About Me
How I Became a Video Game Lawyer
In 2007, after 12 years practicing as a technology/Internet lawyer, I signed my first video game client, Metanet. Mare and Raigan graciously told two friends, who told two friends and so on. Over the ensuing years my practice evolved to the point where video-game studios, solo game developers and industry freelancers make up the lion’s share of my clients.
I’ve always loved technology, science fiction (thanks Star Trek ToS) and movies. In the early 80s I copy-typed my first video games from books and magazines into a Radio Shack TSR-80. Not long after I wrote a centipede game in Basic. I’ve been a life-long hobbyist programmer and web developer. My first console was an N64 (Pilot Wings and GoldenEye 007 were my favourites of that era). Despite these early experiences, I was never truly a gamer. Rather, during the 90s the Internet captured most of my attention and imagination.
That changed on November 15, 2001 when I purchased Halo Combat Evolved on the original Xbox launch day. While I got a kick out of killing the Covenant, flying banshees and riding wart hogs, what I enjoyed the most was exploring every nook and cranny of this, for its day, detailed, open and interactive world. I was hooked. Science fiction, a terrific sound track and a solid story melded together into a singular experience. For the first time, a video game captured my imagination and carried me away – just like great Hollywood movies do.
Being fond of start-ups and fascinated by the industry and its growth potential, I wanted to be a part of it. For three years, I wrote the now shuttered video game law blog. The blog ultimately lead to a referral to Metanet. They told two friends … and the rest is history.
Early Career
(1989-1992)
During my M.B.A. & LL.B. studies, I worked in IBM Canada’s Systems Integration Department. I was set for a career at IBM but this changed when I did well on the LSAT and was accepted into Osgoode Hall Law School.
(1995 – 1998)
Fresh out of law school, I articled at Borden & Elliot (now Borden Ladner Gervais). It was there, working with Fraser Mann, where I learned that tech law was a viable practice area. My career path was set.
(1995 – 1998)
After passing the Ontario bar, I joined Smith Lyons’ burgeoning information technology practice and developed it’s website, the first of its kind in Canada.
(later Smith Lyons merged with Gowlings)
(1998 – 2001)
Passionate about all things Internet, during the DOT.COM era I joined the the largest, and arguably the most prestigious, technology law firm on the planet, Wilson Sonsini, in the heart of Silicon Valley.
(2002 – today)
Silicon Valley’s need for lawyers collapsed after the DOT.COM bubble burst, followed shortly thereafter by 9/11. After some travelling around the U.S. and South East Asia, in 2002 I returned to Ontario and set-up a tech law practice.
(2007 – today)
Over time I was fortunate to attract enough clients to make the video game industry the primary focus of my practice. In 2021 I rebranded my practice, committing myself to the industry.
Education
LL.B. (J.D.) (1993)
Corporate / commercial law focus with particular emphasis on information technology law. Spent my final year studying law in French via Osgoode’s exchange program with the University of Montreal’s Faculty of Law.
M.B.A. (1990)
International business and corporate policy major.
B.B.A. (1998 – 2001)
Four year honours business degree with finance and marketing focus.