Philip Holdsworth B.A., J.D.

Bio

An Associate in the Litigation Group, Philip takes a strategic approach to litigation, using the law to identify intelligent, economical responses to resolve complex civil and commercial disputes for his clients.

Philip maintains a diverse advocacy and advisory practice, helping clients resolve complex civil and commercial litigation disputes, conduct investigations, and anticipate legal risk. He has represented clients in disputes at all levels of court in Ontario, in private arbitrations, mediations, and negotiations. As an associate in the litigation group, Philip provides strategic, business-focused advice and representation to clients through all available steps in litigation, including strategic planning, securing injunctive relief, summary judgment and enforcement of court orders.

Philip has acted for clients in a broad range of industries, including franchise and construction litigation, partnership disputes, and oppression claims. While he helps clients respond to breaches of contract, pursue and defend claims in tort, professional negligence, defamation and respond to Anti-SLAPP motions, Philip has long been interested in legal disputes at the intersection of public law, privacy and digital technology. He has advised clients on their compliance obligations under Canada’s Anti-Spam Law (“CASL”) and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”), and assisted internal investigations into potential data and privacy breaches.

Before going into law, Philip worked as a digital and social media public relations consultant, advising Fortune 100 clients on emerging platform technologies, brand reputation management, and crisis communications.

In law school at the University of Ottawa, Philip worked as a teaching assistant for Professor Adam Dodek’s Public Law and Legislation course, and a research assistant to Professor Jeremy DeBeer on the Open African Innovation Research and Training (Open A.I.R.) Project, including on the books, Innovation & Intellectual Property: Collaborative Dynamics in Africa and  Knowledge and Innovation in Africa: Scenarios for the Future. He competed in the International Foreign Direct Investment Arbitration moot in Germany, where the uOttawa team finished 7th in the world, and interned with the Treaty Law Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (now Global Affairs Canada). In 2015, Philip co-authored the report, Dispute Resolution in the Agreement on Internal Trade (“AIT”) (now the “Canadian Free Trade Agreement”) with the  Public Interest Advocacy Centre; a comparative analysis of the dispute resolution mechanism of the AIT and international investment agreements.

Out of the courtroom, Philip is an active swimmer, cyclist and runner, and participates in Toronto’s vibrant civil and legal innovation and technology communities. You can find him on Twitter @philholdsworth