Tor Bernhard Ekeland

Click here for a video of Tor arguing in front of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Tor heads Tor Ekeland Law, PLLC's Computer Law, Trial, and Appellate practices. He is best known for representing hackers and white-collar defendants in federal criminal court and on appeal. Tor also counsels businesses and individuals under investigation by the United States Department of Justice, and those seeking counseling on compliance with U.S. computer laws.

Prior to starting the Firm, Tor was a litigator with the New York City office of Sidley Austin, LLP where he gained experience with U.S. securities laws and regulations and Complex Commercial litigation. Businesses often turn to Tor for counseling on virtual currencies such as Bitcoin, ICO’s, and the intersection of U.S. securities and computer laws.

Tor has represented hackers and white-collar defendants in federal courts in Kentucky, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia and California. His experience encompasses all aspects of the federal criminal process, from target letters, grand jury testimony, pre-trial proceedings, trial, and appeal. The national and international press regularly turn to him for commentary on the computer law issues of the moment. Many of his cases revolve around the notorious Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), a civil and criminal federal statute at the heart of most computer law litigation in the United States. Other significant cases of his involve national security issues and government surveillance. He regularly deals with the Department of Justice, the FBI, the U.S. Marshalls, the U.S. Probation Office and the Bureau of Prisons across the country.

Tor is admitted in New York State, as well as the Federal District Courts for the: Eastern District of New York; Southern District of New York; Northern District of New York; Southern District of Texas; and the Eastern District of Texas. He is admitted to the Federal Appeals Courts for the: Second Circuit; Third Circuit; Fifth Circuit; and Ninth Circuit. Additionally, he has been admitted pro hac vice on various matters in the Federal District Courts for the: Eastern District of California; Eastern District of Kentucky; District of New Jersey; District of Massachusetts; District of Minnesota; Middle District of Tennessee; Northern District of Texas; and the Eastern District of Virginia.

He is an avid runner.