With a wealth of cross-border experience and a long history of working with international organizations on their deal activity across industries, Don gives sophisticated advice to clients undertaking large and complex transactions.
Don’s practice focuses on commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures, and ongoing general business law advice to corporations and financial institutions carrying on business in North America. Don is fluent in Japanese and worked for a Japanese electronics manufacturer and a business consulting company for several years, which is reflected in the practical and service-oriented business counsel he provides.
Don’s experience includes advising on a wide variety of matters, including inbound foreign investment, business mergers, acquisitions and sales, commercial lending and project finance. He has particular experience advising on: natural resource projects, including mining and pulp and paper; energy projects, including natural gas, wind, solar, biomass and coal; and private utility projects, including water and wastewater, as well as district energy and electrical distribution. In addition, Don advises clients on manufacturing and distribution, transportation and social infrastructure projects, limited partnerships, joint ventures and general corporate counsel.
He impresses with his depth of knowledge, professionalism, responsiveness, speed and the quality of his work product.
2012-2024 | Chambers Global—Leading lawyer in corporate/M&A in Canada and Japan |
2017-2023 | IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms—Notable practitioner in project finance and M&A |
2025 | The Legal 500—Leading partner in international expertise |
2022-2023 | Best Lawyers in Canada—Leading lawyer in mergers and acquisitions law |
2006-2024 | AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell—Recommended lawyer in International Business Law |
2019 | American Lawyer Magazine—Top Rated Lawyer |
2016-2018 | Chambers Canada—Leading lawyer in corporate/commercial |
2018, 2024 | The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Repeatedly recommended in corporate mid-market |
Before joining Torys, Don was a member of a prominent Canadian law firm, where he was a member of the firm's elected national Executive Committee and a founding partner in the firm's Tokyo office.
Don provides advice to a number of not-for-profit organizations, including Cadence Progressive Contemporary Ballet. He served as a Director of the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre (2001-2005) and he currently serves as President of the Bayside Residents Association for the Bayside Historic District in Miami, Florida.
Don is a member of The Toronto Japanese Association of Commerce and Industry and the Japan Societies of Toronto and New York.