CAN-TECH 2025 Spring Conference: Navigating Legal Uncertainty in your Technology Practice
The 2025 CAN-TECH Spring Conference, like previous years, was a huge success as it focused on discussing practical tips and tricks for junior to mid level technology lawyers to apply in their practices. The event was held from coast-to-coast – starting in Vancouver and ending in Halifax – with five offices (Vancouver, Regina, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax) each hosting one live panel and participating in the other panels via Zoom.
The half-day, pan-Canadian program, with hybrid in-person and webcast sessions, showed panels across five satellite locations discussing a range of topics, including potential risks in drafting technology contracts, tends in litigation and how to navigate AI disruptions to your business. Based on the expertise the panelists shared, and the accompanying materials, mission accomplished.
This program contains 1 Professionalism Hour.
Spring Conference Co-chairs:
- John Philip Koopmann, Government of Canada
- Natalie LaMarche, Legal Counsel, Sustainability & Accessibility, BMO
Vancouver
Hosted by McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Future Proofing Your Contracts (Part 1):
In today's dynamic global landscape, where businesses face challenges ranging from the ongoing adjustment to the COVID-19 pandemic to the complexities of geopolitical shifts, companies are proactively exploring innovative strategies to reduce risks in their contractual agreements. This panel addresses some key features necessary to strengthen contracts in the face of uncertainties, with an emphasis on the importance of clauses for describing the contractual fee structure (including adjusting prices), force majeure conditions, and options for contract termination or exit. Attendees leave this panel with a deeper understanding of how to draft and negotiate contract provisions that can withstand unexpected events and economic changes.
Moderator:
Dorian Morrison, Associate, McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Featuring:
- Kelsey Franks, Associate, McCarthy Tétrault LLP
- Shane O'Donohoe, Senior Corporate Counsel, Global Relay
- Ravi Patel, Barrister & Solicitor
Regina
Hosted by MLT Aikins LLP
Future Proofing Your Contracts (Part 2):
This panel builds off the themes from Part 1 by delving into additional contract considerations. This features a discussion on the “emoji case” from the litigator that represented the plaintiff, with a focus on how technology can and will continue to evolve the very basics of contracting. The panel also explores contract considerations for the use of AI tools, from both a vendor and customer perspective, and explores what is presently considered “market” when it comes to these types of provisions given the lack of certainty about who should be accepting the majority of the risk associated with the use of AI.
Moderator:
- Jeremy Barber, Associate, MLT Aikins LLP
Featuring:
- Matt Barnes, Associate, MLT Aikins LLP
- Michael Marschal, Associate, MLT Aikins LLP
- Annie Quangtakoune, Associate, McKercher LLP Barristers & Solicitors
Toronto
Hosted by Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Navigating the Frontier: Key Trends in Technology Law and Litigation:
In the dynamic world of technology law, the stakes are as high in the courtroom as they are at the negotiation table. As tech lawyers navigate this ever-evolving landscape, staying up to date is crucial. Fortunately, CAN-TECH is here to be your guiding light! Join our panel of experts for a captivating overview of the latest trends in technology disputes, including key rulings in cutting-edge areas like intellectual property rights in Generative AI, e-commerce advancements, online contracting, privacy, cybersecurity, and data breach class actions. Also, discover how technology is revolutionizing the legal field, enhancing legal research, case preparation, electronic discovery, litigation tracking, and the advent of virtual courtrooms.
Moderator:
Anagha Nandakumaran, Associate, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Featuring:
- Berkley Sells, Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
- Brent Arnold, Litigator and Data Breach Coach/Counsel, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
- Veronica Tsou, Partner, TAP Law
Montreal
Hosted by Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP
When AI Goes Wrong: Legal Strategies for Navigating Business Disruptions:
How Do Businesses Avoid AI-Related Incidents? What Happens When AI Tools Are Misconfigured? What About AI Risks from Vendors and Third Parties? AI and Cybersecurity Threats: How Can Lawyers Help? Artificial Intelligence is a driver of business growth and a source of unpredictable disruptions. Whether through internal malfunctions or mistakes, vendor failures, or external cybercrime, AI-driven incidents can lead to regulatory scrutiny, reputational damage, and financial loss. In response to this, lawyers should be equipped to navigate these challenges by understanding legal risks, contractual safeguards and concerns of potential liability. AI is transforming business operations, but with its power comes risk. Our expert panel discusses this topic, using their individual professional experience to provide helpful guidance.
Moderator:
Chloe Barrette, Associate, Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP
Featuring:
- Paul Gagnon, LL.M.IP, Partner, Lawyer, Technology and Artificial Intelligence Co-Lead, BCF Business Law
- Alexia Magneron, Associate, Technology, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt S.E.N.C.R.L./s.r.l.
- Larry Markowitz, Senior Director, National Public Relations
Halifax
Hosted by McInnes Cooper LLP
Who Wants to Stay Professionally Compliant Panel:
Based on the game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”, conference attendees are selected as ‘contestants’ to answer questions in a multiple choice format dealing with professional responsibility, ethics, and practice management matter, complete with sound effects from the game show. After each round of questions a panel of subject matter experts discuss the issues arising from the questions, giving conference attendees a better understanding how to discharge their professional responsibilities and better manage their practices.
Hosted by:
- Jacob Kojfman, Senior Legal Counsel, Co-operators
Featuring:
- Veronica Rossos, Practice Advisor, Law Society of British Columbia
- Michael R. Brooker, K.C., Burchell MacDougall, LLP
- Kelly Gerra, Counsel & Manager, Law Society of Ontario
- Joe Scarfo, Vice President & General Counsel at CGI
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
Thank you to our Sponsors!
