Contact

Eraustin@dww.com
T416-941-8210

Qualifications

  • Admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 1985
  • LL.B., University of Toronto
  • B.Sc. (Pure Mathematics) and M.Sc. (Game Theory), University of Calgary
Richard Austin is a Senior Counsel with the firm. He is the former Co-Chair of Deeth Williams Wall’s Technology Law Practice and practises exclusively in the area of information technology, privacy and cybersecurity law.

Practice Areas

Richard’s areas of practice include outsourcing transactions, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, applications development projects, technology mergers and acquisitions, technology start-up support, access to information, privacy, security including cybersecurity and international data flows, IT governance and regulatory compliance, records retention and destruction policies (RRDP) and social media. Richard represents developers and users of information technology in the public and private sector as well as domestic and international service providers.

Before joining Deeth Williams Wall, Richard was General Counsel of EDS Canada, one of Canada’s largest information technology service providers, for 18 years. Richard’s responsibilities at EDS Canada included providing strategic legal advice and guidance to senior management with respect to the Canadian business and to business leaders on specific transactions. Richard provides his clients with expert, effective legal advice based on his deep knowledge of the technology sector, experience with complex technology transactions and appreciation of customer issues and supplier concerns.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

2024 Stand out Lawyer

  • Thomson Reuters, Stand-Out Lawyer 2024
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Most Frequently Recommended for Computer & IT Law, 2024
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Consistently Recommended for Technology Transactions, 2024
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Repeatedly Recommended for Data Protection & Privacy, 2024
  • Best Lawyers in Canada, Lawyer of the Year for Information Technology Law in Toronto, 2023
  • Best Lawyers in Canada, Information Technology Law, Privacy and Data Security Law and Technology Law, 2023
  • Best Lawyers in Canada, Information Technology Law, Privacy and Data Security Law and Technology Law, 2022
  • Best Lawyers in Canada, Lawyer of the Year for Information Technology Law, Toronto, 2020
  • AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, Preeminent ranking in Computers and Software, Labour and Employment and Technology and Science
  • Best Lawyers in Canada, Information Technology Law, Privacy and Data Security Law and Technology Law
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Consistently Recommended for Computer & IT Law and Technology Transactions
  • Who's Who Legal, Global Leader in Data Security and Information Technology
  • Who's Who Legal, National Leader in Data

Professional Affiliations

  • Canadian Bar Association (CBA), Member
  • Ontario Bar Association (OBA), Member
  • Canadian IT Law Association (IT.CAN), Former President and Director
  • Toronto Computer Lawyers’ Group (TCLG), Member

Events

October 21, 2026

DWW Is Proud To Sponsor The ITechLaw 2026 European Conference

Deeth Williams Wall LLP is proud to be a Sponsor of the ITechLaw 2026 European Conference. This year, the conference will be held in Copenhagen, from October 21 to 23, 2026.

Jennifer Davidson, Elisabeth Symons, and Richard Austin will be attending the conference in Copenhagen. Please connect if you are planning to attend.
October 16, 2026

DWW Associate M. Imtiaz Karamat To Co-Chair Mentorship Breakfast Session at the 2026 CAN-TECH Law Fall Conference

On October 16, 2026, Imtiaz Karamat will co-chair the mentorship breakfast session at Canadian Technology Law Association (CAN-TECH) 2026 Annual Fall Conference with Feven Yohannes, Senior Legal Counsel of Royal Bank of Canada.

Richard Austin, Senior Counsel at the firm will act as a mentor at the session.
October 15, 2026

DWW is Proud to Sponsor the 2026 CAN-TECH Law Fall Conference

Deeth Williams Wall LLP is proud to sponsor of the 2026 CAN-TECH Law Annual Fall Conference. This year, the conference will be held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, Canada, on October 15 - 16, 2026.