AGENDA

All times in ET

• 8:30 AM

  Registration and breakfast

• 9:00 AM

  Opening remarks from chairperson

  

  Pinar Ozyetis

  General Counsel
  StackAdapt

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  Pinar Ozyetis

  General Counsel
  StackAdapt

  Pinar is the General Counsel of StackAdapt, an Enterprise Fast 15 Winner and the self-serve programmatic advertising platform used by the most exceptional digital marketers. Pinar oversees all legal matters for StackAdapt on a global scale, including commercial, corporate, privacy, compliance, and intellectual property matters. She strives to weave principles of integrity, positivity, and collaboration into every interaction to help build strong teams and strong corporate performance. Before joining StackAdapt, Pinar was General Counsel and a corporate officer of another major Canadian company in the advertising/marketing space, and prior to that, spent 12 years with a Toronto law firm where she was a partner in the Business Law group.

  Pinar is passionate about giving back; she is a regular community volunteer, has acted as Executive sponsor to several women’s initiatives, and as a director and corporate secretary of an environmental not-for-profit.

  Pinar holds a Hons. Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and a law degree from the University of Western Ontario.

• 9:05 AM

  Welcome address from Event Partner

  

  Gabriel Morency

  CEO
  Edilex

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  Gabriel Morency

  CEO
  Edilex

• 9:10 AM

  Panel: Emerging technologies and automated workflow in the legal industry

  Emerging technologies are enabling lawyers to improve service delivery and automate their workflow. Legal tech tools not only remove repetitive tasks from a lawyer’s busy schedule but can also address one of the biggest challenges that lawyers face – the handling of large volumes of contracts. This session will explore the latest technologies and provide practical advice on how they can be used to automate legal workflow and, in turn, maximize service to clients. 

  • Using contract workflow technology to rapidly store, alter, review, and approve agreements  
  • New developments in contract drafting software to reduce risk, provide better oversight, and lessen the time spent on standardized procedures 
  • Harnessing tools for enhanced automation of legal research 
  • Generating, managing, and storing contracts digitally to create a more efficient contract workflow 
  • Key considerations in implementing legal document automation solutions 
  • Best practices in document and contract analysis 

  Moderator

  

  Jean-François L’Ecuyer

  Chief Revenue Officer
  Edilex

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  Jean-François L’Ecuyer

  Chief Revenue Officer
  Edilex

  Jean-François holds an MBA from HEC Montreal and specializes in the field of innovation and strategy with a focus on the legal sector. In 2017, Jean-François joined Edilex to work on technological applications for law firms and legal departments. He has collaborated with various law firms and in-house departments in the public, real estate, energy and manufacturing sectors to implement contract drafting solutions.  

  Panelists

  

  Andrew Terrett

  National Director, Legal Technology & Service Delivery
  Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

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  Andrew Terrett

  National Director, Legal Technology & Service Delivery
  Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

  Andrew Terrett is the National Director of Knowledge Management at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. He was admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales in 1994. Andrew has focused almost his entire professional career on the application of technology to improving legal practice. To this end, he has worked with and within law firms as a technology consultant with Baker Robbins, an in-house project manager at Masons (now Pinsent Masons) and for a number of software vendors (such as Hummingbird and Computer Associates) on large IT implementation projects. He has also written extensively on the area, including a book entitled ‘The Internet – Business Strategies for Law Firms’, published by the Law Society of England & Wales (2000). Andrew has a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Warwick, England and Master’s in Law (LL.M) from the University of British Columbia. He is also a certified project manager (PMP) and ITIL Foundation certified. 

  

  Monica Goyal

  Director of Legal Innovation and Lawyer
  Caravel Law LLP

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  Monica Goyal

  Director of Legal Innovation and Lawyer
  Caravel Law LLP

  Monica has significant experience in assisting clients with various corporate and commercial needs as well as litigation, specifically with small claims, collection matters and online defamation.

  Leveraging a strong technological background, Monica is a versatile problem solver who assists clients on a wide array on general commercial and corporate matters including corporate set up and reorganization. Monica also assists with drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts.

  At Caravel Law, Monica represents and advises clients on corporate and commercial matters, as well as with collections matters by assisting with pre-collection letters and escalation of collection efforts. She facilitates offer settlements, mediations and payout schedules. Monica also regularly works with clients with small claims related matters and in situations where there has been on-line defamation.

   

  

  Art Wilson

  Manager, Access to Innovation
  Law Society of Ontario

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  Art Wilson

  Manager, Access to Innovation
  Law Society of Ontario

  Art is a lawyer with over 15 years experience leading innovative projects in law and professional services. He is a trained Six Sigma Green Belt and has extensive experience in legal project management, legal process improvement, and targeted development and application of technology to optimize client value in the legal professions. Art understands the environment in which lawyers work, and he’s passionate about helping them achieve their goals. He delivers creative professional solutions through his willingness to look beyond the traditional confines of the legal industry and his innovative “how could we make that work here?” approach.

  Prior to joining the Law Society, Art maintained a successful consulting practice, Lean Six Legal, working with several major Canadian and U.S. law firms as well as in-house legal departments. Art holds an LL.B and LL.M from the University of Toronto and has been a member of the Ontario Bar for over 25 years.

