Benchmark Litigation

Women in Litigation Forum
Toronto 2020

October 27 & 28, virtual event

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The Benchmark Litigation Women in Litigation Forum - Toronto is going virtual

Benchmark Litigation will host the 4th annual Women in Law Forum online for Toronto based lawyers on October 27 & 28, 2020. As an interactive virtual format across two days, the event will bring together leading women lawyers discussing the top legal issues facing in-house counsel in employment, privacy, IP, trade regulatory compliance. In addition, the popular leadership and career development skills panels return as senior women counsel share their tips needed for women to rise in their organizations or get noticed by other companies.

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL FORUM?

Through the use of a specially designed events platform, all content, presentations, panel discussions, and participation in breakout sessions and networking groups can be viewed live from a desktop computer or mobile device. You can also view all sessions on demand at a time that suits you.
Network

NETWORK

Network with a regional audience of women litigators and lawyers via chat functions and virtual networking rooms. Arrange meetings with others that suits your schedule and theirs. Experience a new way of building your network like never before.

Debate

DEBATE

Get access to exclusive insights from the speakers, share in best practice and take away valuable advice to implement in your own strategies. Engage with our speakers in live Q&A and polling to get insights and answers to your questions like never before.

Interact

INTERACT

Even though the event is online, you can still do all the things you would expect at a physical event. Get full interaction from visiting sponsor booths, downloading resources, joining the main presentation or breakout sessions and using one of our virtual open or private meeting rooms.

HOW DO I ATTEND A VIRTUAL FORUM?

REGISTER ONLINE


Register your place online - sign ups are limited to support several hundred attendees during live sessions.
 
 
ACCESS YOUR INVITATION




An exclusive attendance link will be sent to you. This link will provide you with access to all of the event's content and sessions.

 

 

 

WATCH LIVE OR ON DEMAND




Once logged in, you can view all sessions live, at a later date to suit you and can download any available presentation materials

 

 

 

VIRTUAL AGENDA 2020

Keynote addresses, panel discussions, presentations and breakout sessions will be hosted over two days. All session times are in EDT unless stated otherwise.

October 27

October 28

Tuesday, October 27

Welcome from Benchmark Litigation

08.45 EDT

Latest updates on labour and employment laws

09.00 EDT

  • Health and safety issues
  • Privacy concerns arising from requesting and collecting COVID-related medical and personal information
  • Managing constructive dismissal risks arising from workplace changes
  • Accommodation of family status, disability (including mental health) and other protected characteristics /font>
  • Managing constructive dismissal risks and workplace reductions
Laurie Jessome
Laurie Jessome
partner, Cassels (moderator)
Jennifer Black
Jennifer Black
senior counsel - labour & employment, Air Canada
Lauren Chang MacLean
Lauren Chang MacLean
acting director, legal services - Privacy, Human Rights & Labour/Employment, Metrolinx
Barbara Silverberg
Barbara Silverberg
head of legal, Dell Canada
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Networking and coffee break

09.50 EDT

Building your brand: credibility, confidence, and resilience

10.05 EDT

  • Conveying confidence to your subordinates, peers and senior management
  • Resilience stories
  • Credibility stories
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Rebecca Bush
Rebecca Bush
partner, BLG (moderator)
Anne Feehely
Anne Feehely
associate general counsel, BMO Financial Group
Ratika Gandhi
Ratika Gandhi
head of legal and compliance, Alcon Canada
Networking and coffee break

10.55 EDT

Successfully managing complex litigation

11.10 EDT

  • Managing the relationship between internal counsel, external counsel and the business
  • Cost management strategies to track, control and project litigation costs
  • Use of experts to assist in decoding the complex issues
  • Courtroom and c-suite perspectives on women litigators and in-house counsel
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Melanie Baird
Melanie Baird
partner, Blakes (moderator)
Rebecca Burrows
Rebecca Burrows
general counsel, KPMG
Jill Schmidt
Jill Schmidt
assistant general counsel, Genentech
Linda Van den Brink
Linda Van den Brink
VP, counsel, Travelers
Networking and coffee break

12.00 EDT

Dealing with privacy compliance

12.15 EDT

  • GDPR and CCPA laws
  • Canadian anti-spam legislation
  • Privacy concerns in the news (e.g. Facebook problems)
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Ruth Promislow
Ruth Promislow
partner, Bennett Jones (moderator)
Paula Amy Hewitt
Paula Amy Hewitt
general counsel, corporate secretary, Field Trip Health
Oxana Iatsyk
Oxana Iatsyk
privacy officer, Walmart Canada
Mona Zarifian
Mona Zarifian
senior privacy consultant and privacy counsel, Euronet Worldwide
Erica Zarkovich
Erica Zarkovich
VP, general counsel, chief privacy officer & corporate secretary, LifeLabs
Closing comments Day 1

1.05 EDT

Back to top

October 27

October 28

Wednesday, October 28

Welcome from Benchmark Litigation

09.15 EDT 

Trends in IP litigation

9.30 EDT

  • Key changes to Canadian trade mark law
  • Reasons to litigate global IP cases in Canada vs US
  • Benefits of limited discovery disclosure in Canada vs US
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Yael bienestock
Yael Bienenstock
partner, Torys (moderator)
Lorraine Fleck
Lorraine Fleck
senior legal counsel, KIK Custom Products
Nancy Gettel
Nancy Gettel
executive director - IP Litigation, FibroGen
Jeanette Lee
Jeanette Lee
deputy GC, Arterra Wines
Networking and coffee break

10.20 EDT

Tactics to become a powerful champion and supporter of other women

10.35 EDT

  • The Social Disruption movement
  • Solidarity among women
  • Helping women to reach their full potential
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Nadia Campion
Nadia Campion
partner, Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb (moderator)
Jennifer Manning
Jennifer Manning
VP, GC, NRStor
Pinar Ozyetis
Pinar Ozyetis
general counsel, LoyaltyOne
Melissa Reiter
Melissa Reiter
director of legal and privacy officer, G Adventures
Tina Taeput
Tina Taeput
counsel, Equifax
Networking and coffee break

11.25 EDT

The new business of litigation

11.40 EDT

  • Class action
  • Litigation financing, insurance, and alternative financing
  • Arbitration (and arbitration funding) in Canada and internationally
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Ewa Krajewska
Ewa Krajewska
partner, BLG (moderator)
Jennifer Drake
Jennifer Drake
VP - legal consultant, financial services group, Aon
Emilie Maxwell
Emilie Maxwell
investment manager, Augusta Ventures
Louise-Helene_Senecal
Louise-Hélène Sénécal
assistant general counsel, Air Canada
Lunch and networking

12.30 EDT

Best practices on creating a successful in-house legal department

1.45 EDT

  • Trusted advisor role, not just legal knowledge, is what counts
  • Becoming innovative and cost efficient in the delivery of in-house services
  • Hiring, retention and compensation to build a successful multi-generational team
  • Enabling people through mentoring, sponsorship and coaching
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Darlene Tonelli
Darlene Tonelli
founder, Inter Alia Law (moderator)
Julie Blazevski
Julie Blazevski
general counsel, UBS Bank (Canada)
Naomi Loewith
Naomi Loewith
investment manager and legal counsel, Omni Bridgeway
Cinda Serianni
Cinda Serianni
associate general counsel, Gilead Sciences Canada
Alena Thouin
Alena Thouin
corporate secretary & deputy GC, FSRA
Networking and coffee break

2:35 EDT

Compliance and anti-corruption

2.50 EDT

  • Global risk assessments to determine where the risks are
  • Keeping up on compliance changes
  • Anti-corruption enforcement and regulatory changes
  • Whistleblower legislation and initiatives
Errol Bong

Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group
Martin Rock

Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank
Peter Wittman

Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO
Eric Xin

Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital
Amee Sandhu
Amee Sandhu
founder, Lex Integra (moderator)
Kathryn Daniels
Kathryn Daniels
managing director, head of compliance, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
Yusra Khan
Yusra Khan
manager market conduct/legal counsel, Coast Capital Savings
Amy Provvisionato
Amy Provvisionato
assistant general counsel, Deloitte
Closing comments and networking break

3.40 EDT

End of forum

4.00 EDT

Back to top

Speakers

If you feel you have something to contribute or would like to position yourself as an expert in your field, please get in touch with Beth Ranney for corporate speaking enquiries or Rebecca Synnott for law firm or service provider opportunities.

