Smart & Biggar maintains top rankings for IP and IP Litigation, and earns recognition for Life Sciences, Cannabis and Advertising & Marketing in Chambers Canada 2020

Smart & Biggar, Canada’s leading firm for intellectual property law, has once again ranked as a Band 1 firm in both Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property Litigation in the 2020 Chambers Canada Guide . In addition to IP, the firm was ranked for its expertise in Life Sciences earning recognition for its leading lawyers in each of these categories, as well as in Cannabis and Advertising & Marketing law.

In Chambers’ review of Smart & Biggar, it was noted that “the team is frequently called upon by high-profile clients to assist with the development and management of IP assets.” The firm was described as “[r]eputed for its bench strength and quality representation, demonstrating particular skill in patent and trade mark litigation as well as a substantial range of commercial IP matters.”

“[Smart & Biggar has] been around for decades for patents and trademarks and are a very solid firm. If I was a general counsel, they would certainly be on my shortlist.”

One commentator noted that Smart & Biggar’s lawyers are “excellent with the technical aspects of the law and the science behind it.” While another source stated “[Smart & Biggar has] been around for decades for patents and trademarks and are a very solid firm. If I was a general counsel, they would certainly be on my shortlist.”

For IP Litigation, Chambers also cited the firm’s recent and successful representation of Bauer Hockey in a multi-patent infringement case brought by Swedish helmet technology company MIPS AB, as an example of our strength, with lead counsel François Guay earning a Band 1 ranking in the guide.

In the field of Life Sciences, Smart & Biggar was lauded by Chambers for its “impressive stable of [pharmaceutical and biotech] clients” for which it “manages patent portfolios [for] in addition to representing [those] involved in patent litigation”. One client commented “They are very strategic and super quick on their feet. There is no wasted work with them and nothing extra." The firm was also credited for “Regularly [advising] on IP transactions and regulatory matters related to the life sciences sector”.

Congratulations to all of our Ranked Lawyers:

Mark Evans - Intellectual Property

“Renowned for his long-standing expertise in trademarks ... He acts for high-profile clients across the full spectrum of IP matters, from application and licensing to enforcement and litigation”

Gunars Gaikis - Intellectual Property: Litigation, Life Sciences: IP/Patent Litigation

“Praised by market sources for his long-standing experience handling pharmaceutical patent and trade mark cases” and “Noted for his strength in IP litigation in the life sciences sector, he also offers clients strong counsel on data protection, patent procurement and a wide host of product regulation matters.”

Steven Garland - Intellectual Property: Litigation

“Praised by sources as ‘a really good litigator’ for his work on trade mark and patent infringement disputes [and for representing] well-known clients before provincial and federal courts”

François Guay - Intellectual Property: Litigation

“Described by market commentators as a ‘superb litigator with a great reputation in Québec’ his impressive practice includes high-profile patent, trade mark and copyright infringement disputes for clients in the sports, manufacturing and media industries, among others”

Alice Tseng - Life Sciences, Cannabis Law, also recognized for Advertising & Marketing

“An accomplished practitioner with experience handling regulatory issues for clients in the life sciences sector. With added strength as a registered patent agent, she advises on matters spanning pharmaceuticals, medical devices and the burgeoning area of cannabis product regulation”

Chambers and Partners, often referred to as ‘the gold-standard’, delivers insight and analysis on the global legal profession that is unrivalled in its reach and depth. Smart & Biggar has long been recognized by Chambers and Partners as a leader in Canadian IP law and related practice areas.

Smart & Biggar is Canada's largest firm practising exclusively in intellectual property and technology law, with offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. As leaders in intellectual property and technology law Smart & Biggar has been serving clients for over a century.