   

   

  

  Ginevra Saylor

  National Director, Innovation and Knowledge Programs
  Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP

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  Ginevra Saylor

  National Director, Innovation and Knowledge Programs
  Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP

  As Director, Innovation and Knowledge Programs at Gowling WLG, Ginevra Saylor leads the firm’s innovation, knowledge management, learning and development, legal project management, client and practice solutions, and process re-engineering strategy and initiatives. In her role, she identifies and implements programs, processes, and tools that drive innovation and excellence throughout the firm and enhance the delivery of client services. Ginevra brings twenty years of experience building and delivering strategies for innovation, knowledge management, client solutions, technology adoption, and process improvement to her work.

  Before joining Gowling WLG, Ginevra led the innovation, knowledge management, library, client solutions, learning, and business intelligence teams at another global law firm, and directed knowledge management at a national firm. She also has extensive and varied past experience as a litigator and educator, and is a frequent speaker on legal practice, innovation, legal technology, knowledge management, and related topics.

   

• 10:00 AM

  Panel: The strategic use of legal tech: Adopting a client-focused transformation strategy

  With legal tech offerings constantly evolving and improving, organizations are under increased pressure to modernize their technology. Utilizing technology is critical to delivering outcomes for your clients and internal stakeholders; however, so too is the process of planning for and deploying the right technology that can deliver lower costs, increased efficiency, improved data insights, and heightened client and employee satisfaction. This session will address key considerations for law firms and departments when identifying and rolling out the right technology, including ways to align legal tech with overall strategy. 

  • Key factors to consider when adopting new legal tech 
  • Steps in establishing groundwork for new implementation 
  • Change management best practices: overcoming adoption issues and incentivizing lawyers to adopt 
  • Adopting a customer-first mindset: understanding clients’ needs and behaviours to develop legal tech offerings  
  • Using existing technology vs. purchasing in recessionary downturn: How to leverage your current technology platform to meet future economic and business needs 
  • Exploring and weighing the value of ALSPs (Alternative Legal Service Providers) 

  Moderator

  

  Gillian Scott

  Partner, Litigation Operations & Innovative Products
  Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

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  Gillian Scott

  Partner, Litigation Operations & Innovative Products
  Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

  In her unique role, Gillian provides strategic leadership on the assessment, development, staffing, pricing, launch, sale, and scale of Osler’s innovative legal products and service offerings. Through the Osler Workshop, Gillian focuses on transforming the business of law and providing maximum value to clients by addressing their pain points and service gaps through innovative products and packaged services, including Osler DashTM and Osler ACTionTM.

  Gillian’s 15 years as a commercial litigator and litigation partner at Osler, and three years in Client Development inform her understanding of client challenges and business objectives, and approach to developing and delivering customer-focused products and service offerings.

  Panelists

  

  Malcolm Muthulingum

  CEO
  LEAP Canada

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  Malcolm Muthulingum

  CEO
  LEAP Canada

  Malcolm Muthulingum is the Chief Executive Officer of LEAP Legal Software in Canada. Malcolm started at LEAP USA in 2016 as a Data Migration Specialist where he built and managed the Data Migration Team. He then quickly progressed to Director of Transitions and Director of Client Relations, in conjunction with serving on the LEAP USA Executive board. 

  Before joining LEAP, Malcolm spent three years in Legal Tech playing an instrumental role in establishing a new legal software product in the Canadian Market. 

  With a passion for building innovative businesses that support clients with best-in-class software solutions, Malcolm is excited to share how LEAP can help transform law firms in Canada and make them more money. 

  Responsible for building and representing LEAP in the Canadian market. 

   

  

  Sukesh Kamra

  Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer
  Torys LLP

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  Sukesh Kamra

  Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer
  Torys LLP

  Sukesh Kamra leads the firm’s knowledge and innovation team made up of practice innovation lawyers and professionals, as well as the library services and technology learning and development teams across all offices. He is responsible for driving our internal effort towards the highest level of efficiency by leveraging innovative technology and the effective application of processes to streamline the delivery of legal service. With close to 20 years of experience, Sukesh develops new frameworks and approaches to capture and disseminate our deep knowledge to our people and our clients. He is also an instrumental figure for our Legal Services Centre in Halifax.

  Sukesh holds a yellow belt certification in Legal Lean Sigma and Project Management.

  

  Dan Dagan

  General Counsel
  Siemens Energy Canada Limited

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  Dan Dagan

  General Counsel
  Siemens Energy Canada Limited

  Dan is General Counsel of Siemens Energy Canada Limited.   As General Counsel Dan leads a high performing team of lawyers responsible for providing legal, strategic and commercial advice to local and global management and to the businesses.   Dan has led a wide variety of energy infrastructure projects in Canada including gas, nuclear, hydrogen, wind, solar and large transmission projects.  Dan and his team are constantly developing tools and processes, both internally and in co-development with third parties, to improve efficiencies and maintain a business focus, for which they have been internally and externally recognized.    Prior to joining Siemens, Dan was a lawyer with Ontario Power Generation and, prior to that, at Torys LLP.   Dan was called to the bar in 1997 after receiving his law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.

  

  Sondra Rebenchuk

  Senior Innovation Counsel
  Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

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  Sondra Rebenchuk

  Senior Innovation Counsel
  Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

  Sondra is Senior Innovation Counsel and leads the Practice Innovation team at Blakes. She is responsible for identifying opportunities to improve legal processes internally and implementing and managing legal technology to drive efficiency at the Firm. Sondra also works closely with clients to provide legal operations guidance and create new solutions that address novel legal and business needs. 

