Smart & Biggar hailed at the 10th annual Women in Business Law Americas Awards

Smart & Biggar is proud to claim one major practitioner award, as well as two prestigious firm awards by Euromoney Legal Media Group (LMG) in the 10th annual Women in Business Law Americas Awards. The awards took place virtually on September 29, 2021.

Yoon Kang, a leader in the life sciences practice in Smart & Biggar’s Toronto office, was named ‘Patent Lawyer of the Year’ across the Americas. In 2018, she was also named ‘Best Lawyer in Life Science for the Americas’. With a reputation as a smart and pragmatic problem-solver, Yoon is a trusted legal advisor, a leader in the life sciences industry, and a fierce litigator.

The firm was lauded with the awards for ‘North America Firm of the Year for Gender Diversity’ and ‘Canada Firm of the Year’.These awards celebrate firms that support the development of women in the legal profession through programmes that enable women to pursue legal careers and achieve an equitable standing within a traditionally male-dominated industry. Criteria include the ratio of women to men lawyers (at all levels of seniority), the retention of women associates to partner level and in business leadership roles, and gender-focused diversity initiatives.

We are proud to be recognized as a leading firm for women in law and thank the firm’s female partners and practitioners, and our firm leaders and executive committee, who have demonstrated ongoing leadership and support in moving the firm forward in achieving gender equality and diversity in our practice.

“Smart & Biggar is honoured to receive these awards in recognition of our firm’s ongoing dedication and support of women in intellectual property law. We are committed to continuing our work towards greater diversity, equity and inclusion at every level of the firm and in everything that we do. I am incredibly proud of our achievements and this recognition.”

Daphne Lainson, Chair of the Firm

The LMG Americas Women in Business Law Awards focus on North and South America’s female lawyers, from In-house and private practice, and the teams and firms setting the standard for progressive work practices and initiatives in diversity and inclusion.

The full list of this year’s Women in Business Award winners is available to view now.

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.