Smart & Biggar names Matthew Zischka as Managing Partner
Smart & Biggar is pleased to announce that Matthew Zischka has succeeded Steven Garland as Chair of the firms’ Executive Committee and Managing Partner of the Firm. This follows on the recent appointment of Daphne Lainson to the role of Chair of the Firm.
The partners of the firm express their thanks to Steve for his leadership, and welcome Matt into this role.
Matt has been with the firm since 1993, and is a partner in Smart & Biggar’s Toronto office. Throughout his tenure, Matt has been actively involved in building the firm’s patent practice and has held a variety of leadership roles involving business development, patent operations, and serving as a member of the Executive Committee.
“Smart & Biggar is the leading firm in Canada for IP. Our strong reputation is built on a tradition of providing our clients with sophisticated IP advice, backed by the deep technical expertise of our practitioners, and excellent support from our operations teams.” said Matt. “I look forward to the opportunity to serve as leader of the firm and upholding this tradition of excellence as we continue to grow our practice in Canada.”
Matt is known for his insight, technical knowledge and understanding of IP industry in Canada and around the world. Clients have commented: “You can go to him with the most puzzling questions and can refer work to him with total trust”. He is a well-respected member of the IP community and a “great ambassador for the profession”. He actively serves on the executive council of AIPPI Canada, and as a fellow of Intellectual Property Institute of Canada – serving as active lecturer, past chair and member of various committees.
“We have chosen Matt to lead Smart & Biggar as we continue to strengthen our firm-wide capabilities to deliver strategic intellectual property counseling, litigation and prosecution services”, said François Guay, Managing Partner of the firm’s Montréal office and member of the Executive Committee.
Smart & Biggar is widely recognized as Canada’s leading firm for intellectual property 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.