  Sondra has been actively involved in the legal technology industry, including working as an AI practice consultant. In that role, she advised law firms on the integration of machine learning in their practice, with a specific focus on the transactional process. 

  Following her admission to the Ontario Bar in 2012, Sondra practised at a law firm in Toronto where she focused on M&A and securities. 

   

  

  Tara Vasdani

  Managing Partner and Founder
  Remote Law Canada

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  Tara Vasdani

  Managing Partner and Founder
  Remote Law Canada

   

  Tara Vasdani is the Managing Partner and Founder of Remote Law Canada, a law firm specializing in civil litigation, employment law, and remote work. In 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, Tara has been nominated for Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada. For four consecutive years from 2020-2023, Tara has been awarded the Employment Law Firm of the Year Award, by Canada’s Prestige Awards.  

  Tara has led the remote legal landscape since 2019, and excelled in advising corporations, law firms, and law schools on remote work and remote advocacy over the COVID-19 pandemic. Tara primarily assists businesses and organizations with developing functional remote work policies, employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, and meeting legislative and common law requirements when operating hybrid workforces. In 2022, Tara was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in Remote Work, and in 2021, she was recognized as one of the Top 10 Remote Work Advocates and Leaders across North America.  

  From 2020 through to 2022, Tara spoke to the Canadian Bar Association, the Ontario Bar Association, the Canadian Property Tax Association, Microsoft, RBC, ShieldGEO, Torre, the Law Firm Summit, Oyster Hour, CBC, and appeared on 4 podcasts, including Darin Thompson’s riveted continuing professional development podcast, Law Actually, about remote advocacy and legal tech. Tara also spoke to 9 law schools about career development and tech leadership, including the University of Toronto, McGill University, Osgoode Hall, the University of Ottawa, Queen’s University, Ryerson University, Thompson Rivers University, Western University, and McMaster’s DeGroote School of Business. In February 2021, Tara joined Barbara Kincaid, General Counsel at the Supreme Court of Canada, to speak to New Brunswick lawyers at the CBA Mid-Winter Series on legal tech and remote trials. Finally, Tara volunteered as a mentor to both the Civil Resolution Tribunal in British Columbia, and the Legal Innovation Hackathon in Ottawa, Ontario. 

• 10:45 AM

  Networking coffee break

• 11:15 AM

  Panel: Evolution of the cloud: role of cloud-native platforms

  Cloud computing has become an integral component for an increasing number of law firms and legal departments, as it provides mobility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness with easy setups. Newer to the 

   scene has been the move to cloud-native platforms. Cloud native, a software approach of building, deploying, and managing modern applications in cloud computing environments, allows firms to build highly scalable, flexible, and resilient applications that they can update quickly to meet customer demands. This session will explore the evolution of the cloud, the emergence of cloud-native platforms, and best practices for utilizing the benefits they provide. 

  • How cloud-native technologies can support fast changes to applications without impacting service delivery, providing law firms with an innovative, competitive advantage 
  • Overcoming hesitancy of using the cloud: understanding common risks and myths of moving to the cloud  
  • Best practices for leveraging cloud-based platforms to increase the security of client data, lower costs, increase productivity, and boost client satisfaction 
  • Key factors in planning and moving to the cloud safely and securely: creating a cloud migration strategy 
  • Choosing between a private vs. public cloud: pros and cons for law firms 
  • How a cloud-native approach can benefit law firms 

  Moderator

  

  Rachelle Thompson, CBAP

  Senior Director, Practice and Client Innovation
  Fasken Martineau DuMoulin

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  Rachelle Thompson, CBAP

  Senior Director, Practice and Client Innovation
  Fasken Martineau DuMoulin

  Rachelle Thompson leads Fasken’s Practice and Client Innovation team and function across the firm, a key component of our overarching Knowledge and Practice Innovation program.  

  Known for her inspiring leadership and problem solving skills, she is responsible for initiatives, projects and operations related to practice efficiency, legal technology, automated and productized services, and process improvement.  In this role, she oversees a diverse team that ensures our lawyers and clients benefit from the latest trends in legal practice, monitors emerging technologies and their use in the market, and works with our lawyers and clients to collaboratively develop solutions.    

  With over 20 years of experience in the legal technology field and having been with Fasken since 2004, Rachelle has an in-depth understanding of the needs and technological challenges of the firm and its clients.  She is an expert in legal document automation applications and processes as well as other core practice technologies. 

  Dynamic and flexible, Rachelle likes environments that are motivating and conducive to finding short and long-term solutions. Her motto is “nothing is impossible.” 

   

  Panelists

  

  Michael Bowmile

  Senior Legal Counsel
  Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited

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  Michael Bowmile

  Senior Legal Counsel
  Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited

  Michael Bowmile is Senior Legal Counsel at Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited, the producer and distributor of Coca-Cola, Canada Dry, Monster Energy, and A&W products in Canada. He works closely with Coca-Cola Canada’s senior leaders, providing legal and strategic advice across the company’s operations, including its supply chain, commercial, customer, analytics, real estate, procurement and IT teams. Michael also sits on internal committees within the company, including its Business Transformation Office and helped establish its Diversity & Inclusion Council. 

  Michael graduated from Western Law and was called to the Ontario bar in 2014. He started his legal career as an associate in the Business Law group at Dentons Canada. Prior to joining Coca-Cola Canada, he also worked at Cancer Care Ontario (now Ontario Health), where his practice focused on privacy law, tech innovations and patient care delivery in support of the province’s cancer and renal care systems, and access to care initiatives. 

  

  Pratima Enjati

  Director, Legal Technology and Process, Legal, Governance & Compliance
  Sun Life Financial

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  Pratima Enjati

  Director, Legal Technology and Process, Legal, Governance & Compliance
  Sun Life Financial

  

  John Sulja

  Chief Information Officer
  Dye & Durham

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  John Sulja

  Chief Information Officer
  Dye & Durham

  John is a high-performance executive with over 30 years’ experience directing first-class applications, infrastructure, and business strategy. As Chief Information Officer he sets the global direction and vision for Dye & Durham’s enterprise IT operations across Canada, Australia, UK and Ireland. His responsibilities include cybersecurity, as well as the company’s global information technology roadmap for infrastructure, applications, and build automation.  

  He boasts an award-winning record for building full enterprise IT operations from scratch, improving service, and aligning IT investment with corporate goals. Prior to Dye & Durham John spent eight years at Kyndryl (IBM) leading cross-functional teams responsible for major technology initiatives. John is known for strong leadership, coaching and mentoring skills, and brings his expertise in global infrastructure design, development, and delivery. 

• 11:50 AM

  Panel: Generative artificial intelligence and its impact on the legal profession

  Artificial Intelligence has already shown a great ability to disrupt and transform the legal industry, assisting with tasks such as legal research, contract review, and predictive analytics. However, generative AI and its game-changing potential for the legal industry has recently created a buzz with its impressive and increasingly sophisticated capabilities. This session will explore the current state of Generative AI, where it is likely heading, and practical ways that legal firms and departments can use it to make an immediate impact.  

  • The latest on Generative AI and how it can be applied to the legal profession 
  • The growing importance of ethics and accountability with the use of generative AI 
  • Current capabilities and uses for ChatGPT-3 and what to expect from GPT-4: current potential and limitations in its application to the legal sphere 
  • What the future holds for generative AI and where it could lead the legal industry long term 
  • Addressing the risk of embedded bias in data that fuels Generative AI and the inability to adequately understand the rationale behind AI-derived decisions  

  Moderator

  

  Gideon Christian PhD

  Assistant Professor (AI and Law) Faculty of Law
  University of Calgary

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  Gideon Christian PhD

  Assistant Professor (AI and Law) Faculty of Law
  University of Calgary

  Dr. Gideon Christian is an Assistant Professor (AI and Law) at the Faculty of Law, University of Calgary. He obtained his Master-in-Laws (LL.M) and a PhD from the University of Ottawa. During his doctoral studies, Dr. Christian was a SSHRC – Joseph Armand Bombardier Canada Doctoral Scholar, and International Development Research Center (IDRC) Doctoral Fellow. 

  Prior to joining the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary in August 2019, Dr. Christian worked part-time as an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, and fulltime as Legal Counsel with the National Litigation Sector at the federal Department of Justice where he conducted electronic discovery in high-profile litigation involving the Government of Canada.  

  Currently as an assistant professor at the University of Calgary law school, Dr. Christian’s research focuses on the intersection of law and technology, specifically on electronic discovery, artificial intelligence and law, and racial impacts of new and emerging technologies. He has designed and teaches the eLitigation course – the first of its kind in any Canadian law school. 

  His research work has been published in Canadian Journal of Law and Technology, Utrecht Journal of International and European Law, Canadian Bar Review, and Alberta Law Review. His contributions to the field of legal technology are highly valued, and his innovative approach to legal tech teaching is making a significant impact on legal education in Canada. 

  Panelists

  

  Al Hounsell

  Director – Strategic Innovation & Legal Design
  Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

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  Al Hounsell

  Director – Strategic Innovation & Legal Design
  Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

  Al Hounsell is a senior lawyer and innovation leader responsible for leading strategic innovation, legal service design and the NRFC innovation solutions development team. Mr. Hounsell works at the intersection of law and innovation, directing strategic and legal advice to clients and lawyers in matters such as: the drafting and automation of legal contracts for technology and financial services clients, A.I.-assisted due diligence, regulatory compliance management and architecture, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies in the legal tech space. Leading the solutions development team – a cutting-edge team of legal engineers and full-stack developers – he has overseen the production of numerous legal apps, leveraging innovative technologies and artificial intelligence. He has also played a significant role in developing bespoke solutions both internally and directly for clients in the areas of document automation, data analysis and visualization, and workflow process innovation.

  Mr. Hounsell is a licensed lawyer, entrepreneur and seasoned coder with an extensive background in full-stack software development, having built innovative technologies for a number of tech startups prior to and during his studies at Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business.

  Subsequent to completing his articles with Norton Rose Fulbright Canada’s Toronto office, Mr. Hounsell joined the knowledge management team. He is now uniquely able to work at the cutting edge of legal tech and process innovation, leveraging his background in business, law and software development. In short order Mr. Hounsell has won numerous awards in the area of legal technology.

