Smart & Biggar celebrates five newly qualified Canadian trademark and patent agents in 2023

This year, several Smart & Biggar team members wrote and passed the qualifying examinations to become Patent agents and Trademark agents in Canada.

Smart & Biggar is committed to supporting the professional development of our team members and offers associates and technical consultants hands-on learning opportunities and in-house training to support them in preparation for writing these challenging exams. We proudly congratulate and shine the spotlight on each of them here in recognition of their achievements.

Chris Collett, Patent Agent

Located in Calgary, Chris works with inventors and has firsthand experience of the process to obtain a patent. In his legal practice, he understands his clients’ perspectives and concerns and shares their interest and excitement in applying their inventions to the wider world. Drawing on these insights and his technical expertise, gained from a Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry, Chris drafts and prosecutes patent applications for clients primarily in the chemical, oil and gas, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries.

Natalie Galley, Patent Agent and US attorney

Based in Montréal, and with a background and experience working with clients in mechanical, aerospace and biomedical engineering, Natalie brings an inimitable depth and breadth of technical expertise to her practice. She provides clients with unique cross-border IP expertise having practiced in the U.S. for many years. Natalie employs an analytical approach to understanding her clients’ business goals and offers strategic counsel to create, protect and leverage IP assets to meet their commercial objectives.

Linli Liu, Patent Agent

With a practice focused on patent drafting and prosecution, Linli draws from her strong technical expertise. She understands her client’s business needs and goals and provides informed strategic patent support. As an IP practitioner with an advanced degree in electrical engineering, Linli has a diverse range of technical expertise, allowing her to advise clients on the best course of action in complex patent issues. Linli provides legal services to clients in Toronto and Montréal and from around the world.

Francesca Roy, Associate and Trademark Agent

Francesca is a member of the firm’s trademark practice, based in Montréal. She provides strategic counselling and IP services to clients in a variety of industries throughout the trademark life cycle. Francesca’s litigation practice encompasses all aspects of IP law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights and industrial designs. She is involved in developing litigation strategies and drafting procedural documents for motions and trials before the Federal Court and the Superior Court of Quebec. In addition, Francesca is also frequently involved in the protection and enforcement of protected geographical indications (GIs) in Canada for European clients.

Reagan Seidler, Associate and Trademark Agent

Reagan is a member of the firm’s trademark practice, based in Toronto. With a focus on litigation and trademarks, Reagan’s practice serves companies of all sizes, from local start-ups to multinational corporations, to develop strong trademark portfolios that protect and strengthen the value of brands. He advises clients throughout the trademark life cycle, performing trademark clearance searches, providing availability opinions, preparing and filing trademark applications, and prosecuting trademark applications before the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.

About the Canadian Patent and Trademark Agent Exams

The Canadian Patent and Trademark Agent Qualifying Exams are administered by the College of Patent & Trademark Agents (CPATA).

Practitioners must complete a 24-month training period and successfully complete the Qualifying Examination as a requirement for registration as a Patent Agent or Trademark Agent.

The Qualifying Examinations are designed to assess the candidate’s knowledge of the Trademarks Act, the Trademarks Regulations in the case of Trademark Agents, and Patent Act, Patent Rules, and patent application drafting in the case of Patent Agents, in addition to case law and practice required to practise independently as a Trademark Agent or Patent Agent. The examinations test candidates’ analytical and problem-solving skills, and their skills in communicating with clients and the Office of the Registrar of Trademarks or Patent Office, as applicable.

More information is available online at CPATA’s website.

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.