Robert C. Piasentin

Robert Piasentin is the national co-lead of McMillan’s Technology and Technology Transactions Group, the national lead of McMillan’s Technology Law Group, the national lead of Ascent, McMillan’s national Startups and Emerging Companies initiative, and a key member of the firm’s Business Law team. As a business and technology lawyer who delivers practical legal advice, he helps drive the success of his clients’ businesses in all respects.

Having served as the general counsel, corporate secretary and privacy officer of a leading North American technology and management consulting firm for more than 13 years, Robert brings a highly business-oriented perspective to his clients. His experience allows his clients to be highly strategic and on the cutting edge with respect to their transactions and negotiations with partners, customers and third parties. He provides his clients with strong industry knowledge, expertise and connections to allow them to expand their footprint and be true leaders in their communities and industries.

Robert has contributed significantly to the growth of a wide range of businesses within Canada, the United States and globally, particularly in innovative technologies (such as AI, crypto and other frontier technologies), IT and technology outsourcing transactions, software development and licensing solutions, strategic IP and technology commercialization arrangements, online and e-commerce initiatives, venture capital funding, mergers and acquisitions, and privacy and cybersecurity issues. Robert firmly believes that all companies are technology companies because technology plays such an integral role in business operations, administration and growth. Offering this critical legal expertise, Robert works with businesses across all industries and sectors including software, consulting, media and communications, sports and entertainment, forestry, mining, retail and banking.

In the technology space, Robert is a leading advisor to the full spectrum of companies including those in the fintech, proptech, healthtech, ESG, regtech, edtech, biotech and cleantech areas, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, CaaS and other as-a-service offerings, cloud computing businesses, telecommunications providers, crypto-currencies, blockchain and AI enabled platforms, smart vehicles, smart-homes, and smart-products, and software, app and technology developers generally. Robert is also a key thought leader with respect to legal issues related to frontier and innovative technologies including AI, AR/VR, eSports and crypto.

Robert provides a unique, practical and deep understanding of the business and legal challenges facing today’s technology companies. Clients place immense value and confidence in Robert’s insights when developing, operating and marketing global technology solutions, implementing strategic growth initiatives and addressing day-to-day operational challenges.

Robert was named one of Business in Vancouver’s Top Forty Under 40 in 2013, and in 2014 he was recognized as one of the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Top 30-Somethings (one of the top 30 in house lawyers globally under the age of 40).

In addition to his professional pursuits, Robert is an active contributor to his local community on a number of levels. He has or is serving as the chair or board member for the Frontier Collective (as well as serving as their Legal Lead), the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Alzheimer Society of B.C., the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation of British Columbia, Baseball BC and the Baseball BC Governance Committee, the Red Resort Association, Strike out the Stigma, and the Canadian Technology Law Association. He is also a founding member of both the Association of Corporate Counsel – BC Chapter and the St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Guild of British Columbia.