Privacy Lawyer and CASL Lawyer Experience
Barry Sookman is one of Canada’s leading privacy lawyers with a myriad of experience dealing with privacy law and data protection issues including compliance with PIPEDA, cross-border data flows, and Canada’s proposed privacy law reforms. He is also one of Canada’s leading lawyers on Canada’s anti-spam law CASL. This includes giving advice in connection with CRTC investigations and in connection with CASL’s private right of action.
He also advises on privacy issues arising from the development and use of artificial intelligence, and was counsel in the leading privacy case Canada (Privacy Commissioner) v. Facebook, Inc., 2023 FC 533, which received the Benchmark Litigation Canada Impact Case Award and the Canadian Law Awards Commercial Litigation Team of the Year (2024). He is a member of the Wellness AI Ethics Committee (a B.C. Supercluster project) and is on the York University Connected Minds Advisory Board.
Privacy rankings
Chambers Canada and Chambers Global (2015-2023) Canada, Privacy & Data Protection (“Senior Statesman”) “Barry Sookman of McCarthy Tétrault LLP is a major player in the e-commerce and IT space, and is widely viewed as a “thought leader” on CASL issues. One client enthused: “He provides wise counsel and has a great sense of the broader picture. He gives us great confidence in dealing with the regulators.” “Barry Sookman of McCarthy Tétrault LLP is a prolific technology lawyer who is “at the forefront of sophisticated thought about CASL.” “Barry Sookman is recognised by the market as a “very prominent technology lawyer.” He has substantial expertise assisting with CASL compliance and advising clients in connection with CRTC investigations.” “Barry Sookman has a strong reputation in the technology sector. He is especially well versed in data protection matters and compliance with regulations such as CASL.” “The “pre-eminent” Barry Sookman has expertise in privacy issues concerning the use of artificial intelligence, in addition to advising financial institutions on data breach management.” “Eminent technology lawyer Barry Sookman is highly respected for his contributions to the privacy and cybersecurity field, particularly as it relates to intellectual property and anti-spam legislation.” “Toronto-based senior counsel Barry Sookman is highly respected for his contributions to the privacy and cybersecurity field, particularly as it relates to intellectual property and anti-spam legislation.” “He is the top Canadian IP and internet lawyer.”
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (2023-2026): Privacy (Data Privacy & Cybersecurity) Highest ranking – Most Frequently Recommended
Lexpert’s Leading 500 Cross-Border Lawyers: A Guide to Doing Business in Canada (2026): Data Privacy & Cybersecurity; Intellectual Property; and Information Technology.
The Legal 500 Canada (2019-2026) (2023-2026 Hall of Fame) Intellectual Property (Leading individual) “key contact is litigator Barry Sookman, who focuses on IT, IP and privacy matters.” “Leading Individual” in Technology. “Barry Sookman ranks among the market’s leading regulatory specialists.” “McCarthy Tétrault operates across all key pillars of IP law, with strong offerings in prosecution, litigation, and multi-jurisdictional matters. Among the names to note in Toronto, senior counsel Barry Sookman stands as an authority in copyright and IP-related issues.” “Other key practitioners include Toronto-based senior counsel Barry Sookman, who focuses on technology and IP law.”
GDR Global Data Review (2021): Leading Individual, Privacy. “Sookman is world-class on technology, internet and e-commerce issues”.
Best Lawyers (2006-2027) Ranked as the best Technology Lawyer of the Year, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2026. Ranked by Best Lawyers in Communications Law, Information Technology, Technology, Intellectual Property, and Privacy and Data Security Law.
Who’s Who Legal / Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal): Canada (2011-2026) Data – Information Technology – “Thought Leader”; Data Privacy & Protection Global Leader, Data Security, Information Technology. “Most Highly Regarded” Individual or Global Leader”., Data “National Leader”; Lexology Index Thought Leader – Data: Data Privacy & Protection; Lexology Legal Influencer – TMT, Canada (Q2 2025) “Peers describe him as a “seasoned lawyer” who is in a “class of his own”. “He is “the doyen on internet work” and is a “legend”. “Barry Sookman is described by peers a ‘world class’ and ‘an inspiration for other lawyers operating in this space’.” “Barry Sookman is in “a class of his own” according to our sources. Based in Toronto, his practice encompasses information technology and intellectual property matters including outsourcing, joint ventures, and licensing”. “Barry Sookman is a “major player” in the field and one of Canada’s “pre-eminent” practitioners advising upon information technology, internet, copyright and privacy law matters. He is described as practising at the forefront of the discipline and “has a close eye on industry developments.””
Benchmark Litigation Canada (2024): Impact Case Award – Canada (Privacy Commissioner) v. Facebook, Inc., 2023 FC 533
Canadian Law Awards (2024): Commercial Litigation Team of the Year – Canada (Privacy Commissioner) v. Facebook, Inc., 2023 FC 533
Martindale-Hubbell (2019-2022) Preeminent Practitioner
Barry Sookman is a leading privacy lawyer in Canada. He has extensive experience with PIPEDA, CASL, privacy law reform, and privacy issues raised by AI. Contact today!