Canadian Lawyer

FRONTIER THE NEXT FRONTIER FRONTIER FRONTIER FRONTIER FRONTIER FRONTIER FRONTIER FRONTIER JACQUELINE SHINFIELD BLAKE CASSELS & GRAYDON LLP 26 O c t O b e r 2 0 1 4 w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m T he practice of law is always evolving as new influ- ences such as technology add complexity to how lawyers solve problems for their clients. From intellectual property to labour and employment to business law, and beyond technology and evolving business models have created new opportunities for lawyers to do what they do best — resolve disputes and grow their practice areas. The best way to think of new practice areas today is not so much within prescribed categories of law, but rather multi-area practices that will be called upon to service new businesses as they emerge and mature. Think of the legal challenges posed by digital currency, apps, new forms of social media, new Internet platforms, online and mobile gaming, emerging forms of communication, not to mention evolution of societal and family norms, and the globalization of business and commerce. Just ask Vancouver-based lawyer Steve Szentesi of Steve Szentesi Law Corp. who works in advertising and marketing law, and recent- ly worked on a file that required him to apply Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation to a shopping related app. "The technology was new — a start-up — and so was the law [CASL], so it was an example of try- ing to apply the law to new technology," he says. Clients are also increasingly demanding advice for global Internet applications and social media. While the law is "local," start-ups are consistently global now. "A few of my recent clients don't want to know what the law is in Canada, they want to know how they can launch their 'thing' and comply with global laws. But of course there is always a tension between budget and risk because laws remain local. I think this is a really interesting intersection," he says. "If you don't have big investment banking backing but have a brilliant new technology and want to take the market lead, what do you do? Hire a couple dozen lawyers or take the risk?" New frontiers definitely present new revenue generating opportunities for lawyers. In August, Dentons announced it was launching a space law group spread across 10 offices around the world that would involve 15 lawyers. The space business team will focus on transactional, insurance, intellectual property, regula- tory, import/export and litigation, and arbitration needs on behalf PARNA SABET- STEPHENSON BLAKE CASSELS & GRAYDON LLP SANDrA STrANGEmOrE

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