Gowling WLG has been recognized as one of Canada's top law firms in the Chambers FinTech 2019 guide.
This year's edition of Chambers FinTech expanded its global coverage to consist of 22 jurisdictions, including for the first time Canada and the US. Legal expertise was assessed in four main categories: Payments & Lending, Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies, Data Protection & Cyber security, and Corporate, Securities & Financing.
As a firm, Gowling WLG earned an impressive Band 1 ranking - the highest possible level of achievement. In addition, partner and head of the firm's Blockchain & Smart Contracts Group, Usman Sheikh, was individually recognized as one of the top three FinTech lawyers in the country.
With a team of professionals who have hands-on FinTech experience, the firm received glowing feedback from its clients in the guide: "They are the best at what they do, they understand the law at the highest level. They have good subject matter expertise and are able to understand my tech and protect it well, no matter the area."
The guide noted that Sheikh is a "key figure in Canadian FinTech law and a leading expert in blockchain technology" and included feedback from clients who said that "he has a nice approach in engaging with securities regulators, takes the time to listen to us and he has the expertise."
In recent years, Gowling WLG has distinguished itself as a leading law firm when it comes to all things tech — particularly in the areas of FinTech, emerging technologies, AI, big data, blockchain and InsurTech. Last year, it became one of the first law firms to launch dedicated practice groups for InsurTech and blockchain, bringing together legal professionals with diverse backgrounds in securities, technology, e-commerce, privacy, cyber security, regulatory, intellectual property and tax law, litigation and a number of other key areas.
Listings in the Chambers FinTech guide are the result of several months of research led by a dedicated, independent team conducting hundreds of in-depth interviews with leading innovators and experts worldwide.
The Chambers rankings are the second recognition for Gowling WLG's FinTech practice this week alone; on Nov. 26, the team was named Law Firm of the Year at the 4th Annual Canadian FinTech & AI Awards.
Gowling WLG operates at the forefront of FinTech's emerging business landscape, helping companies understand and navigate the complex regulatory and operational challenges that new products and technologies bring with them.