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.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘It is clear from the first conversation you have with one of Baker's experts that they understand the complexity underlying the design, development and deployment of AI systems. This is a firm that actively fosters the kind of cross-sector dialogue amongst key stakeholders across the AI ecosystem that is essential to the exchange of ideas in this space.'

  • ‘The Baker McKenzie team has significant bench strength in AI on the technology, financial regulatory and commercial side in numerous jurisdictions including the US, Canada, the UK, the EU and APAC.'
  • ‘Usman Sheikh is absolutely a stand-out partner at Baker McKenzie. I have worked with Usman for several years now on numerous technology related matters and I can speak to how he is an exceptional lawyer with deep legal subject matter expertise and technical knowledge.'

Key clients

  • Fidelity Information Services (FIS)

Work highlights

  • Supported Fidelity Information Services, a multinational corporation which offers a wide range of financial products and services, on various matters which have included AI-related advice.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Usman Sheikh, Jim Holloway, Theo Ling

Other key lawyers

Jennifer Bernardo, Mike Rubinger, Conrad Flaczyk, Matthew Cook, Jacqueline Chan