Atty. Derek S. Keay
Derek Keay is a partner in the firm’s Ottawa office. Derek practises corporate law with an emphasis on corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions, primarily involving emerging technology companies.
Profile Summary
About Derek S. Keay at a glance
Derek S. Keay is a business and internet attorney based in Ottawa, Ontario, practicing at Gowling WLG. Admitted to practice in Ontario, Canada. Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Information Technology Law, Ottawa (Canada) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Information Technology Law (2026). Serands clients in Ottawa, ON and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- Derek Keay is a partner in the firm’s Ottawa office
- Derek practises corporate law with an emphasis on corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions, primarily involving emerging technology companies
- His primary focus is on providing advice to Canadian and international companies, together with angel, venture capital and institutional investors in relation to debt and equity financing transactions
- He also has extensive experience in advising companies, shareholders and acquirers in connection with the purchase and sale of businesses, both in Canada and cross-border
- Derek has also worked extensively with technology companies at various stages, from start-ups to public corporations, assisting them in many aspects of their day-to-day legal requirements, including corporate governance matters
- Prior to joining Gowlings in 2005, Derek was a partner with a Kanata-based technology law firm
- In addition, he was a partner in the technology business group of a national law firm, where he practised for over 10 years from its Ottawa, Ontario offices
Practice Areas Explained
Derek S. Keay's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Derek S. Keay handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Derek S. Keay is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Ontario →
Internet and cyber lawyers for data breaches, online defamation, privacy law, and cybersecurity matters.
Derek S. Keay is one of 17,958 internet attorneys indexed nationally. Browse internet attorneys in Ontario →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Ontario
Practicing law in Ontario. Legal matters in Ontario are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Ottawa are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ontario state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ontario brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Ontario courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Ontario attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Ottawa or all attorneys in Ontario.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about Derek S. Keay
Where is Derek S. Keay's law office located?
What practice areas does Derek S. Keay handle?
How can I contact Derek S. Keay for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Derek S. Keay received?
Practice Areas
Awards
Bar Admissions
Reviews
No reviews yet.