Aaron provides practical solutions to business problems.
With a strong education and background in business, Aaron brings a sensibility for framing his legal advice from the perspective of a business professional. The underlying question that consistently guides his work is whether he is adding value to his clients and furthering their business objectives.
Aaron practices corporate and commercial law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, technology and privacy. In addition to his work with Canadian tech companies, Aaron regularly assists foreign tech companies with their expansion to Canada.
Aaron has a keen interest in legal technology and has played a leading role in the firm’s adoption of artificial intelligence, legal project management, and data analytics tools that are transforming the practice of law. In 2018, Aaron was seconded to Diligen, a leading AI contract review company based in Toronto. Aaron is an active member of the firm's Technology Advisory Committee.
As a member of the firm's Privacy & Data Security Group, Aaron regularly acts for startups and established Canadian businesses with respect to privacy matters. Aaron has provided submissions to the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics with respect to its study of PIPEDA.
Professional Involvement
Professional Activities
- Founder, Ryerson Law Study Group, Ryerson University Faculty of Law
- Board Member, Ivey Alumni Network Toronto
- Knowledge Management Advisory Board Member, Practical Law Canada, Thomson Reuters
- Mentor, Founder Institute
- Mentor, Windmill Microlending
- Mentor, Ivey Mentor Circle Program, Ivey Business School at Western University
- Mentor, Western Law Alumni-Student Mentor Program, Western University
- Editor, Codify Legal Publishing’s Monthly Privacy Report
- Editor, Codify Legal Publishing’s Monthly Corporate/Commercial Report
Memberships
- Canadian/Ontario Bar Association
- International Legal Technology Association (ILTA)
- Legal Innovators' Roundtable
- Toronto Legal KM Group
Community Involvement
- Big Brother, Jewish Family & Child
"Reimagining the Shape, Scope and Trajectory of the New Legal Career," Canadian Legal Innovation Forum, May 4, 2021.
"Scaling Your Business for Transition," Global Hamilton Webinar, April 1, 2021.
"Blockchain and the Law," Windsor Law, March 29, 2021.
"Making the Legal Profession Faster, Better, and Cheaper with Aaron Baer," The Wealth Navigator Podcast, March 24, 2021.
"The Business Impact of Changes to Privacy Laws," Canadian Legal Innovation Forum Webinar, March 18, 2021.
"Conflict Analytics Presents: Robots & Rulemakers," Conflict Analytics Lab, March 17, 2021.
"AI/Machine Learning," Toronto Legal KM Group Panel, March 12, 2021.
"Commercial Law and Technology," Technology Law Society University of Leicester, February 24, 2021.
"Justice in Pieces," TriOS College, February 23, 2021.
"Episode 6," Law School Life & Beyond Leadership Series, February 11, 2021.
"Innovation in the Firm," Ottawa Legal Innovation Hub, January 28, 2021.
"A Conversation with Aaron," Legally Bright, January 26, 2021.
“Redefining Law Through Legal Innovation,” Legally Speaking Podcast, January 25, 2021.
"Legal & IP," Founder Institute, January 6, 2021.
"Canadian Data Privacy Laws: Introducing Bill C-11," Aird & Berlis Privacy Webinar, December 2, 2020.
"Panel Discussion on a Sample Transaction," OBA Commercial Agreements Bootcamp 2020, November 24, 2020.
"Practical Advice for Assessing and Mapping Your Options As You Advance in Your Practice," Young Lawyers Summit, November 24, 2020.
"Intro to Legal Innovation," Student Legal Innovation Association, November 13, 2020.
"The Practice of Law in the ‘Gig’ Economy: The “Uberisation” of Legal Services and What it Means for Lawyers, Law Firms and the Regulation of the Profession," IBA 2020 – Virtually Together Conference, November 4, 2020.
“Expanding into Ontario, Overview of Corporate and Employment Considerations,” Toronto Global Forum 2020, October 26, 2020.
"Covid Immunity and Business Liability," Brigham Young University Law School, October 26, 2020.
"The Canadian Landscape for Business Expansion and Relocation," Aird & Berlis Technology Webinar, September 16, 2020.
"Integrating Tech into Your Daily Practice – Practical Ideas Using Technology in the New Remote Environment," Canadian Lawyer Legal Tech Virtual Summit, September 15, 2020.
"Tips and Tricks for Succeeding in 1L," Webinar, August 26, 2020.
"The Changing Insurance Landscape Amid COVID-19," Centre for Study of Insurance Operations Webinar, August 24, 2020.
