Two-partner IP boutique Belmore Neidrauer LLP is characterized by its focus on pharmaceutical and biotechnology patent litigation, including complex multi-jurisdictional cases. The Toronto-based firm also brings experience in trademark litigation and opposition proceedings. The practice is led by experienced IP litigator Marian Wolanski . Former co-head Stephanie Anderson has since departed the firm.

Calgary’s Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP is establishing itself as a key contender for oil and gas-related IP work. In January 2025, the firm hired IP litigator Chelsea Nimmo as counsel from Norton Rose Fulbright.

Heer Law’s thriving IP practice is experienced across the full range of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret and industrial design matters. Focused on providing services directly to clients rather than relying on foreign associate work, the group advises on IP filing, prosecution and litigation. As a qualified computer engineer, founding partner Christopher Heer is particularly well-positioned to prepare and file applications concerning computer-related technologies. Rounding out the partners is Georgina Danzig, who leads the IP litigation and anti-counterfeiting enforcement group.

Forming a key pillar of the firm’s dominant dispute resolution offering, Lenczner Slaght’s IP group is distinguished by its formidable track record in patent, trademark and copyright proceedings before all court levels. Acting for a diverse roster of life sciences, media and entertainment, technology and other IP-rich companies, the team routinely represents domestic and international clients in sophisticated multi-jurisdictional litigation. High-profile litigators Sana Halwani and Jordana Sanft co-chair the practice, with Andrew Moeser also recommended.

A member of Australia-headquartered IPH Limited, Robic LLP retains its individual branding and operates as a standalone firm. The Quebec boutique advises on a broad mix of IP protection, commercialization and litigation matters, with particular strength in prosecution and patent litigation. Recommended names include Camille Aubin, who leads the litigation, commercial and privacy practices; Catherine Bergeron, who heads the trademarks group; and managing director Dario Pietrantonio — all are based in Montreal.

Benefitting from one of the deepest IP benches in the market, Gowling WLG brings the ‘highest quality of attorneys and work product’. The group’s extensive national and international platform — it leverages seven offices across Canada as well as sizeable teams in the UK, France and China — ensures that it is a popular choice to represent major domestic and multinational companies, including global leaders in the life sciences, TMT, food and beverage and energy and natural resources sectors. National IP head Shelagh Carnegie (Toronto) is recognized for her formidable trademark prosecution practice, where she acts for Starbucks and Weetabix, among others. Further key trademark specialists include Nelson Godfrey (Vancouver), who leads the national trademark group; Natalie Rizkalla-Kamel (Toronto), who handles global trademark portfolio management, prosecution and IP enforcement; and Ottawa-based trademark partners Martha Savoy and Paula Clancy. On the patent side, notable names include Will Boyer (Ottawa), who fronts the IP litigation and strategy group, and John Harris (Ottawa), who advises on drafting and prosecuting patents and industrial designs. A formidable band of IP litigators features go-to expert Christopher Van Barr  (Ottawa), as well as Michael Crichton (Ottawa), Laurent Massam (Toronto) and Jay Zakaïb (Ottawa). The Toronto group also draws on up-and-coming litigator Charlotte McDonald and trademark-focused associate Jasleen Chahal.

IP powerhouse Smart & Biggar joined Australia-headquartered IPH Limited Group — an international IP services network — in September 2022. Since then, IPH’s ambitious acquisition strategy has seen it absorb long-established Ontario IP boutique Ridout & Maybee (September 2023) and leading IP specialist Bereskin & Parr (August 2024), creating the largest IP-focused law firm in the country. Among the names to note on the trademark side, Mark Evans (Toronto) is a go-to expert for both portfolio management and litigation, while Graham Hood (Toronto) heads the trademark group and advises on counselling, prosecution and litigation. The senior leadership team additionally includes firm managing director Matthew Zischka (Toronto); litigation and legal group head Jean-Sébastien Dupont (Montreal); patents and life sciences chair Daphne Lainson (Ottawa); and Jonas Gifford (Vancouver), who leads the patents: electrical, industrial, computer and technology group. A deep bench of litigators includes go-to specialist François Guay (Montreal), who contributes over four decades of experience in IP disputes; Mark Biernacki (Toronto), whose practice spans patents, trademarks, copyrights and industrial designs; and Sheldon Hamilton (Toronto), who focuses on patent litigation. Toronto-based life sciences specialists Yoon Kang and Nancy Pei are also noted for their expertise in patent litigation. Other recommended IP litigators include Jeremy Want (Ottawa) and Urszula Wojtyra (Toronto). Steven Garland retired in October 2024.