Laurie Jessome

Cassels
Laurie Jessome
Learn more ›
Laurie Jessome

partner, Cassels


 

Laurie Jessome is a partner in the Employment & Labour Group at Cassels and serves as Chair of the firm’s Advocacy Group. Laurie provides advice to, and advocates on behalf of, employers on all aspects of the employment relationship, including drafting employment agreements, drafting and enforcing restrictive covenants, discipline and dismissal issues, employment standards compliance, and human rights complaints. She also advises on and conducts workplace investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment and other forms of employee misconduct. Laurie has represented clients before provincial and federal human rights tribunals, the Superior Court of Ontario, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Employment Standards Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, and in mediations and grievance arbitrations. She is ranked as a leader in her field by Chambers Canada, where clients commend her “unbelievable thoroughness” and “calm and methodical” approach.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Latest updates on labour and employment laws

October 27 - 9.00 EDT

Jennifer Black

Air Canada
Jennifer Black
Learn more ›
Jennifer Black

senior counsel - labour & employment, Air Canada


 

Jennifer began her career in private practice, and in 2004, her firm seconded her to Air Canada to assist with resolving hundreds of grievances prior to the company’s emergence from bankruptcy protection. In 2007, she joined the legal department of Air Canada full time and initially was responsible for all privacy and human rights legal matters (employee and customer).

 

Jennifer is presently Senior Counsel, Labour & Employment and is responsible for the numerous mediations/arbitrations with the union representing Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge’s approximately 9000 flight attendants. Jennifer is also responsible for legal matters relating to all of Air Canada’s U.S. based employees and continues to provide advice on non-union employee and human rights issues. Jennifer has also represented the company through several rounds of collective bargaining, including negotiations that lead to historic ten and twelve year collective agreements.

 

Jennifer graduated from the Faculty of Law of McGill University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) and a Bachelor of Common Law (LLB). Prior to law school, Jennifer did an Honours degree in English Literature, also at McGill University.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Latest updates on labour and employment laws

October 27 - 9.00 EDT

Lauren Chang MacLean

Metrolinx
Lauren Chang MacLean
Learn more ›
Lauren Chang MacLean

acting director, legal services - Privacy, Human Rights & Labour/Employment, Metrolinx


 

Lauren Chang MacLean is an Acting Director in the Legal Services Department at Metrolinx, where she leads the Privacy, Human Rights, and Labour and Employment teams. Much of the work that Lauren is involved in pertains to the rights of, and issues related to individuals (employees, customers, members of the public).

 

Since January 2020, Lauren has been involved in planning and managing the COVID-19 response within Metrolinx, and has brought her lens of privacy, labour and employment, and human rights to that work. Given that Metrolinx is a public transit agency, and has had front-line workers out on-the-job throughout the pandemic, this has been an engaging, fast-paced and quickly-developing area of practice. It has been gratifying for Lauren to be involved in this interesting work.

 

Prior to joining Metrolinx in 2016, Lauren worked in private practice at a labour and employment boutique in Toronto upon being called to the bar in 2010.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Latest updates on labour and employment laws

October 27 - 9.00 EDT

Barbara Silverberg

Dell Canada
Barbara Silverberg
Learn more ›
Barbara Silverberg

head of legal, Dell Canada


 

Barbara Silverberg is Head of Legal for Dell Canada, where she is a member of the Senior Management Team, Pension and Ethics Committees, and Executive Sponsor for the Company’s Community Involvement program for eight years. She is the lead for Dell’s Global Competition Steering Committee which determines global risk and strategy for competition law issues. She is responsible for providing advice and guidance on all legal matters, and for managing and coaching the Canada legal team. She also coaches and mentors colleagues at Dell and members of the external legal community.

 

Ms. Silverberg joined Dell from First Capital Realty, a TSX listed real estate development company, where she was Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Prior to that, Ms. Silverberg was Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Labatt USA (now Anheuser Busch Inbev). She started her career in the corporate/commercial group of Torys law firm in Toronto. Ms. Silverberg is a past Board Member of Skylark Youth and Families, and past Chair of the Board of Directors of Oolagen Community Services (now Skylark) and past chair of the Oolagen CEO Search Committee. She is a member of Legal Leaders for Diversity and speaks French and some Spanish.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Latest updates on labour and employment laws

October 27 - 9.00 EDT

Rebecca Bush

BLG
Rebecca Bush
Learn more ›
Rebecca Bush

partner, BLG


 

Rebecca’s practice focuses on public authority litigation and complex tort litigation for large institutional clients. She has specialized expertise in crisis management and defending institutional sexual abuse and harassment claims. Rebecca has expertise defending claims seeking damages for psychological injury and mental distress in the employment, personal injury and human rights context. She advocates for her clients in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Human Rights Tribunal.

 

Rebecca frequently provides advice on sensitive matters that are the subject of public and media scrutiny. She defends the reputational interests of her clients in policy and precedent setting cases.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Building your brand: credibility, confidence, and resilience

October 27 - 10.05 EDT

Anne Feehely

BMO Financial Group
Anne Feehely
Learn more ›
Anne Feehely

associate general counsel, BMO Financial Group


 

Anne Feehely is Associate General Counsel, Technology & Operations Legal at BMO Financial Group where she leads a team of lawyers supporting technology transactions, third party risk, enterprise brand, marketing and social media, cybersecurity and intellectual property.

 

Prior to joining BMO, Anne was in-house counsel at TELUS and Metrolinx advising on technology transactions and privacy matters. She began her legal career in private practice with the corporate group at McCarthy Tétrault LLP.

 

Anne obtained her law degree from Queen’s University, her B.Ed from the University of Western Ontario and an Honours B.Sc in Neuroscience from the University of Toronto.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Building your brand: credibility, confidence, and resilience

October 27 - 10.05 EDT

Ratika Gandhi

Alcon Canada
Ratika Gandhi
Learn more ›
Ratika Gandhi

head of legal and compliance, Alcon Canada


 

Ratika is the Head of Legal and Compliance, Corporate Secretary and local Privacy Officer at Alcon Canada. She is also a member of Alcon’s Senior Leadership Team. Ratika manages and oversees all legal and compliance matters for Alcon Canada. She works with the legal teams within the U.S. and in other jurisdictions where the Alcon Global organization operates. Ratika advises both the Surgical and Vision Care business units on corporate and commercial issues as well as health, regulatory, marketing and privacy matters.

 

Ratika provides input on Alcon Canada’s mandate and strategy, and other organizational matters. Ratika advises the Surgical and Vision care business units on risk management, including personnel issues, grey market concerns, competition issues, compliance matters, corporate and commercial matters, and promotional policies and processes.

 

Ratika joined Alcon from McMillan LLP, where she was an Associate and obtained a depth of experience in Health Law, Regulatory Law, and General Corporate Commercial Law. Ratika also assisted clients with privacy and general business issues.

 

Ratika received an Honours B. Arts Sc. Degree from McMaster University and a Juris Doctor degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. Ratika has obtained Osgoode’s Certificate in Health Law.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Building your brand: credibility, confidence, and resilience

October 27 - 10.05 EDT

Melanie Baird

Blakes
Melanie Baird
Learn more ›
Melanie Baird

Partner, Blakes


 

Melanie Baird is a partner at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. Her diverse commercial and intellectual property litigation practice encompasses patent, trademark, complex commercial, class actions, product liability, cannabis and technology disputes. Melanie excels at litigating cases in emerging fields. She was counsel in the first biologic and biosimilar drug patent cases in Canada in addition to numerous precedent-setting trials, applications and appeals. She works extensively with life sciences companies on complex litigation of all sorts and is intimately familiar with the business of pharma and biotech. Melanie also has broad experience in the software, tech and social media spaces, dealing with commercial, patent, trademark, copyright and licensing disputes. She leverages her eclectic experience to handle a wide variety of complex commercial disputes, adeptly devising strategic options and navigating cross-border issues. Melanie is sought after for her advice on litigation strategy, and is consistently recognized as a leading litigator, including by Benchmark Litigation as one of the Top 50 Women in Litigation for Canada.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Successfully managing complex litigation

October 27 - 11.10 EDT

Rebecca Burrows

KPMG
Rebecca Burrows
Learn more ›
Rebecca Burrows

general counsel, KPMG


 

Rebecca Burrows is General Counsel at KPMG in Canada. She leads a talented team of legal professionals responsible for the firm’s legal matters (contracting, litigation, regulatory and compliance, governance and operations), and sits on the Global General Counsel Steering Group of KPMG International. Previously, Rebecca was a litigation partner at Goodmans LLP, practicing corporate, commercial and securities litigation. She is committed to community, and is presently the Vice-Chair of Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, having served on non-profit boards for the past 15 years.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Successfully managing complex litigation

October 27 - 11.10 EDT

Jill Schmidt

Genentech
Jill Schmidt
Learn more ›
Jill Schmidt

assistant general counsel, Genentech


 

Jill Schmidt is Assistant General Counsel at Genentech, Inc., where she has managed high-stakes patent infringement cases and other commercial litigation since 2016. She has overseen dozens of IPR proceedings, multiple district court cases filed under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act, and related patent litigation in other jurisdictions concerning foreign counterparts. Prior to joining Genentech, Ms. Schmidt was an attorney at the Palo Alto office of Sidley Austin LLP and, before that, at the Silicon Valley office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, where her practice focused on patent litigation. Ms. Schmidt clerked for the Honorable William H. Alsup at the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and the Honorable Paul R. Michel at the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Successfully managing complex litigation

October 27 - 11.10 EDT

Linda Van den Brink

Travelers
Linda Van den Brink
Learn more ›
Linda Van den Brink

VP, counsel, Travelers


 

Linda Van Den Brink is 2VP of the Bond & Specialty Insurance Claim Unit at Travelers Canada. She oversees the team of claim professionals handling all Specialty Claims including Directors & Officers Liability, Errors & Omissions, Crime, Employment Practices Liability, Fiduciary, Cyber Liability and Kidnap & Ransom. Before joining Travelers in June 2017, Linda worked as Senior Claims Counsel handling complex claims in all specialty lines. Linda’s claims experience includes managing large cross-border securities class actions and claims in foreign jurisdictions against large private and public Canadian companies. Linda has also been handling Cyber claims for over 7 years.

