MARK S. HAYES
Mark Hayes is one of Canada's best-known technology, copyright and privacy lawyers.
His practice focuses on commercial matters relating to intellectual property and copyright law, entertainment and media, gaming information technology and Internet, privacy and access to information. Mark’s wide range of experience allows him to provide expert advice on a cost-effective basis. See the recommendations Mark has received from clients and colleagues on his LinkedIn page.
"Mark brings clear thinking & common sense to complex issues. You can count on him to find a solution to the problem you face."
- Michael Cochrane,
Counsel to Brauti Thorning LLP
Mark Hayes practiced for 25 years with some of Canada’s largest full-service law firms before founding his IP, privacy and technology boutique law firm in April 2009.
Mark has had extensive litigation experience at all levels of Canadian courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as with regulatory matters and Canadian federal tribunals, including the Copyright Board of Canada. Mark retired from active litigation practice in 2022 to provide arbitration and mediation services through Hayes Resolutions. Since 1999, Mark has provided sophisticated commercial and regulatory services, primarily relating to technology, e-commerce, Intellectual property and privacy. Mark's clients have ranged from Fortune 500 companies to individual website and software providers and have included a number of industry associations.
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​For several years, Mark provided pro bono legal services to Child Find Manitoba, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and www.cybertip.ca, the Canadian child pornography tip line. Mark has also been a volunteer board member for Golf Ontario, the Ontario provincial golf association. Mark has written and lectured in Canada and internationally on issues relating to privacy, copyright, entertainment law, technology and the Internet. He is the author of "Privacy Law in Canada," a chapter of the U.S. publication "Proskauer on Privacy", and a co-author of “The Cyberspace is Not a ‘No Law Land’," the landmark 1997 study commissioned by Industry Canada on liability on the Internet.
"Mark Hayes is praised as 'accessible & easy to work with.' He is widely regarded as a 'thought leader' within IP, technology & media law."
- Who's Who Legal
All Awards, Rankings & Recognition
Global Elite Thought Leader - Data
Who's Who Legal & Lexology - Jan 2023
Recommended Ranking - Data Privacy & Protection
Who's Who Legal & Lexology - Jan 2023
Recommended Ranking - Information Technology
Who's Who Legal & Lexology - Jan 2023
Best Lawyers - 2023 - Defamation & Media, IP, Privacy & Data Security, and Technology categories
BL Rankings LLC - Jan 2023
Global Elite Thought Leader - Data/Information Technology
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2022
Leading Individual - 2022 - Information Technology
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2022
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"Mark Hayes of Hayes eLaw is a standout IT lawyer in the Canadian market who is renowned for his stellar practice, which encompasses copyright litigation and regulatory compliance."
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National Leader Canada - Data
Who's who Legal - Jan 2022
Best Lawyers - 2022 - Defamation & Media, IP, Privacy & Data Security, and Technology categories
BL Rankings LLC - Jan 2022
Who's Who Legal - 2021 - Data Privacy & Protection
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2021
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"Mark Hayes of Hayes eLaw is a deeply experienced practitioner, considered 'a very strong technology lawyer and litigator' by impressed peers."
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Who's Who Legal - 2021 - Information Technology
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2021
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Leading Individual - Canada - Information Technology and Privacy
Who’s Who Legal - Jan 2020
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Technology Law Firm of the Year - Canada
Global Law Experts - Jan 2020
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Who's Who Legal - 2020 - Highly Regarded - Data
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2020
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Who's Who Legal - 2020 - Thought Leader - Data and Information Technology
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2020
Best Lawyers - 2019 - Defamation & Media, IP, and Technology categories
Best Lawyers & Co LLC - Jan 2020
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“Most Highly Regarded” in Canada, Data Category
Who’s Who Legal - Jan 2019
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"Mark Hayes ... draws emphatic praise from sources who commend him as a 'fierce advocate and an outspoken commentator on IT law, privacy and data protection matters.'"
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Global Elite Thought Leader - Data
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2019
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"Mark Hayes of Hayes eLaw is a 'very well-known' lawyer with over 25 years' experience providing specialized advice to the technology sector."
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Technology Boutique Law Firm of the Year – Canada
Corporate Insider - Jan 2019
Most Highly Regarded - Data Category
Who's Who Legal Canada - 2018 - Jan 2018
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"Mark Hayes of Hayes eLaw is a distinguished player in the data space, with colleagues stating they would 'refer files to him without hesitation.' His practice provides a wealth of experience on copyright, IT and privacy issues."
IP Law Firm of the Year
Corporate LiveWire - Jan 2018
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Who's Who Legal - 2018 - North America Thought Leader, Data Privacy & Protection
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2018
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"Mark Hayes of TMT boutique Hayes eLaw is 'an excellent lawyer,' according to peers. 'He is great to work with' when it comes to complex regulatory disputes and Internet privacy matters."
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Best IP Law Firm – Ontario; Award for Excellence in Media Law – Ontario
Acquisition International - Jan 2017
Who's Who Legal - 2017 - IT, Media & Telecoms
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2017
Top Technology Law Firm and Information Technology Law Firm
Corporate LiveWire - Jan 2016
Who's Who Legal - 2016 - IT, Media & Telecoms
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2016
Technology Boutique of the Year
Corporate LiveWire - Jan 2015
Who's Who Legal - 2015 - Technology, Media & Telecoms
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2015
2014 IP Star
Managing Intellectual Property · Jun 2014
Who's Who Legal - 2014 - Technology, Media & Telecoms
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2014
Who's Who Legal - 2013 - Information Technology
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2013
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"Mark Hayes ... is a 'terrific' privacy practitioner with a 'wealth of experience' in this sector."
Nominee - Canadian IP Lawyer of the Year
Managing Intellectual Property Magazine - Feb 2013
Canadian IP Specialty Firm of the Year
Managing IP - Jan 2013
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Who's Who Legal - 2012 - Internet, E-commerce and Data Protection
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2012
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"Mark S. Hayes ... has built a 'stellar reputation' in this area and is described as 'terrific' and as someone who 'inspires confidence.'"
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Who's Who Legal - 2011 - Internet, E-commerce and Data Protection
Who's Who Legal - Jan 2011
"Mark Hayes of his own firm, Hayes eLaw LLP, is "terrific." He received a lot of [peer] votes for his IP, IT, internet and privacy practice. He assists Fortune 500 companies and website operators with their technological matters."
