Matt Saunders

Counsel

Montréal
[email protected]
514.954.3185

Matt's dynamic practice in cybersecurity and data protection involves advising regional, national, and international clients on key aspects of privacy compliance, organizational cyber-resilience, and incident response practices in Canada. A seasoned breach coach with a global outlook and a rich professional background, he keeps a keen eye on the evolution of ransomware attacks, insider threats, and other types of cyber incidents in both the public and private sectors. Matt's strategic counsel on such topics benefits from his previous experience in complex commercial litigation, where he helped clients navigate a range of issues including fraud prevention and investigation, breach of contract, injunctive relief, negligence, and asset recovery.

As breach counsel, he assists Canadian companies and public bodies with both preventative and response services such as risk assessment and mitigation, data management and regulatory compliance, privacy policy updates, crisis communications, and post-incident recovery steps.

Matt is also a sought-after speaker on the legal landscape regulating data breaches, the impact of artificial intelligence on privacy practices and corporate compliance, and the intersection of transnational crime, state-sponsored cyber incidents, and law enforcement collaboration.

Matt is recognized by several legal directories, including Best Lawyers in Canada (Privacy and Data Security Law; Corporate and Commercial Litigation), The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Data Protection & Privacy), and The Lexpert® Special Edition on Canada's Leading Technology and Health Sciences Lawyers.

Experience

  • Provided legal advice to a provincial health care organization in its assessment and development of a framework required to facilitate the sharing of critical cybersecurity-related information across the sector.
  • Provided legal advice to an energy sector client to determine the scope and complexity of their obligations surrounding data residency requirements of its customers’ personal information.
  • Provided legal advice to a large supply chain company during its revamp and upgrade of its cybersecurity incident response program.

Beyond Our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
  • Member, Law Society of Ontario
  • Member, Barreau du Québec
  • Member-at-Large, National Executive, Access & Privacy Law Section, Canadian Bar Association
  • Former Chair, Access & Privacy Law Section (Nova Scotia), Canadian Bar Association

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2024) of Best Lawyers in Canada (Corporate and Commercial Litigation; Privacy and Data Security Law).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2023) of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Data Protection & Privacy).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2022) of The Lexpert® Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Technology and Health Sciences Lawyers.

Bar Admission & Education

  • Québec, 2024
  • Nova Scotia, 2017
  • Ontario, 2013
  • LL.B and B.C.L., Common and Civil Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence, McGill University, 2012
  • LL.M, International Criminal Law, University of Sussex, 2004
  • M.A., Political Science, Simon Fraser University, 2002
  • Political Studies & Philosophy, Bishop's University, 2000