Smart & Biggar receives Band 1 rankings for IP and IP Litigation with eight lawyers ranked across four practice areas in Chambers Canada 2024
Smart & Biggar is proud to announce our top rankings as a Band 1 firm for both Intellectual Property (IP) and IP Litigation in the 2024 Chambers Canada Guide. In addition to IP, the firm earned rankings in related areas of Life Sciences and Cannabis law.
In Chambers’ review of Smart & Biggar’s leading Intellectual Property: Litigation practice, they describe the firm as “a well-established IP and innovation boutique” that is “reputed for its bench strength and quality representation, [with] proven skill in patent and trade mark litigation as well as a substantial range of commercial IP matters” and known for “assisting high-profile clients with issues ranging from licensing and marketing to enforcement and litigation”. Smart & Biggar saw four lawyers ranked in the IP Litigation category, and was recognized for its service to 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”. Clients offered these comments about the IP litigators at Smart & Biggar: "It is a great team who are very dedicated to their clients. They have a lot of expertise and patience in complex matters, and the lawyers try to get in the client's mind to understand the complexity of the case".
In the area of Intellectual Property, three Smart & Biggar lawyers were ranked for their expertise and success in IP prosecution and non-contentious matters. Researchers noted that the firm “maintains an impressive IP development service”. Commentators enthused that "the team is very knowledgeable and organised, and can easily handle complex matters and find ground-breaking solutions. It is composed of very senior, knowledgeable leaders as well as young hard-working lawyers". They also described our IP team as being "very aware and understanding of the commercial implications… [and] always responsive and available”.
For Life Sciences the firm was praised for its impressive range of clients, including those active in the cannabis and agribusiness sectors. Researchers noted that “with patent expertise sought after by pharmaceutical and biotech companies big and small, the law firm has significant experience representing clients in complex patent infringement cases, as well as portfolio management and prosecution. It also maintains a well-regarded regulatory practice, advising on product licensing, advertising, commercialisation and compliance with regulatory regimes.”
Congratulations to all of our Chambers Ranked Lawyers:
Christian Bolduc – Intellectual Property
“Christian impresses for his work across a broad array of trademark mandates, spanning procurement, prosecution and transactions.”
Mark Evans – Intellectual Property
Ranked in Band 1, Mark advises and “represents clients in significant IP prosecution mandates.” “He has an excellent reputation in the field of trademarks, where he services major sporting and consumer product brands.” “He is a top lawyer. He is well regarded and well established.”
Steven Garland – Intellectual Property: Litigation
“Steven Garland remains a prominent presence in intellectual property work in Canada. A qualified patent and trademark attorney, he represents significant clients in the energy, chemical and technology sectors.” “Steven Garland is a longstanding senior practitioner.”
François Guay – Intellectual Property: Litigation
Ranked in Band 1, “François is a highly experienced litigator who is particularly well regarded for his expertise in trademark disputes and infringement cases. He has acted for major clients in recreational products, pharmaceuticals and telecoms.” “François is highly knowledgeable.”
Sheldon Hamilton – Intellectual Property: Litigation
“Sheldon represents major pharmaceutical companies in complex patent litigation.” “Sheldon Hamilton is an excellent advocate.” “He has a good reputation.”
Daphne Lainson – Intellectual Property
“Daphne possesses significant experience advising major pharmaceutical clients on patent filing, strategy and portfolio management.” “Daphne comes up with creative strategies and has a unique view on regulatory and prosecution matters.” “She is absolutely great.” “She has a good practice and is well known.”
Nancy Pei – Intellectual Property: Litigation
“Nancy represents [pharmaceutical] clients in significant patent-related disputes. A qualified and registered pharmacist, she is a particularly notable advocate for major pharmaceutical companies.” “She is really smart and knows every patent case upside down.”
Alice Tseng – Life Sciences: Regulatory/Compliance, Cannabis Law
The only lawyer ranked in Band 1, “Alice maintains a market-leading regulatory practice in the life sciences sector, advising on matters ranging from licensing and commercialisation of products to advertising and issues of privacy.” Commentors added “Alice Tseng is terrific and practical.”
Alice also frequently provides regulatory counsel to clients in the cannabis sector. Commentors added, “She is a sharp and experienced lawyer.”
Chambers and Partners, often referred to as ‘the gold standard’, delivers insight and analysis on the global legal profession that is unrivalled in its reach and depth. Chambers and Partners have long recognized Smart & Biggar as a leader in Canadian IP law and related practice areas. This year Chambers Canada ranked 975 law firm departments and over 2,000 individual lawyers.
About Smart & Biggar
Smart & Biggar is widely recognized as Canada’s leading intellectual property firm, with offices in Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. We are leaders in intellectual property and have been serving clients for over a century. Smart & Biggar operates as part of the IPH Limited group, under its own brand and independent from other IPH member firms.