Michael is a partner in the Technology Group. He is a leading practitioner in the areas of information technology, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, government procurement and funding, Internet regulation, and privacy/anti-spam law and is recognized in all major peer rankings.
He has extensive experience advising on complex cloud and artificial intelligence projects, outsourcing and energy transition matters. Michael represents industry leading and emerging IT service providers, software publishers, hardware manufacturers, online vendors, automotive and battery manufacturers and other technology focused enterprises.
Representative Work
- SK On
SK On in connection with an $1.2 billion investment with Ford and EcoPro BM in the Province of Québec
- General Motors Co.
General Motors Co. in its $1 billion investment project with POSCO Future M
- Microsoft
Microsoft in its acquisition of Two Hat
- Madison Dearborn Partners
Madison Dearborn Partners in its acquisition of the APM Group International
- Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft in its acquisition of Mover
- Towers Watson
Towers Watson in its acquisition of the assets of Brovada Technologies Inc. for US$15 million
- Represented large, international energy company on large technology licensing transaction in connection with strategic oil sands alliance and mining project
- Represented service providers in the negotiation of major onshore and offshore outsourcing transactions
- Represented service providers in complex systems integration design, build and integrate projects
- Negotiated complex strategic alliance arrangements between large participants in the technology sector
- Negotiated complex third party logistics services arrangements in the health care sector
- Represented online services providers in addressing cross-border data issues with public sector customers
- Advised clients on numerous government procurement projects, including complex licensing and integration projects and procurement reform initiatives
- Addressed complex open source software and other IP/IT issues in acquisitions of technology assets and technology companies
- Addressed new media, IP, privacy and e-commerce issues in the delivery of online services and cloud computing
- Assisted clients successfully respond to complaints made to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
- Assisted clients respond to legislative proposals in respect of cross-border privacy matters, spam and spyware
SK On in connection with an $1.2 billion investment with Ford and EcoPro BM in the Province of Québec
General Motors Co. in its $1 billion investment project with POSCO Future M
Microsoft in its acquisition of Two Hat
Madison Dearborn Partners in its acquisition of the APM Group International
Microsoft in its acquisition of Mover
- Towers Watson
Towers Watson in its acquisition of the assets of Brovada Technologies Inc. for US$15 million
- Represented large, international energy company on large technology licensing transaction in connection with strategic oil sands alliance and mining project
- Represented service providers in the negotiation of major onshore and offshore outsourcing transactions
- Represented service providers in complex systems integration design, build and integrate projects
- Negotiated complex strategic alliance arrangements between large participants in the technology sector
- Negotiated complex third party logistics services arrangements in the health care sector
- Represented online services providers in addressing cross-border data issues with public sector customers
- Advised clients on numerous government procurement projects, including complex licensing and integration projects and procurement reform initiatives
- Addressed complex open source software and other IP/IT issues in acquisitions of technology assets and technology companies
- Addressed new media, IP, privacy and e-commerce issues in the delivery of online services and cloud computing
- Assisted clients successfully respond to complaints made to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
- Assisted clients respond to legislative proposals in respect of cross-border privacy matters, spam and spyware
Latest Insights
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Osler Update Jun 28, 2024
Canada introduces sweeping bill to mandate tech and data interoperability in healthcare
On June 6, 2024, the federal Minister of Health introduced Bill C-72 — An Act respecting the interoperability of health information technology and...
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Osler Update May 31, 2024
Updated Ineligibility and Suspension Policy creates significant new compliance challenges for suppliers to Government of Canada
Selling goods and services to the Government of Canada just became more challenging. Effective today (May 31, 2024), participants in most new...
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Webinar May 29, 2024
AccessPrivacy Monthly Call: Legislative Reform in the Canadian Privacy and Data Arena
In this month’s webinar, Adam Kardash is joined by Partners and Special Counsel from Osler's Privacy and Data...
