor and a contributor to Cloud 3.0: Drafting and Negotiating Cloud Computing Agreements (ABA, 2019). Lisa holds elite rankings from Chambers Canada, Chambers Global, Best Lawyers in Canada, LEXPERT, and Lexology Index (Global Elite Thought Leader). She received the Lexology Index 2025 and 2026 Client Choice Award for Data in Ontario. Lisa is the Vice Chair of the ABA Business Law Section, co-Chair of its AI and Robotics Subcommittee and co-Editor in Chief of The Business Lawyer. She is a past Director and President of Can-Tech and is currently the Co-Chair of its Privacy & Cybersecurity Committee.
We are pleased to announce Erin Rubin as the winner of the 2026 CAN-TECH Rising Star in Tech Law Award!
Erin Rubin's practice is focused on complex commercial transactions involving technology, services, business processes, and strategic partnerships. She supports financial institutions, retailers, emerging and high growth companies, and other enterprises in drafting and negotiating commercial agreements and conducting IT-related procurements.
Erin regularly leads transactions in open banking, including data sharing agreements between fintechs and financial institutions, and has helped clients launch new financial products, expand into new lines of business, engage in high-value procurements, establish global capability centres, and enter co-branded credit card and other loyalty arrangements.
She supports clients across industries to contract for services leveraging artificial intelligence. Erin has been recognized as a Rising Star by IFLR and proudly co-led the Osler Women Lawyers’ Network.
CLOSED FOR SUBMISSIONS
2026 CAN-TECH Awards
Deadline to submit is CLOSED
The Canadian Technology Law Association (CAN-TECH) invites nominations for two esteemed awards:
- Award of Distinction, recognizing members with a minimum of twenty (20) years of practice.
- Rising Star in Tech Law Award, honoring early-career members within their first ten (10) years of practice.
Both awards celebrate extraordinary contributions in leadership, innovation, integrity, and commitment to the Technology Law Bar.
ELIGIBILITY:
Current CAN-TECH member in good standing (excluding Executive and Board of Directors).
NOMINATION PROCESS:
- Submission: Nominations to be made online, including a written document (max. 2 pages double-spaced) and the candidate's curriculum vitae.
- Consent: The candidate must be advised of the nomination and consent to it.
- Promotion: Solicitation through email, social media, CAN-TECH newsletter, and the awards page on the CAN-TECH website.
SELECTION PROCESS:
Selected by the Nomination Subcommittee, considering CAN-TECH guidelines on Diversity and Inclusion.
Only one award will be presented for each category.
PRESENTATION:
To be presented at the CAN-TECH Law Fall Conference Dinner, details to follow.
DEADLINE:
Online submissions is now closed.Nominations from across Canada are encouraged. For additional details, see our award outline documents below:
Past Winners
2025
CAN-TECH Award of Distinction Winner: CORY FREED
Cory Freed is Assistant General Counsel and Head of Legal Affairs for Microsoft in Canada. Cory joined Microsoft in 2005 and now leads the team of legal professionals who provide comprehensive legal support to the business in Canada. Cory and the team also advise Microsoft Canada’s Public Sector sales and services organization.
CAN-TECH Rising Star in Tech Law Award Winner: CECILIA BARNES
Cecilia Barnes is Counsel at Lawson Lundell LLP, where she advises a broad range of domestic and international technology clients on commercial transactions, intellectual property, privacy, and data security. Cecilia brings a unique blend of in-house experience and entrepreneurial insight to her work in private practice, having served as lead commercial counsel at high-growth companies and supported major milestones such as a $950M IPO. She is known for her practical, business-oriented legal advice and her ability to bridge law, technology, and innovation.2024
CAN-TECH Award of Distinction Winner: ANDREW NUNES
Andrew is a Vice-Chair of Fasken’s Business Law Department (Ontario), Co-Leader of the Firm’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) group and Leader of the Technology Law group for the Ontario region. His practice encompasses numerous aspects of corporate and commercial law, with a particular emphasis on the technology sector and technology related matters.
CAN-TECH Rising Star in Tech Law Award Winner: SHREYA GUPTA
Shreya Gupta is Director, Legal Counsel (Technology, AI and Privacy) at Loblaw Companies Limited. Prior to Loblaw, Shreya was an associate in Norton Rose Fulbright's Toronto office. Shreya focuses on technology, artificial intelligence, privacy, cybersecurity and information governance matters. She also advises clients entering into a variety of complex commercial transactions.
2023
CAN-TECH Award of Distinction Winner: AMY-LYNNE WILLIAMS
Amy-Lynne Williams has been honored with the inaugural CAN-TECH Award of Distinction for her profound impact on the field of technology law in both Canada and internationally. From pioneering the adaptation of various Canadian laws in the 1980s to the establishment of Deeth Williams Wall LLP (DWW), her legacy in technology law is undeniable.
CAN-TECH Rising Star in Tech Law Award Winner: SAM IP
Sam Ip receives the inaugural CAN-TECH Rising Star in Tech Law Award for his exemplary work with AI companies and his innovative contributions to the technology law domain. As a partner at Osler and co-creator of "Osler Code Detect," Sam has demonstrated immense promise in the early stages of his career.