  He is a 2022 winner of the Canadian Law Awards’ “Best Use of Technology in a Law Firm” award, a 2021 Fastcase 50 award recipient as well as 2019 and 2020 recipient of the ILTA (International Legal Technology Association) Distinguished Peer Award for “Young Professionals to Watch.” Under his direction, his team’s work in client solutions development was recognized as “highly recommended” at the 2019 Legal Week Innovation Awards in the category of International Law Firm Innovation. His contributions to Norton Rose Fulbright placed first overall in the global, firm-wide Global Chair Innovation award for his focus on application building platforms.

  Mr. Hounsell also serves as an adjunct professor at Osgoode Hall Law School where he teaches in the area of legal innovation, design and technology and where he sits on the Osgoode Digital Innovation Committee.

   

  

  David Cohen

  Senior Director, Client Service Delivery
  McCarthy Tetrault LLP

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  David Cohen

  Senior Director, Client Service Delivery
  McCarthy Tetrault LLP

  David Cohen leads our Client Service Delivery team. He works with McCarthy Tétrault lawyers across the country to develop and implement innovative pricing and service delivery models for the firm’s clients. The Client Service Delivery team applies process improvement techniques and legal technology to generate efficiencies in how legal services are delivered to clients. David also oversees the firm’s Dialogue Project Management program which embeds legal project management into client matters. 

  David frequently speaks at conferences and conducts seminars and workshops for clients on topics relating to alternative fee arrangements, legal project management, legal technology and legal innovation. He also regularly meets with clients to discuss pricing and service delivery strategies that meet their business needs. 

  David began his legal career practising commercial litigation after clerking at the Federal Court. He subsequently consulted to U.S. and Canadian law firms on talent management, pricing and turnaround strategies. 

  David obtained his B.A. from the University of Western Ontario and a joint LLB/MBA from Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business. He was called to the Ontario bar in 2005 and is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt. 

   

  

  Charles Gluckstein

  Owner
  Gluckstein Lawyers

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  Charles Gluckstein

  Owner
  Gluckstein Lawyers

  Charles Gluckstein was called to the Ontario Bar in 1999.  His practice focuses on catastrophic injury claims from personal injury including birth trauma, medical negligence, motor vehicle claims, occupier liability issues and all areas of disability law.

  Charles is the owner and managing partner of Gluckstein Lawyers and has guided the firm to become the leaders in Personal Injury in Canada. He succeeded his father, Bernard, who founded the practice in 1962. He has been endorsed by his peers as a leading personal injury lawyer in both Best Lawyers in Canada and Lexpert directories. Charles has been successful at trial in both jury and judge alone cases.  In 2001 Chares was recognized as a Specialist in Civil Litigation.  He frequently lectures at conferences for legal organizations, both locally as well as outside of Ontario on all topics of personal injury as well as the modernization of the profession using technology.

  Charles served for many years on the Board of Directors rising to become the President of the Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association from 2013-2014.  Since 2014, Best Lawyers® International has consistently recognized him as a leader in the personal injury field.  In 2014 he was awarded the LEXPERT Zenith Award for Leading Personal Injury Lawyer in Practice Excellence, recognizing thought leadership and setting new standards for the Personal Injury Bar. In its annual publication, the Canadian Legal LEXPERT® Directory has listed Charles as being repeatedly recommended by his peers in the area of personal injury for the Toronto region.

  Charles also acts as an advocate to assist other lawyers in understanding and embracing legal technology and related strategies.  In 2021 Charles received the award for Best Use of Technology.

  Charles advocates for results that achieve maximum recovery of lifestyle for each one of his clients. The most rewarding thing about being a lawyer to Charles is helping restore dignity to victims who have lost almost everything and continue to connect with them through their recovery and rehabilitation journey. He believes in full-circle care and being there with his clients all the way through.

  In addition to work with legal organizations, Charles has held leadership roles in a number of community organizations including the Brain Injury Association of Toronto and leads many initiatives to provide much needed attention to organizations supporting survivors of disability. 

  

  Mark Le Blanc

  Lead, Thrive Legal
  Simplex Legal LLP

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  Mark Le Blanc

  Lead, Thrive Legal
  Simplex Legal LLP

  Mark Le Blanc A passionate leader and experienced and business minded GC with excellent judgement who has built and evolved law departments and been a key player in digital transformations. His legal background is primarily in IP and media, but includes investment banking, logistics, franchising and consulting.  He has worked in private practice, and in-house within both large and small organizations. As GC, he has transformed law departments and been a key member of an executive team transitioning an organization from legacy to digital.  As a consultant, he is now helping other GC’s transform law departments from cost centres to key strategic contributors.  Mark deeply believes that the legal function can be leveraged to drive value for the organization.  

• 12:35 PM

  Networking lunch

• 1:35 PM

  Panel: Data privacy amidst legal innovation: The role of cybersecurity

  Legal departments and law firms have always been required to be vigilant about the ways they handle, transfer, and store data, but now, in a world of rapidly evolving legal technology, this has become increasingly critical and challenging. The ability to anticipate future risks, protect sensitive client information, and recover mission-critical operations after a cyberattack is a necessity for legal practices. This session will explore the latest cybersecurity technologies and data protection strategies to provide you with practical, proactive measures to minimize the risk of cyber threats and data breaches. 

  • Key cybersecurity risks in the legal profession 
  • Establishing training to ensure legal professionals are up to speed on cybersecurity best practices 
  • The latest tech-related cybersecurity tools and processes to protect data in the fast-changing legal industry: how to maximize the protection of client data and privileged client communications 
  • Practical strategies for optimizing the balance between security and productivity  
  • Key components in creating an effective incident response plan and protect against reputation damage 

  Moderator

  

  Rustam Juma

  General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
  Volkswagen Group Canada Inc.

