Smart & Biggar is a premier IP firm in Canada with significant expertise in patent litigation and counseling. The group serves a broad client base, including universities, research institutions, startups and multinational companies. Smart & Biggar is ranked nationally for branded patent litigation, patent prosecution and regulatory counseling. The firm notably saw senior counsel and firm leader Gunars Gaikis inducted into the LMG Life Sciences Hall of Fame for a stellar career in the industry.
Firm chair Daphne Lainson has a strong reputation in the market as a life sciences patent strategist and counselor. In addition to her leadership at the firm, she also acts for several multinational clients in patent prosecution and portfolio management. For her significant work in the area, Lainson was named 2020 Patent Strategy Practitioner of the Year in Canada by LMG Life Sciences.
Also taking home an award was partner Sheldon Hamilton, who is the 2020 Patent Litigator of the Year in Canada. He recently impressed with his involvement in one of the LMG Life Sciences Patent Impact Cases of the Year, AstraZeneca Canada v Sandoz Canada, which clarified procedure related to the PM(NOC) regulations. Recognized practitioner Nancy Pei was also active on the matter. Her practice focused on life sciences patent litigation further bolsters the firm’s strength in the area. Yoon Kang has more than two decades of experience in law. Her practice focuses on patent litigation and prosecution for clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
In the regulatory area, Alice Tseng stands as one of the market’s most respected practitioners. She is currently advising several clients in regulatory, advertising and commercial matters. Tseng was shortlisted for the Canadian Regulatory Attorney of the Year, an award she won last year for her accomplishments in the area.
