Antoine Guilmain

Antoine Guilmain is a partner in Gowling WLG's Montréal office where he co-leads the firm's national Cyber Security and Data Protection Law Group and serves as a member of its Technology Group.

With an international background in Canada, the United States, and Europe, including high-level experience at one of the largest US technology companies, Antoine provides strategic and operational advice on a range of data protection and cyber security issues. His practice encompass privacy, European data protection regulation (GDPR), anti-spam compliance, risk management and cyber security compliance, access to information and consumer protection, among other areas.

Harnessing this broad experience, he routinely supports clients in the design and deployment of emerging technologies, including with respect to artificial intelligence automation, the monetization of megadata, immersion through virtual and augmented reality and connectivity through the Internet of Things or the metaverse.

In the realm of AI, Antoine helps clients anticipate and address the distinct legal implications of integrating intelligent systems into their operations. From drafting AI-focused contractual terms to advising on the accountability of AI-driven decisions, he ensures that businesses mitigate risk while staying ahead of regulatory requirements and ethical considerations. His guidance extends across industries, helping organizations manage the complexities of data governance and liability as they incorporate AI into both customer-facing products and internal systems.

Over the course of his career, Antoine has represented clients before various judicial and administrative courts, including the Commission d'accès à l'information du Québec, the Federal Court of Canada and other provincial courts. He also assists clients in investigations conducted by federal and provincial regulatory authorities, including in the context of security incidents.

Antoine holds two PhD's in Information Technology Law from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and the University of Montréal, which earned him a citation of excellence and inclusion on the Dean's honour roll. As part of his doctorate, he received merit scholarships that allowed him to pursue his research at the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology, the Max Planck Institute Luxembourg for International, European and Regulatory Procedural Law, and the Fordham Center on Law and Information Policy. 

He also holds numerous international certifications in the field of privacy, including Certified Information Professional (CIPP/c, CIPP/e, CIPP/us), Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) and Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) from the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Recognized as an innovator and thought leader in this ever-evolving area of law, Antoine regularly contributes to public debates and discussions on privacy by publishing opinions in daily newspapers and magazines, filing submissions with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and intervening in parliamentary committees on various bills or reports. In addition, he has authored numerous publications in his field, the most recent being The Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector in Québec: Looking Back and Thinking Forward. He is also a frequent lecturer in Canada, Europe and the United States, and has taught at several universities, including the Université de Sherbrooke's Faculty of Law for several years.

Prior to joining the firm, Antoine held various positions at one of the largest US technology companies, including Associate General Counsel and Head of Privacy Legal for Canada. During his tenure, he worked closely with product teams and engineers on the design and launch of new software and hardware, while also collaborating with public relations and communications teams in interactions with regulators and the general public. He has also worked at another international law firm where he launched a ground-breaking European data protection compliance practice.

Antoine is ranked in Chambers Canada, The Best Lawyers in Canada and in The Canadian Lexpert Directory as one of Canada’s top privacy and data protection lawyers.