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  Rustam Juma

  General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
  Volkswagen Group Canada Inc.

  Rusty is General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Privacy Officer of Volkswagen and Audi Canada. In this role, Rusty provides strategic, governance, legal, and risk management advice to the Board and management. Rusty was previously the recipient of the Canadian General Counsel Award and the Top 10, 30-Something Award. In 2020, he co-founded the National GC Network to help General Counsel advance ED&I values in their organizations and the legal community. He is currently a Director of Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto. 

  Panelists

  

  Brandon Track

  Corporate Counsel
  Cisco Systems Canada Co.

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  Brandon Track

  Corporate Counsel
  Cisco Systems Canada Co.

  Brandon is the Corporate Counsel for Cisco Systems Canada Co., advising the Legal Sales and Marketing Team across Canada and parts of the United States. Brandon is able to combine his corporate and litigation experience to work with the executive, account managers, engineers, customer experience team, and the various business units within Cisco on a myriad of legal issues pertaining to the sale of Cisco products and services, particularly sales terms, privacy and security, procurement, and Intellectual Property. Brandon strives to ensure that all Cisco customers and resellers can acquire Cisco solutions that meet their ever-changing and unique needs.

  

  Charles Daoust

  Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial
  Air Canada

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  Charles Daoust

  Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial
  Air Canada

  Charles Daoust is Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial at Air Canada. In this role, he advises various Air Canada, Aeroplan and Air Canada Vacations departments on commercial legal matters. He regularly works with the privacy, IT, cyber security, marketing, brand and strategic procurement teams. He holds a LL.B (Civil Law) and a Juris Doctor (Common Law) from University of Sherbrooke. He was admitted to the Quebec Bar in 2014. Before joining Air Canada in 2019, Charles practiced in a Montreal boutique law firm where he advised technology startups and SMEs on various IP and business law aspects. Charles was also involved in the Montreal start up ecosystem and gave multiple intellectual property and business law trainings to entrepreneurs at the École des Entrepreneurs du Québec and incubators/accelerators at Université de Montréal and Polytechnique Montréal.

  

  Danielle Young

  VP & Chief Counsel, Global Privacy & Cybersecurity
  Manulife

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  Danielle Young

  VP & Chief Counsel, Global Privacy & Cybersecurity
  Manulife

  Danielle spent her first year as a lawyer working for an NGO in Rajasthan, India.  Upon her return to Canada, she spent the next decade of practice as a litigator with a boutique insurance defence and international trade firm.

  Danielle joined Manulife in 2015. During her tenure, she has held several varied roles ranging from litigation counsel to advisory work with specialization in anti-fraud, human rights, complex claims, and privacy matters.

  In her current role, Danielle is responsible for leading the Global Privacy and Cybersecurity legal team providing support to privacy and cybersecurity stakeholders in the US, Canada and 10 countries Manulife operates in Asia.  She leads Manulife’s Global Privacy and Cyber Counsel Network, a network of lawyers from across Manulife that collaborate and share knowledge on privacy and cyber issues impacting their business units. Danielle is the current Chair of the Privacy Committee at the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA).

• 2:25 PM

  Panel: Harnessing the power of enhanced data analytics capabilities

  With the help of increasingly sophisticated technologies, corporate legal departments and law firms can strategically enhance client relationships and increase overall efficiencies through rapidly evolving data analytics processes. This session will examine how emerging data analytics capabilities are assisting law firms and departments to use the vast quantity of data at their disposal to improve their bottom line while increasing their service to clients. 

  • Best practices for harnessing the true power of data and analytics strategies to optimize decision-making 
  • Implementing strategies and innovations backed by data analytics to improve efficiencies and client services 
  • Methods for leveraging technology to monitor and enhance team performance: identifying metrics to better understand how your firm/department is operating 
  • How data analytics techniques can streamline e-discovery, improve legal research, and facilitate law firm marketing while increasing client satisfaction 
  • Role of litigation analytics in making informed, risk-based litigation decisions 
  • How to leverage data analytics to measure the effectiveness of your practice: use of data analytics in promoting lawyer productivity 

  Moderator

  

  Simon Wormwell

  Chief, Strategic Enterprise Initiatives
  Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

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  Simon Wormwell

  Chief, Strategic Enterprise Initiatives
  Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

  In his role as Chief of Strategic Enterprise Initiatives in Osler’s Legal Operations function, Simon oversees legal process improvement, practice technology and knowledge management initiatives of firm-wide application. He ensures Osler’s practice platforms enable continued excellence in client service. Simon is also responsible for oversight of library services at the Firm. 

  Prior to joining Osler, Simon was a Director of Knowledge & Research Services at another Canadian firm. Simon also served as Knowledge Management Lawyer at Osler in the Financial Services Group. Before taking on knowledge management roles, he was an associate in a large firm Financial Services practice. 

  Panelists

  

  Christina Porretta

  Chief Legal Officer
  BDO Canada LLP

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  Christina Porretta

  Chief Legal Officer
  BDO Canada LLP

  Christina Porretta is the Chief Legal Officer for BDO Canada LLP and a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

  In this role, Christina is responsible for leading the legal and compliance function in Canada, including litigation, regulatory compliance, governance, contracts, commercial agreements and transactions, and employment-related issues. As a member of the National Leadership team, she manages all legal affairs and provides strategic legal advice to senior leaders on a full range of matters.

