Smart & Biggar welcomes six articling students to our leading IP practice in Ottawa and Toronto

Smart & Biggar is pleased to welcome a talented and diverse panel of six articling students to our leading Intellectual Property practice in Ottawa and Toronto. These students represent the best and the brightest law students in Canada with academic achievements in advanced areas of technology, engineering and science in addition to their legal studies.

Over the course of the next year, these articling students will participate in our comprehensive IP Law Student Training Program which is designed to encompass all areas and aspects of IP law and practice. Each student will gain well-rounded experience in patents, trademarks, copyright and related litigation, and discover what it means to be at their best among the most elite practitioners in intellectual property.

Additionally, each student will have the benefit of working alongside partners and associates at Smart & Biggar with coaching and guidance from Canada’s leading IP lawyers. They will have the opportunity to work on complex and important IP matters in a team-based environment, and contribute directly towards solving  IP issues and challenges for our international roster of innovative clients.

We are proud to welcome each of our articling students and wish them an exciting year ahead!

Ottawa

Irène Dubois-Mirfarsi, University of Ottawa, J.D., 2021

Irène returns to Smart & Biggar after completing a term as a summer student in 2020. During her legal studies, Irène held the role of Associate Editor for the Ottawa Law Review. Additionally, she participated as a volunteer with Pro Bono Students Canada, working with the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board. In her second year of study, Irène was selected to take part in the uOttawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic. As part of a first graduating cohort in a unique joint Bachelor of Commerce and Juris Doctor program, Irène helped found a student-driven mentorship program between the Business School and Law Faculty.

Sarah Gupta, University of Ottawa, J.D., 2021

Sarah returns to Smart & Biggar after completing a term as a summer student in 2019. During her legal studies, Sarah was a writing leader for the Legal Writing Academy. Additionally, Sarah worked as a technology law research intern at the Centre for Law, Technology and Society, was a Women’s Legal Mentor, and served as VP Finance for the South Asian Law Student Association (SALSA). Sarah completed her Bachelor of Medical Sciences, Honors and her Master of Science, with Specialization in Physiology and Pharmacology, at the University of Western Ontario. In 2010 she earned the Western Scholarship of Distinction.

Irshaad Hashim, University of Ottawa, J.D., 2021

Irshaad returns to Smart & Biggar after completing a term as a summer student in 2020. In Irshaad’s final year of law school he had the distinct privilege of being a Dean’s Research and Writing Fellow. In this specially selected role, he honed his legal research skills by tackling complex, practical and multi-disciplinary legal issues. Irshaad earned his Master of Science in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience from the University of Ottawa. Prior to entering law, Irshaad worked for STEMCELL Technologies, a Vancouver-based biotechnology company.

Cédric Primeau, University of Ottawa, J.D., 2021

Cédric returns to Smart & Biggar after completing a term as a summer student in 2019. During his legal studies, Cédric was the recipient of a technoship research scholarship, in which he researched AI-empowered eDiscovery software. He also served as a research assistant to Professor Samuel Singer. Prior to entering law, Cédric worked at a multinational engineering consulting firm within a group specializing in tailings and backfill management. Cédric completed a B.A.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ottawa, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Toronto

Akiv Jhirad, University of Western Ontario, J.D., 2021

Akiv returns to Smart & Biggar after completing a term as a summer student in 2020. During law school, Akiv served as a research assistant for Dr. Jennifer Farrell, which involved research in the field of crypto-assets and tax law. He was also a part of Western Law’s dispute resolution centre, where he was trained in facilitative mediation and negotiation, gaining valuable skills to assist in the alternative dispute resolution process. While completing his Master’s degree, Akiv was the recipient of the NSERC Canadian Graduate Scholarship. Prior to entering law school, he gained technical experience through developing a flight computer for a CubeSat, working on an AI-based computer vision system for autonomous vehicles, contributing to the development of a robotic system for image-guided pediatric bone biopsy surgery, and developing and testing a novel electrical stimulation device for mitigation of hormone-induced bone loss.

Ryan Wong, Osgoode Hall Law School, J.D., 2021

Ryan returns to Smart & Biggar after completing a term as a summer student in 2020. During his legal studies, Ryan served as a research assistant to Professor D’Agostino. In this role, he led a team to develop an IP chatbot, designing conversation flow and organizing testing. Ryan also participated in the IP intensive program, completing his placement at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, where he was later rehired and served as a Junior Policy Analyst from January to July 2021. In 2021, Ryan graduated from Law School having received the IP Osgoode David Vaver Medal for Excellence in Intellectual Property Law, awarded to a student in the graduating class who merits special recognition for outstanding achievement in the area of intellectual property law or policy. He is currently the Senior Editor of Carswell’s Intellectual Property Journal.

Canada’s training ground for IP law excellence

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.

Each year across our offices, we hire a select group of well-rounded law students who are driven, intellectually curious and team-oriented, with business acumen, a passion for IP law and a strong academic record.

If you have exceptional skills in science and technology, are interested in the law and wish to build a career in IP, reach out to a member of our Talent team.