Donald B.
Johnston
Partner
Donald offers his clients more than legal advice – he enjoys getting to know them and uncovering their goals in order to offer the right advice. With decades of experience in high-stakes transactions, Don prides himself on his composed nature and ability to communicate effectively. His clients rely on his mature experience and expert negotiating skills, particularly when exploring new opportunities to offer their products and services or to grow their companies.
Don is Co-Leader of the firm's Technology Group and a member of the Corporate, Privacy & Data Security, Intellectual Property and Energy Groups.
Don has diverse experience in technology of all kinds: IP, mergers and acquisitions, procurement, privacy/data protection and health law, as well as technologies such as blockchain and autonomous vehicles. He regularly provides strategic advice to clients on licensing transactions, financing and development projects, negotiating and settling agreements, and distribution arrangements.
Professional Involvement
Professional Activities
- Honorary Consul of Belgium in Toronto
- Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario, Member of Council, former member of Executive Committee and member of Discipline Committee
- CORE Biofuel Inc., Business Advisor, Board of Directors
- Skymeter Corporation, Former Chairman, Board of Directors
Memberships
- Canadian Technology Law Association (CAN-TECH), Past President (2006 - 2008), Past Treasurer and Co-Founder
- Toronto Computer Lawyers' Group
Teaching Engagements
- Don has engaged in a great deal of teaching, including as:
- Part-time instructor in board level management, Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto.
- Guest lecturer in intellectual property in the context of M&A transactions, Schulich School of Business, York University
- Guest lecturer at Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology, Financial Services Compliance Administration course
- Lecturer at events for the Canadian Technology Law Association (CAN-TECH)
- Don has lectured extensively on outsourcing, technology law, e-health law, procurement, privacy and data security.
"Frameworks and Regulations to Secure IoT and AI Products," The Security by Design Series (Webinar), October 3, 2023.
"A Legal Tour of Security by Design for Non-Lawyers," Equilibrium Conference (Virtual Event), May 31, 2023.
"Discussion on the Metaverse: Part 3," Aird & Berlis LLP Technology Webinar, February 14, 2023.
"Discussion on the Metaverse: Part 2," Aird & Berlis LLP Technology Webinar, January 17, 2023.
"Discussion on the Metaverse," Aird & Berlis LLP Technology Webinar, November 1, 2022.
"Privacy and Data Breach Response: Managing the Process, Notifications and Mitigating Damages," Aird & Berlis LLP Privacy & Data Security Webinar, May 12, 2021.
"Privacy and Data Breach Prevention: Safeguarding Your Business," Aird & Berlis LLP Privacy & Data Security Webinar, April 14, 2021.
"The Future of Privacy Laws in Canada," Aird & Berlis LLP Technology Webinar, September 30, 2020.
“Privacy Law Panel,” Osgoode Hall Law School, October 21, 2019.
“Innovative Procurement: Better Value, Better Outcomes,” Canadian Healthcare Business Development Network 17th Annual Conference, September 26, 2019.
“Connected Vehicles in Smart Cities,” 10th Smart City & IOT Expo 2019, April 20, 2019.
"Avoiding a Privacy Breach: How to Train Employees and Contractors," Aird & Berlis LLP Privacy Webinar, October 2017.
"Canada's Ant-Spam Legislation (CASL) - Updates Since September 2015," Aird & Berlis LLP Privacy Webinar, September 2016.
Quoted in "Canada's Uncertain Digital Future," CBA/ABC National, April 20, 2026.
Author, "How Canada's Updated National Security Rules Will Impact Foreign Investment in 2024," Lexpert, June 4, 2024.
Author, " Legally Mandated Security: Insights on Artificial Intelligence," Aird & Berlis LLP, The Spotlight, March 14, 2024.
Author, "Legally Mandated Security: Advancing Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Standards," Aird & Berlis LLP, The Spotlight, January 26, 2024.
Author, "Legally Mandated Security: U.S. Agencies Lead, Europe Introduces Cyber Resilience Act," Aird & Berlis LLP, The Spotlight, January 18, 2024.
Author, "Legally Mandated Security: The Rise of Security by Design and Default," Aird & Berlis LLP, The Spotlight, January 9, 2024.
Author, "Is Your Medium Double-Double Spying on You?" Aird & Berlis LLP, The Spotlight, June 2, 2022.
Co-Author, "Canada Re-enters the International Ring with Bold New Privacy Law Including Significant Fines," Aird & Berlis LLP, The Spotlight, December 1, 2020.
Author, "Digital Ethics," Aird & Berlis LLP, The Spotlight, April 20, 2020.
Author, "Connected Vehicles," Aird & Berlis LLP, The Spotlight, January 27, 2020.
Author, "Federal Privacy Law - Is It About to Change: Part Deux?" Aird & Berlis LLP, The Spotlight, January 13, 2020.
Author, "Federal Privacy Law - Is It About to Change?" Aird & Berlis LLP, The Spotlight, December 19, 2019.
Co-Author, "Facebook's New Digital Currency," Aird & Berlis LLP, The Spotlight, July 9, 2019.
Co-Author, "OPC Proposed Change Equal to Legislative Change Without Legislative Process," Aird & Berlis LLP, The Spotlight, May 8, 2019.
Co-Author, "'Privacy is Not an All-or-Nothing Concept': The Supreme Court of Canada's decision in R. v. Jarvis," Aird & Berlis LLP, The Spotlight, Feburary 20, 2019.
Author, "What I Learned About Driving - and the Law - in Italy," Aird & Berlis LLP, January 8, 2019.