 

Linda holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Dalhousie University, an MSc in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from University of Western Ontario. She is a member of the Law Society of Ontario (2009) and she did her articles at a large Toronto Law firm, with a focus on Commercial Litigation and Labour & Employment Law.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Successfully managing complex litigation

October 27 - 11.10 EDT

Ruth Promislow

Bennett Jones
Ruth Promislow
Learn more ›
Ruth Promislow

partner, Bennett Jones


 

Ruth has over 20 years of experience in litigating complex commercial disputes in a wide variety of areas (including privacy, cybersecurity, fraud, reinsurance and professional negligence), with an impressive track record of success. Ruth has extensive experience with data protection, privacy and cybersecurity matters including regulatory compliance, cyber preparedness, breach response and related litigation.

 

Ruth works with clients to assess their risks and vulnerabilities, as well as their legal obligations with respect to management of personal or confidential information. Ruth assists clients in developing comprehensive policies, guidelines and procedures to minimize exposure from potential attacks, and to ensure compliance with regulatory and contractual obligations. Ruth also works with clients to develop and implement effective incident response plans enabling clients to respond quickly to a data breach or other event without creating further liability from incident mismanagement.

 

Following a cyber-attack or privacy incident, Ruth oversees forensic investigations, and assists clients with regulatory investigations, reporting to regulators and providing notification to impacted individuals. Ruth is also involved in all aspects of litigation that may arise as a result of a cyber-attack or privacy incident.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Dealing with privacy compliance

October 27 - 12.15 EDT

Paula Amy Hewitt

Field Trip Health
Paula Amy Hewitt
Learn more ›
Paula Amy Hewitt

general counsel, corporate secretary, Field Trip Health


 

Paula Amy Hewitt has broad legal, regulatory and privacy experience. Since July 2020, Paula has been the General Counsel of Field Trip Health Ltd., a healthcare company focussed on medical treatment and research into psychedelic medicines for mental health and wellness. Prior to joining Field Trip, Paula held various executive roles within Canadian and Multinational financial services companies, including Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Anti-Money Laundering Officer, Chief Privacy Officer and General Counsel. Paula started her career in private practice at Bay Street law firms.

 

In addition to law degree, Paula holds a BA in Psychology from McGill University and a Graduate Certificate in Risk Management from the University of Toronto as well as the CIPPC, CIPM, CIPT Privacy designations.

 

Paula has served as Vice Chair of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada’s Ontario District Council and the Canadian Advisory Board of the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Dealing with privacy compliance

October 27 - 12.15 EDT

Oxana Iatsyk

Walmart Canada
Oxana Iatsyk
Learn more ›
Oxana Iatsyk

privacy officer, Walmart Canada


 

Oxana Iatsyk is a legal counsel with 20 years of domestic and international private practice and in-house counsel experience in IP, technology, corporate, advertising, privacy and consumer protection laws across the CPG, gaming, e-commerce, technology, social media, retail, and health industries. She is CIPP/C, CIPP/E and CIPM certified by the International Association of Privacy Professional and holds an LL.M. degree in International Trade and Competition Law.

 

At the present time, Oxana serves as the Privacy Officer for Walmart Canada Corp., responsible for the development, implementation and ongoing monitoring of a comprehensive Privacy Risk Management program and crisis management leadership with respect to privacy, CASL compliance and data governance, in support of Walmart's evolution to a dynamic e-commerce organization. Aside from leading the in-market program, she oversees global privacy centers of improvement across Walmart markets on privacy program development and management, compliance monitoring, risk assessments, knowledge sharing and data breach management.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Dealing with privacy compliance

October 27 - 12.15 EDT

Mona Zarifian

Euronet Worldwide
Mona Zarifian
Learn more ›
Mona Zarifian

senior privacy consultant and privacy counsel, Euronet Worldwide


 

Mona has extensive privacy experience in the financial services and banking sector. As an in-house counsel, Mona provides privacy counsel, enterprise-wide, to advise business teams on global data protection and privacy issues and ensure the company’s compliance with global privacy standards.

 

In her current role, Mona is a privacy counsel and senior privacy consultant for Euronet Worldwide, an electronic financial services company operating in over 38 countries globally. Mona advises on international and domestic privacy law requirements including the implementation of the California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA).

 

Prior to her role at Euronet, Mona worked as a Privacy Officer for a major Canadian bank, where she supported the enterprise in complying with global privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

 

Mona has obtained three certifications from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) demonstrating privacy expertise in the EU (CIPP/E), US (CIPP/US) and Canada (CIPP/C). Mona is a Canadian lawyer, admitted to the Ontario bar.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Dealing with privacy compliance

October 27 - 12.15 EDT

Erica Zarkovich

LifeLabs
Erica Zarkovich
Learn more ›
Erica Zarkovich

VP, general counsel, chief privacy officer & corporate secretary, LifeLabs



Erica Zarkovich is the Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Privacy Officer and Corporate Secretary at LifeLabs. In this role, she is responsible for the management of all legal, privacy, risk, and corporate governance matters on behalf of the organization.


Erica brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to LifeLabs. Most recently, Erica led a team responsible for all legal, privacy, risk, breach management and regulatory requirements at Cancer Care Ontario (CCO), and played a critical role in the transition of CCO into Ontario Health, the super agency responsible for health system transformation in Ontario. Erica also worked on many of the legal and privacy requirements surrounding Ontario Health’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has a strong track record of developing meaningful and transparent enterprise-wide risk, privacy and compliance programs. Prior to this, Erica practiced corporate law at Stikeman Elliott LLP.


Erica is a Loran Scholar and holds a HBSc in human biology/bioethics from University of Toronto (Trinity College), an LLB from Queen’s University, and an LLM in Health Law from Osgoode Hall School. She is passionate about volunteering and volunteers her time to sit on multiple not-for-profit boards and initiatives.



 Speaking session 

Dealing with privacy compliance

October 27 - 12.15 EDT

Yael Bienenstock

Torys
Yael Bienenstock
Learn more ›
Yael Bienenstock

partner, Torys



Yael’s litigation practice focuses on commercial litigation, intellectual property cases, and public law matters. She has experience in a variety of industries, including life sciences, media, oil and gas and consumer products. She has experience in patent litigation under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations, and related regulatory proceedings concerning leading drug products for international and North American pharmaceutical companies. She has appeared as counsel in various levels of courts.

Yael received her JD from University of Toronto, her MSc (Atmospheric Chemistry from York University and her BSc from McGill University. Yael is a member of the Forums and Seminars Committee of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada. She is also a member of the Advocates' Society and the Intellectual Property Section of the Canadian Bar Association.



 Speaking session 

Trends in IP litigation

October 28 - 9.30 EDT

Lorraine Fleck

KIK Custom Products
Lorraine Fleck
Learn more ›
Lorraine Fleck

senior legal counsel, KIK Custom Products


 

Lorraine Fleck is a lawyer and trademark agent. She practices both in-house as Senior Legal Counsel KIK Custom Products, and as principal, lawyer and trademark agent at Fleck Innovation Law, a Toronto firm that has been recognized by Canadian Lawyer magazine as one of the top 10 intellectual property boutiques in Canada. Lorraine is a recommended expert in the 2016 through 2020 editions of World Trademark Review’s WTR 1000, has been repeatedly recommended as one of the world’s leading intellectual property strategists in Intellectual Asset Magazine’s IAM 300 ranking (2017 to 2019), and also in the 2017 through 2021 editions of Best Lawyers® in Canada. Lorraine earned her Hons. B.Sc. and M.Sc.F. from the University of Toronto, and her law degree from Queen’s University. She is a past chair of the OBA’s Information Technology and Intellectual Property Section Executive and the Licensing Executives Society (LES) Toronto Chapter, and has served on numerous International Trademark Association committees since 2006. Lorraine is a frequent invited speaker and writer on her areas of practice.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Trends in IP litigation

October 28 - 9.30 EDT

Nancy Gettel

FibroGen
Nancy Gettel
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Nancy Gettel

executive director - IP Litigation, FibroGen



Nancy is Executive Director of IP litigation at FibroGen, a biopharmaceutical company located in San Francisco, where she is responsible for leading the company’s global IP litigation efforts. She is an experienced patent litigator with a background that includes practicing in both law firm and in-house environments. Prior to joining FibroGen, Nancy was Senior Patent Litigation Counsel at Amgen. She earned her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in biochemistry.



