CAN-TECH 2026 Spring Conference: Building the Modern Technology Lawyer
Thursday, June 4, 2026
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT | 12 to 5 p.m. ET | 1 to 6 p.m. AT
Back by popular demand, the CAN-TECH Spring Conference is set for June 4, 2026. This year, the conference will focus 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, features panels across five satellite locations, (Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Halifax and Montreal) each hosting one live panel and participating in the other panels via Zoom, discussing 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.
We look forward to you joining us at one of our locations across the country for a chance to learn and network with your peers in the industry.
This program contains 1 hour of Professionalism Content.
We have confirmed the following viewing locations below:
Ottawa - Hosted by Fasken
Regina - Hosted by MLT Aikins LLP
Program topics and descriptions below. Speakers, venue and time slots to be confirmed shortly.
Vancouver - 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, Lawson Lundell LLP
Featuring:
Curtis Chance, Associate, McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Jenny Huang, Senior Legal Counsel, Providence Health Care
Karen Claus, Founder and Technology Lawyer, Karen Claus Law
Halifax - Hosted by McInnes Cooper
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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.
Featuring:
Lola Williams-Afolabi, Lead Counsel, Williams Armstrong LP
Robert Cowan, McInnes Cooper
Charlotte Henderson, Stewart McKelvey
Toronto - Hosted by Fasken
- 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.
Featuring:
Andrew S. Nunes, Partner, Fasken
Allan Oziel, Partner, Oziel Law
Calgary - 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
Montreal - Hosted by 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.
Who should attend:
- Junior Corporate/Commercial Lawyers specializing in Technology, IP, and related areas
- In-House Counsel (in their first 5 years of practice)
- Procurement Counsel (in their first 5 years of practice)
- Government Lawyers (in their first 5 years of practice)
- Technology License & Contract Managers/Directors of Operations (in their first 5 years of practice)
- Law students interested in practicing in Technology Law
- Experienced practitioners seeking fundamental knowledge in technology focused transactions
Fees:
Conference only:
- $125: CAN-TECH members
- $175: Non-members
- $50: CAN-TECH student members
- $75: Student non-members
Join and Go: Become a full member of CAN-TECH and register for the Conference. Save on BOTH!
- $400: Non-member, Lawyers practising over 5 years ($125 savings)
- $250: Non-member, Lawyers practicing under 5 years ($100 savings)
- $300: Non-member, In-House Counsel/Government/Sole Practitioner ($100 savings)
- $80: Student non-members
Interested in a satellite viewing location? For groups of 10 or more, please contact us.
Email contact@cantechlaw.ca for details on group savings.
Come out to learn, network and grow.
Space is limited, be sure to register early!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
There are no refunds.
