Michael E. Reid

Partner
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.

Bar admissionsBritish Columbia, 2011
Languages
  • English
Education
  • Certificate in Entertainment Law, ‎Osgoode Hall Law School, 2013‎
  • LLB, University of British Columbia, ‎‎2010‎
  • BA, Simon Fraser University, 2003‎

Awards

  • Lexology Legal Influencers Q3 2021 (Intellectual Property - Canada)
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Technology Transactions), Lawyers to Watch, 2021; (Corporate Mid-Market), 2023-2024
  • Best Lawyers in Canada (Technology), 2025; (Mergers and Acquisitions), 2025
  • The Legal 500 Canada (Cannabis), 2022-2023; (Technology), 2022-2024; (Corporate M&A), 2022-2023
  • Listed in Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health Sciences, 2023-2024

Publications

  • Before the Sale: Tips to get your legal house in order to maximize the sale of your businessAcquisition 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)‎

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