Daniel J. Michaluk

National Co-Leader, Privacy & Cybersecurity

Toronto
[email protected]
416.367.6097

Dan is a well-recognized cybersecurity, privacy and information management lawyer, with significant experience working with education and public sector organizations in Canada. Dan helps organizations:

  • respond optimally to security and cyber incidents
  • defend security and privacy complaints, claims and grievances
  • handle complex freedom of information matters and appeals
  • address security and other operational issues while minimizing privacy risks

Dan has maintained a privacy and security practice since 2003 and has acted as a security incident “coach” since 2006. He has represented clients in significant privacy, security and freedom of information litigation, including at the Ontario Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada.

Dan has been recognized by Best Lawyers, Chambers Canada, Who’s Who Legal and Lexpert, and has authored and contributed to privacy and e-discovery texts.

Testimonials

Experience

  • Defended two grievances on behalf of universities whose unions challenged the outsourcing of email systems to the cloud.
  • Represented a legal publisher in two “right to be forgotten” cases brought by individuals challenging the publisher’s right to publish case law on privacy grounds.
  • Helped an educational institution obtain an Anton Piller order and recover data stolen by student hackers.
  • Helped a municipality obtain injunctive relief to address the theft and misuse of confidential information by a public official and resolve related privacy breach claims.

Beyond Our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • Member, Advocates’ Society
  • Member, The Canadian Association of University Solicitors
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association
  • Member, Ontario Bar Association
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Canadian Association of University Solicitors
  • Member, International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2014) of The Best Lawyers in Canada (Privacy and Data Security Law)
  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2016) of Chambers Canada – Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Privacy & Data Protection (Nationwide))
  • Recognized in the 2024 (and since 2022) of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Data Protection & Privacy) and in the 2023 edition (and since 2022) (Employment Law - Employer).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2022) of Lexpert Special Edition: Technology & Health Sciences
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and in 2020) of Who’s Who Legal: Data – Data Privacy & Protection and in 2024 (Labour & Employment).
  • Recognized as the 2023 'Lawyer of the Year' in Toronto by The Best Lawyers in Canada (Privacy and Data Security Law)
  • Recognized in the 2023 edition (and since 2022) of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Data Protection & Privacy; Employment Law - Employer).
  • Recognized in the 2020 edition of The Legal 500 Canada – ‘Next Generation Partner,’ Data Security and Privacy
  • Recognized in the 2018 edition of Best Lawyers Global Business Edition – Privacy and Data Security Law
  • Recipient of the Lexpert Zenith Award – Celebrating Mid-Career Excellence in Computer and IT Law (2018)

Bar Admission & Education

  • Ontario, 2001
  • LLB, Queen's University, 1997
  • B.Comm, Queen's University, 1994