Sam is a member of the Technology Group that regularly works with artificial intelligence companies or organizations making use of artificial intelligence technologies. This includes helping clients understand evolving global standards and regulations, assessing potential risks and liabilities associated with this emerging technology, and identifying processes for integrating artificial intelligence risk management strategies into organizational activities.
His practice also includes technology procurement, contracting, and other commercial and corporate matters, with a significant focus on advising clients on complex and thorny issues related to the use of data, blockchain technology and, open-source software.
Sam is also a Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT), a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals, a licensed professional engineer and was the co-creator of Osler’s free open-source tool, Osler Code Detect. He regularly helps organizations comply with ambiguous provisions found in many open-source licenses, developing policies that are used by engineers, and negotiates various open-source issues as part of licensing and M&A transactions.
Outside of work, Sam enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys and once completed the Ironman Triathlon at Mont-Tremblant.
Representative Work
- Publicis Groupe
Publicis Groupe in its acquisition of Moov AI
- Pocketed (deepND Inc.)
Pocketed (deepND) in its acquisition by Deloitte Canada
- Reach
Reach in its strategic investment by Primus Capital
- Agnostiq Inc.
Agnostiq Inc. in its acquisition by DataRobot
- Purolator
Purolator in its acquisition of Livingston International
- Spire Global
Spire Global in its agreement to sell its maritime business for approximately US$241 million
- Chevron Canada Limited
Chevron Canada Limited on the sale of its interest in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project and the Kaybob Duvernay Shale Gas Project to Canadian Natural Resources Limited for US$6.5 billion
- Viggle AI
Viggle AI in its securing of $26-million Series A financing
- Cohere
Cohere announced it has raised US$500 million in its Series D financing round at a US$5.5-billion valuation
- Battery Ventures
Battery Ventures in its $150 million acquisition of TrueContext Corporation
- Kyndryl
Kyndryl in the sale of its Securities Industry Services business to Broadridge
- Trilogy
Trilogy in its take-private of Indigo Books & Music
- WT Microelectronics
WT Microelectronics in its acquisition of Future Electronics for US$3.8 billion
- Verndale
Verndale in its acquisition of Yaksa
- iCON Infrastructure
iCON Infrastructure in its investment in QSL
- Metro Supply Group
Metro Supply Chain in its acquisition of SCI Group Inc.
- Contractor Compliance
Contractor Compliance in its acquisition by VelocityEHS
- Pagefreezer Software Inc.
Pagefreezer Software Inc. in its acquisition of X1 Social Discovery Solutions product from X1 Discovery Inc.
- Hard Rock Digital
Hard Rock Digital in its acquisition of WGames
- Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Corporation in connection with Photonic Inc.’s raising of US$100 million
- First Quality Enterprises LLC
First Quality Enterprises in its acquisition of Domtar’s Pulp and Paper Mill in Dryden, Ontario
- Moxxie Ventures and iNovia Capital
Moxxie Ventures and iNovia Capital in connection with Spellbook’s US$10.9 million Series A financing round
- Photonis Group
Photonis Group in its agreement to acquire Telops
- MoonPay
MoonPay in its acquisition of Nightshift
- integrate.ai
integrate.ai in the launch of its new platform
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- Acted for various international companies in acquisitions of technology firms
- Acted for major Canadian companies in the procurement of software development and integration services
- Acted for a large utility on outsourcing matters
- Acted for major Canadian banks in the procurement of software and hardware services
- Acted for various technology sectors clients with respect to licensing, software-as-a-service, consulting, consulting, partnership, services, distribution, reseller, and R&D agreements
- Advised various clients on matters that require deep technical software development expertise
- Advised various clients on issues related to open source software, agile software development and blockchain technologies
–>
Publicis Groupe in its acquisition of Moov AI
Pocketed (deepND) in its acquisition by Deloitte Canada
Reach in its strategic investment by Primus Capital
Agnostiq Inc. in its acquisition by DataRobot
Purolator in its acquisition of Livingston International
- Spire Global
Spire Global in its agreement to sell its maritime business for approximately US$241 million
- Chevron Canada Limited
Chevron Canada Limited on the sale of its interest in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project and the Kaybob Duvernay Shale Gas Project to Canadian Natural Resources Limited for US$6.5 billion
- Viggle AI
Viggle AI in its securing of $26-million Series A financing
- Cohere
Cohere announced it has raised US$500 million in its Series D financing round at a US$5.5-billion valuation
- Battery Ventures
Battery Ventures in its $150 million acquisition of TrueContext Corporation
- Kyndryl
Kyndryl in the sale of its Securities Industry Services business to Broadridge
- Trilogy
Trilogy in its take-private of Indigo Books & Music
- WT Microelectronics
WT Microelectronics in its acquisition of Future Electronics for US$3.8 billion
- Verndale
Verndale in its acquisition of Yaksa
- iCON Infrastructure
iCON Infrastructure in its investment in QSL
- Metro Supply Group
Metro Supply Chain in its acquisition of SCI Group Inc.
