About Donald J. Dow

Donald J. Dow defends physicians. A partner with Gowling WLG in Ottawa, Donald works out of the firm's Advocacy Department on medical defence litigation, health law and professional discipline, and leads the Ottawa-based Medical Defence Practice Group.

The practice reaches north of Ontario, too. Called to the Ontario bar in 1990, Donald added a Nunavut call in 2003 and has acted for defendants in the territory ever since, in civil suits and regulatory matters with a medical connection. Across more than 25 years of malpractice work, many cases have gone the distance: Donald has run a long list of civil trials, some before a jury and some before a judge alone.

Best Lawyers in Canada has named Donald its Ottawa Lawyer of the Year five times, most recently for Health Care Law in 2026, and the Chambers Canada 2027 guide places Donald in Band 2 nationwide for contentious healthcare work. Outside the courtroom, Donald often gives papers and seminars on health law to audiences of doctors and lawyers alike.

Practice areas

Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution Health Law

Medical malpractice defence

Donald is counsel to physicians facing malpractice claims and takes those cases to trial with or without a jury. Donald's contentious health work has ranged from malpractice files to matters involving genetic testing.

Professional discipline and regulatory matters

Professional disciplinary proceedings are a core part of Donald's practice. In Nunavut, Donald has defended clients in medically related regulatory proceedings, as well as civil actions, since 2003.

Our guide: Litigation and Dispute Resolution in Toronto

Education & credentials

  • LLB, Dalhousie University (1988)
  • Called to the Bar of Ontario (1990)
  • Called to the Bar of Nunavut (2003)

Awards & recognition

Memberships & affiliations

  • The Advocates' Society: Donald is a member.
  • Canadian Bar Association: Donald is a member.
  • Carleton County Law Association: Donald is a member of Ottawa's county law association.
  • Holland Access to Justice in Medical Malpractice Group: Donald is a member of this medical malpractice group.

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This listing was generated by AI from public sources in October 2026. It may contain errors, and we can’t guarantee it’s accurate or complete. Before you rely on anything here, verify it on their firm’s website. Confirm Donald J. Dow’s licence and standing in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗

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