David Walters

Patent powerhouse blends diverse expertise with collaborative approach

David pairs his exceptional understanding of the Canadian and international patent process with a highly responsive and collaborative client approach. Drawing on his 30 years of diverse patent experience in a quite unique combination of regulatory, in-house and private practice roles, David helps his clients navigate every stage of the patent process, with an ultimate goal of extracting maximum value from their IP assets.

David’s engineering background makes him adept at understanding and generalizing complex inventions, which is key to securing valuable patent protection. His extensive experience encompasses the full patent life cycle. This includes not only preparing and prosecuting patent applications in Canada and managing the filing and prosecution of patent applications worldwide, but also advising on post-grant activity related to granted patents. 

In addition to assisting Canadian companies with obtaining patent protection at home and abroad, David is well-versed in advising clients in the United States and overseas regarding patent protection in Canada. David is also experienced in coordinating applications between Canadian and foreign patent offices, sometimes partnering with our international associates.

Rich patent expertise and insights derived from diverse roles

David’s clients range from small enterprises to multinational corporations primarily in communications and electronics. They appreciate his ability to provide clear advice and insights supported by previous industry and corporate roles. David’s previous experience as a senior Canadian patent examiner allows him to understand the potential challenges a client may face during the examination process. He also worked as in-house patent counsel, gaining a first-hand perspective on patent-related concerns and challenges faced by corporate stakeholders. This unique combination of experience further enriches David’s extensive career in over 20 years of private practice with Smart & Biggar.

David continues to sharpen his legal skills and stay current on developments in patent law and practice, in part through our extensive network of associate law firms. He is also a member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC)’s Internet and Technology Committee.