Philip Milley

Philip Milley is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Tax Group, where he focuses his practice on advising tax-exempt entities and mission-driven organizations operating across borders. With deep experience at the intersection of law, ethics, and global strategy, Philip helps clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks, cross-border compliance obligations, and governance challenges in the charitable, philanthropic, and non-profit sectors.

Prior to joining Gowling WLG, Philip served as global Director, Legal Enterprise Matters at the Mastercard Foundation, one of the world’s largest private philanthropic organizations. In this role, he led legal strategy and compliance across multiple jurisdictions—particularly in Africa—supporting the Foundation’s work to advance education and financial inclusion. His leadership helped build and refine legal systems that enabled high-impact global programming while maintaining strong governance and risk oversight.

Philip began his legal career in private practice, where he developed a strong foundation in litigation support and regulatory matters. He later transitioned to advising tax-exempt clients in-house, including as Associate Director, Legal Affairs at the Canadian Centre of Christian Charities, where he worked closely with several of Canada’s largest charitable organizations and appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada.

Recognized for his values-based and collaborative approach, Philip brings a rare ability to bridge legal insight with ethical purpose and operational practicality. His guidance enables organizations to remain compliant while staying aligned with their mission and stakeholder trust. In 2023, he was named one of the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Top 10 30-Somethings, recognizing his leadership and innovation in the in-house legal community.