David maintains an extensive business law practice. He advises businesses in a variety of industries across Canada, with a focus on expansion, restructuring and maximizing business ownership value. He advises both developers and users of information technology in respect of all of their contractual relationships.
David has been consistently recognized for his work and extensive experience in the field of IT law, including being named Lawyer of the Year for Winnipeg Information Technology Law by Best Lawyers for four of the past six years and being one of only two IT lawyers in Manitoba who were recognized in Lexpert’s Special Edition Technology 2020.
David has clients throughout Canada. His practice includes:
- Advising businesses in a variety of industries, with the focus being a solid initial foundation, expansion (including through mergers and acquisitions), restructuring (including succession planning and sale to a third party) and maximizing value for the owners at each stage in the evolution of each business
- Assisting entrepreneurs in developing, protecting and commercializing their inventions and intellectual property
- Advising suppliers of information technology in its protection, development, distribution, licensing and sales
- Advising users of information technology in its acquisition, often negotiating the acquisition and related agreements on their behalf
- Advising businesses in responding to access to information requests made under the Access to Information Act or under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba)
- Advising businesses regarding their personal information management systems, for the purpose of compliance with federal (Privacy Act and Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act) and provincial (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba) and Personal Health Information Act (Manitoba) privacy laws
- Frequent speaker and author of an extensive number of published papers regarding all aspects of technology law and technology commercialization
- Emerging growth companies, owner-operated enterprises, patents and trademarks
- Named Lawyer of the Year, Information Technology Law, Best Lawyers in Canada (Winnipeg, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2024)
- Recognized as a Top Lawyer, Technology, Lexpert Special Edition Technology (2020, 2021)
- Recognized as a Top Lawyer, Information Technology Law and Technology Law, Best Lawyers in Canada (2006-present)
- Named a Leading Practitioner, Computer and IT Law, Technology Transactions, Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
- Inductee, Manitoba Fishing Hall of Fame (2015)
- Canada’s Recreational Fisheries Award, Department of Fisheries and Oceans (1993)
- John Willis Award (Toronto)
- Founder and Past President, Fish Futures Inc.
- Vice-chair, Fish Enhancement Subcommittee, Manitoba Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund
- Member, The Law Society of Manitoba
- Member, Manitoba Bar Association
- Member, Canadian Bar Association
More than 70 presentations regarding various technology, privacy and/or intellectual property matters of interest to clients since 1994, including:
- Presenter, “That’s Private – Get the Facts on Your Obligations Under PIPEDA – 2013 Update,” Manitoba Tourism Education Council (March 2013)
- Presenter, “That’s Private – Get the Facts on Your Obligations Under PIPEDA,” Manitoba Tourism Education Council (April 2011)
- Presenter, “PIPEDA Refresher: Breathing New Life Into Your Privacy Projects,” Alliance of Manitoba Sector Councils (February 2011)
- Presenter, “Protecting and Commercializing Software – Selected Legal Issues and Practical Advice,” CEO Manitoba Patent Workshop (November 2009)
- Presenter, “Protecting and Commercializing Intellectual Property,” Technology Based Entrepreneurship Course, Red River College (May 2008)
- Presenter, “Privacy Law Compliance for Archives and Museums – Privacy Project Documentation and Workshop,” Manitoba Archivists and Museums (June 2007)
- Presenter, “Software Copyright Issues,” Intellectual Property Management Studies, University of Manitoba Continuing Education (November 2006)
- Presenter, “Intellectual Property and Protection,” Investment Canada Workshop (January 2006)
More than 55 articles and/or documentation initiatives regarding various technology, privacy and/or intellectual property matters of interest to clients since 1995, including:
- “Privacy and Freedom of Information – What are a Municipality’s Obligations?” Municipal Leader magazine, Association of Manitoba Municipalities (2019)
- Six turnkey documents for privacy projects for archivists and museums, available through The Association for Manitoba Archives and The Association of Manitoba Museums
- Nine turnkey documents for privacy projects for day care centres and home care centres, available through The Manitoba Child Care Association
- Nine turnkey documents for privacy projects for organizations dedicated to the promotion of employment of people with disabilities, available through The Manitoba Supported Employment Network
- Eleven template documents for privacy projects for non-profit organizations, available through Volunteer Manitoba
- “Flying Into the Cloud: Make Sure to Chart Your Course Very Carefully,” Upword magazine, Winnipeg Construction Association (2012)
- “Company Websites: No Shortage of Legal Issues,” Upword magazine, Winnipeg Construction Association (2007)
- “Privacy and Commercial/Business Law – Creeping up the Radar Screen,” Isaac Pitblado Lectures (2004)