‘One of the best IP litigation teams in Canada’, Goodmans LLP is widely recognized for its dominant record in pharmaceutical cases. Over recent years, the group has broadened to become a first port of call for companies across all industry sectors; notably, it secured 11 new clients during 2024/25, including names in the TMT, oilfield services and building materials sectors — it also continues to expand its life sciences roster. Veteran counsel Harry Radomski and expert partner Andrew Brodkin co-lead the litigation side of the practice and contribute ‘unparalleled drug patent trial experience’. The Toronto-based team also includes go-to IP litigators Jordan Scopa and Ben Hackett, while it fields future stars in next-generation partner Jenene Roberts and associate Jaclyn Tilak. On the non-contentious side, IP head Amalia Berg is recommended for trademarks, copyright and confidential information.

Providing ‘clear, concise and direct’ advice, McCarthy Tétrault’s IP practice brings strong expertise in prosecution, portfolio management and litigation. The team also collaborates with its corporate group to advise on the IP aspects of large-scale transactions. From Toronto, Lisa Melanson heads the IP strategy and prosecution department; she recently acted alongside the corporate team to advise Quest Diagnostics on the IP aspects of its C$1.3bn acquisition of LifeLabs from OMERS. Toronto-based Steven Mason heads the IP litigation offering and is highly regarded for complex disputes, alongside fellow Toronto-based IP dispute specialist David Tait. Other key practitioners include Toronto-based senior counsel Barry Sookman, who focuses on technology and IP law; Toronto-based Daniel Glover, who co-leads the cyber unit; and Vancouver’s Vincent Yip, who heads the practice in Western Canada. Fiona Legere and Kendra Levasseur recently departed the firm.

Demonstrating a ‘practical and business-minded approach’, Norton Rose Fulbright’s full-spectrum IP offering draws on specialists across its six national offices, while it also benefits from access to the firm’s extensive global platform. Toronto-based Jung-Kay Chiu chairs the Canadian practice and specializes in IP acquisition, protection and commercialization, with a focus on the life sciences sphere. In Calgary, Elizabeth Williams is recommended for IP portfolio management and transactional matters; she recently worked alongside the corporate department to advise Canadian Tire on its acquisition of Hudson’s Bay Company’s IP portfolio. Toronto-based David Ng is also noted for IP strategy and prosecution. On the contentious side, the group fields Montreal-based patent litigator Brian Daley; Toronto-based Kristin Wall, whose practice spans litigation and regulatory issues; Vancouver group chair Christopher Wilson; and Toronto’s Daniel Daniele, who has an emphasis on pharmaceutical patent litigation.

Torys’ IP practice is well weighted between contentious and non-contentious expertise, while its broad sector coverage spans the life sciences, food and beverage, retail, TMT and energy and natural resources industries, among others. On the prosecution and portfolio management front, Eileen McMahon is widely recognized as a go-to partner. Other key contacts on the corporate IP side include Teresa Reguly, who recently advised Catalyst on a license, supply and commercialization agreement with Kye Pharmaceuticals; Edward Fan, who focuses on the acquisition, enforcement and exploitation of IP rights; Michelle Nelles, who specializes in trademark law and branding; and experienced associate Melanie Sharman Rowand. The Toronto-based group also houses a thriving contentious practice led by IP litigator Andrew Shaughnessy, who specializes in complex patent and trademark infringement cases. Andrew Bernstein and up-and-coming litigator Nicole Mantini are also recommended for IP disputes.

Bennett Jones LLP’s strong Calgary platform ensures a steady stream of energy, mining and natural resources-related IP work. The group also represents clients in the life sciences, agriculture, food and beverage, retail and TMT sectors on the full range of IP prosecution, strategy, litigation and transactional mandates. From Toronto, firm CEO Dominique Hussey co-chairs the innovation, technology and branding practice and is highly regarded for IP litigation. Calgary-based co-head Stephen Burns focuses on technology-related IP, particularly within the energy, utilities, infrastructure, agriculture, health and financial industries. Toronto-based Vincent de Grandpré is also noted for IP disputes.

An increasingly prominent firm for IP law, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP continues to scale up its offering. In October 2024, counsel Dian Howard joined from Manulife, while Kassandra Shortt made partner in January 2025, both are in Toronto. Striking a balance between litigation and non-contentious work, the growing team demonstrates adept handling of all key areas of IP. Toronto-based department chair Casey Chisick is widely recognized as a market leader in copyright law, while Vancouver-based Karen MacDonald and Toronto partners Andrew Skodyn and Mark Davis are recommended IP litigators. Rising partner Jessica Zagar is also noted for IP disputes.

