Theo Ling

Practice Areas

Theo Ling heads Baker McKenzie's Canadian Data & Technology Practice, and is a member of our Firm’s Technology, Media & Telecoms and Financial Institutions Sector Groups.

Recognized for his expertise in artificial intelligence, data privacy, cybersecurity, information governance, technology media communications, and procurement law, Theo's practice lies at the intersection of technology, data, and law.

Theo is ranked by several legal directories, including Chambers, Legal 500, and Best Lawyers, where he is described as "a knowledgeable technology lawyer, with a practical, 'can-do' attitude who is excellent at getting things done." Named by the Financial Times as one of the Top Ten Most Innovative Lawyers in North America, Theo founded the legal industry's first global legal innovation lab focused on multidisciplinary collaboration. Theo is known for his creative, pragmatic, and solution-based approach, helping market-leading businesses develop and implement effective global strategies to support multijurisdictional commercial activities and manage complex cross-border compliance risks. His international commercial and regulatory practice focuses on data and technology-related issues, including digital transformation, data governance, data privacy, data security, electronic payments, data monetization, records retention, media/format, electronic signatures, cross-border data transfers, digitization, fintech, and AI and machine learning considerations.

He advises clients on internet-related services involving smart/connected devices regulated under telecommunications and broadcasting laws. Theo also provides counsel on the sale and license of technology, acquisition of technology companies, outsourcing, and software development and consulting arrangements. His clients include highly regulated multinational entities in technology, financial services, healthcare, pharma, and energy and infrastructure industries, seeking advice on managing various stages of their information life cycle and legal data analytics.

Professional Memberships

•International Technology Law Association (ITechLaw)

•Canadian Technology Law Association

•International Association of Privacy Professionals (CIPP US)

•Canadian Bar Association

•American Bar Association

•Law Society of Ontario

Publications

• Co-author, Data Protection & Privacy (Canada), Lexology Panoramic, 2025

• Contributing Editor, Panoramic Next: Artificial Intelligence (Global), Lexology, 2024-25

• Co-Author, Artificial Intelligence (Canada), Chambers Practice Guides, 2024

• Co-Author, Artificial Intelligence (Canada), GTDT Market Intelligence, 2023

• Co-Author, Cybersecurity Laws and Regulations (Canada) (6th Edition), International Comparative Legal Guides, 2024

• Co-Author, Data Protection (Canada) (10th Edition), International Comparative Legal Guides, 2023

• Co-author, The Technology, Media and Telecommunications Review (Canada) (6th Edition), Law Business Research

• Co-author, The Government Procurement Law Review Canada (11th Edition), Legal Business Research, 2023

• Co-author, Information Governance as the Prescription for Data-Driven Health Care

• Co-author, Blockchain for Supply Chain Management: The Future of Logistics?

• Co-author, The public procurement bidding process in Canada

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Canada

Languages Spoken

English

Education