Profile
Roland Hung leads the charge at AI’s legal frontier
With each client, he translates complex legal issues into practical advice
Fifteen years ago, at the dawn of big data, Roland Hung was a junior privacy lawyer as companies began to unlock the internet’s extraordinary power. “The internet allowed companies to collect and analyze customer information on a massive scale,” he recalls. As organizations sought advice on how to handle that data in compliance with the law, demand for privacy lawyers surged. Hung became a go-to advisor.
Today, he finds himself in a similar position, this time at the centre of AI’s transformation. As co-chair of the firm’s AI & Innovation Group, he advises two kinds of companies: those building AI products and those seeking to implement third-party tools thoughtfully. Hung is once again practising law at the vanguard of a technological revolution, helping organizations navigate risks and realize their promise.
What’s the biggest challenge that clients face in the age of AI?
It depends on the client, but the legal stakes are clear. For companies using AI to generate code, art, marketing materials or books, the thorny IP question is ownership: who owns the work? For companies using AI to screen job applicants, the human rights concern is bias: if the model is trained on bad data, it may discriminate against certain groups of people. In high-risk sectors, such as nuclear energy or the arms industry, liability and safety concerns will dominate the legal conversation.
When advising clients, I begin with three questions: Is this an appropriate way to use AI? Is it ethical? Have we built sufficient safeguards around it? The principle is simple but non-negotiable: just because you can do something with AI doesn’t mean you should.
On the other hand, what’s exciting about the rise of AI?
I feel like I’m living in the future. Science fiction has become reality. In my role, I work with organizations at the centre of the AI revolution and help them turn extraordinary potential into meaningful innovation. I help them responsibly innovate and thrive.
What sets you apart from other lawyers?
I bring years of in-house experience to my practice. Before joining Torkin Manes, I held senior legal roles at technology and diversified industrial companies. As chief legal officer, I had to identify risks and advise the business team. I could not walk into a meeting with a CEO and read out a 50-page legal memorandum. I had to distill even a tremendously complicated legal issue into succinct, actionable advice.
As a lawyer in private practice, I’ve never forgotten that lesson. With every client, I distill complex issues into clear, practical guidance and communicate in a way that is genuinely useful.
What advice do you have for a junior lawyer who wants to build an AI practice?
Use AI yourself. Learn how it works. Every time you try a new tool, read its terms of service and privacy policy. Attend conferences, too; the International Association of Privacy Professionals offers terrific events. If you put in the time, you can learn a lot on your own.
Beyond that, law remains an apprenticeship profession. Seek out mentors and invest in those relationships. The privacy and technology bars in Canada are highly collegial, and most practitioners will gladly meet with junior lawyers who show a genuine interest in the field.
What’s the most important item on your desk?
I’m a bit of a minimalist and don’t keep much on my desk. But one item has earned a permanent place there. When I made partner at Torkin Manes, two of my friends surprised me with a custom bobblehead of myself. It was a thoughtful and hilarious gift, and it never leaves my desk.
Roland Hung is an expert in AI, privacy, data and cybersecurity.
Contact him today
Torkin Manes LLP
Torkin Manes LLP is a full-service law firm based in downtown Toronto. Our professionals provide legal counsel to individuals, public and private companies, and buyers and sellers of independent businesses. Our clients range from owner-operators and founders to investment funds and high net worth individuals, who value and trust our deep knowledge, experience and expertise in the Canadian mid-market. We have built our firm by consistently applying a results-oriented approach to practice that provides practical, smart, and cost-effective advice, and responsiveness to our clients. The firm is ranked the #1 Ontario Regional Law Firm by Canadian Lawyer, was named 2024 and 2025 Regional Law Firm of the Year – Central Canada (Canadian Law Awards) and is consistently shortlisted as one of Canada's Regional Law Firms of the Year by Chambers and Partners.