Robert Piasentin Photo
Robert Piasentin Photo
Robert Piasentin Photo

Robert Piasentin delivers practical legal advice that drives the success of his clients’ leadership, governance and strategic negotiation initiatives. He has contributed to the growth of a wide range of businesses in Canada, the United States and England. His strong commercial practice encompasses technology outsourcing transactions, software development and licensing solutions, strategic IP and technology commercialization arrangements, and privacy and cybersecurity issues. Assisting startups and established companies, Robert works with clients in a range of industries including technology, sports, and media, communications and entertainment.

Earlier in this career, Robert served as the general counsel, corporate secretary and privacy officer for a leading North American information technology and management consulting firm for more than 13 years. This extensive in-house experience gives him 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 operating challenges.

Board chair of the Alzheimer Society of B.C., Robert also sits on the board of the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation of British Columbia and the Alzheimer Society of Canada. He is a founding member of both the Association of Corporate Counsel – BC Chapter (where he was the first chair) and the St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Guild of British Columbia. He also serves as the secretary of the Red Resort Association.

A former member of the hiring, award and board selection committees of the BC Technology Association, Robert also co-chaired one of its CEO roundtables. He is a frequent contributor to conferences as well as local and national media.

Robert was named one of Business in Vancouver’s Top Forty Under 40 in 2013, and in the year following he was recognized as one of the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Top 30-Somethings. In 2017, Robert was shortlisted as one of the top six global lawyers in the General Commercial category by the Global Counsel Awards.



Representative Matters

Operations:

  • Leading and managing multiple technology outsourcing projects across various industries
  • Responsible for managing all legal aspects of $1B IT services outsourcing project
  • Lead negotiator and legal advisor on $50M global IT services pursuit
  • Strategic leadership on all business planning, operations and development activities
  • Advise and draft all customer, supplier, commercialization, professional services and leasing agreements and related business communications

Licensing and Sponsorship:

  • Responsible for licensing global sports, athletic and leisure brands globally
  • Identifying, negotiating with and securing global manufacturers, suppliers and distributors
  • Negotiating and closing material sponsorship agreements for major sporting personalities and events globally including the Championships at Wimbledon (tennis), the French Open (tennis), Professional Golfers Association, English Football Association, World Boxing Association, and the English and Wales Cricket Board

Compliance:

  • Responsible for company compliance with all legislative changes and requirements
  • Implement and lead global protection and commercialization program for IP portfolio
  • Privacy Officer ensuring compliance with Privacy and related legislation
  • Develop and implement internal compliance training programs around privacy and security risk mitigation strategies, employee tax risk, governance and related company strategic initiatives
  • Lead internal insurance compliance strategy

Corporate and Commercial:

  • Lead negotiator on multiple technical and complicated transactions with numerous public and private sector entities
  • Lead or key advisor on domestic and international M&A
  • Canadian legal advisor on acquisition of Sierra Systems by NTT DATA
  • Advise on, negotiate and finalize contracts across all aspects of a business including IT outsourcing, M&A, licensing, IP commercialization, strategic partnerships, supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, subcontracting and financings in multiple industries such as IT, retail, natural resources, financial services, insurance and health
  • Advise and provide leadership to all company units, including finance, marketing/communications, HR, IT and operations on all relevant matters including enterprise wide initiatives

Retail:

  • Key legal advisor on securing supply for international retain chain
  • Coordinating prosecution against individuals and businesses selling counterfeit and grey goods
  • Representing retail clients in government investigations including consumer complaints and anti-competitive practices

Dispute Resolution:

  • Lead crisis response and coordinate with affected business units (communications, finance, HR, operations) to develop appropriate and timely strategic responses
  • Led winning breach of contract claim for $7M
  • Led successful dispute over the commercialization of technology resulting in $2M win
  • Led negotiations in defense of and settled a US$13M claim for US$1.5M
  • Settled a dispute with seller in an M&A transaction for CDN$117K

Speaking Engagements

IP/Tech 101: Protect, Commercialize, Monetize Vancouver Startup Week 2020

September 28, 2020

IP/Tech 101: Protect, Commercialize, Monetize Emerging Companies Webinar

September 10, 2020

Teaching Engagements

  • Speaker: “Legal Issues in Privacy & Cyber Security Compliance and Best Practices” (Late Spring 2020 temporarily postponed due to COVID-19) (Infonex)
    • Panel: Are You Meeting Legal Obligations to Safeguard and Protect Client/Customer Information?
    • Panel: How Will You Be Judged in the Aftermath of an Attack? Best Practices in Responding to Data Breaches.
  • Speaker: “The Future of Law Firms”, BC Legal Innovation Forum (2018) (ADB Insights)
  • Speaker: “Negotiation Technology Consulting Contracts”, 18th & 20th Annual Negotiating and Drafting Major Business Agreements (2014-2015) (Federated Press)
  • Speaker: “Corporate Counsel’s Role in Business Operations, 14th Mini MBA for Lawyers (2014) (Federated Press)