 Speaking session 

Trends in IP litigation

October 28 - 9.30 EDT

Jeanette Lee

Arterra Wines
Jeanette Lee
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Jeanette Lee

deputy GC, Arterra Wines


 

Jeanette is Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Arterra Wines Canada, Canada’s leading producer and marketer of award-winning Canadian and imported wines (including Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin, Robert Mondavi, Ruffino, and Kim Crawford). Jeanette is responsible for the Legal team and for legal contractual, M&A, IP, marketing, regulatory, employment, privacy, litigation and governance matters, and serves on the crisis management team.

 

Jeanette has practised at leading IP, entertainment and national full-service law firms, and in-house at a national broadcast and media company. Through her career she gained expertise in IP, marketing and regulatory law, privacy, entertainment law, and licensing. Prior to joining Arterra, Jeanette was Senior Director, Marketing & IP (Canada & International) at Restaurant Brands International.

 

Jeanette holds LLB and BCL degrees from McGill University. She is a past Co-Chair of the Entertainment Law Committees of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and the Ontario Bar Association.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Trends in IP litigation

October 28 - 9.30 EDT

Jennifer Manning

NRStor
Jennifer Manning
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Jennifer Manning

VP, GC, NRStor


 

As General Counsel of NRStor Inc., an energy storage developer, Jennifer leads all legal, human resources and compliance-related matters. Her role spans a number of areas of the business, including leading the negotiation and drafting of key agreements, serving as Secretary on the Board of Directors and working with the business team to oversee the day-to-day operations for NRStor’s projects across Canada. Prior to joining NRStor Jennifer was a Senior Legal Counsel at Infrastructure Ontario and an associate at Torys LLP. Jennifer is a member of the Women’s Infrastructure Network, Women in Energy Canada and Energy Storage Canada.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Tactics to become a powerful champion and supporter of other women

October 28 - 10.35 EDT

Pinar Ozyetis

LoyaltyOne
Pinar Ozyetis
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Pinar Ozyetis

general counsel, LoyaltyOne



Pinar Ozyetis is General Counsel at LoyaltyOne, and advises on all legal matters including issues related to business/commerce, marketing/advertising, employment, human rights and privacy for LoyaltyOne’s business in Canada, including the AIR MILES® Reward Program. Prior to joining LoyaltyOne in 2016, Pinar spent 12 years in private practice.


Pinar serves as the Executive sponsor for the Women’s Leadership Initiative at LoyaltyOne and is a mentor in a mentorship circle. She also mentors students within the Ryerson Top 200 Program. She serves on the Board of Directors of Wildlife Preservation Canada.


Pinar holds a Hons. Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and a law degree from the University of Western Ontario.



 Speaking session 

Tactics to become a powerful champion and supporter of other women

October 28 - 10.35 EDT

Melissa Reiter

G Adventures
Melissa Reiter
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Melissa Reiter

director of legal and privacy officer, G Adventures



Melissa Reiter is the Director of Legal and Privacy Officer for G Adventures. Prior to joining the team at G Adventures almost five and a half years ago, Melissa worked at full service firms in Toronto and New York and served as in-house counsel at a private equity firm. Melissa provides practical, business-focused guidance and support in all areas of law including corporate/commercial, privacy, governance, regulatory compliance, litigation, marine law, insurance, real estate, intellectual property, marketing and M&A in Canada and internationally. Melissa's work has been recognized by the legal and travel industry and she is the recipient of the Association of Corporate Counsel's Top Ten 30-Somethings award, Canadian Lawyer Magazine's Innovatio Award for Tomorrow's Leader and she was selected as one of Canadian Traveller Magazine's inaugural Top 40 Under 40 group.



 Speaking session 

Tactics to become a powerful champion and supporter of other women

October 28 - 10.35 EDT

Tina Taeput

Equifax
Tina Taeput
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Tina Taeput

counsel, Equifax



Tina works in-house at Equifax Canada Co., a registered credit reporting agency and data analytics company. Her varied practice encompasses credit reporting and other consumer protection legislation, privacy, regulatory and compliance affairs, intellectual property, and marketing and advertising law. A normal day involves navigating the inevitable intersection between business priorities, law, privacy, and data. She is part of a diverse in-house team with a strong female leader and membership. Tina has previously worked in-house at an international financial institution, in government, and as a volunteer at a public policy and advocacy organization. Tina has a LL.M. from the University of Toronto, received her LL.B. with French from the University of Westminster, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Relations from Glendon College, York University.



 Speaking session 

Tactics to become a powerful champion and supporter of other women

October 28 - 10.35 EDT

Kathryn Daniels

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
Kathryn Daniels
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Kathryn Daniels

managing director, head of compliance, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board


 

Katie Daniels built CPPIB’s compliance function and is responsible for its global multi-discipline team of professionals. She is engaged in enterprise-wide strategic efforts focused on culture and risk. Since finishing a short-term assignment in CPPIB’s Hong Kong office, she has played a lead role in CPPIB’s global operational response to the pandemic.

 

Before joining CPPIB, Katie was a member of Ontario Securities Commission, as Deputy Director in the Corporate Finance and Enforcement branches, beginning her career there as Litigation Counsel. She was also a member of the Board of Directors of the North American Securities Administrators Association. She has taught Ethics at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, where she also graduated, earning both her LLB and a Global Professional Masters of Law. Before leaving private practice, she was a litigator in Toronto with Fasken.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Compliance and anti-corruption

October 28 - 2.50 EDT

Yusra Khan

Coast Capital Savings
Yusra Khan
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Yusra Khan

manager market conduct/legal counsel, Coast Capital Savings


 

Yusra is a trial and regulatory lawyer, currently acting as the Director of Market Conduct for one of Canada’s largest credit unions. She has acted as defense counsel on regulatory proceedings, supported a successful application to OSFI for a Schedule 1 Bank license, has implemented in-house whistleblower & dispute resolution programs, and is well versed on federal and provincial banking compliance requirements. Yusra graduated from UBC Law and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from McGill, and is in the process of obtaining her Certified In-House Counsel (CIC.C) designation from the Rotman School of Management. She co-authored and published a comprehensive review of corporate liability for labour abuse in supply chains, and drafted model legislation for the House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Affairs (A Call to Action: Ending the Use of All Forms of Child Labour in Supply Chains, 42nd Parliament 1st Session).

 

 

 Speaking session 

Compliance and anti-corruption

October 28 - 2.50 EDT

Amy Provvisionato

Deloitte
Amy Provvisionato
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Amy Provvisionato

assistant general counsel, Deloitte


 

Amy Provvisionato is Assistant General Counsel of Deloitte LLP, Canada’s largest professional services firm.

 

At Deloitte, Amy provides strategic and legal advice to the firm on key regulatory and risk issues including professional disputes, regulatory investigations, independence, conflicts, confidentiality, securities matters, and professional standards. Amy is the legal liaison for the American, European, Asian and Canadian market, securities and professional regulators. Further, Amy advises firm leaders on risk, mediation, arbitration and litigation issues and specializes in audit-related legal matters for the firm. Amy also provides advice on the firm’s innovation initiatives and the intersection of new technology, legal provisions and regulatory issues.

 

While at Deloitte, Amy was seconded to the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario. In that capacity, Amy advised CPA Ontario on the significant legal issues involved in unifying the three accounting regulators and 80,000 professionals in Ontario.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Compliance and anti-corruption

October 28 - 2.50 EDT

Julie Blazevski

UBS Bank
Julie Blazevski
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Julie Blazevski

general counsel, UBS Bank (Canada)


 

Julie is the General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer of UBS Bank (Canada) and UBS Investment Management Canada, an investment firm providing wealth management services to clients across Canada and globally. She is part of the Executive Committee of the Bank and reports to both the CEO and to the Global General Counsel, Wealth Management division, as well as having reporting obligations to the Board of Directors. She has been with UBS for six years and in addition to her legal guidance and strategic advice on banking and securities matters, she is engaged on all key initiatives, and her role has expanded to include privacy, data protection, corporate governance, and cybersecurity planning and oversight.

 

Julie provides mentorship to colleagues both within UBS and to those in the financial industry. She is a firm supporter of empowering female colleagues and encouraging diversity and more opportunities for leadership roles for women.

 

Julie graduated from the University of Toronto and attended law school at the University of Windsor. Prior to going to law school Julie worked in the financial industry in various roles from internal audit, compliance, AML, risk and portfolio management.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Best practices on creating a successful in-house legal department

October 28 - 1.45 EDT

Cinda Serianni

Gilead Sciences Canada
Cinda Serianni
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Cinda Serianni

associate general counsel, Gilead Sciences Canada



Cinda Serianni is Associate General Counsel, Legal Affairs for Gilead Sciences Canada, Inc. and member of the Canadian Leadership Team. Working in the pharmaceutical industry for over 18 years, Cinda is used to wearing multiple hats. She oversees Gilead Canada’s legal activities and policies, as well as ethics and compliance. She provides strategic and tactical legal advice to senior management, global colleagues and business clients, in a manner that furthers the company’s strategic objectives, and meets the company’s legal and compliance obligations. Cinda is the executive sponsor for employee resource groups, Women at Gilead, and the Recognition and Celebration Committee.


Cinda joined Gilead in 2008, leaving GlaxoSmithKline Inc. where she was legal counsel. Prior to her move in-house, Cinda was a litigator in Toronto. Cinda has also been an instructor and course developer for Niagara College with a focus on adult learners. She has a passion for training and making compliance fun! She has written numerous legal articles and spoken at various programs throughout the country and abroad.


Cinda received a LL.B degree from the University of Windsor and a B.A. from the University of Toronto.



 Speaking session 

Best practices on creating a successful in-house legal department

October 28 - 1.45 EDT

Naomi Loewith

Omni Bridgeway
Naomi Loewith
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Naomi Loewith

investment manager and legal counsel, Omni Bridgeway



To be confirmed.



 Speaking session 

Best practices on creating a successful in-house legal department

October 28 - 1.45 EDT

Darlene Tonelli

Inter Alia Law
Darlene Tonelli
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Darlene Tonelli

founder, Inter Alia Law


 

Darlene Tonelli is the founder of Inter Alia Law and co-host of the Lawyer Life Podcast. Inter Alia is an association of lawyers who specialize in providing in-house counsel services to companies in the entertainment, media and technology space.

 

Inter Alia lawyers work flexibly, with a focus on designing careers for themselves that align with their interests, values, and lifestyle goals. All Inter Alia lawyers previously spent time in private practice and in-house at some of Canada’s top media, tech and entertainment companies (e.g. Microsoft, Live Nation, Universal Music, Shaw). Our clients are prominent emerging and established technology companies, concert promoters, new media producers, and creators.

 

Prior to founding Inter Alia, Darlene spent 8 years at Universal Music Canada, where she was most recently Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Affairs. Before that, Darlene was a lawyer at Goodmans LLP in Toronto.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Best practices on creating a successful in-house legal department

October 28 - 1.45 EDT

Ewa Krajewska

BLG
Ewa Krajewska
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Ewa Krajewska

partner, BLG


 

Ewa Krajewska is co-chair of the Appellate Advocacy Group and a partner in the Disputes Group at BLG. Ewa is focused on solving her clients’ most complex and sensitive problems. She provides strategic advice to businesses, institutions and individuals who are facing or are trying to avoid litigation. Ewa has a diverse practice, working with clients across a broad range of industries, in areas such as corporate commercial litigation, estates litigation, energy litigation, appellate advocacy, judicial review and public law. She has argued appeals at the Ontario Court of Appeal and appeared numerous times for interveners before the Supreme Court of Canada. She has been recognized as a leader in her field by The Best Lawyers Canada (Appellate Practice) and The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Estate & Personal Tax Planning). Ewa is fluent in French and Polish.

 

 

 Speaking session 

The new business of litigation

October 28 - 11.40 EDT

Jennifer Drake

Aon
Jennifer Drake
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Jennifer Drake

VP - legal consultant, financial services group, Aon



Jennifer Drake is a senior vice president on Aon’s Transaction Solutions team. In her role, Jennifer acts as an advocate for clients, facilitating the resolution of transaction liability insurance claims. Previously, Jennifer held a legal consulting role in Aon’s Financial Services Group providing guidance on executive risk and risk transfer solutions to corporate executives and boards, as well as claims advocacy on directors and officers liability insurance and cyber liability insurance matters. Prior to working at Aon, Jennifer was an associate at Goodmans LLP where her practice covered a range of areas including contractual disputes, municipal and land planning litigation and other commercial litigation matters. Jennifer received her law degree from the University of Western Ontario and was called to the Ontario Bar.



 Speaking session 

The new business of litigation

October 28 - 11.40 EDT

Emilie Maxwell

Augusta Ventures
Emilie Maxwell
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Emilie Maxwell

investment manager, Augusta Ventures


 

Emilie is an Investment Manager with the litigation finance company, Augusta Ventures Canada Ltd. Augusta Ventures is an established UK-based funder which opened its first Canadian office in early 2019.; Emilie was pleased to join the company soon after. As an investment manager, Emilie evaluates the legal and commercial merits of cases to help connect litigants with funds to enforce their rights.

 

Before joining Augusta, Emilie was a class actions lawyer with Siskinds LLP. Her notable work includes the Volkswagen emissions settlements, the UPS “brokerage fees” litigation, and the appeals concerning misrepresentations in take-over bid circulars, jurisdiction over foreign class members/global class actions, and the application of discoverability to the civil liability provisions of the Competition Act.

 

 

 Speaking session 

The new business of litigation

October 28 - 11.40 EDT

Louise-Hélène Sénécal

Air Canada
Louise-Helene_Senecal
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Louise-Hélène Sénécal

assistant general counsel, Air Canada



Louise-Hélène graduated from the Faculty of Law of the Université de Montréal in 1981, where she obtained an L.L.L in Civil Law. She was admitted to the Bar of Quebec in 1982 and began her career in private practice. In 1989, she joined the legal department of Air Canada, where she is presently Assistant General Counsel-Litigation, responsible for litigation, insured or not, against Air Canada, worldwidend where she and her team argues cases before the various levels of Court in Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada. She is a key member of the Emergency Response Team and provides legal services for all aspects of security in the airline. She also oversees the Global Claims department. In May of 1999, she was part of the Canadian Delegation to the ICAO Diplomatic Conference, which resulted in the adoption of the new Montreal Convention (MC99). She was part of the Canadian Delegation to the ICAO Diplomatic Conference in Montreal, held in April of 2009 and which lead to the adoption of the two successor conventions to the Rome Convention (the “Unlawful Interference Convention” and the “General Risk Convention”). She has been a member of the IATA Legal Advisory Council (formerly the Legal Committee) since 2009 and its Chair since 2015. In 2014, she successfully argued before the Supreme Court of Canada, a landmark case on the exclusivity provisions of MC99.



 Speaking session 

The new business of litigation

October 28 - 11.40 EDT

Alena Thouin

FSRA
Alena Thouin
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Alena Thouin

corporate secretary & deputy GC, FSRA


 

Alena Thouin, Corporate Secretary & Deputy General Counsel, is an experienced, award-winning lawyer with a strong background in corporate governance and the regulatory, financial services and government sectors. Prior to joining FSRA, she served as the Deputy Director, Legal Services Branch at the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) where she provided legal and strategic advice to senior government officials in multiple ministries on various high profile issues relating to energy sector policy, draft legislation, corporate governance and transactional matters. In previous roles in the banking and credit union sectors, she provided legal and strategic advice on matters related to regulatory, risk, compliance, corporate and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and capital markets.

 

Alena is active on various legal industry and practice groups, sits on a number of voluntary Boards, and is passionate about supporting initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion and women in leadership positions. She is a member of the Ontario Bar Association and its Mentorship Program, the Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association (past Chair), and the Women General Counsel Canada.

 

 

 Speaking session 

Best practices on creating a successful in-house legal department

October 28 - 1.45 EDT

Amee Sandhu

Lex Integra
Amee Sandhu
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Amee Sandhu

founder, Lex Integra



To be confirmed.



 Speaking session 

Compliance and anti-corruption

October 28 - 2.50 EDT

Nadia Campion

Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb
Nadia Campion
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Nadia Campion

partner, Lax O’Sullivan Lisus Gottlieb


 

Nadia Campion's practice focuses on commercial litigation including shareholder oppression applications, D&O liability, securities litigation, class actions and professional liability. Nadia also has an active land development and real estate litigation practice.

 

Nadia has extensive trial experience and appears regularly before the Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Appeal and various regulatory and administration tribunals. She also has expertise in Toronto Commercial List proceedings. She has both US and Canadian law degrees, and is fluent and practices in French.

 

Nadia regularly presents at the LSO, OBA, the Advocates’ Society, the Canadian Defence Lawyers Association, the CBA, and the Business Women’s Network of York Region, as well as the International Association of Defense Counsel and l’Association des juristes d’expression francais. Nadia is recognized by Best Lawyers for securities law and by Chambers Canada 2020 as "Up and Coming" for Commercial Litigation. Nadia has also been recognized in the Benchmark Litigation's 2020 Canada's "Top 50 Women in Litigation".

 

 

 Speaking session 

Tactics to become a powerful champion and supporter of other women

October 28 - 10.35 EDT

ATTENDEE PROFILE

The Forum welcomes over 200 women litigators and lawyers every year and now that the event is virtual, we expect more participation than ever on a global scale. As an in-house focused event, the event welcomes all seniority levels, from those just starting in the careers to those at the top of it. The event is inclusive and men are also welcome to join to hear more on the substantive topics.
Attendees
Delegate experience
Equal attendance
"I appreciate finding speakers from different industries and those who are not frequent speakers as this provides a broader range of thoughts and new ideas. Great topics and excellent speakers.

 

"One of my favourite conferences. Thanks for putting on a first class experience.

 

"[I enjoy] the range of topics and the fact it is tailored to in-house. I can read or go elsewhere to learn law but learning best practices from others is valuable.

 

Speakers

If you feel you have something to contribute or would like to position yourself as an expert in your field, please get in touch with Melody Mok for corporate speaking enquiries or James Murray for law firm or service provider opportunities.

Errol Bong

Noble Group
Errol Bong
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Errol Bong

Head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble


 

Errol Bong is head of compliance & legal counsel, Noble Group Holdings.

 

Bong is an experienced lawyer qualified in Australia, Washington State, New York, Hong Kong and England. He has spent over 17 years advising on legal and regulatory issues relevant to global markets and investment banking.

 

Bong has worked on numerous transactions related to commodities, restructuring, asset management, derivative securities, OTC derivatives, futures, securities, repos and stock borrowing and lending.

 

 Speaking session 

M&A outlook and opportunities in the wake of unprecedented times

Monday, June 15 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Garth Bray

Sullivan & Cromwell

Garth Bray
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Garth Bray

Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell


 

Garth Bray is a member of Sullivan & Cromwell’s mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance groups and has extensive experience in complex cross-border M&A, joint venture and capital markets transactions, as well as in corporate governance and compliance matters. He has been based in Asia since 2009 and focuses on matters arising out of S&C’s Tokyo, Beijing and Hong Kong offices.

Representative recent assignments include acting for Advance in its definitive stock purchase agreement with Wanda Sports Group to acquire The IRONMAN Group; the shareholders of Woowa Brothers Corp. (Korea) in their agreement with Delivery Hero SE (Germany) in connection with Delivery Hero’s announced acquisition of Woowa; Signify (The Netherlands) in its acquisition of Cooper Lighting Solutions from Eaton (U.S./Ireland); Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI) in the formation of joint ventures with Jebsen Beverage Company Limited to manufacture and distribute Blue Girl brand beer in China and to manage the Blue Girl beer brand internationally; Deutsche Bank, Citi and Morgan Stanley as placement agents for Ant Financial in its approximately US$14 billion Series C equity financing; and Booking Holdings in various investments in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

 Speaking session 

Deal making lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis

Friday, June 19 - 11.30-12.30 HKT

Wilson Chu

IPBA
Wilson Chu
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Wilson Chu

Conference chair, IPBA

Partner, McDermott Will & Emery



Wilson Chu focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures and other strategic transactions, as well as related corporate governance, for clients ranging from Fortune 500 serial acquirers to private equity funds and high-growth, high-profile technology companies in the United States and abroad. While he has experience in a wide range of industries, his practice is heavily weighted in the technology and health care sectors, with an emphasis on the converging fields of healthtech and fintech.


 Speaking session 

The importance of deal protection mechanisms

Wednesday, June 17 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Richard Climan

Hogan Lovells
Richard Climan
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Richard Climan

Partner, Hogan Lovells



Richard E. Climan is an M&A partner in the Silicon Valley office of the international law firm of Hogan Lovells. He has handled some of the most prominent and industry-changing acquisitions in the technology and life sciences sectors over the past three decades. He has been described as "one of the best legal minds in M&A" and a "gold-standard transactional lawyer."

Since joining Hogan Lovells in 2017, Climan acted as lead transactional counsel to Walmart in its US$16 billion cross-border acquisition of a 77% stake in India-based Flipkart (the largest e-commerce M&A transaction in history) and as lead transactional counsel to Marvell Technology Group in its US$6 billion acquisition of Cavium.


 Speaking session 

Negotiating contentious M&A issues in US-style acquisition agreements

Friday, June 19 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Erika Evasdottir

HKCCA

Erika Evasdottir
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Erika Evasdottir

Director, Hong Kong Corporate Counsel Association



Erika Evasdottir is currently director and co-chair of the Association of Corporate Counsel's Hong Kong chapter. She currently contracts out as in-house counsel and compliance officer, and often operations as well, all to ensure clients have the licensing, governance regimes and other procedures in place to allow the business to concentrate on what they do best. The goal is to promote the growth of the company and its ability to explore new products and markets quickly and efficiently without sacrificing internal controls. By bringing her experience in corporate and fund transactions to bear, Evasdottir also reviews investment opportunities and structures funds and downstream investments with an eye to avoiding regulatory, compliance and legal pitfalls.

Evasdottir began her legal career as a ECM/DCM (underwriter’s counsel) capital markets lawyer at Milbank and Paul Hastings, but quickly found her true calling in private equity, M&A and funds structuring at Weil Gotshal. Her practical and real work experience comes from being seconded as business development to an infrastructure fund to take them from a small Australian fund to a global behemoth while complying with relevant marketing rules, and then as general counsel and compliance officer (Asia) of two US headquartered hedge funds (and thereby fully experiencing both the up and down cycles). She then became interested in fintech through working at Origin-X Capital as an outsourced GC and compliance officer for start-ups and funds in the fintech space.

Evasdottir additionally teaches at CUHK, has a PhD from Harvard in anthropology and archaeology (China), a JD from Columbia, and is admitted in New York and Hong Kong. Her book is titled “Obedient Autonomy: Chinese Intellectuals and the Achievement of Orderly Life”.

 

 Speaking session 

Getting private equity deals done in a brave new world

Thursday, June 18 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Raymond Goh

China Tourism Group
Raymond Goh
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Joel Greenberg

Senior counsel, Arnold & Porter


 

Joel Greenberg concentrates in US and cross-border mergers and acquisitions of public and private companies, representation of financial sponsors, and securities transactions. He also advises publicly held and private companies on a wide variety of corporate governance and day-to-day corporate as well as transactional matters. He is a former chair (2006-2009) of the Committee on Mergers & Acquisitions of the American Bar Association Section of Business Law.

Greenberg is a frequent lecturer on mergers and acquisitions topics, and has spoken at programs sponsored by the American Bar Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Center for International Legal Studies, Columbia Law School, Cornell Law School, Harvard Law School, the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, International Financial Law Review, Law Journal Seminars, Penn State Dickinson School of Law, Practising Law Institute, Stanford Law School, UCLA School of Law, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, University of Miami School of Law and University of Texas School of Law. He co-chairs the annual National Institute on Negotiating Business Acquisitions, presented by ABA's Section of Business Law.

 

 Speaking session 

Negotiating contentious M&A issues in US-style acquisition agreements

Friday, June 19 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Joel Greenberg

Arnold & Porter
Joel Greenberg
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Joel Greenberg

Senior counsel, Arnold & Porter


 

Joel Greenberg concentrates in US and cross-border mergers and acquisitions of public and private companies, representation of financial sponsors, and securities transactions. He also advises publicly held and private companies on a wide variety of corporate governance and day-to-day corporate as well as transactional matters. He is a former chair (2006-2009) of the Committee on Mergers & Acquisitions of the American Bar Association Section of Business Law.

Greenberg is a frequent lecturer on mergers and acquisitions topics, and has spoken at programs sponsored by the American Bar Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Center for International Legal Studies, Columbia Law School, Cornell Law School, Harvard Law School, the Inter-Pacific Bar Association, International Financial Law Review, Law Journal Seminars, Penn State Dickinson School of Law, Practising Law Institute, Stanford Law School, UCLA School of Law, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, University of Miami School of Law and University of Texas School of Law. He co-chairs the annual National Institute on Negotiating Business Acquisitions, presented by ABA's Section of Business Law.

 

 Speaking session 

Negotiating contentious M&A issues in US-style acquisition agreements

Friday, June 19 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Areej Hamadah

Legal Challenges

Areej Hamadah
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Areej Hamadah

President, Legal Challenges Group



Areej Hamadah is a Kuwaiti lawyer with more than 20 years of experience. She worked as a lawyer for Ahli United Bank for 13 years. She moved to work for the government sector for a full year, In 2017, she established her own office under the name of Legal Challenges Group. In 2019, the Legal Challenges Magazine was established to be part of the activity of the law office.

Hamadah was honoured by the World Bank in appreciation of her contribution to doing the business 2020 report.

She was honoured by the Jahra Governorate in Kuwait.

 

 Speaking session 

Presentation: Corporate M&A in the Arab Gulf States

Tuesday, June 16 - 15.00-15.30 HKT

Laura Hannon

CompareAsia Group

Laura Hannon
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Laura Hannon

General counsel, CompareAsia Group



Laura Hannon is General Counsel for CompareAsia Group. In her role as general counsel, she leads CompareAsia Group’s cross-jurisdictional legal department and advises the company on a wide range of legal and business issues across all six of its Asian markets.

Prior to joining CompareAsia Group, Hannon was in private practice at the international law firm, Maples and Calder, in Dublin, Ireland where she was a member of the firm’s corporate practice group, representing private companies in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, venture capital, securities and corporate governance matters. Hannon also has extensive experience advising institutional financial investors and private equity investors investing in and acquiring Irish assets.

Hannon received both her bachelor’s degree and post-graduate degree from the National University of Galway, Ireland. She qualified as a lawyer in Ireland in 2013. Hannon currently resides in Hong Kong.

 

 Speaking session 

How tech companies have changed the M&A game

Wednesday, June 17 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

William Hay

William Hay & Co

William Hay
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William Hay

Managing director, William Hay & Co


 

William Hay is advisor to private investors and their portfolio companies on legal and related stra-tegic issues arising from fund raising, mergers & acquisitions, leveraged finance and stock market listings and other forms of exit.

Hay's previous experience includes serving as general counsel of Baring Private Equity Asia, a lead-ing Asia-based private equity firm with US$10 billion under management. Prior to joining Baring, he held similar positions in with GE Capital Asia and Colony Capital. He has acquired and turned around a distressed hotel in China, and represented Chinese firms in their offshore investments. Will was a partner in a Wall Street law firm before relocating to Hong Kong in 1995.

Hay's transactional experience includes private equity, real estate, distressed debt, venture capital and other acquisitions and investments across greater China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia. He has structured and managed private equity and real estate funds in Asia, and is an expert in risk and compliance issues in the region.

Hay received his BA from UC Berkeley in 1973, his AM from Harvard’s East Asian Regional Studies program in 1978 and his JD magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1982. Hay is a qualified lawyer in Hong Kong and New York and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

 

 Speaking session 

Opportunistic M&A for distressed companies

Tuesday, June 16 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Patricia Ho

WeLab

Patricia Ho
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Patricia Ho

Acting general counsel, WeLab


 

Patricia Ho is the acting group general counsel for WeLab, a leading home-grown fintech company with one of the first virtual banks established in Hong Kong. WeLab provides seamless digital financial services to over 40 million individual customers, as well as B2B enterprise solutions to offer fintech-enabled solutions in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Indonesia.

As part of the WeLab group executive committee, Ho is the lead legal advisor on WeLab Group’s fundraising activities, business partnerships, corporate governance, data privacy compliance framework and intellectual property strategy. Ho is a founding member of WeLab virtual bank and key contributor on regulatory, compliance and risk issues leading up to the grant of the virtual bank licence. She built the legal and compliance function of the WeLab virtual bank from the ground up, setting up a full team of legal, regulatory and AML compliance professionals. She also actively manages key stakeholders relationship, including the dialogue with regulators and engagement with board members.

Prior to joining WeLab, Ho was head of regulatory for private wealth solutions at HSBC Private Bank and senior legal counsel at HSBC Global Banking and Markets. Before going in-house, Ho was with Linklaters in London, Hong Kong and Shanghai, where she specialised in derivatives, structured finance, financial regulations and PRC cross-border financial markets infrastructure.

 

 Speaking session 

How tech companies have changed the M&A game

Wednesday, June 17 - 11.30-12.30 HKT

Michael Horman

NISI
Michael Horman
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Michael Horman

Director of corporate finance & legal, NISI


 

Michael Horman has more than 17 years of experience advising on transactions and investments in APAC and EMEA, specialising in mergers & acquisitions, corporate finance, start-up funding, joint ventures and private equity. He is currently the director of corporate finance & legal at Hong Kong-based medtech company NISI.

Prior to joining NISI he was a corporate partner in Baker McKenzie's Hong Kong office and has been based in Hong Kong for over 10 years.

 

 Speaking session 

How tech companies have changed the M&A game

Wednesday, June 17 - 11.30-12.30 HKT

Bo Huo

Tencent
Bo Huo
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Bo Huo

Senior legal counsel, M&A, Tencent



Bo Huo is a senior legal counsel of Tencent Holdings and constantly advises the group on complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions, public takeovers, growth equity investments and fund incorporation & management matters. Huo’s experience covered various jurisdictions including the US, Canada, UK, France, Sweden, India, Korea, Japan, Greater China, etc. and expands a wide range of industries, including fintech, telecommunications, entertainment, healthcare and consumer goods, etc. Huo is qualified to practice laws in Hong Kong and New York.

Before joining Tencent, Huo worked as the GC of a New York based venture capital fund and practiced laws with a US Biglaw firm for several years, with her practice focused on M&A, funds and acquisition financing, and capital market transactions. Huo is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

 

 Speaking session 

Getting private equity deals done in a brave new world

Thursday, June 18 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Kenneth Koo

Citi Orient
Kenneth Koo
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Kenneth Koo

Deputy general manager, Citi Orient



Kenneth Koo is deputy general manager & Citi’s chief representative at Citi Orient Securities, where he is a key member of its senior management committee, transaction approval committee and transaction selection committee. He also heads the cross border department which is responsible for international and domestic corporate clients, particularly clients of Citi. Koo was managing director in the chairman’s office for Citigroup Asia Pacific and spearheads Citi’s strategic cooperation with Orient Securities, including the negotiation and formation of the Citi Orient joint venture. He has held several senior positions at Citi, including Asia co-head of strategic M&A, Asia co-head of corporate finance, investment banking division, Asia IBD chief operating officer, and was a member of the management and operating committees for Asia corporate & investment banking.


Koo has over 20 years’ experience in investment banking in Asia and the US and has advised on numerous capital markets transactions, privatisations, and M&A for US, European and Asian corporations across multiple industries, including Legend Holdings (Lenovo), Ping An Insurance, Shandong International Power, SinoTrans, China Aluminum, Mass Transit Railway Corporation, Hutchison Telecom and Hopewell Holdings.


Prior to joining Citi in 2001, he was an executive director in the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong and New York. During 1990-1993, he was deputy head of the listing division at The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx), and head of the China Listing Affairs Unit, where his responsibilities included the negotiation and establishment of the HKEx's landmark regulatory framework for the international “H shares” equity offerings by mainland Chinese state-owned enterprises. Prior to working at the HKEx, he was a banking & finance attorney with two major law firms in New York advising on a wide range of financing transactions, including LBOs, leveraged recapitalisations and corporate restructurings.


Koo holds B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.


 Speaking session 

Opportunistic M&A for distressed companies

Tuesday, June 16 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Ying Liu

J. P. Morgan
Ying Liu
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Ying Liu

Executive director, APAC regional head of escrow sales and business development, J.P. Morgan



Ying Liu is an executive director and the APAC regional head of escrow sales and business development at J.P. Morgan.

Prior to her current role with the escrow team, Liu was an executive director in J.P. Morgan's investment banking department with a focus on M&A and capital market execution. Previously, Liu was a managing director at CSIP Group, a China cross-border M&A boutique and private equity joint venture between CITIC Securities in China and Evercore Partners in the US. Before CSIP, Liu was with UBS’s investment banking department in New York and Hong Kong as an industry coverage banker and M&A banker. She started her investment banking career at Salomon Brothers and then BT Wolfensohn in New York.

Liu graduated from Wellesley College, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, with a BA in biochemistry and economics, and from Harvard Business School with an MBA.

 

 Speaking session 

The importance of deal protection mechanisms

Wednesday, June 17 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Sara Marchetta

Chiomenti
Sara Marchetta
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Sara Marchetta

Partner, Chiomenti



Sara Marchetta joined the firm in 2008, became a partner in 2011 and since then she has been the Beijing resident partner of the firm.

Marchetta mainly provides assistance to Chinese and Italian and clients in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, cross border contracts (joint ventures, technology transfers) and other transactional matters. She was involved in the assistance for the major Chinese investments into Italy and she regularly advises a number of Italian MNCs in their cross-border investments into China, including investment agreements, corporate governance and compliance matters./font>

Her expertise includes investment agreements, corporate governance and shareholders agreements with relevant disputes, international commercial contracts and technology transfers, including joint ventures and cooperation projects between Italian and Chinese companies, in different industrial sectors..

 

 Speaking session 

The importance of deal protection mechanisms

Wednesday, June 17 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Michael Maté

Seawood Resources
Michael Mate
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Michael Maté

Director, Seawood Resources



Michael Maté is currently a director at Seawood, a Manila-based private equity firm. Prior to Seawood, Maté was the head of structured finance and debt products at BPI Capital, the leading Philippine investment bank, where he advised on some of the most significant leveraged and management buyouts, acquisition finance and structured finance transactions in the country. Maté began his career as an M&A lawyer, working both at Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco and at Romulo Law Office in Manila.


Maté holds an LL.M. from Harvard Law School, a B.A. from Duke University, and a J.D. from Ateneo Law School.


 Speaking session 

Getting private equity deals done in a brave new world

Thursday, June 18, 10.00-11.00 HKT

Ong Eu Jin

Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership
Ong Eu Jin
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Ong Eu Jin

Head of capital markets and M&A, Rosli Dahlan Saravana Partnership



Ong is actively involved in various M&A as well as debt and equity capital market transactions in Malaysia including transactions with cross-border elements. His practice encompasses fundraising exercises such as initial public offerings (IPOs), rights issues as well as bond and Sukuk issuances. He has advised and acted for listed corporations, REITs, investment banks as well as applicants for listing to both the Malaysian and foreign stock exchanges. Aside from Malaysian IPOs, he has also acted as the Malaysian solicitor for local companies seeking listing in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and he was recently involved in a client’s successful listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to her current role with the escrow team, Liu was an executive director in J.P. Morgan's investment banking department with a focus on M&A and capital market execution. Previously, Liu was a managing director at CSIP Group, a China cross-border M&A boutique and private equity joint venture between CITIC Securities in China and Evercore Partners in the US. Before CSIP, Liu was with UBS’s investment banking department in New York and Hong Kong as an industry coverage banker and M&A banker. She started her investment banking career at Salomon Brothers and then BT Wolfensohn in New York.

