Smart & Biggar stands out with 17 leading lawyers and agents recognized in Who's Who Legal: IP 2021

Smart & Biggar is pleased to share that 17 of our practitioners are listed in the inaugural edition of Who’s Who Legal: IP as being among the world’s leading lawyers and agents in trademarks, patents and copyrights.

Leading the rankings, partners Steve Garland, Mark Evans and Philip Lapin, and Of Counsel Gunars Gaikis, were each identified as “Global Elite” in their respective fields by Who’s Who Legal. These individuals are lauded for being truly outstanding practitioners and among the very best lawyers in the field of IP worldwide.

Patents (Litigation)

Smart & Biggar sees six lawyers recognized for their skill and success in patent litigation.

Gunars Gaikis is revered as a “market-leading IP litigator with decades of experience focusing on cutting-edge pharmaceutical patent disputes”. Peers say Steven Garland is “an excellent choice for patent law issues” thanks to his extensive experience representing big-name multinationals in infringement cases. François Guay is “a strong litigator with a wealth of experience” handling high-profile IP disputes. Sheldon Hamilton, the firm’s Litigation Practice lead, is lauded as a “strong litigator” who regularly represents innovative companies in patent infringement and validity claims. Yoon Kang is held in high esteem by sources and stands out as an “authority on life sciences patent litigation”. Nancy Pei is revered for her two decades of experience representing international companies by applying her “strong scientific background to complex” patent disputes in the biologics and pharmaceutical industries.

Patent Agents (Prosecution)

Six Smart & Biggar partners are lauded as patent law specialists who are well versed in assisting domestic and international clients in portfolio management and licensing, across a range of sectors, from life sciences and pharmaceuticals to mechanical and electrical engineering.

Firm Chair and partner Daphne Lainson, a “superstar of the IP space”, is also lauded for her immense regulatory expertise. Firm Managing Partner Matthew Zischka is noted for his “superb work across the full range of patent and copyright protection issues” and is declared a “prominent figure within the North America market, held in high esteem for his handling of patent portfolios”. Ottawa Partner David Schwartz impresses market sources with his “expert handling of patent prosecution proceedings and portfolio management” in life sciences. Vancouver Partner John Knox is noted as “a seasoned practitioner” with extensive experience handling complex IP matters for clients in the engineering and technology industries. This distinguished list also recognizes Montréal Partner Stephan Georgiev and Ottawa Partner Oliver Stone, for their stellar work in patent prosecution in the fields of electrical and mechanical engineering.

Trademarks

In Smart & Biggar’s trademark practice, five lawyers are acclaimed for their sterling work with the world’s leading brand owners.

Peers and clients note that Mark Evans “cuts a distinguished figure in trademarks law” and is known as “a highly regarded and experienced trademark litigator” with more than 30 years of experience representing globally renowned brands and individuals in a host of trademark issues. Christian Bolduc is singled out as a “consummate trademark specialist” with experience advising Starts-ups and multinationals on the full range of trademark matters. He is renowned for being “highly experienced” and for “delivering domestic and international strategic trademark portfolio advice”. François Guay “has amassed more than 35 years of experience handling complex IP disputes” and is noted for his “enviable roster” of corporate client across a spectrum of industries, who he represents in a full range of contentious IP matters. Philip Lapin, is highly regarded for his “strong experience” which spans more than 20 years in complex trademark prosecution, clearance and registration issues, also leads the firms Trademark Operations Group. Kohji Suzuki, the Trademark Practice lead, is also included in this celebrated group for his 25 years of experience creating sophisticated IP strategies for both top-tier multinational corporations and mid-sized innovative companies.

Copyrights

Daniel Anthony is recognized among the top copyright lawyers in the world who have distinguished themselves for advising domestic and international clients on contentious and non-contentious copyright issues. He is one of only seven lawyers in Canada to receive this recognition. Daniel “offers strategies that align with his client’s business needs” and is lauded for providing an “excellent global market strategy” as it relates to brand and copyright protection online, and in digital media, including through domain names.

Smart & Biggar partners also received recognition from Who’s Who Legal earlier in the year with five lawyers listed in Life Sciences.

Who’s Who Legal: IP is an in-depth guide to the international intellectual property legal market, and recognizes the foremost patents, trademarks and copyright lawyers around the world who stand out for their excellence when it comes to both contentious and transactional matters, with expertise covering a wide range of industry sectors. In total, 2643 practitioners from 1537 firms in 82 jurisdictions across IP are featured.

Congratulations to each of our recognized lawyers and agents.

Smart & Biggar is widely recognized as Canada’s leading firm for intellectual property law, with offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver and Calgary. We are leaders in intellectual property and technology law and have been serving clients for over a century.