Gowling WLG fields a full-service IP offering, demonstrating first-rate capabilities in all facets of contentious and litigious trademark, patent and copyright affairs. In Toronto, Shelagh Carnegie undertakes global trademark portfolio management and enforcement work, often acting on behalf of internationally famous brands, meanwhile Laurent Massam boasts significant contentious abilities, acting on a wealth of patent, trademark, copyright and trade sector litigation from industries such as manufacturing, broadcasting, software and transport; the pair co-lead the national practice alongside Ottawa-based duo, John Harris, notably a patent agent in both Canada and the US, and Martha Savoy who brings over 20 years of prosecuting, litigation enforcing trademark rights to the table. Other standout names in the Capital include Michael Crichton, noted for his tenacity for electrical, computer hardware and software, manufacturing and communications-related disputes, as well as Christopher Van Barr who has undertaken trade secret, trademark and patent cases on behalf of names such as Google, Bayer and Canada’s National Research Council. Over in Vancouver, Nelson Godfrey garners acclaim for all forms of IP disputes and trademark prosecution, acting for leading players within the video game, alcoholic beverage, e-commerce, retail, internet and technology fields.

Smart & Biggar is Canada’s leading IP and technology boutique, leveraging over 130 years in the market and five offices nationally. In Toronto, Mark Evans is a star name for trademark protection, management and counselling, also enjoying a track record in precedent setting disputes, whereas Nancy Pei is a market leader for pharmaceutical patents and litigation, as well as operations within the life sciences sector; the duo are based alongside Matthew Zischka, the firm’s managing partner, Sheldon Hamilton, who leads the litigation group, as well as Mark Biernacki, an up-and-coming partner for all-manner of disputes, including trademark, copyright, patent and industrial design proceedings within the higher courts. The Ottawa office is home to firm chair, Daphne Lainson, as well as Elliott Simcoe who leads the patents, electrical and mechanical group, and Steven Garland who has undertaken all-manner of critical disputes for names such as Amazon, McDonald’s and Shell. François Guay serves as chair of the IP strategy group, operating from the Montreal office, and has notably provided representation in over 100 jurisprudence cases including those with patent, industrial design and copyright elements.

A team which thrives in protecting, defending, obtaining and monetizing its clients’ IP, McCarthy Tétrault is geared to support on patent prosecutions and applications, all forms of relevant disputes, and the IP aspects of major M&A and private equity deals. Steven Mason is routinely engaged on litigious matters by leading technology, software, telecommunications and pharmaceutical players meanwhile Alfred Macchione, a fellow practice co-head, is distinctly well-versed in guiding early-stage business and start-ups on the protection and development of IP. Based alongside them in Toronto is Barry Sookman, a lawyer active on both the strategic advice and litigations, dispersing his expertise on copyright, internet, e-commerce and privacy law matters, as well as pharma, biologics, entertainment, software and telecommunications sector specialist, Fiona Legere. In Vancouver, Vincent Yip is a key port of all for acquisition, commercialization and enforcement affairs.

Norton Rose Fulbright deploys an expansive national and international footprint to support on a wealth of trademark, patent, dispute, IP strategy and data strategy affairs, demonstrating particularly notable capabilities within the life sciences sector. In Toronto, Jung-Kay Chiu  is an acquisition, exploitation and protection specialist with a focus on medical devices and biotechnology meanwhile, over in Vancouver, Karen MacDonald is a leading trademark agent who operates across portfolio, infringement and anti-counterfeiting matters. Calgary-based Elizabeth Williams provides the practice with accomplishment in licensing, commercialization and monetization endeavours and this is supplemented by Sébastien Clark ’s work from Montreal which includes the drafting and prosecution of US original patent applications.

Torys has been especially active in the life sciences sector of late though also caters to names from the retail, agriculture, food, technology, media, sports, telecommunication and gaming industries, among others, serving as a one-stop shop across the full lifecycle of IP mandates. Eileen McMahon is a patent agent in both the US and Canada with 30 years of experience under her belt; she co-leads the team from Toronto alongside acquisition, exploitation and enforcement specialist, Edward Fan, and Andrew Shaughnessy who enjoys a prominent track record in patent and trademark infringement litigation, including those before the Supreme Court of Canada. Teresa Reguly supports clients involved in the sale of regulated pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology products with Andrew Bernstein delivering significant prowess in patent, copyright and trademark disputes, including those within the IT, media and life sciences industries. At the more junior end, counsel Nicole Mantini is a further star name on the contentious side and is highly regarded among international and North American pharmaceutical companies.

The team at Bennett Jones LLP counts prosecution, litigation, advisory and transactional work as the four keystones of its practice. Stephen Burns serves as a go-to for the IP elements of significant energy and infrastructure projects and transactions whereas Dominique Hussey  is a key port of call for patent and trademark disputes within the pharma, biotech and energy sectors; the pair co-lead the department which is also home to Jeilah Chan, a lawyer who complements her litigation prowess with knowledge of enforcement, protection, commercialization and brand-building affairs.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is geared to support on an array of prosecution, enforcement, dispute, licensing and transactional IP affairs, including those relating to patents, industrial designs, copyrights and trade secrets. The practice is spearheaded by Calgary-based Jason Howg, both a patent and trademark agent, who possesses an in-depth knowledge of IT, software and computer-related technologies. In Toronto, Justine Wiebe hones her focus on global trademark strategies, acting for domestic clients in addition to those with international portfolios, meanwhile Brandon Evenson is a protection and enforcement expert who leverages his background in computer and software engineering to support a number of high-tech players. Over at the Ottawa office, Chantal Saunders is routinely involved in copyright and trademark infringement litigation, whereas Beverley Moore is a go-to for patent litigation and actions under the Patented Medicines Regulations.

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP leverages a broad national and international footprint to support on an array of high-end IP dispute, acquisition, licensing and portfolio management affairs. Toronto-based Sangeetha Punniyamoorthy leads the practice, supplementing her prowess in copyright, patent and trademark litigation with extensive procurement and enforcement knowledge; she is especially knowledgeable of the pharmaceutical industry and operates alongside Bruce Stratton who recently transitioned from partner to counsel and is especially well-versed in patent disputes pertaining to computer-related technology. Other sectors of particular focus include sports, video games, financial services, food and beverage, charities, life sciences, mining and energy, automotive and franchising.

Fasken fields a full-service IP practice which works across protection, enforcement, licensing, portfolio management and transactional affairs, operating in close tandem with the firm’s London, Beijing and Johannesburg in the process. David Turgeon, a registered patent agent and patent litigator in the US and Canada, leads the practice from Montreal and is especially well-versed within the life sciences, biomedical device and manufacturing fields; he is supported locally by litigator Julie Desrosiers, a go-to for high-tech companies looking to protect their IP, trade secrets and strategic information, as well as Michael Shortt, a trademark agent with an in-depth knowledge of the life science and video game sectors. At associate level, Patricia Hénault is a media and IP law expert with significant exposure to contentious trade secret, patent, copyright and trademark matters.

Adept in portfolio management, a wealth of disputes and the IP elements of corporate transactions, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP‘s team is led from Toronto by Chris Hunter, Andrew Skodyn and Melanie Baird. Hunter runs a patent and trademark prosecution practice in addition to his brand protection and portfolio activities, whereas Skodyn is a disputes specialist with considerable knowledge of the biotech, technology and life sciences industries. Baird holds the distinction of serving as counsel in Canada’s first ever biologic patent and biosimilar patent case.