Brent J. Gibbs didn’t need a long transition period to make his presence felt at MDK, a firm known for its forward-thinking approach to legal and professional services. After years in the legal departments of leading timeshare developers, he joined MDK in December as its General Counsel and a Principal of the firm. Although he’s only been with the firm a short time, Gibbs’s background, vision, and commitment to technology-driven solutions have already positioned him as a key architect in MDK’s next era of growth.

“I’ve spent a number of years of my career working for major corporations,” Gibbs says. “I am very grateful for all that I learned—especially from the inspirational business leaders representing internationally trusted brands and delivering excellent customer experiences.” That experience includes more than a decade with The Walt Disney Company, where he served as General Counsel of Disney Vacation Club, prior roles in private practice and with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. The combination of legal, business, and strategic expertise all benefit MDK’s clients.

MDK itself is no ordinary law firm. From its origins as a top ten foreclosure law firm in the United States, MDK has steadily expanded into multiple practice areas—including timeshare, residential mortgage, title, and bankruptcy—and places a strong emphasis on technology. “In many respects, MDK is a unique law firm,” Gibbs explains. “Innovation and technology are at our core. We take a progressive approach to practicing law, combining a commanding knowledge of the law with emerging technologies that add greater value and stronger economic benefits for our clients.”

That high-tech vision manifests in tools like MDK’s “CoLab,” a real-time collaboration platform that streamlines communications between MDK and its clients. With CoLab, resort developers, timeshare associations, and other partners can access real-time updates on foreclosures, deliver instructions, upload crucial documents, and track the status of cases. “We built a reputation for being proactive, strongly focusing on automation, and integrating technology into the legal services we provide,” Gibbs notes. “Clients can focus more on the things that matter most to them, while we handle the details on individual cases.”

This approach helps timeshare developers and associations save both time and money—major concerns for those dealing with high-volume foreclosure processes. “When you think about it, we’re sometimes talking about thousands of cases,” Gibbs says. “We’ve invested in the technology to handle that kind of scale, while maintaining compliance and ensuring quality.” The goal is to return inventory as swiftly and as cost-effectively as possible so developers or associations can move forward with sales, rentals, or other revenue-generating solutions. For Gibbs, delivering these client-centered, technology-driven services aligns with his broader leadership philosophy. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” he says. “One of the things I’m excited about at MDK is leading a large team of great customer-centric professionals and creating a culture that enables every team member to succeed to their fullest potential.” Overseeing a staff of more than 30 lawyers, and numerous other team members focused on compliance and operational excellence in offices across the country, Gibbs focuses on empowering people as much as implementing new systems and growth strategies. “Yes, we’re in an age of technological innovation,” he says, “but one of MDK’s mottos is ‘our power is in our people.’ We can use technology to become more efficient, but it’s the team that drives meaningful results for our clients.”

Gibbs also believes in working closely with ARDA, and he served on ARDA’s Legislative Policy Council and General Counsel’s Council during his tenure with Disney Vacation Club, collaborating with industry peers to anticipate and address legal and legislative challenges. “I can’t overemphasize the importance of ARDA’s work,” he says. “Yes, many people think of ARDA in terms of the spring and fall conferences, but the association works tirelessly 365 days a year with government officials, agencies, and legislators to advance the industry’s interests.”

As the timeshare sector continues to evolve—whether through new product structures, changing regulations, or fluctuating consumer needs—Gibbs believes the most successful legal strategies hinge on creativity, flexibility, and collaboration. “As both a lawyer and a business person, my approach is not just to mitigate risk,” he says, “but to develop innovative ideas that produce measurable economic value. When I was on the developer side, I helped develop a new product structure that generated substantial revenue for the company. We want to do the same here at MDK—create solutions that directly impact our clients’ bottom line.”

While he’s keenly focused on both the day-to-day operations and the firm’s strategic direction, Gibbs also carves out time for adventure beyond the office. He’s an avid traveler, often setting off on outdoor excursions with his son, who loves backpacking and primitive camping. “We recently went on a trip to Glacier National Park and hiked over 60 miles at elevation,” he recalls. “We could go an hour or two without crossing paths with anybody.” His daughter, on the other hand, prefers five-star accommodations and more cosmopolitan pursuits. Gibbs laughs, noting that he’s now exploring a variety of destinations—sometimes national parks, sometimes Europe—and enjoying the chance to see the world from different vantage points.

These personal passions mirror Gibbs’s professional outlook: part explorer, part strategist, always willing to adapt and innovate. As he settles into his role at MDK, Gibbs seems energized by the chance to work with a diversity of clients, tackle an array of legal and operational challenges, and integrate fresh ideas into an already cutting-edge firm. “I’m excited about this new chapter,” he says. “I look forward to working with our talented team and seeing how we can keep evolving to meet our clients’ needs.”