News


Media Mentions


Rankings & Recognitions

  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Information Technology Law and Technology Law
  • Global Counsel Awards – General Commercial – top 6 lawyers globally (2017)
  • Association of Corporate Counsel “Top 30-Somethings” (2014)
  • Business in Vancouver “Top Forty Under 40” (2013)

Community Involvement

  • Alzheimer Society of B.C.:
    • Board Chair (2018 – current)
    • Director (2015 – current)
    • Past 1st Vice Chair of the Board (2016 – 2018)
    • Past Chair of the Governance Committee (2016 – 2018)
  • Alzheimer’s Research Foundation of British Columbia:  Director (2015 – current)
  • Alzheimer Society of Canada:  Director (2020 – current)
  • Association of Corporate Counsel:
    • BC Chapter, Founding Member (2011)
    • BC Chapter, Board Member (2011 – 2018)
    • BC Chapter, Board Chair (2011 – 2014)
    • BC Chapter, Past Board Chair (2014 – 2016)
    • BC Chapter, Co-Chair Sponsorship Committee (2011 – 2016)
    • Global Organization, Board of Directors’ Nominating Committee (2015)
    • Global Organization, Judge, “Top 30-Somethings” (Awards 2015 – current)
  • Innovatio Awards (Canadian Lawyer InHouse / Thomson Reuters):  Advisory Panel and Judge (2014 – 2019)
  • Canadian Law Awards (Key Media) (successor to Innovatio Awards):  Judge (2020 – current)
  • BC Technology Association, Web/IT Services CEO-Council Roundtable Co-Chair (2014 – 2019)
  • University of British Columbia Allard School of Law, Student Externship Program mentor (2018 – 2020)
  • St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Guild of BC, Founding Member and Board Member (2011 – current)
  • Red Resort Association, Director and Secretary (2017 – current)
  • Coquitlam Little League:
    • Director & Umpire-In-Chief (2018 – current)
    • Coach (2012 – 2019) – Canadian Little League Majors All Star Champions 2019
  • Coquitlam Moody Minor Baseball:  Coach (2020)
  • All Saints Parish:  Parish Council/Leadership Committee (2015 – 2019)
  • All Saints Parish:  Volunteer Teacher, Parish Religious Education Program (2011 – current)

Directorships & Affiliations

  • Board Chair, Alzheimer Society of B.C.
  • Board Member, Alzheimer Society of B.C.
  • Board Member, Alzheimer Society of Canada
  • Board Member, Alzheimer’s Research Foundation of British Columbia
  • Founding Member, Association of Corporate Counsel – BC Chapter
  • Founding Member, St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Guild of British Columbia
  • Board Member & Secretary, Red Resort Association
  • Past Co-Chair, BC Technology Association Web/IT Services
  • CEO-Council Roundtable
  • Member, Intellectual Property Institute of Canada

Education & Admissions

2000
Called to the British Columbia Bar
2004
Called to the England and Wales bar
2004
LLMQueen Mary, University of London, Center for Commercial Law Studies
1999
LLBUniversity of Toronto

Publications

Insights (46 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

A Word of Caution: Company Liable for Misrepresentations Made by Chatbot

Tribunal finds that a website chatbot is not a separate legal entity and holds company liable for the chatbot's misrepresentations.

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Mar 4, 2024
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2024 Update: Risks of Anonymized and Aggregated Data

The ability to glean personal information from both anonymized and aggregated data creates a risk of re-identification.

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Feb 21, 2024
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Defending Dignity in the Dawn of Deepfakes

On January 29, 2024, in an era dominated by digital connectivity and rapid technological advancements, BC's Intimate Images Protection Act comes into force.

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Feb 16, 2024
Featured Insight

Fusing AI with National Defence: Department of National Defence Finalizing AI Strategy

Department of National Defence on the verge of adopting an artificial intelligence strategy for Canada's military.

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Feb 6, 2024
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Developing, Offering and Using Generative AI Technologies: Canadian Privacy Regulators Weigh In

Canada’s privacy regulators have jointly released guidance for organizations that develop, provide and use generative artificial intelligence systems.

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Jan 3, 2024
Featured Insight

Could it be True? Canada to Introduce Open Banking Legislation

On November 21, 2023, the Government of Canada released its 2023 Fall Economic Statement. The Economic Statement announced the federal government's intention.

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Nov 29, 2023
Featured Insight

McMillan’s Annual Privacy, Data Protection and Cybersecurity Client Seminar

Join McMillan's Privacy & Data Protection Group on Tuesday, October 17th for an overview of recent significant decisions and regulatory guidance.

