Evolving laws around AI and social media are top of mind for Fung
A man of many talents, Jason Fung had a successful run as a jazz pianist before he started his legal career, playing in a band at Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS, where he attended law school and won several East Coast music awards. After graduating from law school, Fung went on tour with the band for a year before joining the legal profession.
Initially articling with a sole practitioner in St. Albert, Alberta, Fung moved in-house in 2000 with the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General, where he spent 21 years handling a wide range of files with different ministries.
“The range of types of law and legal matters was vast – everything from commercial transactions to internal audit matters to regulatory enforcement, to the creation of statutory provincial corporations – so I got to experience a real breadth and variety of legal matters,” says Fung.
During his long stint at Alberta Justice, Fung developed expertise in technology and intellectual property law relating to technology, including social media, software-as-a-service, electronic transactions, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Two years ago, Fung took on the role of general counsel at MacEwan University in Edmonton, where he continues to hone his knowledge of technology law while overseeing legal services, privacy, investigations and policy for the university.
“My view is that everything is becoming technology-related,” says Fung. “It started with social media, where at first it was just for early adopters, and then it became a fact for everyone. The same thing is starting to happen with software-as-service and the cloud, and now the same thing is starting to happen for artificial intelligence, so my knowledge and experience in technology law continue to be incredibly helpful.”
Artificial intelligence has been top of mind for Fung and his small team at the university in recent months, as well as evolving social media law. Fung notes that he once started to write a book on social media law, but the law had changed before he even completed the first draft. “Technology law is moving faster and faster,” he says.
When Fung first joined MacEwan, he made a point of getting to know his team, the clients and the organizational environment, as well as the university culture, external colleagues and stakeholders, to understand the university's strategic priorities.
“I think a lot of leaders can make a lot of easily avoidable mistakes early if they come in and make a lot of changes right off the bat,” he says. “Thankfully, my team has been good at helping me see what has been working and what hasn’t.”
Fung recently worked with his team to modernize the legal department, which included creating more straightforward templates, providing outreach activities and training, and updating the legal information technology system.
Working in-house has always appealed to Fung due to the ability to develop a close relationship with the client.
“You get to know the client – and especially the people – in a different way than if someone just walks into your office or emails a few times a year. When you are in-house counsel, you see them every day, you celebrate their successes, and you are with them when they have their tough times. It makes for a more rewarding relationship and work life,” says Fung.
