Imran Ahmad

Imran Ahmad holds a pivotal role in the Canadian tech landscape, both as a senior partner and the head of technology sector operations, along with co-leading the information governance, privacy, and cybersecurity practice. His expertise spans both the Toronto and Montreal offices, where he's distinguished himself as a foremost authority in cybersecurity and privacy law. His legal acumen has earned him recognition in several prestigious legal directories.

In the realm of technology, Ahmad's guidance is sought after for an array of issues including but not limited to outsourcing, cloud solutions, software as a service (SaaS), forming strategic partnerships, developing technology, acquiring systems, and navigating the complexities of technology licensing and transfers. His advice also extends to the realms of distribution, open-source software usage, and the intricacies of e-commerce.

Ahmad's cybersecurity prowess involves assisting clients in fortifying their defenses against digital threats. He provides insightful advice on legal risk assessments, compliance strategies, due diligence, security measures, and preparing for and responding to data breaches. His role often escalates to that of "breach counsel" during cybersecurity incidents, where his extensive experience in managing intricate, international security breaches comes to the forefront. He represents clients during investigations, enforcement actions, or litigations, showcasing his adeptness in the field.

His contributions to legal literature include authoring "Cybersecurity in Canada: A Guide to Best Practices, Planning, and Management," marking Canada's first legal handbook dedicated to incident preparation and response in the cybersecurity domain.

In the privacy law sector, Ahmad offers comprehensive advice on adhering to Canadian federal and provincial privacy and data management statutes. His expertise is particularly notable in cross-border data transfer and establishing enterprise-wide governance programs concerning privacy and information governance. His past role as the chair of the Privacy and Access to Information Section of the Ontario Bar Association underscores his leadership and expertise in the field.

Ahmad's academic contributions include his role as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Law, where he imparts knowledge on cybersecurity and privacy law to the next generation of legal professionals.

His educational background is robust, with degrees and certifications from the University of Ottawa, Université de Montréal, and Université de Sherbrooke, highlighting his comprehensive training in law. Ahmad's legal practice is recognized across Alberta and Ontario, reflecting his broad jurisdictional knowledge and expertise.

His professional excellence has not gone unnoticed, with accolades from Best Lawyers in Canada, Chambers Canada, Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide, Thomson Reuters, and The Legal 500 Canada. These accolades span various aspects of technology, corporate, privacy, and data security law, attesting to his profound impact on the legal aspects of technology and cybersecurity.

Beyond his legal practice, Ahmad is an active member of the Canadian Bar Association, Ontario Bar Association, and American Bar Association. His involvement with the Toronto Board of Trade and an advisory committee at Northeastern University for the Master of Professional Studies in Informatics highlights his commitment to the broader tech and legal communities.