Details
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Featured Insight

AI Regulatory Roundup: What You Missed in AI News While You Were Gone for the Summer

The relentless march of Artificial Intelligence continues, pushing nations worldwide to adopt diverse strategies to keep pace. Recent AI legal developments.

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Aug 30, 2023
Featured Insight

Navigating the Pixelated Landscape: The BC Intimate Images Protection Act

The Intimate Images Protection Act provides an easy process through which a person may seek an order against non-consensual sharing of their intimate images.

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Aug 23, 2023
Featured Insight

Canadians’ Awareness of Open Banking is Low – But Does it Matter?

The results are in: Canadians’ understanding of open banking is low, according to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (“FCAC”).

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Jun 29, 2023
Featured Insight

The Present and Future of A.I. Regulation

Join us for a session with industry experts who will share valuable insights into the latest trends and developments in artificial intelligence with a particular focus on regulation.

Details
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Featured Insight

AI Regulatory Roundup – International Developments in AI Law and Policy

An overview of recent Canadian and international developments related to the regulation of artificial intelligence technologies.

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May 2, 2023
Featured Insight

Ontario’s Proposed Capital Markets Act Fails to Crack the Code for Regulating Crypto

The draft Capital Markets Act grants the OSC broad discretion to deem a crypto asset a security, resulting in a lack of industry certainty as to its application

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Jan 17, 2023
Featured Insight

Cybersecurity Threats to the Canadian Mining Industry: Is your Business Ready?

Mining firms are vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks but through incident response planning can minimize the risk of exposure.

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Jan 10, 2023
Featured Insight

Privacy, Technology and Cybersecurity Issues in Tech Transactions

Full evaluation of a target's privacy, technology and cybersecurity compliance in due diligence is critical for transactions involving technology companies.

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Dec 6, 2022
Featured Insight

McMillan’s Annual Privacy, Data Protection and Cybersecurity Client Seminar

Join McMillan's Privacy & Data Protection Group on Wednesday, December 7th for an overview of recent significant legal developments, tips on complying with new and forthcoming obligations under Quebec’s Bill 64, and discussions about hot topics in data management.

Details
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Featured Insight

Prepare for Regulation: Bank of Canada Introduces New Retail Payments Supervisory Framework

This bulletin provides an overview of the Bank of Canada’s new retail payments supervisory framework.

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Nov 17, 2022
Featured Insight

The Road to Canada’s Open Banking Framework: Updates from the Working Group Meetings

Four working groups have been working to develop common rules, accreditation criteria, and technical standards for open banking in Canada.

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Nov 2, 2022
Featured Insight

British Columbia Privacy Commissioner Releases Guidance on Collecting Personal Information for Political Activities

BC Privacy Commissioner releases guidance on how federal and provincial political organizations can conform to BC's privacy legislation when campaigning.

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Nov 1, 2022
Featured Insight

The Case of the Missing Computers: Lessons Learned from Health Canada

A look at the takeaways from the recent audit of Health Canada's IT systems.

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Sep 21, 2022
Featured Insight

Avoiding the Perils of a Connected World: New Best Practices for Risk Mitigation

Recently announced updated guidance from the Canadian Center for Cyber Security provides new and important considerations for business activity.

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Aug 31, 2022
Featured Insight

Canadian Privacy Regulators Clarify Requirements for Mobile Apps

A recent joint investigation of Canadian privacy commissioners provides guidance for organizations using mobile apps.

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Jul 5, 2022
Featured Insight

Venture Capital Funding for Start-ups and Emerging Companies

Government of Canada's request-for-proposal for the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative, providing $450 million in funds to the venture capital sector.

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Jun 15, 2022
Featured Insight

The Anti-Racism Data Act

BC Government passed the Anti-Racism Data Act to safely collect demographic information to address gaps in BC programs and services.

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Jun 15, 2022
Featured Insight

Cybersecurity Webinar: A New World Order – Cybersecurity Risks, Mitigation Strategies and Opportunities for Canadians in a Rapidly Changing Global Environment

We are more reliant on technology today than ever before. It impacts all facets of modern life, including by enabling communication, automation, transportation and analytics. While technology offers powerful solutions to facilitate and expedite our daily routines, it can also be a key vulnerability with respect to the protection of sensitive data including personal, professional and/or proprietary information.

In this webinar, we are privileged to hear from experts with an array of professional backgrounds as they offer insight into the macro and micro implications of cybersecurity and discuss best practices for protecting private information.

Details
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Featured Insight

Data Collection and Protection in the Automotive Sector

Join us on Thursday, April 28, 2022 as members of McMillan's Privacy & Data Protection Group discuss privacy and data protection issues relevant to the automotive industry.

