Brent Arnold

Bio

Brent J. Arnold is a partner practising in Gowling WLG's Advocacy department, specializing in cyber security and commercial litigation. Brent heads the firm's Commercial Litigation Technology sub-group. In 2019, he co-authored the Canada chapter of Chambers Global Practice Guide: Data Protection & Cybersecurity, 2nd ed. In 2022, he co-authored the Canada chapter of the Chambers FinTech 2022: Trends and Developments report.

Brent's experience includes cyber breach coaching, cyber risk analysis, class actions defence, Web3 (including cryptocurrency and metaverse) and other technology, software and e-commerce disputes, administrative and insolvency law, shareholders' rights, class actions, employment contracts, and general contractual disputes.

He has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada, and has appeared before numerous administrative tribunals. In 2011, Brent appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada in support of the federal government's constitutional reference regarding a Canadian Securities Act. In 2020, Brent was appointed to the E-Hearings Task Force established by The Advocates' Society, the Ontario Bar Association, the Federation of Ontario Law Associations, and the Ontario Trial Lawyers' Association to work with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to expand virtual access to the courts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and co-authored the Task Force's Best Practices for Remote Hearings.

Brent currently serves as a Director and Corporate Secretary for the Internet Society (Canada Chapter), and as Steering Committee Chair for the Cybersecurity and Data Privacy section of the US-based Defence Research Institute (DRI). He also chairs the Ontario Bar Association's Privacy and Access to Information Law section, having also served two terms on the Executive for the Civil Litigation Section of the Ontario Bar Association. He is a Vice Chair of the Cyber Security, Data Privacy and Technology Committee of the invitation-only International Association of Defense Counsel. He has chaired two committees of The Advocates' Society and was General Editor for its Advocacy Matters publication. Brent co-authored the Society's Paperless Trials Manual and is a frequent author and speaker on the topics of cyber security, courtroom innovation, and electronic trials. Brent is also a member of the Canadian Technology Law Association and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

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Publications & speaking engagements