Smart & Biggar celebrates four newly qualified Canadian patent agents in 2025

We are pleased to share that Brett Benham, Katie Jeziorski, Parnian Soltanipanah and Michal Zielinski are now registered to practice as patent agents in Canada.

Each year, several of our associates and technical consultants work towards completing the qualifying examinations to become patent agents and trademark agents in Canada. Smart & Biggar is committed to supporting them in their professional development and offers hands-on learning opportunities and in-house training to support them in preparation for writing these challenging exams.

Congratulations to Brett, Katie, Parnian and Michal! We are proud of your hard work and dedication towards this milestone achievement and wish you every success in this next chapter of your career at Smart & Biggar.

Brett Benham, Associate

Brett’s practice focuses on patent drafting and prosecution, with an emphasis on innovations in mechanical systems and processes.

Katie Jeziorski, Patent Agent

Katie’s practice is primarily focused on preparing and prosecuting patent applications with an emphasis on electrical, oil and gas, mining, clean/green energy, biomedical and computer related technology.

Parnian Soltanipanah, Associate

Parnian assists clients with respect to patent prosecution and IP strategy & management, particularly in the chemical and pharmaceutical fields.

Michal Zielinski, Associate

Michal’s practice focuses on patent prosecution and providing clients with strategic advice on issues related to aviation, software, computers, manufacturing, construction, robotics, electrochemistry and metallurgy.

The Canadian Patent 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. More information is available online at CPATA’s website.