Smart & Biggar receives highest-ranking as a ‘Band 1’ firm for Intellectual Property and IP Litigation by Chambers Global 2023
Once again, Chambers and Partners has recognized Smart & Biggar as a leader for IP in Canada with Band 1 rankings for Intellectual Property and IP Litigation in the 2023 edition of Chambers Global – The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business.
We are proud to have earned this recognition through the trusted recommendations of our clients and peers, in reflection of the outstanding results and strategic counsel delivered by our leading IP practitioners.
Marking the firm’s 18th year ranked in this guide, Chambers researchers recognize Smart & Biggar as a “well-established IP and innovation boutique...[with] an impressive IP development service, assisting high-profile clients with issues ranging from licensing and marketing to enforcement and litigation.” They describe the firm’s reputation for “its bench strength and quality representation…[with] proven skill in patent and trademark litigation as well as a substantial range of commercial IP matters… in a diverse range of sectors, including telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and the media industry.” This firm is also celebrated for our “impressive portfolio of clients in e-commerce and technology.”
One client stated they were “really happy with the team,” who did a “tremendous job of supporting us in what we do.” Another commented that “Smart & Biggar possesses really deep knowledge of our industry and does good work.”
Chambers Global highlights ‘Notable Practitioners,’ acknowledging excellence at the individual lawyer level:
Christian Bolduc (Intellectual Property): Montréal-based Christian Bolduc impresses with “his work across a broad array of trademark mandates, spanning procurement, prosecution and transactions.”
Mark Evans (Intellectual Property): advises and represents clients in significant IP prosecution mandates. He has an excellent reputation in the field of trademarks, where he services major sporting and consumer product brands. With a “really high legal acumen, he gets both the legal and practical side of things and measures risk and reward well.” Clients also commented that Mark “is so practical-minded, considers your business objectives and takes into account the reality of the situation.”
Steven Garland (Intellectual Property Litigation): has a reputation as a “prominent presence in intellectual property work in Canada.” The guide describes Steven Garland as a “qualified patent and trademark attorney, [who] represents significant clients in the energy, chemical and technology sectors.”
François Guay (Intellectual Property Litigation): is “a highly experienced litigator… well regarded for his expertise in trademark disputes and infringement cases.” He was praised in the guide as "a master when it came to litigation strategy,” a “very good advocate and a strong opponent.”
Daphne Lainson (Intellectual Property): regularly acts for the firm's high-profile pharmaceutical clients and possesses significant experience advising on patent filing, strategy and portfolio management. She “delivers a succinct and understandable work product.”
The Chambers Global Guide ranks the top lawyers and law firms in over 200 jurisdictions across the world. Their rankings are based on the in-depth research conducted by 200 Research Analysts, providing almost 6,000 rankings tables.
View Smart & Biggar’s rankings for Intellectual Property and IP Litigation online.
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.