Canadian Lawyer

34 www.canadianlawyermag.com FEATURE INHOUSE PROFILES Best of InHouse interviews Our sister publication, Lexpert, profiles in-house counsel regularly online at lexpert.ca/news/in-house-lawyer. Below is a selection of profiles featured by Lexpert this year FEATURE municipal governance. As a solicitor in the City of Toronto's municipal law group, he's embedded in the daily operations of the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA), a role that places him at the intersection of public service and commercial enterprise. "I'm the dedicated counsel for the Toronto Parking Authority," he explains. "It's a unique organization because it has to walk a line between being a municipal public service and operating as a commercial entity, including running private parking lots." Banach's responsibilities span governance, contract negotiation, and regulatory compliance. "One of the unique challenges about advising a public sector client is toggling between items that there's absolutely no give on … and those that are more open to negotiation or interpretation," he says. At TPA, he's handled contracts for advanced parking systems. "The risk appetite and considerations of a municipal organization will inherently be different than those faced in the private sector," he says. "What makes it particularly unique is ensuring that the lines between public and private interests don't get blurred." With TPA expanding EV charging and bike-share programs, Banach aims to enable innovation while maintaining compliance. "I try to lead with 'yes' where possible, then add the necessary guardrails," he says. "It's about building credibility." He applies this to AI trends, where privacy and cybersecurity concerns dominate. Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act "compliance … or the city's policies on generative AI tools like ChatGPT – those are significant considerations." Banach sees legal counsel evolving alongside innovation. "You're almost building the legal bridge as the client walks across it," he says. "Being an in-house lawyer means being embedded in decision-making." For aspiring counsel, he adds: "You're not just a lawyer; you're part of the team. And that's what makes the work meaningful." MARTIN BANACH Company: Toronto Parking Authority Title: Legal Counsel Leading legal strategy on complex infrastructure and public law matters Martin Banach is no stranger to navigating the legal complexities of

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