Cross-Border Legal Innovation
Dr. Cristiano de Souza Therrien is a cross-border technology law expert with over 25 years of experience bridging legal practice, public sector leadership, and academic research across Canadian, Brazilian, and international jurisdictions. He serves as Lecturer at Université de Montréal's Faculty of Law, where he teaches Ethics and Professionalism, Cyberspace Law, and Legal Research across both Common Law and Civil Law programs.
His unique career trajectory spans roles as former City CIO in Brazil, founding partner of a specialized technology law firm, Scotiabank Postdoctoral Fellow in AI and Regulation at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, and current Senior Project Coordinator at Open North, where he leads data governance strategy for Montreal's smart city initiatives. This distinctive combination of technical leadership, legal practice, and academic expertise positions him at the forefront of emerging challenges in AI regulation, digital governance, and data sovereignty.
Dr. Therrien holds a Doctorate in Law (LLD) from Université de Montréal, where his dissertation explored the intersection of law, technology, and urban futures through the lens of science fiction. He is currently completing his Global Professional Master of Laws (GPLLM) at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, with expected Ontario bar licensing by late 2026. His multilingual capabilities (Portuguese, French, English, Spanish) and deep cross-cultural competency enable him to navigate complex regulatory environments across North and South America.