Stephen Burns' practice focuses on energy, utility and infrastructure related technology, procurement and outsourcing, technology transfers, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate / commercial matters related to technology. Stephen is the Co-Head of the ITB Practice Group.
Stephen has extensive IT procurement related experience. Recently, he has lead a number of large multi-stage, multi-vendor outsourcing transactions on behalf of large, integrated energy companies and utilities. He has also completed similar work for clients in health, financial markets and banking. In addition, he has lead the creation of multi-vendor private IT marketplaces for large energy companies. Stephen is regularly retained by clients for IT procurement, RFP and contract negotiation matters, including development, customization, co-location and cloud services.
Stephen has significant technology related experience in connection with the engineering, construction, commissioning, operation, debottlenecking and revamping of energy, utility and infrastructure facilities: including, in connection with LNG, oil sands (mining and in situ), pipelines, storage, upgrading, refining, power generation (coal, natural gas, bio-mass, wind), power transmission, power distribution (including, automated meter infrastructure), and water and sewage treatment.
Stephen's practice includes a focus on information law, including data governance, cyber-security, seismic, privacy, social media, document retention and access to government information. Stephen regularly appears before Canada's various Information and Privacy Commissioners.
Stephen advises on matters concerning licensing, registration and protection of intellectual property in Canada and abroad. Stephen is a registered trade-mark agent.
Stephen is regularly recognized for his leading practice, including in Chambers Canada, Legal 500 Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, IAM Patent 1000 and Best Lawyers in Canada.
Stephen regularly lectures and publishes papers on technology, outsourcing and procurement, social media, data governance, cyber-security, privacy, confidential information, software, seismic data, e-commerce, intellectual property portfolio management and trademark licensing. He is a member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada. Stephen earned his H.B.A. from Ivey at The University of Western Ontario, his LL.B. from the University of Manitoba and his M.B.A. from Haskayne at the University of Calgary.