The market-leading team at McCarthy Tétrault draws on a nationwide presence and offices abroad in London and New York to advise major AI companies, financial institutions, insurers and a wide range of domestic and multinational corporates across such sectors as telecoms, transport, forestry, professional services and entertainment. The firm’s comprehensive offering covers AI due diligence and risk mitigation in the context of complex, multi-jurisdictional M&A, AI corporate governance procedures, algorithmic impact assessments and IP challenges associated with AI. The team is led by Charles Morgan in Montreal, a specialist in cross-border commercial transactions involving AI, and Daniel Glover, who brings strength to advising clients on breach response, compliance and data protection. Other key figures include Barry Sookman, who handles complex, AI regulatory matters, with court experience at all levels, including before the Supreme Court; Christine Ing, an expert in fintech; and Adam Goldenberg, a specialist in public law disputes. Key support is provided by associate Francis Langlois in Montreal. Unless noted, all lawyers mentioned work in the Toronto office.

The Toronto-based AI team at Baker McKenzie draws on the strength of its global network of 70 offices across North America, Latin America, and the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions to advise multinational financial institutions and major multinationals across such sectors as tech, automobiles, education, retail and apparel on government interactions and the bringing of their AI products to market. The practice is headed by Usman Sheikh, who also leads the firm’s global blockchain team, and who assists clients on AI governance, AI product counselling and the protection of AI-generated works; IP specialist Jim Holloway; Theo Ling, who advises clients on AI and machine-learning concerns. Other key figures include Jennifer Bernardo, a partner in the firm’s employment and compensation law practice, and associates Mike Rubinger, Conrad Flaczyk, Matthew Cook and Jacqueline Chan.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP utilizes the bench strength of national offices in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa and abroad in London and New York to advise investors, emerging companies and established domestic and multinational corporates across such sectors as e-commerce, tech, agriculture and chemistry, on complex, multi-jurisdictional AI financings and acquisitions, AI risks and regulations and programmes for global data protection compliance in AI systems. The practice is led by Anne Glover, a seasoned litigator and specialist in electronic discovery and information governance; Christopher Jones, a veteran M&A lawyer involved in complex transactions involving AI-based platforms; and Wendy Mee, an expert in data processing and collection matters and privacy considerations related to commercial transactions, litigation and the development of AI tools. All the lawyers mentioned work in the firm's Toronto office.

The AI practice at Fasken pairs the bench strength of 7 national offices and the experience of its team to advise startups and household name tech multinationals across such sectors as insurance, mining, aerospace and pharmaceuticals. The group brings strength to assisting with copyright and privacy issues related to datasets and AI outputs and legislation governing the development and use of AI systems. In addition, the team guides AI corporates throughout the entire life cycle of their businesses, from company formation and product development to M&A and going public transactions. The practice is headed by Ariel Laver in Vancouver, who brings expertise to assisting startups with financing transactions, and tech privacy compliance and risk management expert Christopher Ferguson and Andrew Alleyne, who specializes in the tech elements of M&A transactions, in Toronto.

Norton Rose Fulbright harnesses deep bench strength and global reach (over 50 locations worldwide and offices in Calgary, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Quebec City) to advise financial institutions and domestic and multinational corporations across such sectors as healthcare, tech, retail and real estate on a wide array of matters related to the implementation of AI, including AI aspects of multi-jurisdictional transactions, governance, regulatory compliance, third-party AI procurement and IP rights. The team is headed by Imran Ahmad, who works in the Toronto and Montreal offices, and who brings expertise to advising on AI and privacy law issues, with a focus on governance and cross-border transfers. Other key figures include IP AI specialists Maya Medeiros in Vancouver and Brian Chau in Toronto; Kristopher Miks in Vancouver and Toronto, who advises on AI due diligence and AI transactional risk; and Domenic Presta in Toronto, who joined the firm from Miller Thomson in May 2024.

Backed by the firm’s global network, DLA Piper (Canada) LLP’s AI practice draws on the combined bench strength of its Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver locations to advise government bodies and domestic and multinational corporates on a diverse spectrum of matters related to their usage of AI technology. With a client base spanning such sectors as healthcare, agriculture, insurance, entertainment, consumer products, construction, engineering and tech, the practice’s full service covers AI regulatory compliance, AI procurement and guidance, company-wide AI governance programs targeting such issues as risk assessment and market managing strategies, in addition to representing clients in AI-related litigation involving consumer protection, IP and defamation. The practice is led by Shea Coulson, who advises on tech-related commercial disputes, tech regulatory matters and the use of AI in administrative decision-making. Ryan Black specializes in assisting consumer-facing online clients in video games, e-commerce and e-sports. Another key figure is counsel Kerri Bennett. All the lawyers mentioned work in the Vancouver office.