Our Story, Your Protection

We're not just lawyers who dabbled in tech—we actually understand the code, the platforms, and what keeps founders up at night. That's the difference.

How We Got Here

2012

The Beginning

Started in a cramped shared office space on King Street. Just two of us, armed with law degrees and actual software development experience. We saw too many startups getting terrible legal advice from folks who thought "the cloud" was something in the sky.

2015

First Major Win

Helped a Toronto AI startup defend their patent against a Silicon Valley giant. That case put us on the map and proved that Canadian tech firms don't have to roll over when challenged. We grew to eight people that year.

2018

Expansion & Expertise

Moved to our current Yonge Street location and added specialized teams for data privacy, blockchain, and SaaS agreements. GDPR was making waves, and we were already ahead, helping clients navigate the mess before it became mandatory.

2021

Pandemic Pivot

Like everyone else, we went fully remote. Unlike others, we actually made it work because we'd been using the tools our clients built. Helped over 200 companies transition their contracts and employment agreements to remote-first models.

2024

AI & The Future

Launched our AI Legal Lab where we test and advise on emerging tech legal challenges. From generative AI copyright issues to autonomous systems liability—we're working on the problems that don't even have clear regulations yet.

Today

Where We Stand

Twenty-three lawyers, three offices, hundreds of clients ranging from solo founders to publicly-traded tech companies. We've seen it all, and honestly, we're just getting started.

Toronto Office
Team Discussion
Legal Tech
Client Success
Patent Work
Cybersecurity

Founding Partners

The folks who started this thing and still show up every day

Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Sarah's got a computer science degree from Waterloo and a law degree from U of T. Before starting EchoSynapse, she spent five years at a major Bay Street firm where she realized corporate lawyers didn't get tech—at all. She coded her first app at 14 and clerked for the Federal Court after graduation.

These days, she handles our most complex patent litigation and somehow finds time to mentor at the DMZ. She's been quoted in the Globe and Mail more times than she can count, usually saying something that makes traditional IP lawyers uncomfortable. That's kinda her thing.

Bar Admissions: Ontario (2011), New York (2013)

Marcus Rodriguez

Marcus Rodriguez

Co-Founder & Senior Partner

Marcus came up through the startup world before law school. He was employee #3 at a fintech company that crashed and burned spectacularly in 2008—taught him everything about what NOT to do with equity agreements and NDAs. Went to Osgoode Hall and graduated top of his class in corporate law.

He's the one who drafts contracts that actually make sense to founders, not just lawyers. Specializes in early-stage startup advisory, data privacy compliance, and occasionally talks people out of terrible business decisions (no charge for that last one). Serves on the board of two tech nonprofits and still codes for fun on weekends.

Bar Admissions: Ontario (2010), California (2014)

What We Actually Believe In

Not your typical law firm values poster—these actually guide our decisions

Speak Human

Legal jargon exists to confuse people and justify billing hours. We explain things like we're talking to a friend at a bar—clear, honest, no BS.

Move Fast

Startups can't wait three weeks for a contract review. We get back to you same-day on urgent stuff because we remember what it's like to be on a deadline.

Actually Get Tech

We're not lawyers who Googled "blockchain" last week. Half our team has technical backgrounds. We understand your product because we could probably build it.

Transparent Pricing

No surprise bills. We quote fixed fees for most stuff and actually stick to them. If something's gonna cost more, we tell you before we do the work.

Long Game

We've watched clients go from basement startups to IPOs. We're not here to milk you dry—we wanna grow alongside you and celebrate when you win.

Stay Current

Tech law changes constantly. We're reading the new regulations, attending the conferences, and testing the platforms so you don't have to.

The Team

Some faces from around the office (when we're actually there)

Team Meeting

Monday Strategy Session

Work Session

Deep Work Mode

Team Celebration

Client Win Celebration

Conference

Tech Law Conference 2025

Casual Day

Casual Friday Vibes

Mentoring Session

Startup Mentoring Day

Team Lunch

Team Lunch at King Street

Office View

Our View (Worth the Rent)

Recognition & Awards

Some nice things people said about us

2025

Top Tech Law Firm

Canadian Lawyer Magazine

2024

Best IP Practice

Lexpert Directory

2024

Rising Star Firm

Toronto Business Journal

2023

Privacy Law Excellence

Privacy Lawyers Association

2023

Community Impact

MaRS Discovery District

2022

Innovation Leader

Law Society of Ontario

Ready to Work Together?

Let's talk about your project. First consultation's on us—we'll figure out if we're a good fit.