Sophie Burgaud
I prioritize an accessible and collaborative approach to legal practice, focused on understanding business realities and implementing practical solutions that secure operations while supporting growth.
My advisory services offer
Biography
Guided by a pragmatic and human approach, Sophie works closely with executives and their teams to manage risk, ensure compliance, and negotiate complex agreements. With over 20 years of experience, including 9 years in senior legal leadership roles, she delivers clear, practical solutions tailored to her clients’ business realities.
Her career spans diverse industries, including manufacturing, technology, financial institutions and insurance, where she has managed complex issues both in Canada and internationally. This experience gives her a 360° perspective on how legal challenges impact operations, enabling her to propose strategic solutions that are operationally sound.
Recognized for her ability to simplify complexity and anticipate risks, Sophie advises clients on commercial negotiations, the implementation of sustainable compliance programs, and the optimization of legal services. Whether supporting a growing SME or advising a multinational, she favors a collaborative and transparent approach, making law an accessible and practical tool for business decision-making.
In-house experience
Before joining Delegatus, Sophie served as Vice President, Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary at Tekna, a Quebec-based manufacturing company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. She was recruited to establish the legal function and implemented legal processes and compliance policies to support the group’s international operations. As a member of the executive committee, she chaired the Ethics and Compliance Committee and integrated risk management into business decisions.
Previously, as Director of Legal Affairs at Gildan Activewear, she advised leadership on global strategies in IT, intellectual property, marketing, and e-commerce, negotiated numerous commercial agreements and deployed compliance programs for data protection (GDPR, anti-spam laws) across all jurisdictions where the company operated.
She also served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at iPerceptions, a fast-growing SaaS technology company, where she negotiated a wide range of contracts (client agreements, real estate, financing and many others), implemented international compliance policies, and contributed to operational efficiency while overseeing HR responsibilities.
Sophie brings additional expertise in financing, gained in both financial institutions and corporate settings, including structuring and negotiating equipment financing and credit facilities.
Throughout her career, Sophie has acted as legal counsel or senior legal counsel in various sectors: telecommunications (Cogeco), finance (GE Capital, Desjardins), manufacturing (Transcontinental), and insurance (Intact). She also has over ten years of experience as a Privacy Officer.
Experience in private practice
Sophie began her career in Paris at a business law firm, advising clients and representing them before the courts. Mid-career, she practiced at a leading Quebec law firm within the commercial law team, strengthening her expertise in contracts and business transactions.
Practical information
Legal Department Leadership & Optimization
- Served as Chief Legal Officer for multinational groups, positioning the legal function as a strategic business partner to executive leadership.
- Designed and implemented legal and operational risk management frameworks (mapping, mitigation plans, governance).
- Deployment of streamlined processes, tools, templates, policies, and best practices to enhance collaboration between legal and operational teams, reduce risk, and improve overall performance.
Governance, Compliance & Corporate Affairs
- Supported boards of directors and senior management: board meetings, committees, minutes, and resolutions.
- Created and chaired an Ethics and Compliance Committee reporting to the Audit Committee.
- Implemented global compliance programs: ethics, conflicts of interest, anti-corruption, competition, delegation of authority, information security.
- Managed corporate records and regulatory compliance for multi-jurisdictional structures, including historical regularization.
Privacy & Cybersecurity
- Served as Data Protection Officer for Quebec SMEs and international groups for 10 years.
- Designed and implemented full compliance programs under privacy laws (Law 25, PIPEDA, GDPR, CCPA), including data governance and team training.
- Conducted PIAs and compliance audits of technology environments.
- Drafted and negotiated DPAs, cross-border transfer clauses, and confidentiality agreements.
- Managed privacy incidents and breaches strategically.
Commercial Law – Contracts & Operations
- Negotiated and drafted strategic commercial agreements (manufacturing, distribution, services, subcontracting, logistics, commercial leases, etc.) with leading international partners in regulated sectors (manufacturing, technology, defense, aerospace).
- Structured and standardized contractual frameworks (master agreements, templates, T&Cs) for SMEs and multinationals.
- Managed legal aspects of public and private tenders in Canada and abroad.
- Implemented and optimized internal contract management processes (legal, sales, operations).
- Led contract automation projects, created clause libraries with fallback provisions and approval matrices.
- Structured strategic partnerships, alliances, joint ventures, and co-development agreements for innovation projects.
Financing
- Negotiated credit lines, loan facilities, and structured financings from term sheet to closing, including security arrangements and institutional involvement (EDC, IQ).
- Contributed to the simplification and digital transformation of documentation processes for a financial institution.
Intellectual Property
- Drafted and negotiated complex licensing agreements, distribution agreements, assignments, and coexistence agreements.
- Managed patent and trademark portfolios in over 70 countries.
- Conducted IP compliance audits during acquisitions.
Technology, Innovation & Digital
- Negotiated and drafted technology agreements: SaaS, PaaS, cloud services, software development, website development, maintenance, hosting, system integration, cybersecurity, and SLAs.
- Implemented IT and cybersecurity governance frameworks and managed technology and cybersecurity incidents (analysis, legal obligations, remediation).
Human Resources
- Led HR function for an SME.
- Drafted and negotiated employment agreements for staff and executives, including confidentiality, non-compete, and non-solicitation clauses across multiple jurisdictions.
- Overhauled HR policies (employee handbook, harassment, remote work, social media).
- Paris Bar School & Admission (currently inactive) | 2003
- DEA in Civil and Commercial Contracts, Université de Versailles – Saint Quentin | 2002
- Master’s in Business Law, Université Paris II Assas | 2001
- Master’s in Private Law, Université Paris II Assas | 2001
Sophie believes civic engagement can make a tangible impact on community life and local policies. She is active in her neighborhood association, serving on the security committee. In 2025, she co-organized a debate bringing together local municipal election candidates to help residents make informed choices.