- Contractor Compliance
Contractor Compliance in its acquisition by VelocityEHS
- Pagefreezer Software Inc.
Pagefreezer Software Inc. in its acquisition of X1 Social Discovery Solutions product from X1 Discovery Inc.
- Hard Rock Digital
Hard Rock Digital in its acquisition of WGames
- Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Corporation in connection with Photonic Inc.’s raising of US$100 million
- First Quality Enterprises LLC
First Quality Enterprises in its acquisition of Domtar’s Pulp and Paper Mill in Dryden, Ontario
- Moxxie Ventures and iNovia Capital
Moxxie Ventures and iNovia Capital in connection with Spellbook’s US$10.9 million Series A financing round
- Photonis Group
Photonis Group in its agreement to acquire Telops
- MoonPay
MoonPay in its acquisition of Nightshift
- integrate.ai
integrate.ai in the launch of its new platform
<!–
- Acted for various international companies in acquisitions of technology firms
- Acted for major Canadian companies in the procurement of software development and integration services
- Acted for a large utility on outsourcing matters
- Acted for major Canadian banks in the procurement of software and hardware services
- Acted for various technology sectors clients with respect to licensing, software-as-a-service, consulting, consulting, partnership, services, distribution, reseller, and R&D agreements
- Advised various clients on matters that require deep technical software development expertise
- Advised various clients on issues related to open source software, agile software development and blockchain technologies
–>
Latest Insights
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Osler Update March 18, 2025
The emerging role of open source in advancing AI adoption
Open source significantly contributes to influencing the future of AI by shaping innovation, regulatory discussion and governance.
Read more -
Osler Update February 10, 2025
A practical approach to enhancing cybersecurity trust: standards and validation programs for SMEs
As cybersecurity threats become more prevalent, the need to implement cybersecurity controls based on accessible, pragmatic and achievable standards...
Read more -
Osler Update January 21, 2025
M&A transactions involving AI companies: representations and warranties
Companies that develop AI technologies have become highly attractive acquisition targets.
Read more -
Blog December 17, 2024
Working for Workers Four: ‘artificial intelligence’ disclosure requirement
New Ontario regulation aims to provide transparency to job seekers, but more guidance is needed to ensure employer compliance.
Read more
Awards and Recognition
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Recognized as “One to Watch” in Information Technology Law
—Best Lawyers -
Recognized in Information Technology
—Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory -
Recognized as 2023 CAN-TECH LAW Rising Star In Tech Law Award
—Canadian Technology Law Association
Media Mentions
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Osler News February 25, 2025
Osler participates in the Legal AI Hackathon (Toronto)
As artificial intelligence reshapes the legal industry, Osler is at the forefront of this transformation — actively shaping the delivery of legal...
Read more -
Media Mentions November 26, 2024
What’s law got to do with it? With proper precautions and training, legal departments expect to gain huge strides with AI – Financial Post
Sam Ip think about the role of AI in corporate legal departments and law firms? The partner in the firm’s Technology Group gives his take.
Read more -
Media Mentions September 17, 2024
The HR future is here with AI. Are you ready to upskill? – The Globe and Mail
Partner Sam Ip says in an interview it is vital HR leaders think of AI in terms of balancing risks with benefits.
Read more -
Media Mentions May 17, 2024
Is Gen AI worth the hassle and risk? – CBA National Magazine
According to a recent article in the Canadian Bar Association’s National Magazine, analysts have estimated that generative artificial...
Read more
Community Involvement
- Law Help Ontario, Duty Counsel Volunteer (2013–Present)
- UWO Journal of Legal Studies, Editor (2011)
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
Driving revenue while managing risk: a practical approach to customer contracts for emerging and high growth technology companies
Read moreDriving revenue while managing risk: a practical approach to customer contracts for emerging and high growth technology companies
Read moreOsler AI series: Key issues in M&A transactions for AI companies (part 2)
Read moreEmployment and Labour Law Insights: Artificial intelligence in the workplace
Read moreAccessPrivacy Monthly Call: Key features and implications of ISED’s sweeping amendments to the proposed legislative scheme to regulate AI systems
Read moreOsler’s Year-End Professionalism Series: Is generative AI for me? Use cases for lawyers and professionals
Read moreOsler AI series: Key issues in M&A transactions for AI companies
Read moreOsler AI series: A primer on the technology, common and emerging uses, opportunities and challenges
Read moreEHG 101 series: Open-source software (OSS tool for licence identification)
Read morePublished Work
- The HR future is here with AI. Are you ready to upskill?, The Globe and Mail, September 17, 2024
- Is Gen AI worth the hassle and risk?, CBA National, May 17, 2024
- Cyber security considerations for public companies, Internet and E-Commerce Law in Canada, January 2014.
Credentials
Education
- University of Western Ontario, J.D./MBA
- Professional Engineers of Ontario, P.Eng.
- University of Waterloo, B.A.sc. in Computer Engineering
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- Professional Engineers of Ontario
- Free Software Foundation
- Open Source Initiative