Smart & Biggar recognized as a leading firm for IP in Quebec by Lexpert

Smart & Biggar is pleased to share that Lexpert has recognized our partners in Montréal as leading lawyers for intellectual property in Quebec.

Based on recent peer survey results, Smart & Biggar is “Consistently Recommended” as a leading firm for IP in Quebec. Lexpert also named three of our partners as leading practitioners, including Montréal managing partner François Guay and Christian Bolduc as “Most Frequently Recommended” by peers, and partner Ekaterina Tsimberis as “Consistently Recommended” by peers.

François Guay has built a reputation for being “incredibly smart, completely charming and one of the best litigators there is” (WTR 1000). Recently François received the high distinction of Canada’s ‘IP Litigation Lawyer of the Year' at the 2021 Benchmark Canada Litigation Awards. Featured prominently as one of the firm’s most seasoned IP litigator, François successfully represented Canadian National Railway (CN) before the Federal Court of Appeal, and Fromageries Bel Canada in a trademark infringement matter against Agropur Coopérative and Aliments Ultima.

Christian is known to employ deep strategic wisdom, having practised through all phases of the trademark lifecycle during his career. Clients comment that “Christian really gets trademark law and is highly commercial. It is always pleasing to have him on the other side of a case, as he looks for business resolutions.” (WTR 1000, 2021)

Ekaterina is described as a litigator who “garners a lot of respect in the industry [and] has built a niche for herself in the Montréal market” (WTR 1000, 2020). She is recognized for her skill in negotiations and clients have applaud her ability to “[put] herself in the position of opposing parties to figure out what she needs to do” (WTR 1000, 2021).

Christian & Ekaterina are annually recognized in industry directories and guides including The Canadian Legal LEXPERT® Directory, The Best Lawyers in Canada, Euromoney's Expert Guides: Guide to the World's Leading Trademark Law Practitioners, World Trademark Review 1000 and Who's Who Legal: Trademarks.

Lexpert’s picks for the top IP lawyers and firms in Quebec is now available to view.

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.