Peter Downard, Fasken

Peter Downard is a senior litigator and leading defamation law practitioner. He has acted as defamation counsel in trials, mediations, and advisory matters, and has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada and the Ontario Court of Appeal. He is the author of The Law of Libel in Canada, cited as an authority in numerous court decisions, and contributed the Defamation volume to Halsbury’s Laws of Canada. Peter served on the Attorney General of Ontario’s Advisory Panel on SLAPP, which led to the Ontario Protection of Public Participation Act, 2015. He is recognized in Lexpert, Best Lawyers in Canada, the Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Litigation Lawyers in Canada, and Benchmark Canada as a “Litigation Star.” In addition to defamation, Peter has extensive experience in commercial litigation, administrative proceedings, and public inquiries.

Karen Gordon, Principal, Gordon Strategy

In a communications career spanning over two decades, Karen has developed an extensive body of work punctuated by numerous high-stakes, high-profile, and strategically complex engagements. Prior to founding Gordon Strategy, she cut her teeth in communications working in politics, business and government. Karen appears regularly on radio and television as a recognized communications expert and is chair of the board of Trafalgar Castle School and a member of the board of the OLGC.

Dr. Maura R. Grossman, School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo

Dr. Maura R. Grossman is a Research Professor in the School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, an Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, and affiliate faculty at the Vector Institute. She is also an eDiscovery attorney and consultant based in Buffalo, New York. Previously, she spent 17 years at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, representing Fortune 100 companies in complex litigation and regulatory matters, and advising on eDiscovery and information governance.

A leading authority on technology-assisted review (TAR), her scholarship has been widely cited in case law in the U.S. and internationally. Grossman has served as a court-appointed special master, mediator, and expert in high-profile US cases, and has trained judges and taught extensively at major law schools. Recognized as a “Legal Rebel” by the ABA Journal and one of the ABA’s “Women in Legal Tech,” she continues to shape the development of AI technology and practice.

Roland Hung, Torkin Manes LLP

Roland Hung is a partner in the Corporate/Commercial and Technology, Privacy & Data Management Groups at Torkin Manes LLP. His practice covers all aspects of business law with a focus on technology, privacy compliance, cybersecurity, and data management. Roland’s career includes senior roles as Global Privacy Officer at a multinational corporation and as Chief Legal Officer and Chief Privacy Officer of a technology company, giving him a broad perspective on legal and operational challenges.

He advises clients across industries—including finance, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, IT, healthcare, education, and the non-profit sector—on privacy, data governance, and technology matters. His expertise spans artificial intelligence, social media, surveillance, biometrics, telematics, online advertising, big data, and blockchain. Roland has appeared before courts, regulators, and mediators in privacy and commercial disputes.

A frequent speaker and recognized leader, Roland is ranked in Chambers Canada, Chambers Global, and Lexpert for his work in privacy, data protection, and information technology.

Kaley Pulfer, DMG Advocates LLP

Kaley Pulfer is a partner at DMG Advocates LLP with over a decade of litigation experience spanning defamation, constitutional, labour, employment, and human rights law. She regularly represents clients at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and has appeared before tribunals and in arbitrations. Her practice includes advising journalists and media organizations such as the Toronto Star, New York Times, Global News, and Postmedia on libel, publication bans, anti-SLAPP motions, and access to information matters.

Before joining DMG in 2023, she practised at a leading national firm, representing clients in libel and free expression cases, Charter challenges, workplace policy litigation, and commercial disputes. She has also completed secondments at Coca-Cola and Justice for Children and Youth. Dedicated to pro bono service, Pulfer has supported young people seeking regularized immigration status and frequently acts for civil liberties and media organizations in precedent-setting cases.

Maanit Zemel, Zemel van Kampen LLP

Maanit Zemel is a leading civil and commercial litigator, with particular expertise in Internet law, including in online defamation, cyberbullying, Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), digital privacy, and cybersecurity. She has appeared before all levels of court in Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

Maanit co-founded Zemel van Kampen LLP, a boutique law firm in Toronto focusing on Internet and Technology Law. Her representative work includes landmark victories in cyber harassment and online defamation cases. Recently, Maanit co-authored the chapter entitled “What is Your Rating? - the Law of Online Reviews” in the textbook “Social Media and Internet Law, 3rd Edition” (Lomic, P., Lexis/Nexis, Toronto, 2025).

In addition to her litigation practice, Maanit is a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto, teaching International Business Law. She has previously taught Business Law, Internet Law and Cybercrime at Ted Rogers School of Management, and Legal Research and Writing at Lincoln Alexander School of Law, at Toronto Metropolitan University.