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.
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Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency

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

L500 | Gowling WLG > Intellectual property > Canada | Legal 500 law firm profiles