Trent Johnson is an experienced litigation lawyer that assists clients in identifying sound and practical business solutions to complex disputes. Prior to joining SV Law, Trent was a partner at a national law firm where he practiced for over 16 years before courts all across Ontario. Trent regularly appears before the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court, and the Ontario Court of Appeal. Trent also has extensive experience with judicial review applications and regularly appears before numerous tribunals, including the Ontario Land Tribunal, the Normal Farm Practices Protection Board, and the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal. Trent also has experience (both domestic and international), before the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation.
Trent provides sound advice and counsel in a number of areas:
Estate litigation: acting for estates, executors, and beneficiaries in cases involving will challenges, power of attorney disputes, guardianship applications, dependants’ relief, and passing of accounts.
Municipal law: acting for municipalities, developers, and individuals at Ontario Land Tribunal hearings dealing with planning, zoning, heritage, and environmental appeals. In addition, court applications dealing with the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, right of ways, easements and adverse possession.
Construction law: acting for owners, general contractors, and subcontractors from contract development to dispute resolution for matters ranging from home renovations to large-scale commercial developments.
Outside the practice of law, Trent is involved with numerous community organizations including the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium and Beginnings Family Services.
Trent was recognized by the Guelph Mercury as one of the city’s “Top 40 Under 40.” This award highlights residents under the age of 40 who have excelled in their careers and demonstrated a commitment to community leadership. Trent has also been professionally recognized from 2021-2025 by The Best Lawyers in Canada in the areas of Corporate and Commercial Litigation (2021-2025) and Municipal Law (2025), and multiple times in Benchmark Canada, including Future Star: Dispute Resolution.
Representative Work and Notable Transactions
- Buurma v Adelaide Metcalfe (Township), 2024 CanLII 81261 (ON LT)
- Kokic v. Clarke, 2024 ONSC 3781
- AOCP v. Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg & Chick Commission and Chicken Farmers of Ontario, 2022 ONAFRAAT 20 (AFRAAT)
- David Buurma and 1838107 Ontario Ltd. vs The Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston, 2021 ONNFPPB 9
- Westminster Woods Ltd. v. City of Guelph, 2021 ONSC 3277
- AOCP v OBHECC, 2020 ONAFRAAT 11 (CanLII)
- Yorke et. al. v. Harris, 2020 ONSC 736
- Curtis v Seguin (Township), 2020 CanLII 32078 (ON LPAT)
- Esad Kokic, et al. v. Dale Clarke, et al., 2019 CarswellOnt 5579
- Strachan v Wellington (County), 2019 CanLII 96169 (ON LPAT)
- Connelly v Guelph (City), 2018 CanLII 43323 (ON LPAT)
- Clarke v. Kokic, 2018 ONCA 705 (CanLII)
- Cooper et al. v. Wiancko et al., 2018 ONSC 342 (CanLII)
- RIVETT v. BRAID ET AL, 2018 ONSC 352, 2018 CarswellOnt 669
- Whiteley v Guelph (City), 2018 CanLII 25400 (ON LPAT)
- Rowland v. Stephan, 2017 ONSC 7276
- Clarke v. Kokic, 2017 ONSC 6485 (CanLII)
- Connelly v. Guelph (City), 2016 CanLII 54940 (ON LPAT)
- Britton v. Centre Wellington (Township), 2016 CanLII 78275 (ON LPAT)
- Bedford v. Abushmaies, 2015 ONSC 913, 2016 CarswellOnt 21886
- 1541179 Ontario Ltd (Re), 2015 CanLII 43694 (ON LPAT)
- Whiteley (Re), 2015 CanLII 32420 (ON LPAT)
- Reid’s Heritage Homes Limited v. Guelph (City), 2015 CanLII 53450 (ON LPAT)
- Pathfinder Property Corporation v. Godreau, 2014 ONSC 131 (CanLII)
- Panabaker (Estate of) v. Robinson, 2014 ONSC 5019 (CanLII)
- Reid Heritage Homes v. City of Guelph, 2014 ONSC 4425 (CanLII)
- Forvest Trust S.A. v. The Devine Entertainment Film Library Limited Partnership, 2013 ONSC 4639
- Walker and Mooney v. D’Auria, 2012 ONSC 49 (CanLII)
- Diversey Inc. v. Virox Holding Inc. et al., 2012 ONSC 6822 (CanLII)
- 1718351 Ontario v. Township of Guelph/Eramosa, 2011 ONSC 4036 (CanLII)
- Fusion Homes v. City of Guelph, 2011 ONSC 1033 (CanLII)
- Guelph (City) v. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Health Unit, 2011 ONSC 4775 (CanLII)
- ITN Transborder Services Inc. v. WC Wood Corporation Ltd., 2009 CanLII 21762 (ON SC)
- 940691 Ontario Inc. v. Philip Services Inc., 2006 CanLII 38168 (ON CA)
- Philip Services Inc. v. 940691 Ontario Inc., 2006 CanLII 10216 (ON SC)
- Marsland Centre Ltd. v. Doon Soccer Park Group Inc., 2006 CarswellOnt 2758
- Member, Law Society of Ontario
- Member, Ontario Bar Association
- Member, Wellington County Law Association
- Member, Guelph and Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
- Member, Ontario Agri Business Association
- Member, Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium
- Member, Guelph and District Home Builders’ Association
- Past President, Board of Directors, Wellington County Law Association
- Past Board of Directors, Secretary, Habitat for Humanity Wellington Dufferin Guelph
- Past Board of Directors, Guelph and District Homebuilders’ Association
- Past Board of Directors, Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium