Smart & Biggar leads the industry for Trademarks with six Principals ranked as WTR Global Leaders 2023
Smart & Biggar is proud to announce that six of our esteemed Principals have been named among the world’s most notable trademark practitioners in the fifth edition of World Trademark Review (WTR) Global Leaders Guide. Congratulations to Mark Biernacki, Christian Bolduc, Mark Evans, Steven Garland, François Guay and Philip Lapin for this outstanding recognition.
Earlier this year, each of these Principals were named in WTR 1000 The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals, which recognizes the top Trademark practitioners in private practice. Once again Smart & Biggar was ranked as a gold tier firm for Trademarks, and as a silver tier firm for Anti-Counterfeiting. WTR researchers described the firm as ‘the standard for IP law’ and one of the largest IP companies in Canada with a “high level of specialization.” Our expert Trademark lawyers were praised for their quality of service. The guide also remarked that brand owners “receive not only excellent legal assistance but also unique industry-specific advice on relevant business challenges.”
WTR Global Leaders are recognized as the ‘Best of the Best’ lawyers for Trademarks. Mark Biernacki, Christian Bolduc, Mark Evans, François Guay and Philip Lapin were highlighted in the guide for their outstanding service to clients and acclaim from colleagues on each of their strengths and accomplishments:
Mark Biernacki (Anti-counterfeiting, Enforcement and Litigation, Prosecution and Strategy) was hailed for his successful defence of a high-profile infringement case as part of Smart & Biggar’s leading litigation team, reflecting his label as an ‘enforcement ace’ in previous guides.
Christian Bolduc (Transactions, Prosecution and Strategy) was praised for his ability to “effectively deploy his guidance by utilising both his extensive knowledge of trademark law and his broad experience.”
Mark Evans (Anti-counterfeiting, Enforcement and Litigation, Prosecution and Strategy) is once again included in the guide for his impressive reputation and noteworthy success in a precedent-setting infringement case involving the tests for confusion and resemblance between marks. This builds on his previous inclusion in the guide last year, as “one of the leading lights of the profession (2022).”
Steven Garland (Enforcement and Litigation) a seasoned litigator in both the patent and trademark realm is celebrated in the guide for his leading practice and in particular for his successful defense in a notable precedent-setting infringement case last year.
François Guay (Enforcement and Litigation) is an experienced litigator, featured once again for his expertise and given special mention for his work on a wide range of trademark matters, including the first-ever virtual oppositions hearing before the Trademarks Opposition Board. He was previously complimented in the guide as “exceptional at what he does and delivers outstanding work in both enforcement and prosecution (2022).”
Philip Lapin (Prosecution and Strategy) “is a well-known expert in trademark law and skillfully manages complicated situations. He has been writing about trademark topics and leading several committees for decades.”
WTR Global Leaders draws on market-leading research projects, the WTR 1000 and WTR 300, to identify the ‘best of the best’ in private and corporate trademark practice. The full list of global leaders is now available to view.
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.