Smart & Biggar achieves ‘Band 1’ rankings for Intellectual Property and IP Litigation in Chambers Global 2024
Chambers and Partners has once again recognized Smart & Biggar as a leader for IP in Canada with Band 1 rankings for Intellectual Property and IP Litigation in the 2024 edition of Chambers Global – The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business.
We are proud to have earned this recognition through the trusted recommendations of our clients and peers, in reflection of the outstanding results and strategic counsel delivered by our leading IP practitioners.
Marking the firm’s 19th year ranked in this guide, Chambers researchers recognize Smart & Biggar as a “well-established IP and innovation boutique...[with] an impressive IP development service, assisting high-profile clients with issues ranging from licensing and marketing to enforcement and litigation.” They describe the firm’s strong reputation for “its bench strength and quality representation…[with] proven skill in patent and trademark litigation as well as a substantial range of commercial IP matters… in a diverse range of sectors, including telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and the media industry.” The firm is also celebrated for our “impressive portfolio of clients in e-commerce and technology.”
One client stated “the team is very knowledgeable and organized, 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.” Another commented that “Smart & Biggar's team 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.”
Chambers Global highlights ‘Notable Practitioners’, acknowledging excellence at the individual lawyer level:
Christian Bolduc (Intellectual Property): Montréal-based Christian Bolduc impresses with “his work across a broad array of trademark mandates, spanning procurement, prosecution and transactions.”
Mark Evans (Intellectual Property): 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. Clients note, “he is a top lawyer. He is well regarded and well established.”
Steven Garland (Intellectual Property Litigation): has a reputation as a “prominent presence in intellectual property work in Canada.” The guide describes Steven Garland as a “qualified patent and trademark attorney, [who] represents significant clients in the energy, chemical and technology sectors.”
François Guay (Intellectual Property Litigation): is “a highly experienced litigator… well regarded for his expertise in trademark disputes and infringement cases. He has acted for major clients in recreational products, pharmaceuticals and telecoms.” He was praised in the guide for being "highly knowledgeable.”
Sheldon Hamilton (Intellectual Property: Litigation): is “a Toronto-based lawyer with a strong intellectual property practice. He frequently represents major pharmaceutical companies in complex patent litigation concerning PMNOC regulations.” Clients say, “Sheldon Hamilton is an excellent advocate” and note that "he has a good reputation.”
Daphne Lainson (Intellectual Property): is based in Ottawa and possesses significant experience advising major pharmaceutical clients on patent filing, strategy and portfolio management. Clients and the guide note Daphne “comes up with creative strategies and has a unique view on regulatory and prosecution matters,” that she is “absolutely great” and that “she has a good practice and is well known.”
Nancy Pei (Intellectual Property: Litigation): represents clients in significant patent-related disputes. A qualified and registered pharmacist, she is a particularly notable advocate for major pharmaceutical companies. Clients note, “she is really smart and knows every patent case upside down.”
The Chambers Global Guide ranks the top lawyers and law firms in over 200 jurisdictions across the world. Their rankings are based on the in-depth research conducted by 200 Research Analysts, providing almost 6,000 rankings tables.
View Smart & Biggar’s rankings for Intellectual Property and IP Litigation online.