Fasken’s full-service IP practice is well-distributed across the country, with eight offices across Canada’s four largest provinces. Equally equipped to handle IP portfolio management and litigation, the team draws on a deep bench of lawyers, patent agents and trademark agents. In Montreal, Julie Desrosiers is sought after for IP litigation, particularly patent disputes. The Montreal practice also includes IP head and patent litigator David Turgeon; trademark partner Jean-Philippe Mikus; rising trademark specialist Michael Shortt; and supporting associate Patricia Hénault. Other key contacts include Toronto IP chair Armand Benitah and Ottawa-based copyright head Gerald Kerr-Wilson.

IP lawyers at Baker McKenzie earn praise for their ‘ability to distil complex IP concepts into easy-to-understand guidance’. The Toronto-based group leverages the firm’s global platform to excel in supporting domestic and multinational clients on global portfolio management. The team also advises on transactions, licensing and distribution agreements, enforcement, anti-counterfeiting and IP disputes. Department head Stephanie Vaccari is particularly recognized for her expertise in trademark-related matters. Jim Holloway and counsel Sepideh Nassabi are also noted.

Toronto-based Dipchand LLP doubled its partnership in 2024/25 with the addition of three new IP specialists: Louis-Pierre Gravelle arrived in September 2024 from Bereskin & Parr LLP, while Christopher Tan and Belle Van both joined in May 2025 from Blaney McMurtry LLP. Firm founder Elizabeth Dipchand leads a practice covering the full spectrum of IP prosecution, commercialization and litigation. The six-partner team also includes May Cheng, who focuses on trademark and copyright law, and Jennifer Ko, who brings a strong background in biomedical-electrical engineering.

Recognized for its strength in IP litigation, DLA Piper (Canada) LLP handles the full range of patent, trademark and copyright disputes. The team also advises on non-contentious matters, including IP portfolio management and transactional mandates. The practice is co-led by IP litigator Sangeetha Punniyamoorthy (Toronto) and IP and technology specialist David Spratley (Vancouver). Other recommended Toronto-based practitioners include seasoned counsel Bruce Stratton , up-and-coming patent litigator Bentley Gaikis and newly promoted partner Michal Kasprowicz. In September 2024, Chris Bennett retired, while Geoffrey Mowatt joined Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP two months later. In January 2025, senior counsel Gunars Gaikis (Toronto) joined from Norton Rose Fulbright.

Particularly geared towards non-contentious IP, Stikeman Elliott LLP’s practice focuses on IP portfolio management — including prosecution, commercialization and enforcement — as well as transactional support work. Montreal-based patent and trademark specialist Jonathan Auerbach heads the national group and advises numerous Fortune 500 companies on their IP portfolios; he also handles IP transactions and infringement cases. In Toronto, Jeilah Chan is equipped to support clients on all aspects of IP law, including patents, trademarks, trade secrets and copyright.

The Toronto-based team at Aird & Berlis LLP collaborates with allied IP boutique Aird & McBurney to punch above its weight in the IP sphere. Acting for a broad roster of domestic and multinational clients, the group advises on the full range of IP portfolio management, licensing, transactional and litigation matters. Experienced IP litigator Timothy Lowman leads the practice, while IP enforcement specialist Ken Clarke and trademark partner Joanna Pitkin are also recommended.

Quebec stalwart BCF Business Law ‘combines deep expertise with a client-focused approach’, according to clients. The practice brings together a deep bench of litigators, commercial lawyers, patent attorneys and technical staff to provide multidisciplinary support on prosecution, licensing, commercial transactions and litigation. The department is co-led by Quebec City-based Johanne Auger, who heads the trademark team, and Montreal-based Julien Lacheré, who leads the patent area.

During 2024/25, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP bolstered its IP offering with the addition of new IP litigation co-heads Fiona Legere, who joined in July 2024 from McCarthy Tétrault, and Geoffrey Mowatt, who joined in November 2024 from DLA Piper (Canada) LLP. The firm also welcomed IP litigation-focused associate Kendra Levasseur, who arrived from McCarthy Tétrault in August 2025. Chris Hunter leads the IP department and advises clients on the acquisition, enforcement and commercialization of all forms of IP, as well as providing litigation support in infringement and misappropriation cases. Stephanie Anderson joined the firm from Belmore Neidrauer LLP in October 2025.

Miller Thomson’s national IP team ‘covers all areas, contentious and non-contentious, to a very high level’, according to some. A popular choice for IP portfolio management, the practice also handles licensing agreements, transactional support and litigation. In Vancouver, IP head Aiyaz Alibhai is recommended alongside Lisa Sim, who leads the patents and industrial designs group. In Toronto, trademark head Catherine Dennis Brooks is a key contact.