Smart & Biggar practitioners share reflections on IPIC2026 and the future of Canadian IP

Smart & Biggar practitioners and leaders attended the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada’s Annual Conference (IPIC2026 Centennial Conference) in Ottawa, Canada, from September 16-18, 2026. This year's conference was especially meaningful as IPIC celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of the organization’s contributions to advancing and strengthening the intellectual property profession in Canada.

As a sponsor of both IPIC’s year-long centennial celebrations and the conference’s Global IP Leadership Dinner, Smart & Biggar was proud to contribute to IPIC’s celebrations of 100 years of innovation.

Below, a few of our practitioners provide some insights, highlights and their experiences from the conference. 

Interview edited lightly for style and clarity.

What emerging trends or themes stood out across the conference?

Jason Hynes, Principal, IPIC President (2025-2026): A standout for me was the retrospective on the historical development of the profession. We had artifacts from the early days of IPIC, including the minutes from the very first meeting held in Ottawa at the Chateau Laurier in 1926. It was just wonderful to see that.

Daniel Davies, Principal: A theme that stood out for me, especially in the keynote presented by Michelle Romanov, the CEO of Clearco, was the importance of promoting and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in Canada. Michelle provided an insightful perspective on what smaller businesses and startups experience in their early years. She emphasized the necessity to prioritize different aspects of an IP strategy in the first few years, especially if you don't have unlimited resources.

Dominique Lambert, Principal: A recurring theme across the conference was the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and its growing influence on our profession. Discussions consistently focused on how AI is reshaping workflows, enhancing efficiency and requiring professionals to adapt their skills and practices to remain effective in an evolving landscape.  

Jeff Leuschner, Principal: One theme discussed was the recognition that while innovation has moved quickly, especially in the last 20 years, the pace of innovation right now is phenomenal. And with AI, for example, it's not just innovation that's impacting our clients, which has usually been the case, but it's equally impacting the profession itself, through the way our own IP services are administered and delivered. The good thing is that the IP community in Canada has very solid roots and the right foundation to be able to leverage those opportunities and find the right fit.

Irshaad Hashim, Associate: There was much discussion about what we as advocates for innovation can do to promote Canada’s global position by both ensuring Canadian innovators have access to the necessary IP services to secure their assets, and attracting foreign innovators whose businesses can help grow our economy. 

Left: Christian Bolduc, receiving the Shelley Jones Outstanding Contribution award from IPIC CEO Adam Kingsley. Top right: Jeff Leuschner, moderating the Patent Office Practice Update. Bottom right: Jean-Sébastien Dupont, debating during ““The Robot of Ordinary Skill in the Art”: Be It Resolved that AI Will Destroy the Novelty/Originality Required for Patent/Copyright Protection in Canada”.

What did you enjoy most about the conference, and why? 

Irshaad: The highlight for me was the optional “Strut-Your-Stuff” oral advocacy workshop. It was a privilege to receive feedback from senior IP litigators and a Judge of the Federal Court on oral submissions I prepared for a fictitious trademark case. I will certainly draw from this experience in my next court appearance! 

Jeff: I most enjoyed being able to have some face-to-face interaction with other IP colleagues in Canada. Many representatives from CIPO were present, and it was great to connect with them in person. 

David Schwartz, Principal: The social events and lunches provided good opportunities to reconnect with colleagues, and the Gala was such a festive and enjoyable evening. Before the Global IP Leadership Dinner on Tuesday evening, we attended the unveiling of a bronze plaque installed in the lobby of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, commemorating the inception of the Institute in a meeting at that very hotel in 1926. This was a very special event and a wonderful tribute to the Institute.

Celebrating at the IPIC Centennial Gala. Jason Hynes (President 2025-2026) speaking to the attendees.

What does it mean to you to represent Smart & Biggar at an event like IPIC?

Jason: It was a great honour to carry the Smart & Biggar banner and stand on stage talking about the support from our firm alongside the history of IPIC. When we talk about IPIC's 100-year journey and the legacy of the IP profession in Canada, Smart & Biggar is a critical piece of that story. Our earliest founders, Russel Smart and Frederick Fetherstonhaugh, were founding members of IPIC in 1926. Another critical part of that legacy are the firms of Ridout & Maybee and Bereskin & Parr, now part of Smart & Biggar, who were each hugely influential in the Canadian IP landscape. For instance, Dan Bereskin was named to the Order of Canada in 2020, and five Bereskin & Parr partners served as IPIC presidents over the years. Moreover, J. Edward Maybee was the very first president of IPIC. It was an incredible honour to step into their shoes and serve our community as president over the past year.

Daniel: I'm on the conference committee, which decides session topics and coordinates finding speakers. It means a lot to be on the committee, represent Smart & Biggar, and then be able to attend and see the fruits of our labour.

Dominique: Representing Smart & Biggar at an event like IPIC is both an honour and a responsibility. It provides an opportunity to highlight the expertise and leadership of Canada's largest IP firm and contribute to important discussions affecting the profession.

Jean-Sébastien Dupont, Principal: Smart & Biggar is the largest IP firm in Canada, and IPIC is the main institute for IP professionals that drives the future of Canadian IP practice. Being present is important to showcase that we are stakeholders, and we should be actively participating.

Do you have any insights to share from the Global IP Leadership Dinner?

Daniel: It was great to interact with industry peers and connect with a mix of leaders across IPIC and other organizations, including some international attendees, discussing issues facing the profession in various capacities.

Jason (IPIC President 2025-2026): We (IPIC) made a conscious effort this year to look beyond the “four corners” of Canadian geography and ask how we could work with global partners to expand Canada's leadership role in the international IP community. The Global Leadership Dinner was an opportunity for us to get folks from all over the world together into a room, to share their perspectives, and talk about Canada's future as a global leader in IP.

Final thoughts

Melanie Szweras, Principal: The IP community and IP bar in Canada are so strong and engaged. The camaraderie among everyone was really evident and it was nice to be part of that.

David: Many thanks to the IPIC staff, the organizing committee, presenters, sponsors and attendees who contributed to the great success of the 2026 Annual Conference, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Institute. The Annual Conference was the perfect celebration of the Institute’s 100-year history.

Thank you to our colleagues and partners.

Christian Bolduc also received the Shelley Jones Outstanding Contribution Award, which aims to recognize an IPIC Committee member who made a significant contribution to their committee and to IPIC.

Learn more about IPIC100: ipic100.ca