Mr. Ian Kyer

This comprehensive oral history documents Ian Kyer’s pioneering role in establishing computer law practice in Canada during the 1980s. With a Ph.D. in Medieval History from the University of Toronto’s Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies, Kyer brought unique analytical skills to emerging technology law. He describes his articling at Faskens in 1980, working on major cases like the BBM competition case and the Seaway Trust matter following the Greymac affair.

Kyer’s international leadership in the Computer Law Association and founding of the Canadian IT Law Association in 1995 established him as a key figure in technology law development. The interview extensively covers Faskens’ early adoption of Apple Macintosh computers in the mid-1980s, making them pioneers among major Canadian law firms. Kyer details the firm’s technological evolution from typewriters to computer systems, the challenges of lawyer resistance to technology adoption, and the transformation of legal practice through electronic communications.

The transcript also chronicles Kyer’s major clients including Apple Computer and various technology companies, his role in organizing international computer law conferences, and his transition from litigation to corporate law. His reflections on the legal profession’s evolution, work-life balance challenges in modern practice, and the firm’s growth through mergers provide valuable insights into Canadian legal history from 1980 to 2010.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.