Abdi Aidid is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law where he researches and teaches in the areas of civil procedure, torts, and law & technology.

Professor Aidid received his B.A. from the University of Toronto, his J.D. from Yale Law School and his LL.M from the Faculty of Law. Professor Aidid previously practiced litigation and arbitration at Covington & Burling LLP in New York City and most recently served as the VP, Legal Research at Blue J, where he oversaw the development of machine learning-enabled research and analytics tools.

Professor Aidid is a Faculty Affiliate at the Centre for Ethics and a member of the Ethics of AI Lab. Prior to joining the Faculty of Law full-time in 2021, he served as an Adjunct Professor.

Kyle Bunnell most recently led the tax department of Hootsuite, a leading multinational SAAS company. With 15 years of tax expertise, he oversees international and domestic tax planning and strategy, compliance, and operations. Kyle’s notable achievements include several significant M&A transactions and leading a landmark legal victory in a sales tax litigation case.  He has been instrumental in integrating generative AI technologies into the company’s tax operations, significantly enhancing efficiency and innovation.

Previously, Kyle served in various roles at Hootsuite, including Senior Manager of Tax and Treasury. His career also includes significant experience at PwC Canada, where he managed corporate tax compliance, advisory and tax provisions for clients in both Mining and Technology sectors.

Passionate about leveraging technology in finance and tax, Kyle actively explores AI applications within the industry with an eye to ease the volume and complexity of work in the tax department. Outside of work, he contributes to his community by coaching youth soccer and training in martial arts, promoting teamwork and leadership. Kyle’s dedication to continuous growth and excellence makes him a thought leader in the intersection of AI and tax management

Sashi Kara is Principal and CTO at Sente Advisors, a consultancy providing advisory, prototyping, and development support for innovation and knowledge management teams at AMLaw and Global 100 law firms.  Previously he has worked as a software engineer at Apple, an immigration lawyer at Fragomen, an international criminal law policy expert at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and VP of Solutions at Neota Logic.  He likes boardgames and playing piano.

Denis V. Keseris is a partner at Gowling WLG’s Montréal office and a member of the Intellectual Property Law Group. Specializing in strategic patent procurement, Denis focuses on fields such as artificial intelligence, fintech, medical devices, software, and telecommunications. With over 20 years of international IP experience, he has practiced in Canada, the US, France, and the UK. Denis holds a B.A.Sc. in Electrical, Electronics & Communications Engineering from the University of Ottawa and a PGC in Intellectual Property Law from the University of London.

Laura Gheorghiu is a partner in the Montréal office of Gowling WLG, where she works with the National Tax Practice Group. Her practice focuses on M&A, RWI, cross-border investment structures, corporate reorganizations and providing advice on national and multinational private equity funds. She also has much experience in the taxation of new technologies — in particular, of providers of e-business and blockchain technology solutions. Laura also advises on issues involving stock-option plans, employer payroll and pension obligations, Federal and Québec value-added taxes (GST/HST and QST) and Québec commodity taxes (in particular, with respect to fuel and alcohol). In the area of dispute resolution, she represents clients in dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec at the audit and notice of objection stages and prepares voluntary disclosures on income tax and sales tax issues.

Laura sits on the Executive Committee of the International Fiscal Association – Canada and is a frequent speaker and contributor in the international tax community.  

*The organizers also wish to thank Lionel Nobre for his invaluable contribution to the organization of this seminar.

Lionel Bonner Nobre has over 30 years of experience in Latin America and international tax matters. He has been the leader of Latin America Tax team for Dell Technologies since 2006 having in 2018 reached the position of Vice-President of Latin America Tax, where he manages a team of more than 60 professionals and covers 14 jurisdictions. His main responsibilities include tax planning, tax compliance, tax controversy/litigation, tax incentive regulatory compliance, negotiation and learning and development for the Global Tax organization. Lionel is also the current Tax Executives Latin America Chapter President and serving on TEI International’s Executive Committee. His prior career included working for major international accounting and law firms holding roles such as the Director for the Latin American Consulting Services practice of BDO Seidman, LLP and the Director of the Brazilian Business Advisory Services practice of Grant Thornton LLP. Lionel is fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish and a frequent speaker at international tax conferences for several years in Brazil, USA, Argentina, Europe & Mexico . He has also published several tax articles on taxation in Latin America and is the author of the BNA Bloomberg Portfolio on Transfer Pricing for Brazil and more recently co-coordinated a Thomson Reuters book on “Uncomplicating Tax Management in the Digital Era: an applied corporate view” (2023, São Paulo, Brazil). Lionel is also an Adjunct Professor at the Texas A&M Law School and a Coordinator & Professor of the International Tax Management Program – ITMP jointly presented by the Universidad Torcuato di Tella – UTDT (Argentina) and Instituto Brasileiro de Direito Tributário – IBDT (Brazil). His academic credentials include:  Global Executive M.B.A., University of Miami (2014); LL.M., University of Miami (2004); LL.M., Pontifical University of São Paulo, Brazil (2000); J.D., Pontifical University of São Paulo, Brazil (1992).

