13th Annual U of T Patent Colloquium

 
POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS

Panel 1: Ambiguity and Indefiniteness

Panel 2: Overbreadth and Double Patenting
  - Nisha Anand
  - Adam Bobker
  - Rebecca Crane

Panel 3: Balancing Act: Expert and Fact Evidence - Exploring the Boundaries of Opinion Evidence and Related Practice Points


BIOS

Chief Justice Paul Crampton, Federal Court of Appeal

Paul Crampton was appointed to the Federal Court on November 26 2009 and to the position of Chief Justice on December 15, 2011. Prior to joining the bench, he specialized in competition/antitrust law in private practice. After spending ten years as a partner at what is now Davies, Ward, Phillips and Vineberg LLP, he spent five years as a partner at Osler LLP. Between his work at those firms, he took a two-year sabbatical at the OECD, where he was responsible for the organization’s work with developing countries in the competition law and policy field. At the outset of his career, he was Special Advisor to the Commissioner of Competition.

MODERATORS

Justice Angela Furlanetto 

The Honourable Justice Angela Furlanetto was appointed Associate Judge of the Federal Court on March 7, 2019 and appointed a Justice and ex officio member of the Federal Court of Appeal on February 26, 2021. She worked in the area of intellectual property, particularly in patent litigation and in the field of life sciences and was often recognized as a leading lawyer in Canada in these areas. She appeared regularly before the Federal Courts, handling all aspects of intellectual property and a variety of technical subject matter. 

She was an active member of the Canadian Bar Association, serving as a former Chair of the National IP Section, member of the Court Practice Committee, one of the original members of the Federal Court IP User’s Committee and as IP Section representative of the Federal Court Bench and Bar Committee. She was also a Fellow of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and a former Chair of their Litigation Committee. Committed to the development of lawyers in intellectual property law, Justice Furlanetto helped found the Harold G. Fox Moot, Canada’s only intellectual property moot, where she served as Chair for ten years.

Before joining the Court, Justice Furlanetto practised in all areas of intellectual property litigation as a Partner with Dimock Stratton LLP and later DLA Piper (Canada) LLP. She has a BSc degree in Biochemistry (summa cum laude) from McMaster University in 1991, a Master of Science degree in Biochemistry from Western University in 1993, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Western University in 1996. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1998.

Justice Michael D. Manson, Federal Court of Canada

The Honourable Justice Michael Manson was appointed Judge of the Federal Court on October 5, 2012. He attended McGill University (BSc. 1976; Dip.Ed. 1978) and the University of British Columbia (L.L.B. 1982). He was called to the Bars of Ontario in 1984 and British Columbia in 1995. He was Associate and then Partner at Smart & Biggar from 1984 to 2012. In 1996-2012, he was an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Victoria. He became a Registered Trade-mark Agent in 1984 and Patent Agent in 1989. He has authored more than one hundred articles and papers on intellectual property, trademark patents, and copyright law. In 2012, he was selected Vancouver Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers; Preeminent IP Litigation Lawyer in British Columbia by Benchmark Canada; and Canadian Outstanding IP Practitioner by Managing Intellectual Property. He was also a Fellow of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and of the Litigation Counsel of America.

Justice Christine Pallota, Federal Court of Canada

The Honourable Justice Christine Pallotta was appointed to the Federal Court on January 30, 2020. Prior to her appointment, she practised as an intellectual property (IP) lawyer and served as the national leader of the IP litigation focus group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG). Since joining the intellectual property firm Bereskin & Parr in 1999, and then BLG in 2011, Justice Pallotta’s practice focused on intellectual property law and litigation, including trademark, patent, copyright, and confidential information cases. Justice Pallotta has a science background, having completed a B.Sc.H. (Biology) at Queen's University prior to law school.

Justice Pallotta has written and presented on various topics in intellectual property law and has been actively involved in Canadian and international IP organizations including the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC). She has also been actively involved in the Harold G. Fox Intellectual Property Moot.  At IPIC, Justice Pallotta co-founded the Women in IP Networking Group, with a mission to provide career support and business development opportunities for women in IP, as well as to promote equality and diversity within the profession.

PANELISTS

Andrew Moeser, Lenczner Slaght LLP

Andrew Moeser is a partner at Lenczner Slaght LLP. His practice is primarily focused on intellectual property litigation. In patent matters, he has experience with industries such as pharmaceutical and biologics, information technology, and oil and gas. In trademark, copyright, and trade secret matters, he has represented clients in disputes relating to software, gaming, and beauty products. Andrew also has experience in commercial litigation relating to environmental contamination, and in judicial reviews in regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals and renewable energy.

Kavita Ramamoorthy, Fineberg Ramamoorthy LLP 

Kavita Ramamoorthy is a Partner of the firm Fineberg Ramamoorthy LLP which specializes in pharmaceutical patent litigation and regulatory matters. Kavita has over 20 years of experience in proceedings under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (on behalf of both innovators and generics) as well as patent actions and judicial reviews. She has appeared frequently before the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal. In addition to being a lawyer, Kavita is a patent agent and holds a Ph.D. in Toxicology. She has been repeatedly named one of the Top 250 Women in IP globally and is listed in various legal directories including Chambers, Who’s Who Legal, IAM Patent 1000, IP Stars, WIPR Leaders, Lexpert and Best Lawyers. She is a frequent speaker and is also an active member of WING (Women in IP Networking Group) which seeks to provide advancement, career advice and networking opportunities for Canadian women in IP. 

Andrew Skodyn, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

Andrew Skodyn is a partner in the Intellectual Property Group at Cassels, Brock & Blackwell, in Toronto. Andrew is a very experienced IP litigator, with a particular focus on patent and trademark litigation. In his patent cases over the years, Andrew has acted for plaintiffs and defendants, patentees, licensees and alleged infringers, innovators and generics. He has been counsel in numerous trials, applications and appeals, mostly (though not exclusively) in the Federal Courts. He is also active in several professional organizations, including IPIC and the CBA. He has a particular interest in court practice and continuing education, which leads him to speaking engagements like this one.

Nisha Anand, Gilbert’s LLP 

Nisha Anand is a strategic, creative, and fearless advocate who provides comprehensive advice on Canadian and multi-jurisdictional litigation. She has represented clients before the Ontario Superior Court and Federal Court of Canada in matters related to all aspects of intellectual property. Nisha’s practice focuses primarily on patent litigation in various industry sectors, including pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and oil and gas. She also advises clients on intellectual property and litigation strategy, and pharmaceutical clients on regulatory matters with Health Canada.

A scientist-turned-litigator, Nisha completed a PhD in molecular biology, genetics, and cancer at McMaster University prior to obtaining her law degree from the University of Toronto. She is active in the local legal community. She frequently volunteers to speak on panels related to advocacy or intellectual property, judge moots, teach trial advocacy, and to mentor young lawyers.

Adam Bobker, Smart & Biggar LLP

Adam Bobker’s practice focuses on contentious matters in all areas of intellectual property. He has significant experience litigating patent, trademark, copyright, and industrial design cases before the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal.  Each case provides an opportunity to learn something new, keeping the practice interesting. He has helped resolve hundreds of IP matters by settlement or a successful decision on the merits. Before his law degree, Adam studied electrical engineering and worked in the GM Car Body Assembly Plant in Oshawa. Adam is also a registered trademark agent. 

Rebecca Crane, Markwell Clarizio LLP

Rebecca Crane is a partner at Markwell Clarizio LLP. She has been practising patent law, particularly in the area of pharmaceutical patent litigation, since 2006. Her practice also includes invalidity and infringement opinions and advising on a variety of regulatory matters including on matters related to Canada’s Patented Medicines Prices Review Board. Rebecca also has significant research experience in biochemistry, molecular biology, and microbiology having completed a Ph.D. in microbiology prior to law school. She has been recognized as a leading lawyer in her field by various independent publications including IAM Patent 1000, The Best Lawyers Canada, and IP Stars. 

Nicole Mantini, Torys LLP

Nicole Mantini’s commercial litigation practice focuses on the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and life sciences sectors. Her experience extends across patent and trademark litigation, product liability and class actions, and regulatory and judicial review proceedings. Nicole frequently represents international and North American pharmaceutical companies in patent infringement, impeachment and related proceedings, including under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulation.

She has appeared as counsel in the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal, at the trial and appellate level in the courts of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia and in the Supreme Court of Canada.

Sanjaya Mendis, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Sanjaya Mendis is a partner in McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s IP Litigation group in Toronto. His practice involves a focus in life sciences and technology, with litigation and strategic advice in the areas of patent and PM(NOC) proceedings. He frequently helps coordinate complex, high-stakes, cross-border patent disputes. Sanjaya is ranked in various IP litigation ranking directories, and has successfully acted in several award-winning litigation cases recognized by Managing IP and LMG Life Sciences. When not seeking thrills in the court room, he enjoys adrenaline sports.

Jenene Roberts, Goodmans LLP 

Jenene Roberts is a partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group at Goodmans and practises in the area of intellectual property litigation. With a particular focus on patent litigation, Jenene has significant experience and expertise in litigating cases in the pharmaceutical industry. She also appears regularly before the Federal Court of Canada in complex patent litigation, and has appeared before the Federal Court of Appeal. Jenene is also a registered trademark agent. Prior to law school, Jenene worked as a research assistant for three years as an undergraduate chemistry student at Memorial University of Newfoundland.