Smart & Biggar

Smart & Biggar retains its position as one of the leading IP firms in Canada. In October 2022, the firm became part of IPH Limited, an ASX-listed company that owns Asia-Pacific IP firms such as AJ Park and Griffith Hack. Smart & Biggar has expanded under the ownership of IPH, with the acquisitions of IP firms Ridout & Maybee and Bereskin & Parr in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

This firm is highly recommended for IP protection and disputes work. Its technical expertise for patent work is quite broad, covering areas such as life sciences, software/ICT, electronics, and mechanical engineering. Some of its patent practitioners are dual qualified to deal with both patent protection and litigation.

ICT specialist Matthew Zischka serves as the managing director of the firm. Jonas Gifford is in charge of the patents practice. He is supported by senior patent agents such as life sciences practice leader Daphne Lainson, Elliott Simcoe, and David Schwartz.

Nancy Pei, Steven Garland, Yoon Kang, Sheldon Hamilton, and François Guay are among the prominent patent litigators in the firm. Garland is indeed an excellent all-round IP litigator. Pharmacist Alice Tseng is experienced in advising on regulatory matters in the life sciences sector.

The boutique also maintains a significant soft IP practice, featuring some of the leading trade mark practitioners in Canada; they include Mark Evans, Mark Biernacki, Kohji Suzuki, and Philip Lapin.

Graham Hood heads up the firm's trade mark practice. Other senior soft IP practitioners in the firm are Christian Bolduc and Jean-Sébastien Dupont, who now leads the litigation and legal department. Guay, Hood and Biernacki can also advise on copyright matters. Christine Genge is very knowledgeable about design law and practice.

2025

“An in-depth understanding of our company and portfolio and approaches our inquiries with a pragmatic and efficient mindset. Their expertise in trade mark law has been invaluable to our business, and I highly recommend their services."

"Cost-effective, responsive and client-focused—easy to work with."

"Dedicated team with expertise, with an emphasis on human relationships."

"Diverse, conscientious, knowledgeable, good depth."

"Great team to work with on new patents and trade marks. Very good level of service and communication."

"Highly responsive, always provides high quality work, and I can rely on them without hesitation."

"Highly responsive. Highly professional. Near perfect track record of winning in court.”

"I am consistently impressed by the exceptional quality, professionalism, and promptness of their legal advice.”

"Pragmatic approach, high quality of advice, high responsiveness."

"Responsiveness, deep understanding of life science matters, and an ‘international’ view."

"Quality advice from trusted partners."

"Smart & Biggar's approach of having a dedicated associate and partner deal with matters is helpful since it allows them to build knowledge about our business, understand our risk tolerance, and provide appropriate approaches for consideration."

"Strong expertise in the biotech space."

"The Smart & Biggar team are very professional, equipped with a strong background in patent law for life sciences. Communication was clear and quick. More importantly, we have found Smart & Biggar are willing to tailor their solutions to meet our needs."

"They have depth of knowledge and experience in all aspects of copyrights and copyright enforcement."

"Trusted partner, high level advising and high-quality work, excellent management and detail oriented."