  Before joining BDO, Christina was a partner in the Advisory Research Group at a global law firm, where she provided opinions on complex and novel legal issues on matters involving contractual or statutory interpretation, arbitration disputes, class actions and numerous other corporate and commercial matters. Drawing from her prior experience as a litigator, she advised local, national and international clients facing potential litigation and worked closely with litigators to provide strategic support to clients already engaged in litigation. They relied upon her sophisticated and strategic legal thinking, her thorough analysis and research skills, her collaborative approach and her positive attitude. Christina also previously served as a judicial law clerk at the Federal Court of Appeal for Canada.

  

  Tiana Van Dyk

  Managing Director, Canada
  EPIQ

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  Tiana Van Dyk

  Managing Director, Canada
  EPIQ

  As the Managing Director of Canada, Tiana is responsible for overseeing the company’s business operations, strategic initiatives, and financial performance. She is committed to driving the company’s reach and impact in the Canadian market, leveraging over 15 years of excellence in the legal and eDiscovery space.

  Tiana is an effective leader and communicator, with a talent for building high performing teams. She is skilled at developing and implementing strategic plans, and dedicated to building strong relationships with clients and partners. She is also focused on driving value for clients through her leadership of the global eDiscovery Consulting practice.  

  Tiana was recognized as the leading Data & eDiscovery expert in the 2022 Canadian Lexology Client Choice Awards. In addition to her strategic and leadership roles at Epiq, Tiana is completing her second year as the Global Chair of Epiq’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee in 2023. 

  Tiana has extensive experience as a conference speaker, panelist, moderator, author and consultant on the topics of eDiscovery, Analytics, Project Management, Document Review, Data Visualization, Change Management and Leadership.  She is a contributing member of the EDRM and sits on the Global Advisory Council, as well as having been one of the lead developers of the eMSAT (eDiscovery Maturity Self-Assessment Test), and a contributor to the EDRM’s TAR Guidelines, published in 2019.  Tiana is an active member of Sedona Canada’s WG7, and was a member of the drafting committee for the revisions to the Sedona Canada Principles Addressing Electronic Discovery. Tiana was also part of the steering committee who worked with ACEDS to develop a Canadian version of their robust study materials and certification exam.  She has also collaborated with ILTA to discuss trends in eDiscovery. 

  Tiana guest lectures at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law on eDiscovery, Analytics, best practices, and the EDRM. She also lectures at Osgoode Hall Law School’s Certificate in eDiscovery program.  

   

  

  Donna C. Purcell, K.C.

  Lawyer & Chief Innovation Officer
  Donna Purcell KC Law

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  Donna C. Purcell, K.C.

  Lawyer & Chief Innovation Officer
  Donna Purcell KC Law

  After articling at the Alberta Court of Appeal and Court of Queen’s Bench, Ms. Purcell joined the civil litigation department at a major Calgary law firm where her practice involved representing oil and gas companies, financial institutions, insurance companies, and individuals in various civil disputes.

  She relocated to an Edmonton law firm focused on representing insurance companies and individuals in serious personal injury and other insurance-related matters. Her civil litigation practice includes insurance and serious personal injury, employment law and corporate/commercial disputes. Donna Purcell, K.C., has successfully appeared at all levels of Court in the province of Alberta and before various administrative tribunals. She is trained in the mediation of civil disputes. Her goal is to provide timely and cost effective solutions to her clients, including by alternative dispute resolution processes.

  She is passionately involved in her local and legal communities, including volunteering with a range of organizations and is a generous supporter of various charitable organizations including those focused on access to justice, charities focused on youth and various arts groups.

   

• 3:10 PM

  Networking coffee break

  Coffee break discussion tables
  Grab a coffee, choose the topic that matters to you most and join an informal discussion with your peers. This session’s interactive format enables in-depth peer-to-peer discussions around new applications of legal tech, offering an opportunity to network and exchange best practices.

  1. Legal workflow automation
  2. Overcoming legal tech adoption challenges
  3. Implications of ChatGPT for the legal profession
  4. Leveraging cloud based platform best practices
  5. Emerging data analytics practices to maximize value

• 3:40 PM

  Tech Talk: Estate Planning Technology

  

  Ian Hull

  Co-founder
  eState Planner

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  Ian Hull

  Co-founder
  eState Planner

  Ian Hull is one of Canada’s leading estate litigators. He has successfully represented clients at every level of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He was the Toronto Lawyers Association Honsberger Award Winner in 2018 and received the Ontario Bar Association award for distinguished service in 2020. 

  His work has been recognized internationally at the highest levels. And in North America, he is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation only fellowship of exceptional trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds from the United States and Canada.  

  Ian was also recently inducted into the Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, whose members are amongst the most respected civil, commercial and labour Alternative Dispute Resolution professionals across Canada.   

  Ian regularly presents on estate law issues both in Canada and abroad. He is also the author of five books on estate law issues, including the seminal Probate Practice, now in its fifth edition. Ian is a co-editor of Feeney on Wills and has written dozens of articles. 

  Ian is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a specialist in estate and trust law and civil litigation. He is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, and the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law.  