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Osler Update May 2, 2024
OSFI to finalize risk management guidance covering the use of AI and machine learning within models
The OSFI is releasing an updated guidance on model risk management for financial institutions.
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Awards and Recognition
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Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Information Technology
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Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Business Lawyers: Recognized in Information Technology
- “…[Michael] really cares about his clients and provides thoughtful and considered advice.”
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The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Recognized in Computer & IT Law; Technology Transactions; Data Protection & Privacy
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Best Lawyers in Canada: Recognized in Information Technology Law, Technology Law, and Privacy and Data Security Law
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Legal 500: Recognized in Technology Law
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Who’s Who Legal: Recognized in International – Data – Data Privacy & Protection, Telecommunications Media & Technology; Canada – Data; Government – Government Contracts
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Thomson Reuters: “Stand-out Lawyer”
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Lexpert Special Edition: Recognized in Technology and Health Sciences
Media Mentions
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Osler News Jun 29, 2023
29 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health 2023
Congratulations to 29 of our lawyers for their inclusion in the Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health 2023.
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Osler News Jun 15, 2022
28 Osler lawyers recognized by Lexpert as leaders in Technology and Health Sciences
The Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health Sciences 2022 recognizes 28 Osler lawyers as leaders.
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Osler News May 28, 2021
Osler undertakes legal innovation — Microsoft Business of Law Podcast
Osler’s Michael Fekete and Jennifer Thompson were recent guests on the Microsoft Business of Law Podcast and spoke with Candice Carr, senior...
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Osler News Feb 19, 2021
Lexpert recognizes 21 Osler lawyers as technology leaders
Osler is pleased to announce 21 of our lawyers have been recognized as leading lawyers in the Lexpert Special Edition: Technology 2021.
Read more
Community Involvement
- Give A Day for World AIDS, Co-Chair of legal community fundraising campaign in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and Dignitas International (2006-Present)
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
- CASL Compliance and Risk Mitigation Strategies, Canadian anti-spam legislation workshop organized by IT World Canada as part of the CanadianCIO Executive Education Series, May 22, 2014.
- Canada’s Anti-Spam Law – The Countdown Begins, Bloomberg BNA Privacy and Security Law Report, January 27, 2014.
- Cloud Computing: Identifying the Opportunities and Overcoming the Risks (Panellist), Ontario Bar Association’s Institute 2013, February 8, 2013.
- Canada’s New Anti-Spam and Anti-Spyware Regime – Why You Need to Get Ready Now, Osler Webinar – September 2011
- The Implications of Canada’s Anti-Spam Regime on Marketing Initiatives, April, 2011
- Open Source and Creative Commons Licensing Understanding and Mitigating the Risks, March, 2011
- Why Canada’s New Anti-Spam Law Matters to All Email Marketers, February, 2011
- Anti-Spyware Rules to Cover Malicious Software and Much More, Canadian Privacy Law Review, August 2010.
- Broad anti-spam and anti-spyware Bill would expose legitimate enterprises to significant penalties, Canadian Corporate Counsel, Intellectual Property, July/August 2010.
- Privacy Law in Canada, Doing Business in Canada (Osler), March 2009.
- Managing Cross-Border Privacy Issues in Outsourcing and IT Transactions (presentation), The Canadian Institute’s Privacy Compliance Group, May 28, 2008.
- Cross-Border Privacy Issues in the Era of the USA PATRIOT Act (presentation), Toronto Computer Lawyers’ Group, January 31, 2008.
- Open Source Software: Understanding and Managing the Risks, April 20, 2005.
- Keeping Secrets: The Growing Challenge of Protecting Data in Outsourcing and Service Provider Arrangements, ACC Docket, November/December 2004.
Credentials
Education
- University of British Columbia, LL.B.
- Carleton University, B.A.
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- Information Technology Association of Canada
- Toronto Computer Lawyers' Group
- IT/Can Law Association
- Canadian Bar Association
