Intellectual Property
Canada Guide 2025 : Nationwide - Canada
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 613 232 2486About
Provided by Smart & Biggar
Smart & Biggar is Canada’s largest firm practising exclusively in intellectual property and technology law. We work directly with organizations, and seamlessly with associate firms, to help our clients secure, protect and maximize the value of their intellectual property investments in Canada.
From five offices across Canada, we offer the full complement of intellectual property services including IP litigation, patent and trademark agency services, strategic IP counseling, licensing and IP transactions support. We serve many of the world’s leading organizations across a broad spectrum of industries.
Client Service Excellence
Internationally regarded for service excellence, we leverage sophisticated project management and back office systems to manage our clients’ matters, and increase the efficiency.
Litigation Powerhouse
Our highly effective litigators dominate courtrooms at all levels including the Supreme Court of Canada, on commercially important and complex matters, resulting in precedent setting victories and record damages awards for our clients.
Specialized Expertise
With one of the largest IP teams in Canada, we offer our clients experience in scientific, technical and legal fields, along with highly specialized industry sector knowledge.
Technical Strength
Virtually every member of our firm has an engineering or scientific background, many with graduate degrees. Over 55 members of our firm, including many lawyers, are registered patent agents.
Chambers Review
Smart & Biggar is a well-established IP and innovation boutique with offices in Ontario, Québec, Alberta and British Columbia. The law firm maintains an impressive IP development service, assisting high-profile clients with issues ranging from licensing and marketing to enforcement and litigation. Reputed for its bench strength and high-quality representation, it has proven skill in patent, copyrightand trade mark litigation as well as a substantial range of commercial IP matters. The group services clients in a diverse range of sectors, including telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and the media industry, and has an impressive portfolio of clients in e-commerce and technology.
Work Highlights
- Smart & Biggar represented Lindt in a copyright and trade mark infringement matter concerning Laura Secord’s infringement of Lindt’s trade dress for its Excellence chocolate bars.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Smart & Biggar are very responsive and able to work under tight timelines."
"The firm has a comprehensive and deep knowledge of IP law in the country."
"They provide great insights, with very articulate and timely action and clear, concise strategy."
"Smart & Biggar have a firm grasp on all patent-related matters."
"The firm has a really good breadth of knowledge and bench strength."
"Smart & Biggar are very responsive and able to work under tight timelines."
"The firm has a comprehensive and deep knowledge of IP law in the country."
"They provide great insights, with very articulate and timely action and clear, concise strategy."
"Smart & Biggar have a firm grasp on all patent-related matters."
"The firm has a really good breadth of knowledge and bench strength."
Notable Practitioners
Montréal-based François Guay is a highly experienced litigator who is particularly well regarded for his expertise in copyright and patent disputes and infringement cases. He has acted for major clients in recreational products, media, pharmaceuticals and telecoms.
"François is a pleasure to work with. He offers a high level of legal intellect, deep awareness of patent law and extensive relevant experience."
Toronto-based Mark Evans represents clients in significant IP prosecution mandates. He has an excellent reputation in the field of trade marks, where he services major sporting and consumer product brands.
"Mark is a really great trade mark lawyer."
Ottawa-based Steven Garland remains a prominent presence in intellectual property work in Canada. A qualified patent and trade mark attorney, he represents significant clients in the energy, chemical and technology sectors.
Montréal-based Christian Bolduc impresses for his work across a broad array of trade mark mandates, spanning procurement, prosecution and protection.
Chair of Smart & Biggar, Daphne Lainson possesses significant experience advising major pharmaceutical clients on patent filing, strategy and portfolio management. She is based in Ottawa.
"Daphne Lainson is particularly strong in patent prosecution and portfolio development matters."
Sheldon Hamilton is a Toronto-based lawyer with a strong intellectual property practice. He frequently represents major pharmaceutical companies in complex patent litigation concerning PMNOC regulations.
"Sheldon Hamilton is a very practical litigator."
Nancy Pei represents clients in significant patent-related disputes. A qualified and registered pharmacist, she is a particularly notable advocate for major pharmaceutical companies.
"Nancy Pei is extremely detail-oriented."
Yoon Kang is a reputable lawyer who is notably active in patent litigation mandates in the pharmaceutical sector. She is based in Toronto.
"Yoon Kangis very practical and comes up with creative arguments."
Ranked Lawyers at
Smart & Biggar
Nationwide - Canada
Members
Provided by Smart & Biggar
Matthew Zischka
Head of Department
Industries
Provided by Smart & Biggar
Aerospace, Aeronautics, & Aviation
Agricultural Sciences
Artificial Intelligence
Automotive
Cannabis
Chemical & Biotechnology
Cleantech
Consumer Products
Electronics & Computer Technology
Energy, Oil & Gas
Financial Services & Technology
Food & Beverage
Internet, Digital Media & E-Commerce
Luxury Goods & Apparel
Manufacturing, Industrial Goods & Machinery
Medical Devices
Pharmaceutical & Biologics
Railways
Robotics
Software, Information & Cloud Technology
Telecommunications