Smart & Biggar builds on strength as an IP litigation powerhouse with the additions of Noelle Engle-Hardy and Ryan Evans in Toronto
We are proud to welcome Noelle Engle-Hardy and Ryan Evans as the newest members of Smart & Biggar’s highly skilled IP litigation team. These additions follow closely on the addition of accomplished litigator, Evan Nuttall, to the firm’s Calgary office.
Both Noelle and Ryan are based in Toronto.
Noelle Engle-Hardy is a trademark and copyright litigator with a high standard of excellence
Noelle’s litigation practice focuses on trademark and copyright disputes, and includes proceedings before the Trademarks Opposition Board. She is a trusted and tireless advocate for domestic and international brand owners and combines her deep technical knowledge of trademark law with a pragmatic and business-focused approach to solve her clients’ complex intellectual property issues.
Noelle has broad experience in a variety of intellectual property areas including trademarks, copyright and digital media, industrial designs, marketing and advertising, and patent law. She serves clients across a variety of industries including alcohol, food and beverage, luxury goods, clothing and cosmetics, consumer packaged goods, cannabis, casino and real estate development, franchise and fine art. With respect to advertising and marketing, Noelle is a trusted expert in regulatory compliance concerning alcohol labeling and licensing, and consumer product packaging in Canada.
Ryan Evans is a seasoned trial lawyer and expert in complex infringement disputes
Ryan is recognized by clients and colleagues as a skilled strategist and seasoned litigator in all aspects of IP litigation and dispute resolution. With the ability to understand complex technologies and the related legal issues that arise, Ryan has earned a reputation as a razor-sharp advocate with a practically minded approach.
Whether providing strategic risk-management advice, conducting investigations, or appearing in Court, Ryan is known for deeply understanding his clients’ needs and objective and being responsive to them. He takes a practical approach, working with opposing counsel when possible to streamline proceedings and minimize work on the part of the client, while ensuring clients understand the impacts of each decision.
Ryan has been recognized by leading peer-reviewed publications including Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars, IAM Patent 1000 and The Legal 500 Canada, which named him a “Next Generation Lawyer.” In IAM Patent 1000, he was praised by peers as “devastating” and “only going to get better in the years to come.”
We are very pleased to welcome Noelle and Ryan to Smart & Biggar and wish them great success.
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.