Smart & Biggar stands out in Canadian patent rankings with 25 lawyers and agents listed in IAM Patent 1000

Smart & Biggar is pleased to announce our recognition as a ‘gold tier' firm in Canada once again for patent prosecution and litigation, in the 2023 IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals guide, and also as a ‘highly recommended’ firm for patent transactions.

IAM’s coverage recognizes Smart & Biggar as a firm that is “well positioned to provide comprehensive patent care, thanks to its solid team in both prosecution and litigation…[with] growing international presence [and] a strong local footing in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary.”

We are also proud to announce that 25 of our patent lawyers and agents are featured in the guide across patent litigation, prosecution and transactions, more than any firm, as recommended individuals leading the field for patents in Canada.

Leaders in Canadian Patent Prosecution

Within Smart & Biggar’s prosecution practice, our leading team of patent agents and lawyers understands the legal and commercial obstacles that in-house counsel face, and employs all the tools in its toolkit to mitigate them.

Electronic, Industrial, Computer and Software Technology

The Smart & Biggar patent team brings value to their clients’ inventions through well-calibrated portfolio management and technological knowledge, as well as by converting their own experiences into holistic and strategic support.

• Allan Brett 

“Brett is highly sought after by top global innovators looking to safeguard their intangible assets.”

• Lionel Fishman

“Lionel is instrumental in helping clients to develop a strategy to achieve their IP goals, and he demonstrates a great understanding of their technology and what is vital to protect, as well as being very measured in his approach, and he is readily bridging the legal and commercial divide.”

• John Knox

“John Knox dispenses incisive counsel and is a shining light at the practice, mentoring many junior members of the team.”

• Brigide Mattar 

“Mattar is a go-to resource for SMEs and multinational clients alike, and has recently been supporting young entrepreneurs with their IP needs.”

• Patrick Roszell

“Patrick has an easy rapport with engineers, is technically proficient across multiple disciplines and resourceful when it comes to mitigating IP risks.”

• Elliott Simcoe 

“Simcoe covers a lot of ground, assisting players in Canada, the United States and Europe with all their prosecution needs.”

• Matthew Zischka

“Managing Director, Matthew Zischka, utilises his vast industry knowledge to commercialise and protect his patrons’ rights, particularly in the electronics and software industries.”

Life Sciences, Chemical and Biotechnology 

Smart & Biggar provides exception IP counsel and thrives in the life sciences. Our team of experts offers clients an integrated approach with input from a combination of our technical experts, patent agents, legal and regulatory counsel, and litigators, each of whom has a sophisticated understanding of the Canadian market.

• Daphne Lainson
  

“Daphne Lainson serves as the national practice [leader] for the life sciences group, as well as chair of the firm, consistently demonstrating strong leadership abilities and sound strategic sense.”

• Lei Liu
  

“Lei Liu’s PhD in advanced sciences allows him to swiftly grasp new technologies and participate in the early stages of clients’ research and development, to assist their understanding of what intellectual property can be protected.”

• Mark Pidkowich
  

“Mark Pidkowich specialises in developing plans that meet his patrons’ immediate, mid-term and long-term goals.”

• David Schwartz
  

“David Schwartz adds value to any application that crosses his desk, particularly given his expertise in the biotechnology space.”

• Urszula Wojtyra

“Urszula is a practical, creative and experienced partner. She is well versed in the Canadian patent scene and her counsel is always business minded.”

Patent Litigation and Enforcement 

Smart & Biggar’s patent litigation practice boasts a strong track record of victories in intellectual property litigation. Our standout team fiercely enforces and defends our clients’ IP rights to achieve maximum protection, enhance shareholder value and preserve competitive advantage.

One of Smart & Biggar’s most significant wins in the past year was the successful representation in one of the “most substantial and hard-fought pieces of non-pharmaceutical-related patent litigation in Canada” (Benchmark, 2023) in the milestone victory for Dow Chemicals in November 2022. In an 8-1 majority ruling, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed the record-setting $645M patent infringement award in Dow v Nova. As reported previously, this was and remains the largest reported Canadian patent infringement award in history. Dow was represented by Smart & Biggar with Steven Garland, Jeremy Want, Daniel Davies, Matthew Burt and Nicole Boyle acting as counsel.

• Daniel Davies

“[Davies] is a brilliant lawyer who excels at communicating all legal alternatives and showcases deep knowledge of the technologies involved.”

• Jean-Sébastien Dupont

“Jean-Sébastien Dupont represented his client in a landmark patent infringement action against the Québec government regarding its health record [and] the case marked the first time the government of Québec was held liable for patent infringement.”

• Ryan Evans
  

“Ryan Evans has been assisting Mud Engineering Inc in upholding two patents for drilling fluids used in SAGD wells…[and] quickly gets to grips with complicated technologies and the legal challenges that follow.”

• Steven Garland
  

“Garland is an engine of the outfit’s litigation success.”

• François Guay
  

“represented his client in a landmark patent infringement action against the Québec government regarding its health record [marking] the first time the government of Québec was held liable for patent infringement.”

• Sheldon Hamilton
  

“Sheldon Hamilton demonstrates great domain expertise in the life sciences, but can confidently take on any technically complex case."

• Yoon Kang
  

“Yoon Kang has contributed to building Canadian case law with her expertise, notably as co-counsel before the Supreme Court in a pivotal decision that rejected a controversial patent law development.”

• Evan Nuttall

“[Nuttall's] provides excellent counsel that is founded in his knowledge of corporate objectives.”

• Nancy Pei
  

“A linchpin of the practice, Nancy Pei has knowledge that cuts across all facets of pharmaceutical and regulatory law, making her an excellent source of patent wisdom.”

• Jeremy Want
  

“Want demonstrates excellent strategic judgement and advocacy skills.” 

Patent Advisory and IP Transactions

IAM also celebrates Smart & Biggar’s transactions team who regularly represents a wide range of leading Canadian and multinational companies with their IP transactions.

• Alistair Simpson
  

“Telecommunications ace Alistair Simpson has over three decades of experience under his belt and also stands out for his sophisticated negotiation skills.”

• Theodore Sum
  

“Transactional specialist Theodore Sum undertakes significant licensing and commercial work, helping local and international patrons to make the most of their intellectual property.”

• Sanro Zlobec

“Zlobec is excellent and produces brilliant results for players in the software, electronics and computer technology industries.”

About IAM Patent 1000

Individuals named on the IAM Patent 1000 list are identified as the top patent professionals in key jurisdictions around the world. IAM 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals guide is compiled over five months and 1,800 interviews. Only those individuals identified by market sources for their exceptional skill sets and profound insights into patent matters feature in the IAM Patent 1000.

View the full  2023 IAM Patent 1000 rankings for Canada online.

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.