Ong served a seven year stint as chief operating officer of a subsidiary of a financial services group before returning to legal practice. He has been both executive and independent director of companies regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia. He has also previously served on the Board of the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia as its Honorary Secretary.

Ong is qualified as a solicitor (England & Wales) and holds an LLM degree from University College London.

 

 Speaking session 

Deal making lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis

Friday, June 19 - 11.30-12.30 HKT

Martin Rock

Commerzbank
Martin Rock
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Martin Rock

Director M&A, Commerzbank


 

Martin Rock is a director in M&A at Commerzbank in Hong Kong. He focuses on Asia-Europe cross-border transactions with clients in healthcare, chemicals and industrials sectors in China, Japan and Southeast Asia.

Prior experience in heading the Dresdner Kleinwort chemicals and related industries sector group based in London before moving to Asia. He has previous experience in corporate finance, M&A and PMI working for Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) based in continental Europe. Before that, was a vice president for J.P. Morgan in M&A and worked at the strategy consultancy Nexant.

He holds a Ph.D from Cambridge University.

 

 Speaking session 

M&A outlook and opportunities in the wake of unprecedented times

Monday, June 15 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Frédéric Ruppert

FR Law – Avocat; IPBA

Frederic Ruppert
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Frédéric Ruppert

Attorney at law, FR Law – Avocat; co-chair of CBIC, IPBA



Frederic Ruppert's practice mostly focuses on M&A and private equity and also extends to other corporate and business matters: joint ventures, strategic corporate investment, corporate reorganization, structured financing, corporate governance.

Managing partner and founder of FR Law – Avocat, Ruppert collaborates with lawyers of all trades worldwide with one goal in mind: successful business and corporate transactions for the clients, whether they are corporations, financial investors, managers or high net worth individuals.

Ruppert is a graduate of University of Law of Paris – Panthéon Assas and holds an MBA in Finance from California State University East Bay.

Ruppert is a member of both the California and Paris Bars as well as holds dual French and US citizenship.

A recognized practitioner, he is co–chair of the cross–border investment committee of the Inter–Pacific Bar Association, where he regularly speaks and moderates panels on various topics interesting M&A and private equity.


 Speaking session 

Deal making lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis

Friday, June 19 - 11.30-12.30 HKT

Brent Snyder

Competition Commission (HK)
Brent Snyder
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Brent Snyder

CEO, Competition Commission (HK)



Brent Snyder was appointed to the position of chief executive officer of the Competition Commission (Hong Kong) in September 2017.

Prior to joining the Commission, Snyder served in the antitrust division of the United States Department of Justice from 2003 until 2017, first as a trial attorney playing a key role in the division’s criminal matters, and as deputy assistant attorney general (DAAG) from 2013 until 2017. In his capacity as DAAG, Snyder headed the criminal enforcement function overseeing enforcement, prosecutions, leniency and other policy work. Snyder twice received the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service and was awarded an Antitrust Division Award of Distinction.

Prior to joining the government, Snyder practiced law at Paul Hastings in Los Angeles and Perkins Coie in Seattle where he was a partner.


 Speaking session 

Keynote address: Competition Commission Hong Kong

Monday, June 15 - 10.00-10.30 HKT

Brian Snyder

Morrison & Foerster

Brian Snyder
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Brian Snyder

of Counsel, Morrison & Foerster


 

Brian Snyder is of counsel in the Corporate Department of Morrison & Foerster’s London and Hong Kong offices.

Brian’s practice focuses on international M&A and private equity matters, including mergers, acquisitions, sales, joint ventures, strategic investments, pre-IPO financings, and related corporate and securities matters. Brian also has experience in financing and restructuring transactions.

Brian has worked in New York, Hong Kong and London for corporate and financial sponsor clients in a range of industries, including TMT, biotech, food and beverage, financial services, energy, retail and manufacturing. He is a registered foreign lawyer with the Law Society of Hong Kong.

 

 Speaking session 

The importance of deal protection mechanisms

Wednesday, June 17 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

Chloe Sung

ZhongAn Technologies

Chloe Sung
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Chloe Sung

General counsel, ZhongAn



Chloe Sung is an accomplished in-house counsel with extensive experience advising multinationals in mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments and joint ventures. Sung is currently working as general counsel of a unit of ZhongAn - China’s largest online insurance company, where she is heavily involved in the forefront of Hong Kong’s developing fintech industry. Sung’s work focuses on virtual banking, virtual insurance, and the group’s joint ventures and strategic investment.

Prior to joining ZhongAn, Sung acted as in-house counsel for a global bank where she counselled on its mergers and acquisitions, investment and joint ventures in the Asia Pacific region. Thereafter, she joined an international firm in their alternative legal services division, where she was seconded to a global investment bank advising on its divestments and disposals in the Asia Pacific region.

Whilst in private practice, Sung advised in the areas of corporate, mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments, restructuring and investment trust, where her clients included sovereign wealth funds, government-linked investment companies, global banks, public listed companies and multinational corporations.

 Speaking session 

How tech companies have changed the M&A game

Wednesday, June 17 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Gen Takahashi

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

Gen Takahashi
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Gen Takahashi

Partner, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune



Gen Takahashi is a partner at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, and his practice focuses on M&A and corporate transactions. He is currently based in Tokyo, Japan.

Takahashi handles a variety of corporate matters with a particular focus on cross-border (both inbound and outbound) M&A transactions involving Japanese entities. He provides thorough and practical legal advice based on his experience of working in Singapore and Australia, as well as at a major securities firm in Japan.

Takahashi’s other major areas of practice encompass domestic M&A deals including public deals, joint venture/ start-ups, general corporate, anti-trust and commercial contracts. He also regularly advises on labor and dispute resolution matters for domestic and overseas clients.

Takahashi is a graduate of Columbia Law School (LL.M., 2013) and the University of Tokyo (LLB, 2006), and is admitted as a lawyer in Japan and New York. He has an experience of working for an M&A advisory department of a major securities firm in Japan as a secondee, and was associated with Clayton Utz, Sydney, Australia, for one year. He also worked at the Singapore Office of Anderson Mori & Tomotsune from 2015 to 2016, before he returned to Tokyo.


 Speaking session 

Deal making lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis

Friday, June 19 - 11.30-12.30 HKT

Peter Wittmann

Asia-IO

Peter Wittman
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Peter Wittmann

Managing director, Asia-IO


 

Peter Wittmann is a managing director with Asia-IO, the international investment office of ACE Equity Partners, a Korean-headquartered private equity manager.

Wittmann has more than 20 years’ experience in technology and technology investments, particularly in Asia and Europe where he worked for some of the most renowned investors in this space. In Asia, Wittmann has been focusing on cross-border technology transactions, having worked for some of China’s largest investors in this field, including the international investment arm of Tsinghua’s TUS Holding (AUM US$ 30 Billion) and outbound private equity firm Sailing Capital. Prior to that, Wittmann has been working in venture capital for Fraunhofer, Germany’s premier government research institution. He remains a venture partner with FTTF, Fraunhofer’s newly launched VC focusing on research-driven technology transfer. He started his career with BMW Group where he worked on numerous transformative global supply chain projects for more than seven years.

Wittmann holds an MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and an MSc in Computer Science from TUM Germany.

 

 Speaking session 

M&A outlook and opportunities in the wake of unprecedented times

Monday, June 15 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Eric Xin

CITIC Capital
Eric Xin
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Eric Xin

Senior managing director, managing partner, private equity, CITIC Capital


 

Biography coming soon.

 

 Speaking session 

M&A outlook and opportunities in the wake of unprecedented times

Monday, June 15 - 11.00-12.00 HKT

Stanley Yang

First Pacific
Stanley Yang
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Stanley Yang

EVP, head of Group M&A, First Pacific


 

Stanley Yang received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He oversees the Group’s corporate development activities including mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments, joint ventures, and other portfolio company growth initiatives. Prior to joining First Pacific, Yang worked at Deutsche Bank where he led investment banking coverage for the diversified industrial sector in Asia. He also previously served as a director in Deutsche Bank’s mergers and acquisitions department, where he advised clients on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and leveraged investment transactions in Asia and the United States. Yang began his career in New York where he gained transaction experience in principal investments and investment banking. He joined First Pacific in 2013 and is currently a Director of PacificLight Power.

 

 Speaking session 

Getting private equity deals done in a brave new world

Thursday, June 18 - 10.00-11.00 HKT

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