Wendy J. Wagner serves as head of Gowling WLG Canada’s International Trade Group and co-leads the Cybersecurity & Data Protection Group.
Her proficiency in international trade law is widely acknowledged. She’s recognized as a leading individual in international trade by Legal 500, Chambers Global (international trade and World Trade Organization (WTO) by Lexpert (international trade regulation) and by Best Lawyers (international trade and finance). In 2022, Best Lawyers named her Lawyer of the Year for international trade and finance law.
Wagner provides insight and compliance advice on customs, import and export controls and controlled goods and sanctions, including assisting clients in obtaining permits and navigating the complexities of international trade regulations. She’s a seasoned advocate, representing clients before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal and courts in matters ranging from customs appeals to anti-dumping and countervailing investigations.
Wagner currently serves on the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Advisory Committee, which provides recommendations to enhance the accessibility, fairness and transparency of the tribunal’s rules and procedures. She’s a member of the planning committee for the Canadian Council on International Law (CCIL) annual conference.
In her cybersecurity and data protection practice, Wagner is at the forefront of addressing the challenges posed by the digital age. She adeptly advises on and drafts policies, data processing agreements and privacy impact assessments, ensuring her clients have robust frameworks in place. She also tackles intricate issues such as de-identification, the use of AI tools, biometrics and automated decision-making, providing strategic guidance that aligns with legal and ethical standards. Her multifaceted practice extends to handling breach incident matters, making her a trusted breach coach for clients navigating the complexities of data breaches.
Her expertise extends to a broad range of data management practices, encompassing the creation and administration of data retention policies, data security and responding to Access to Information requests. She goes beyond advisory roles by representing clients in investigations before privacy commissioners and navigating appeals before information and privacy commissioners and the courts.
A member of Cambridge Forum’s steering committee on cybersecurity, she was also selected to participate in the Sedona conference WG6 drafting team on cross-border data and information governance. Wagner is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and holds a Certified Information Privacy Professional/Canada (CIPP/c) designation and the Canadian delegate to the International Network of Privacy Professionals (INPLP). Her prowess in technology law has been acknowledged by Legal 500, where she’s recognized as a leading lawyer.
Her broad litigation practice is marked by appearances before the federal and Ontario courts, where she engages in judicial reviews and appeals. Her repertoire includes administrative law, constitutional challenges and defamation law. She’s recognized for her expertise in these areas in Best Lawyers (administrative and public law) and in Lexpert, as Repeatedly Recommended for Litigation—Defamation & Media.
Prior to joining Gowling WLG, she clerked for the Honourable Mr. Justice Bastarache of the Supreme Court of Canada. She received her bachelor of law (LLP) from the University of Ottawa and was awarded the University Gold Medal. She holds a master’s degree in international affairs from Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs.