Blakes welcomes Geoffrey Mowatt as new IP litigation co-head

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP has welcomed certified patent law specialist Geoffrey Mowatt as the new co-head of its IP litigation practice.

Mowatt will be helming the practice from the firm’s Toronto office with fellow partner Fiona Legere. Mowatt brings his experience in handling sensitive disputes and regulatory and compliance matters.

“IP litigation is a strategic priority for the firm as it is important for our clients in innovative sectors. Geoff has a reputation for excellence and a deep understanding of his clients’ businesses,” Blakes chair Geoff Beisher said in a media release.

Over a career spanning almost 20 years, Mowatt has helped to protect clients’ innovations at all stages of complex patent and trademark disputes, including pre-litigation opinions and high-stakes trials and appeals. He has worked with life sciences companies on regulatory and compliance issues associated with pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices and health care.

He has also advised on matters involving life cycle management and data protection, product and establishment licensing, approval pathways, drug marketing and advertising, interactions with health-care professionals and institutions, drug reimbursement and pricing, Form IV patent listing, Certificates of Supplemental Protection and the implications of international trade agreements.

Mowatt has appeared before both federal and provincial courts while handling complex patent litigation. He has tackled the Canadian aspects of multi-jurisdictional lawsuits, collaborating with counsel from different countries.

He has been involved in proceedings under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations. He has worked on patent disputes related to innovative small-molecule drugs, biologics, formulations and dosage forms.

Mowatt is also a registered patent and trademark agent. He is an expert in trademark litigation and procurement matters, such as those related to registrability and freedom to operate, brand strategy, trademark prosecution and general trademark litigation.

His clients have included Aurora Cannabis, the University of Saskatchewan, Pfizer Canada, and G&W Distilling.

Mowatt explained that Blakes’ litigation and dispute resolution team, as well as its life sciences group, offered “a strong foundation for this next chapter of my career.”