Borden Ladner Gervais adds to privacy and data protection team

François Joli-Coeur and Vinay Desai are the latest members of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG). Both have joined the firm's privacy and data protection practice group.

Prior to joining BLG, senior associate Joli-Coeur worked for a media company where he took part in proceedings before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). He also supported the company's marketing, technology and operation departments with compliance issues and with the preparation and negotiation of commercial agreements.

In addition to authoring a number of articles on topics related to privacy, technology and copyright law, Joli-Coeur served as associate editor of the Berkeley Technology Law Journal.

Fluently bilingual in English and French, Joli-Coeur earned his bachelor of civil law from the Université de Montréal, a master of laws degree (with a specialization in technology) from the University of California, Berkeley and a specialized graduate diploma (DESS) in e-business from École des hautes études commerciales de Montréal (HEC Montréal). He passed the bar in California and Quebec.

Desai, who holds the title of associate at BLG, previously worked at a different law firm where he gained expertise in intellectual property, including trademarks, copyrights, and Internet domain names.

As an author, Desai has written about privacy, anti-spam, and e-commerce. He has also delivered presentations on ethics and entertainment through the McGill Business Law Association.

He has a bachelor degree in civil and common law from the Université de Montréal and spent time studying at the Université Lumière Lyon 2 in France. Desai, who speaks French, English and Gujarati, is licensed to practice law in Quebec and Ontario.