Michael E. Reid

Partner
Vancouver
About

Mike Reid is a corporate law generalist with a technology focus, often working with entrepreneurs, ‎founders and other ‎executives in startup and growth-stage companies.

Mike works with companies in a ‎wide variety of sectors, from software to e-commerce, gaming to productivity tools, artificial ‎intelligence to VR/AR, healthtech, fintech, consumer goods, food and beverage, life sciences and ‎everything in between, at all stages of a ‎company’s life cycle from startup, through growth, to exit.‎

Mike is a trusted legal advisor, helping guide clients through their various corporate process and ‎business ‎issues. Specifically, he advises clients on corporate/commercial law including: company ‎formations, such as structuring, shareholders agreements, and governance considerations; IP creation ‎and commercialization; staffing concerns, such as employment and contractor matters; B2B and B2C ‎contracting concerns; financing matters whether pre-seed, seed, series raises, private equity, venture ‎capital or other strategic investments; and joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions.‎

Prior to practising law, Mike had a career in marketing and communications working for a wide range of ‎clients. He brings to his legal practice a practical understanding of what is takes to grow ‎successful ‎business ventures in the modern economic landscape.‎

Mike has particular expertise advising startup companies and has written a number of articles providing ‎‎tips, tools and programs for entrepreneurs and their startup ventures.

Areas of FocusConsumer Goods, Food and RetailMedia, Sport and EntertainmentTechnologyEmerging Growth and Venture CapitalCorporateFranchiseIntellectual PropertyMergers and AcquisitionsPrivate EquityTechnology and Commercial TransactionsArtificial Intelligence and Data Analytics
Bar admissionsBritish Columbia, 2011
Languages
  • English

Awards

The Legal 500 Canada

  • Cannabis, (2022 – 2023)
  • Technology, (2022 – 2024)
  • Corporate M&A, (2022 – 2023)
Additional Recognitions
  • Recognized, Vancouver Technology Law, Best Lawyers in Canada, (2025 – 2026)
  • Recognized, Vancouver Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Best Lawyers in Canada, (2025 – 2026)
  • Listed, Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health Sciences, (2023 – 2024)
  • Corporate Mid-Market, Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, (2023 – 2024)
  • Canada Intellectual Property, Lexology Legal Influencers Q3, (2021)
  • Lawyers to Watch, Technology Transactions, Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, (2021)
Education
  • Certificate in Entertainment Law, ‎Osgoode Hall Law School, 2013‎
  • LLB, University of British Columbia, ‎‎2010‎
  • BA, Simon Fraser University, 2003‎

Publications

  • Seek and you shall fund: Quick overview of search funds, Acquisition Aficionado, Issue 37, February 2025
  • Before the Sale: Tips to get your legal house in order to maximize the sale of your business, Acquisition Aficionado, Issue 21, September 2023
  • How Are CBD Products Regulated Under Canadian Cannabis Law? March 2019‎
  • Protection of Inventions Related to the Marijuana Industry, November 2018‎
  • Domain Name Squatters Lose - Again, November 2, 2017‎
  • Reminder: BC Franchise Legislation in Effect February 1st, 2017, January 2017‎
  • Franchise Legislation has Arrived in British Columbia, October 2016‎
  • International Data Transfers to and from Canada, September 2016‎
  • An Introduction to the New Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR), ‎September 2016‎
  • From Franchisor to Joint Employer – Update on Potentially Increasing Liabilities of Franchisors ‎for the Employees of their Franchisees, August 2016‎
  • Tips for Startups – Understanding the Stages of Equity Financing, July 2016‎
  • Tips for Startups - Understanding Debt vs. Equity Investments, July 2016‎
  • Top Ten (Legal) Tips for Startups, February 2016‎
  • Franchise Legislation is Coming to British Columbia

Teaching Engagements

  • Speaker, #TechLaw2022 series, CLE BC, September 28 to November 8, 2022
  • Speaker, Business & Technology II: Technology Issues in Contracts, CLE BC, March 2015
  • Overview of Privacy Law in Canada, Capilano University, Paralegal Program, annual presentation, 2013 - ‎‎2019‎

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Former Director, Pacific Legal Outreach and Education Society
  • Former Director, Simon Fraser University Alumni Association
  • Vancouver Bar Association
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • iTechLaw (International Tech Law Association)‎

My latest insights

Publication

Dear Founder: Your workers aren’t contractors just because your agreement says so

22 October 2024 .15 minute read

Publication
meeting

Intellectual property rights for tech startups

21 October 2024 .12 minute read

Publication

Introducing AccelerateIP: A BC funding program available to support IP development

21 October 2024 .11 minute read

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Connect

Phone

+1 604 643 2933
(Work, Vancouver)