Atty. Brian E. Cohen
Brian Cohen is a partner and lawyer in Gowling WLG’s global Private Client Services Group. Based in Toronto, he assists clients in the areas of estate planning, trusts and personal taxation, with a focus on advising high net worth individuals on succession planning alternatives.
Tax Law & More Attorney · Serving Toronto, ON · 27+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Brian E. Cohen at a Glance
Brian E. Cohen is a trusts and tax attorney based in Toronto, Ontario, practicing at Gowling WLG. They have 27+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1999. Admitted to practice in Ontario, The Law Society of Upper Canada (1999). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law (2026) and Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates (2026). Serves clients in Toronto, ON and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Brian E. Cohen
Brian Cohen is a partner and lawyer in Gowling WLG’s global Private Client Services Group. Based in Toronto, he assists clients in the areas of estate planning, trusts and personal taxation, with a focus on advising high net worth individuals on succession planning alternatives.
Brian also advises donors, charitable organizations, public and private foundations, and not-for-profit organizations regarding the tax implications of formation, registration, governance and planned giving strategies.
In addition, Brian frequently advises clients on estate litigation matters.
Brian is a past recipient of the Ontario Bar Association’s Hoffstein Book Prize in Trusts and Estates. He is listed as a leading lawyer in Chambers Canada, Chambers HNW, Best Lawyers in Canada, Acritas Stars and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.
Brian is an active member of his community, with volunteer positions that include:
- Director of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Canada, 2015-present
- Chair of the Toronto branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), 2015-present
- Secretary of the Toronto Branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), 2013-2015
- Member of Executive Committee of the Toronto Chapter of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, 2011-2013
- Committee member of the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) of the Jewish Foundation of Toronto, 2013-present
- Co-ordinator of SickKids Foundation Leadership campaigns
Practice Areas Explained
Brian E. Cohen's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Brian E. Cohen handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Toronto.
Trusts in Toronto
Brian E. Cohen is one of 103,428 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in Ontario →
Tax Law in Toronto
Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.
Brian E. Cohen is one of 84,606 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in Ontario →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Toronto
Practicing law in Ontario. Legal matters in Ontario are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Toronto are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ontario state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ontario brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Ontario courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Toronto Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Toronto-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Ontario attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Toronto or all attorneys in Ontario.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Toronto Choose Brian E. Cohen
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Brian E. Cohen's practice in the field of trusts and tax.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Brian E. Cohen brings 27+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering trusts and tax, Brian E. Cohen can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Toronto
A Toronto-based practice means Brian E. Cohen attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Brian E. Cohen Handles in Toronto
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Brian E. Cohen has experience with under Ontario law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Brian E. Cohen directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Brian E. Cohen Online
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Brian E. Cohen's Practice Areas & Specializations
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Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
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