Benefitting from one of the deepest IP benches in the market, Gowling WLG brings the ‘highest quality of attorneys and work product’. The group’s extensive national and international platform — it leverages seven offices across Canada as well as sizeable teams in the UK, France and China — ensures that it is a popular choice to represent major domestic and multinational companies, including global leaders in the life sciences, TMT, food and beverage and energy and natural resources sectors. National IP head Shelagh Carnegie (Toronto) is recognized for her formidable trademark prosecution practice, where she acts for Starbucks and Weetabix, among others. Further key trademark specialists include Nelson Godfrey (Vancouver), who leads the national trademark group; Natalie Rizkalla-Kamel (Toronto), who handles global trademark portfolio management, prosecution and IP enforcement; and Ottawa-based trademark partners Martha Savoy and Paula Clancy. On the patent side, notable names include Will Boyer (Ottawa), who fronts the IP litigation and strategy group, and John Harris (Ottawa), who advises on drafting and prosecuting patents and industrial designs. A formidable band of IP litigators features go-to expert Christopher Van Barr (Ottawa), as well as Michael Crichton (Ottawa), Laurent Massam (Toronto) and Jay Zakaïb (Ottawa). The Toronto group also draws on up-and-coming litigator Charlotte McDonald and trademark-focused associate Jasleen Chahal.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The client service and responsiveness from the Gowlings IP team is unmatched. We also appreciate their expertise on the full spectrum of Canadian IP issues (patents, trademark prosecution and enforcement, domain names etc.).’
- ‘Natalie Rizkalla-Kamel - impressive expertise in trademark issues, communication is excellent, very responsive; James Green - experienced IP litigator that supports on various trademark and domain name enforcement issues. Very practical, business-friendly approach. Excellent work product.’
Key clients
1196278 Ontario (Sassafraz)
adidas
Ansys
American Standard
Australian Mud Company
Bayer
BC Hydro
Bean Box
Biogen Idec Canada
Boehringer Ingelheim
CAE
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders
Cenovus Energy
Chanel Canada
CNH Industrial America
Crocs
CSL Behring
Dassault Systèmes Solidworks
Drs. Homuth, Solmi and Bleau
Deciem
Dollarama
eBay
Eli Lilly
Evolution Engineering
Exxon Mobil
Farmobile
Federici Brands
Galderma Canada
Garmin Switzerland
GE Renewable Energy Canada
Genentech
General Fusion
GeologicAI / Enersoft
Google Canada / Google / Alphabet
Guangzhou Unique Electronics / Sui Cheng / Shenzhen Gooloo E Commerce / Aukey Technology
Harlequin Enterprises
Harvest Operations
Hifi Engineering
Honeywell International
International Markets Live
Ipsen
JCAI
JemPak
Johnson & Johnson
Learning Tree
Little Brown Box Pizza
Lundbeck Canada / Lundbeck
Lutron Electronics
Lux Windows and Doors
Magna International
Manulife / John Hancock Life Insurance Company
Mark Anthony Group
Molson Coors Beverage Company
Mouvement Desjardins
Noralta Technologies
Oakville Stamping & Bending
Ontario Lottery and Gaming
OpenAI
Oregon Precision Industries (PakTech)
PetroChina Canada
PhatMojo
Planet Fitness
Playtika / Caesars Interactive Entertainment
Queen’s University
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Remitbee
Sandvik Mining and Construction
Sobeys Capital
SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada)
Spectrum Brands
Starbucks Coffee Company
Takeda Canada
Thermon
Toronto-Dominion Bank
uniQure biopharma
Universal Music Group
VF Corporation
Weetabix
Work highlights
Represented Coors Brewing Company in a series of trademark expungement proceedings brought against Coors’ 'CHAMPAGNE OF BEERS' trademarks.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Shelagh Carnegie; Will Boyer; Nelson Godfrey
Other key lawyers
Natalie Rizkalla-Kamel; Martha Savoy; Paula Clancy; John Harris; Christopher Van Barr; Michael Crichton; Laurent Massam; Jay Zakaïb; Charlotte McDonald; Jasleen Chahal; James Green; Jayde Wood; Kelly Gill; Eric Macramalla; John Norman; Marc Richard; Erin Creber; Alex Gloor; Frédéric Lussier; Adam Heckman; Nathan Piché