Matt Saunders

Counsel

Montréal
[email protected]
514.954.3185

Matt’s practice in cybersecurity and data protection revolves around key aspects of privacy compliance, organizational resilience and incident response. A seasoned breach coach with a global outlook and a rich professional background, he keeps a keen eye on the evolution of ransomware attacks and other types of cyber incidents in the corporate world. Matt’s strategic counsel on such topics benefits from previous perspectives gained in commercial litigation, where he worked on files addressing fraud prevention and investigation, injunctive relief, asset recovery, and negligence.

He can assist Canadian companies and other organizations with:

  • risk assessment and mitigation
  • data management and regulatory requirements
  • privacy policies and programs
  • emergency management, crisis communications, and recovery

Matt is a sought-after speaker on the legal landscape surrounding privacy matters, the impact of artificial intelligence on security practices, and the various challenges and strategies required to protect complex organizations from cyber incidents.

Experience

  • Provided legal advice to a provincial health care organization in its assessment and development of a framework required to facilitate the sharing of critical cybersecurity-related information across the sector.
  • Provided legal advice to an energy sector client to determine the scope and complexity of their obligations surrounding data residency requirements of its customers’ personal information.
  • Provided legal advice to a large supply chain company during its revamp and upgrade of its cybersecurity incident response program.

Beyond Our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
  • Member, Law Society of Ontario
  • Member, Barreau du Québec
  • Member-at-Large, National Executive, Access & Privacy Law Section, Canadian Bar Association
  • Former Chair, Access & Privacy Law Section (Nova Scotia), Canadian Bar Association

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2024) of Best Lawyers in Canada (Corporate and Commercial Litigation; Privacy and Data Security Law).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2023) of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Data Protection & Privacy).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2022) of The Lexpert® Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Technology and Health Sciences Lawyers.

Bar Admission & Education

  • Québec, 2024
  • Nova Scotia, 2017
  • Ontario, 2013
  • LL.B and B.C.L., Common and Civil Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence, McGill University, 2012
  • LL.M, International Criminal Law, University of Sussex, 2004
  • M.A., Political Science, Simon Fraser University, 2002
  • Political Studies & Philosophy, Bishop's University, 2000