Theo C. Ling
Biography
Theo Ling heads Baker McKenzie's Canadian Information Technology/Communications practice and is a member of the Firm's Global IP/Technology Practice Group, and Technology, Media & Telecoms and Financial Institutions Industry Groups.
Theo is ranked by several legal directories, including Chambers Canada, where he is described as "a knowledgeable technology lawyer, with a practical, 'can-do' attitude who is excellent at getting things done."
Named by the Financial Times as one of the Top Ten Most Innovative Lawyers in North America, Theo founded the legal industry's first global legal innovation lab focused on multidisciplinary collaboration and serves on the Firm's Global Innovation Committee.
Practice Focus
Recognized for his creative, pragmatic, and solution-based approach, Theo helps market-leading businesses develop and implement effective global strategies to support multijurisdictional commercial activities and manage complex cross-border compliance risks.
The focus of Theo’s international commercial/regulatory practice is on data and technology-related issues, which include digital transformation and data governance projects that involve data privacy, data security, electronic payments, data monetization, records retention, media/format, electronic signatures, cross-border data transfers, digitization, fintech, and AI and machine learning considerations. Theo also advises clients on internet-related services that involve smart/connected devices, which are subject to regulation under telecommunications and broadcasting laws.
Representative Legal Matters
- Advises companies on a wide range of issues involving the sale and license of technology, acquisition of technology companies, outsourcing, and software development and consulting arrangements.
- Advises highly regulated multinational clients in the financial services, healthcare, pharma, energy and infrastructure, and technology industries with respect to the full range of information life cycle management issues relating to corporate data and legal data analytics.
- Advises providers of internet-based services, as well as corporate clients that utilize internet-based services, on issues related to websites, protection of intellectual property, domain names, licensing issues and electronic commerce.
- Advises clients on a variety of issues relating to the regulation of telecommunication services in Canada and on a multijurisdictional basis.
Professional Honors
- Ranked: Information Technology, Chambers Global Guide, 2018-2019
- Ranked: Information Technology, Chambers Canada Guide, 2016-2020
- Recommended: Information Technology, The Legal 500 Canada Guide, 2014-2019
- Named One of the Top 10 Most Innovative Lawyers in North America, The Financial Times, 2016
Professional Associations and Memberships
- International Technology Law Association (ITechLaw)
- Canadian Technology Law Association
- International Association of Privacy Professionals
- Canadian Bar Association
- Law Society of Ontario
Admissions
- Ontario~Canada (1994)
Education
- Queen's University (LL.B.) (1992)
- The London School of Economics and Political Science (Master of Arts International Relations) (1989)
- University of Toronto (B.A. International Relations) (1988)
Languages
- Chinese
- English
- French