"What Startups Need to Know about Corporate Law," Founder Institute Webinar, July 15, 2020.
“How to Scale Fast & Reduce Costs with Remote Dev Teams in Canada” – June 4, 2020 with Boast.AI and VanHack (webinar)
"Expanding Your Business to Canada - A Legal Primer for Tech Companies," Aird & Berlis Technology Webinar, May 5, 2020.
"Crisis Management: What companies should know when responding to COVID-19," April 13, 2020.
"The Virtual Office: Effectively Developing a Secure Work-From-Home IT Solution," Aird & Berlis Technology Webinar, April 9, 2020.
“Rethinking the Shape, Scope and Trajectory of the Legal Career,” Canadian Legal Innovation Forum, March 5, 2020.
“Privacy Law Panel,” Osgoode Hall Law School, October 21, 2019.
“Doing Business in Canada,” Marseille in Canada 2019, July 8, 2019.
“Privacy and Cyber Security Risks and Liabilities,” The Six-Minute Business Lawyer 2019, June 12, 2019.
“Adoption of Legal Tech: A Big Law Perspective,” Lawyer 2.0 - The Future of Legal Practice, Queen's University, November 17, 2018.
“Legal Innovation: What's Here, What's Near and What's Further Away,” Aird & Berlis Technology Webinar, June 7, 2018.
“The Power of Blockchain in Business,” Aird & Berlis Technology Webinar, April 25, 2018.
Co-author, "M&A and COVID – How COVID Has Forced Buyers and Sellers to Re-Think the Allocation of Risk in Contracts," Robbinex Execu-Brief, February 2021.
Co-author, "It’s Not a Question of Why – But Why Not File for a Patent in Canada?," Market Expansion Bulletin, January 26, 2021.
Co-author, "The Unofficial Guide to the 1L and 2L Recruit," January 2021.
Author, "How One Lawyer Helps Young Litigators Through Modern Training," The Lawyer's Daily, January 13, 2021 .
Co-author, "Eight Fun Facts About Canada," Market Expansion Bulletin, December 22, 2020.
Author, "Mental Health in the Legal Profession: Critical and Overlooked," The Lawyer's Daily, December 10, 2020.
Author, "Did COVID-19 Fix a Broken Legal Industry?," Western Law Alumni Magazine - 2020 Edition, December 8, 2020.
Co-author, "Canada Re-enters the International Ring with Bold New Privacy Law Including Significant Fines," The Spotlight, December 2, 2020.
Co-author, "The First Step to Protecting Your Brand in Canada," Market Expansion Bulletin, November 10, 2020.
Co-author, "Legislative Requirements for Ontario Workplaces," Market Expansion Bulletin, October 27, 2020.
Co-author, “Expanding to Canada is About to Get Even Simpler,” Market Expansion Bulletin, October 14, 2020.
Co-author, "Pathway to Canadian Immigration: Why Purchasing an Existing Canadian Business May Be Right for You," Market Expansion Bulletin, October 9, 2020.
Co-author, Canada chapter of “Guidelines and Regulations to Provide Insights on Public Policies to Ensure AI’s Beneficial Use as a Professional Tool,” Artificial Intelligence Working Group of the International Bar Association Alternative New Law and Business Structures Committee publication, September 2020.
Co-author, "Is Your Business Growing? Make Sure You’re Compliant With Pay Equity Obligations," Market Expansion Bulletin, September 10, 2020.
Co-author, "Guide to Incorporating in Canada," August 19, 2020.
Co-author, "Key Differences in Employment Law between Canada and the United States," August 19, 2020.
Co-author, "Global Mobility in the Wake of U.S. Order to Ban the Entry of Foreign Workers to the United States," Aird & Berlis LLP Workplace Law Bulletin, July 16, 2020.
Author, "Growth vs. Fixed Mindset – How Lawyers Can Better Embrace the Changes Resulting From COVID-19," The Lawyer's Daily, July 14, 2020.
Co-author, "Uber v. Heller: Supreme Court Throws Out Dutch Arbitration Clause As Unconscionable," Aird & Berlis LLP Litigation Bulletin, July 9, 2020 and The Lawyer's Daily, July 23, 2020.
Co-author, "Expanding Your Business to Canada," April 9, 2020.
Author, "Boosting the Rate of Technology Adoption," The Spotlight, February 21, 2020.
Co-author, "Canada’s New Digital Charter and What this Means for PIPEDA," The Spotlight, June 13, 2019.
Co-author, "Directors and Officers May Be Found Personally Liable Under CASL," The Spotlight, May 28, 2019.