Details
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Featured Insight

Couldn’t Scrape By: BC Court Rejects Certification of Class Action against Facebook

BC Court dismisses certification application for class action against Facebook for allegedly scraping user data from their messenger app.

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Feb 17, 2022
Featured Insight

Technology Webinar Series Part Three | Head in the Clouds: Understanding Cloud Agreements

In this session, we will discuss some of the legal benefits and risks for both a service provider and a customer to move into the cloud by diving into some of the key provisions which you would expect to see in a cloud agreement and an analysis of the practical considerations which a business should keep in mind when considering offering or accessing cloud services.

Details
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Featured Insight

Practical Considerations of Simple Agreements for Future Equity or “SAFEs” in Canada

An overview of how Simple Agreements for Future Equity or “SAFEs” work including pros & cons for Canadian companies considering SAFEs for early stage financing.

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Feb 1, 2022
Featured Insight

PropTech: Property Technology, the New Frontier in Real Property, Part 3: Challenges

In this bulletin, we discuss the risks and challenges of using PropTech by businesses in the real estate space and for consumers of such products.

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Jan 18, 2022
Featured Insight

PropTech: Property Technology, the New Frontier in Real Property, Part 2: Benefits

In this bulletin, we discuss the benefits of using PropTech for businesses in the real estate space and for consumers of such products.

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Jan 11, 2022
Featured Insight

PropTech: Property Technology, the New Frontier in Real Property, Part 1: Introduction

In this 3-part series, we explain the concept of PropTech, highlight its benefits and outline associated risks.

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Jan 11, 2022
Featured Insight

Special Committee Releases Report Suggesting Changes to Modernize BC’s Private Sector Privacy Law

We will touch on a few notable recommendations to amend PIPA that may affect the processes and procedures of businesses governed by PIPA.

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Dec 15, 2021
Featured Insight

Risks of Anonymized and Aggregated Data

This article discusses how the anonymized and aggregated data poses risks to businesses, and how to stay compliant with the applicable privacy requirements.

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Dec 1, 2021
Featured Insight

Proposed Changes to FIPPA: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

The BC government recently introduced a bill to amend FIPPA that introduces new requirements for managing and protecting privacy.

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Nov 5, 2021
Featured Insight

McMillan’s Annual Privacy, Data Protection and Cybersecurity Webinar

Our lawyers will provide an overview of important case law developments, regulatory guidance, upcoming statutory changes, and hot topics in Privacy, Data Protection & Cybersecurity

Details
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Featured Insight

Do’s And Don’ts of Technology Services Contracts

Join us on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, for part one of a three part webinar series where we will provide some strategic pointers on how to handle various issues that often come up when negotiating technology services contracts.

Details
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Featured Insight

Big Brother’s Access Limited – Canadian Privacy Commissioners Rule Clearview AI’s Facial Recognition Tool in Breach of Canadian Privacy Laws

Privacy Commissioners find Clearview AI's use of facial recognition software on images it scraped from the Internet to be in breach of privacy laws.

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Feb 17, 2021
Featured Insight

IP/Tech 101 for Emerging Companies

Join us for a discussion on how early stage companies can protect, commercialize, and monetize their intellectual property assets.

Sep 10, 2020
Featured Insight

Federal Court Defends CASL, Says Prohibition on Spam is Constitutional

he FCA ruled that CASL's provisions relating to the regulation of commercial electronic messages are constitutional, despite challenge from CompuFinder

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Jul 1, 2020
Featured Insight

Ontario Small Businesses Get a New Ride on the Digital Main Street

Review of the Ontario Digital Main Street initiative and new funding introduced by the government to assist businesses pivoting to an ecommerce business model.

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Jun 24, 2020
Featured Insight

Material Adverse Effect Clauses in a COVID-19 World

Review and analysis of recent developments where parties try to rely on MAE clauses as a mechanism to avoid closing a transaction.

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Jun 23, 2020
Featured Insight

Making B.C. an Emerging Economy Leader

Review of the BC Emerging Economy Task Force Report and how BC companies can position themselves to take advantage of the emerging economy of the future.

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Jun 23, 2020
Featured Insight

June 10, 2020 Update: Innovating During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada continues to invest heavily into the research and development of innovative solutions to solve the challenges that we continue to face today.

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Jun 23, 2020
Featured Insight

June 10, 2020 Update: Innovating During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This bulletin provides a summary of funding opportunities available in Canada over the month of June and updates
from CIPO and the USPTO.

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Jun 10, 2020
Featured Insight

Making Innovation Work for British Columbia

Analysis and guidance on how BC companies can benefit from the BC Innovation Commissioner's recommendations and help make BC a technology powerhouse.

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Jun 3, 2020