Thursday, September 21, 2006

After more than five years of inspired leadership to the Faculty's Centre for Innovation Law and Policy, Executive Director, Richard Owens, is returning to legal practice to join Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.  Richard will be a Partner in Blakes' Information Technology Group.  "The Centre has been very fortunate to have had Richard Owens as its Executive Director since February, 2001," said Dean Mayo Moran. "His departure marks a significant loss for the Faculty. However, I am delighted that he will continue his affiliation with the Centre to help ensure the continuity of its programs and activities." 

The Centre was established in 1999 through the generous assistance of the Ontario Government, the University of Toronto, and Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt.  Over the past five years, Richard developed and oversaw the numerous programs that have constituted the Centre, including support for teaching and research, policy development and research and advisory services relating to innovation law.   

Prior to joining the Centre, Richard represented high-technology companies and financial institutions in matters involving licensing, strategic alliances and joint ventures, privacy, financing, outsourcing, electronic commerce, public/private partnerships, and Internet issues. Over his career, he has written and published widely on the law of information technology, privacy, and the regulation of financial institutions.

His move to Blakes marks an important addition to the national Information Technology group at Blake Cassels, according to firm Chairman Jim Christie.  "Richard is well-known in the technology area nationally and internationally," said Jim Christie, Chairman of Blakes. "His expertise and experience, both as a practitioner and an academic, will add significant depth to our national IT practice and I welcome Richard to Blakes."