Smart & Biggar boasts seven lawyers and agents among IP's next generation of ‘Rising Stars’ in Expert Guides 2020 edition

Smart & Biggar is pleased to share that seven of the firm’s lawyers and agents have been recognized in Rising Stars Expert Guides 2020 edition. Listed among Canada’s brightest and most skilled practitioners, they represent Smart & Biggar’s full range of expertise across patents, trademarks and litigation.

Congratulations to:

Daniel Davies, Partner – Ottawa

Daniel’s strong background in electrical engineering and experience in computer programming are valuable assets when providing strategic advice and efficient service to clients.

He focuses primarily on patent, trademark and copyright litigation and works with clients in a wide variety of fields, including high-tech companies, internet companies, manufacturers, retail chains, pharmaceutical companies and the oil and gas industry.

Noelle Engle-Hardy, Senior Associate – Toronto

Noelle’s practice centers on intellectual property disputes and litigation in a variety of industries including alcohol, food and beverage, luxury goods, clothing and cosmetics, consumer packaged goods, cannabis, casino and real estate development, franchise and fine art.

She obtained her LL.M. from the University of Toronto and graduated cum laude from the DePaul University College of Law where she served as editor of the DePaul Journal of Women, Gender and Law and was a three-time recipient of the Dean’s Merit Scholarship.

Ryan T Evans, Counsel – Toronto

Ryan has been recognized by leading peer-reviewed publications including Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars, IAM Patent 1000 and The Legal 500 Canada, which named him a “Next Generation Lawyer.” He has been praised by peers as a “devastating” litigator and “only going to get better in the years to come” (IAM Patent 1000). He is recognized by clients and colleagues as a skilled strategist and seasoned litigator in all aspects of IP litigation and dispute resolution. With the ability to understand complex technologies and the related legal issues that arise, Ryan has earned a reputation as a razor-sharp advocate with a pragmatic approach.

Graham Hood, Partner – Toronto

A highly experienced trademark lawyer, Graham’s counsel is sought after by brand owners focused on building and protecting their brands and reputations through efficient trademark clearance and prosecution. As one of the firm’s leading experts in anti-counterfeiting, Graham is also experienced in protecting brand owner’s marks both online, across online marketplaces and social media platforms, and at Canada’s borders. Graham sits on the Steering Committee of the Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network and Chairs the Canadian Subcommittee of the International Trademark Association’s Anticounterfeiting Committee.

Jamie-Lynn Kraft, Senior Associate – Ottawa

Jamie-Lynn is a lawyer and trademark agent who counsels clients throughout the trademark lifecycle and successfully represents clients in proceedings before the Canadian Trademark Opposition Board. Jamie-Lynn’s clients range from small- and medium-sized enterprises to multinational corporations, covering all industry areas. She is a frequent speaker on topics relevant to brand owners and trademark practitioners.

In 2018, Jamie-Lynn received the Educational Foundation Award from the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) for achieving the highest mark in the Canadian Trademark Agent Exam.

Jeff Leuschner, Partner – Ottawa

Focused primarily in the fields of electrical and computer engineering, Jeff works with businesses to draft and prosecute patent applications and provide insightful advice to clients on patenting activities to best support their business objectives. Prior to entering the patent profession, Jeff pursued graduate studies in the field of electrical engineering. He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and is Smart & Biggar’s representative on the IPIC Patent Committee, which works to further improve policy and practice within the Canadian Patent Office and reviews proposed changes to Patent rules and practice.

Mark Starzomski, Senior Associate - Ottawa

With broad-reaching, international patent prosecution expertise in electronics and telecommunications, Mark practices with extensive experience at every stage of patent prosecution. An accomplished electrical engineer, Mark provides his clients with a strong knowledge of product development, testing and production, and offers an exceptional understanding of advancements in the fields of electrical engineering, electronics, software and telecommunications.

Rising Stars Expert Guides is a Legal Media Group (LMG) publication, a division of Euromoney. This is the 6th edition of LMG’s Rising Stars Expert Guides, dedicated to identifying the brightest talent across 28 practice areas of law.

See Smart & Biggar’s full list of experts, here.

Smart & Biggar is Canada's largest firm practising exclusively in intellectual property and technology law, with offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. We are leaders in intellectual property and technology law and have been serving clients for over a century.