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Me. Ava Chisling

Law and Content

EDUCATION

Three degrees from McGill University: BA, BCL, JD/LLB. Member in good standing of the Barreau du Québec since 2007

SELECT PRIZES

Gold Kenneth R Wilson Award
National Magazine Award Merit Prize
Leon Levinson Prize from McGill’s Faculty of Law
Canada Council Award for writing

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

With three degrees from McGill University (BA, LLB, BCL), big firm training (Borden Ladner Gervais) and years of in-house and advisory experience, I counsel clients on a wide array of matters, including intellectual property (copyright and trademark), advertising, marketing, privacy, content, licensing, partnerships, sponsorships, and AI-related transactions. Fluently bilingual in English and French.

Having worked in TV, film, advertising, publishing and radio, along with substantial experience in online content, I have particular expertise in advising businesses involved in these industries.

In detail:

Work effectively with stakeholders at all levels to provide clear, strategic advice.
Demonstrate strong leadership skills, build trust, collaboration, and partnerships between departments and key parties.
Support business goals while balancing short-term and long-term objectives.
Demonstrate high integrity and ethics in all dealings.
Strong communication, problem-solving, analytical and negotiation skills – able to explain complex IP, privacy and technology issues in simple business terms to all parties.
Foster relationships with regulatory authorities, industry associations, and external legal counsel.

Intellectual Property (IP):

Approach IP strategically, anticipate legal risks.
Monitor and analyze changes in copyright and IP laws to ensure proactive legal compliance.
Expert reviewing and drafting skills with a focus on licenses, partnership agreements, collaboration agreements, and confidentiality agreements.

Privacy and Technology:

Develop and implement compliance programs, ensuring adherence to industry-specific regulations in data protection and privacy.
Negotiate and draft technology agreements, including software development, licensing, and collaboration agreements.
Ensure compliance with Quebec privacy laws, including Law 25, by developing and implementing tailored privacy policies and practices.
Conduct in-depth assessments of the impact of Quebec’s privacy legislation on AI technologies.
Provide legal support for technology transactions involving Quebec-based entities, including the negotiation and drafting of agreements in compliance with applicable provincial laws.

Media:

Identify and advise on the legal and reputational risks associated with publishing on social media platforms and in traditional media, including TV and film.
Negotiate and draft agency agreements worldwide.
Negotiate and draft contracts for Academy Award winners and Grammy nominees
Negotiate and draft contracts for sport presenters, TV/radio presenters, musicians, etc.
Negotiate and draft live performance agreements.
Negotiate and draft influencer contracts.
Advise on platform monetization.
Content creation and vetting.
Assess, negotiate and draft literary options.
Negotiate and draft talent representation agreements.
IP compliance for ad agencies.
Negotiate and draft specialist contracts for VFX companies.

Strategic Planning:

Maintain a solid understanding of the clients’ goals.
Establish and implement IP strategies that facilitate these goals and minimize hurdles.
Support all aspects of the organization in day-to-day business matters.

Language Compliance:

Collaborate with clients entering the Quebec market, providing strategic advice on the use of French in commercial activities.
Conduct comprehensive reviews of client agreements to assess compliance with Quebec’s language laws, including the Charter of the French Language.

Education and Training:

Offer workshops and training sessions on the legal implications of AI technologies, fostering a culture of legal awareness and compliance.
Provide educational presentations and training on IP matters to employees, social media teams, and human resources.

Other:

Former Executive Editor of enRoute, the Air Canada magazine.
Extensive experience in branding, advertising and marketing, social media, AI/legal tech writing, editing, and translation.
Authored hundreds of articles on technology and artificial intelligence for a California-based AI company, Jurisage, LegalShield Canada, among others. Issuu: shorturl.at/bclCO
Created or adapted content for Bell, Kijiji, Devimco, Desjardins, St-Hubert, iogo, KLM, Toyota Canada, and 50 more brands.
Long-time mentor for students at McGill Law and Aiglon College.

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