  Ian and Jordan Atin co-founded Hull e-State Planner, a software designed to make the estate planning process simple, efficient and client friendly.  

  Ian was called to the bar in 1990, and co-founded Hull & Hull with his father, Rodney Hull, in 1998. He has an LL.B. from the University of Windsor and an Honours B.A. from the University of Western Ontario. 

  

  Jordan Atin

  Co-founder & CEO
  eState Planner

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  Jordan Atin

  Co-founder & CEO
  eState Planner

  Jordan Atin is the co-founder and CEO of eState Planner (e-stateplanner.com), estate planning software that is used by over 1500 lawyers, financial advisors and estate planning professionals in Canada.

  Jordan is a Certified Specialist in Estates and Trusts Law and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, Canada. Lexpert rates Jordan as one of its top recommended estate lawyers in Canada as well as being rated as a Best Lawyer in Canada.

  eState Planner have been featured in Canadian Lawyer Magazine and Precedent Magazine who dubbed Jordan the “The lawyer who’s revolutionizing estate law.”

  The American Bar Association’s recent book “Design Your Law Practice” feature Jordan’s journey in conceiving and creating eState Planner.

• 3:55 PM

  Innovative legal tech impacting e-discovery: role of portable AI

  With growing volumes of data and increasingly diverse data sources, technology such as machine learning and AI can play a critical role in prioritizing documents and providing greater accuracy within datasets to help quickly surface key facts in litigation, investigations, and other legal matters. Portable AI is an emerging tool that can be used to deliver practical improvements in e-discovery. This session will examine the latest trends in e-discovery and how they can be applied in legal firms and departments. 

  • New trends in legal tech that are improving the conduct of e-discovery and document review 
  • Best practices for coming to grips with the increasingly varied and challenging data sources  
  • Strategies for implementing and unlocking the benefits of portable AI 
  • How organizations can strategically leverage AI models in e-discovery 
  • How legal tech is addressing the challenge of mounting short message data and how it is reviewed  
  • Portable AI’s role in standardizing e-discovery workflows to accelerate data analysis and quickly identify insights from large datasets: use in data cleanup and privilege reviews 

  Panelists

  

  Marlon Hylton

  Senior Counsel & CEO
  INNOV-8 Data Counsel & INNOV-8 Legal Inc.

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  Marlon Hylton

  Senior Counsel & CEO
  INNOV-8 Data Counsel & INNOV-8 Legal Inc.

  A former partner at Cassels Brock & Blackwell, Marlon formed and built Cassels’ platform for delivering e-discovery and information governance services. Motivated by his keen interest in meaningful legal innovation and recognizing a gap in the market for a seamless platform designed to deliver flexible, sophisticated legal and technology expertise, innovative technology and resourcing models all in one place, Marlon founded INNOV-8 Data Counsel & INNOV-8 Legal Inc.

  INNOV-8 is a law firm and technology company, combining an understanding of the culture of law with deep business and technology expertise to create innovative solutions that suit the framework of the legal profession. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers as a leading practitioner in complex commercial litigation and was recognized by Who’s Who Legal as a global thought leader and national leader in the areas of complex commercial litigation and e-discovery.

  

  Susan Wortzman

  Partner
  MT>3, a Division of McCarthy Tetrault

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  Susan Wortzman

  Partner
  MT>3, a Division of McCarthy Tetrault

  Susan Wortzman is a partner in the Toronto offices of McCarthy Tétrault and leads the firm’s e-Discovery and information management practice. Susan was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in 2020 by Canadian Lawyer Magazine.

  Susan’s creativity, legal and business acumen, and commitment to innovation and technology ensure that her clients receive effective and cutting edge advice. Susan believes that managing information is essential to businesses as information is often their most important asset.

  Susan is the Founder of MT>3, formerly Wortzmans, which is recognized as Canada’s leading law firm specializing in e-Discovery and information governance. MT>3 was acquired by McCarthy Tétrault on December 31, 2016. In addition to supporting the firm’s Litigation and Competition Law groups, it also supports the Tax, Business Law and Real Property groups using technology and machine learning to assist with all aspects of document review, due diligence, and data analysis.

  Susan also provides advice to clients on information management and technology strategies. Susan and her team work extensively with clients to develop information governance policies and strategies, best practice guidelines and litigation readiness plans for managing electronic information.

  Susan’s expertise in e-Discovery was developed during her long tenure as a partner at one of Canada’s leading litigation firms, where her practice encompassed a broad range of civil litigation, acting for corporate clients, small to mid-sized businesses and individuals in a wide variety of commercial disputes.

  A leader in the e-Discovery community, Susan is a sought-after and frequent lecturer on e-Discovery and information governance topics, and is regularly quoted in industry publications and other media. She has written several seminal papers concerning e-discovery and its impact on litigation in Canada. She has also chaired and participated in professional committees that have developed provincial and national reports and guidelines for e-Discovery.

  Susan is the 2023 Program Director of the Osgoode Certificate in e-Discovery, Information Governance and Privacy. Susan is currently on the Board of and Corporate Secretary of the Toronto Arts Foundation and Toronto Arts Council and the Board of the Art Canada Institute. Previously Susan served as a Board Member for Toronto Biennial of Art, Canadian Stage, and Tarragon Theatre, and she co-Chaired the Art Toronto Opening Night Committee for several years.

• 4:25 PM

  Closing remarks from chairperson