Josephine L. (Josie) Scalia most recently was the Global Head of Tax at Nestlé Health Science and is the International President of the Tax Executives Institute (TEI). Her career began at a Big Four accounting firm, where she developed a passion for tax while preparing complex cross-border tax returns. Scalia holds CPA licenses in both the United States and Canada and has extensive experience in public accounting and in-house tax roles. She has held significant positions, which include leading the tax department for a major Canadian shipping company and as Vice President Taxation for Atrium Innovations, which was later acquired by Nestlé. Scalia holds a BComm in Accounting from Concordia University and an MBA with a concentration in tax from the University of North Florida.

She was included in the “ITR Global Tax 50 2023″, the annual report by the International Tax Review highlighting the 50 most influential tax individuals globally.

Scalia is committed to mentoring and fostering the next generation of tax professionals and is the chair of the TEI International Tax Student Case Competition.

Ara Stepanyan is a principal at The Brattle Group and a leading economics expert with consulting experience in valuation, finance, and the application of econometric and machine learning methods. Ara’s work spans economics of transfer pricing and related-party transactions, cross-border tax controversies, bankruptcy and restructuring, and business strategy. With over twenty years of experience, Ara consults clients that include leading companies across various industries, law firms, and regulators.

Law firms and regulators engage Ara to develop robust economic arguments to strengthen case theories in areas including transfer pricing and economic substance, business and intangible asset valuation, and complex commercial litigation. Ara’s expertise in connecting economic principles with understanding of industry and company dynamics has been instrumental in several landmark cases.

In-house counsel and tax professionals rely on Ara’s expertise to design and implement transfer pricing risk mitigation strategies. His deep understanding of transfer pricing regulations and economic substance requirements helps multinational corporations navigate complex intercompany transactions, conduct transfer pricing due diligence, defend their positions during audits, and negotiate advance pricing agreements. Ara advises clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies.

In addition to regulatory matters, Ara also assists clients with applying causal data science techniques to develop evidence-based business strategies and performance improvement solutions.

Ara holds a PhD in Economics from Rice University and an MPA from Harvard University.

Nicolas Vermeys is the Director of the Centre de recherche en droit public (CRDP), an esteemed professor at the University of Montreal Faculty of Law and serves as the Associate Director of the Cyberjustice Laboratory. He holds advanced degrees in law, as well as a certification in information security (CISSP). Professor Vermeys specializes in the intersection of law and technology, with particular expertise in the use of artificial intelligence in legal practices.

His research focuses on the legal implications of AI, exploring how technological advancements can enhance legal workflows and decision-making processes. In addition to his academic role, Professor Vermeys has extensive practical experience, having advised on AI policy and implementation strategies.

He is a prolific author, with numerous publications in prestigious legal and technology journals, and is a sought-after speaker at international conferences. Professor Vermeys’ contributions to the legal and technological fields provide invaluable insights for professionals navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.

*The organizers also wish to thank Professor Jean-Pierre Vidal for his invaluable contribution to the organization of this seminar.

Jean-Pierre Vidal is a full professor at HEC Montréal where he teaches international tax and research methodology in tax law for the D.E.S.S./LL.M, Taxation Option, a joint program given by HEC Montréal and the Law Faculty of the Université de Montréal.

The list of his publications and lectures runs to around ten pages. In 2011, he was selected by Canada to join an Arbitration Board composed of three members to decide a dispute between Canada and the United States. In 2014-2015 he became a member of the Commission d’examen de la fiscalité québécoise. He undertook the CICA’s “In Depth Tax Course” from 1997 to 1999. He earned a Ph.D. in economics from the Université de Montréal in 1990, an M.Sc. in Economics from the Université de Montréal in 1985, a Diploma from the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris in 1981 and a B.A.A. (Finance) from the Université de Sherbrooke in 1979.

Jean-Pierre is a member of the Association de planification fiscale et financière, the Canadian Tax Foundation, and the International Fiscal Association. He is a member of the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec. He was a Licensed Certified Public Accountant (Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation, U.S.A.) from November 27, 2006 to September 30, 2012, when he requested that his status become inactive as an Illinois CPA.

Additional thanks to our Seminar reporters:

• Anthony Tahan,  HEC, Université de Montréal
• Lucila Paglieri , Turcato Di Tella University, Law School
• Louis  Cabanel , Stetson University College of Law
• TEI Mentor: Marian Medeiros International Tax Senior Advisor, Dell