Preeminent in IP litigation in Canada, Gowling WLG offers key services such as trademark, patent and copyright infringement and validity proceedings. Head of the national intellectual property team Shelagh Carnegie in Toronto assists clients on all aspects of the trademark prosecution lifecycle. Will Boyer spearheads the IP litigation group from Ottawa, with particular expertise in patent litigation cases and judicial review applications. The team also benefits in Ottawa from Christopher C. Van Barr, who has a proven track record in patent, trademark and trade secret matters, and Michael Crichton (patents, trade secrets and copyright litigation) and Nelson Godfrey in Vancouver (trademarks) are also of note. Shane Hardy and Brigeeta Richdale (both Vancouver) joined from Cozen O’Connor in April 2025.
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Key clients
- Playtika Ltd. and Playtika (Canada) Inc.
- Caesars Interactive Entertainment LLC
- Toronto-Dominion Bank
- Little Brown Box Pizza, LLC
- Exxon Mobil Corporation
- Starbucks Coffee Company
- Regeneron
- Bayer Inc
- OpenAI
- GE Renewable Energy Canada Inc.
- Chanel Canada ULC
- Coors Brewing Company
- Adidas (Canada) Ltd.
- Universal Music Group
- Drs. Homuth, Solmi and Bleau
- JemPak Corporation, JemPak GK Inc.
- GeologicAI Inc./Enersoft Inc.
- Remitbee Inc
- Harvest Operations
- Galderma Canada Inc.
Work highlights
Acting as counsel to Jempak defending a patent infringement claim filed by GEMAK Trust concerning dishwashing pods.
Acting as trial co-counsel for Regeneron and Bayer, where six patents were asserted against six biosimilar manufacturers – Viatris, Amgen, Celltrion, Apotex, Samsung and Sandoz.
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.
Practice head
Shelagh Carnegie; Will Boyer
Other key lawyers
Christopher Van Barr; Michael Crichton; Nelson Godfrey