IP LITIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT - Key Persons
Alex Buonassisi uses his experience in electrical and software engineering to assist clients with all matters related to intellectual property. His clients range from garage inventors to large corporations. Alex uses his unique background and experience to develop innovative and tailored solutions for his clients' needs.
Alex mostly works with clients developing software or electrical hardware. He supports his clients by drafting and prosecuting patent applications, providing infringement opinions, and freedom to operate opinions.
Prior to entering law, Alex worked for over five years with a national telecommunications company, where he practiced electrical engineering, software engineering, and corporate strategy. Alex also has work experience developing software systems for the logistics industry, designing consumer hardware devices, and developing integrated circuits.
Christina S.W. Kwok assists clients with all aspects of identifying, protecting and benefiting from their intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright and domain names. Such matters include trademark and patentability searching and evaluations, preparing, filing and prosecuting trademark and patent applications, and advising on enforcement, infringement, licensing and technology transfer matters. She also advises on intellectual property dispute and litigation matters.
Christina works with a wide array of clients, ranging in size (from start-ups to more established companies and universities) and industry (including the life sciences, chemical and mechanical technologies). As Christina is conversant in basic Mandarin and fluent in Cantonese, some of Christina's clients are Chinese-speaking.
Christina joined Oyen Wiggs in 2014 as an articled student and has continued on with the firm as an associate lawyer since 2015. Prior to studying law at the University of Victoria, Christina obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours with distinction) degree in Biotechnology at the University of British Columbia and worked as a research associate at a local biotechnology company.
Dana completed both her B.Sc. in Metallurgical Engineering and her law degree at the University of Alberta before moving to Vancouver, where she practiced with another boutique IP law firm until joining Oyen Wiggs. Her practice is divided between IP work and her Knowledge Management and Practice Innovation role. Outside of the office, Dana enjoys dragonboating, playing hockey, yoga, reading, painting and watching almost any sport.
David McGruder is a partner of the firm and has practiced intellectual property law for over 30 years. David's patent practice covers a wide range of technologies, including food and drug processing, water treatment, environmental remediation, oil and gas technology, chemical processing and products, mineral recovery, machinery and construction products. He acts for clients that include individual entrepreneurs, start-up companies, and national and international businesses. He has extensive experience in protecting intellectual property around the world and managing large IP portfolios.
David has represented the firm's clients in patent, trademark and unfair competition litigation in the Federal and British Columbia Courts.
Prior to attending the University of Toronto Law School, David practiced as a chemist. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1984 and to the British Columbia Bar in 1995. David is a winner of both prizes awarded in the Canadian Patent Agents Examinations; the J. Edward Maybee prize for highest results and the Marie F. Morency Memorial prize for the highest proficiency in draftsmanship.
David has served as a member of the Canadian Patent Agents Examining Board and was for many years an adjunct professor of the Faculty of Law of the University of British Columbia, lecturing on trademark law.
Garth Leslie assists clients with all aspects of identifying, protecting and benefiting from their intellectual property, with a particular emphasis on preparing and prosecuting patent applications in mechanical related-fields. Drawing on his previous engineering experience, Garth's practice focuses on helping clients to understand and navigate the patenting process.
Garth works with clients ranging from individual inventors to large companies and across a broad range of industries, including construction, consumer products, and industrial equipment and transportation. Garth has also assisted clients with trademark- and patent-related matters in the burgeoning cannabis industry.
Before practicing law, Garth worked in the oil and gas industry in roles relating to manufacturing and well evaluation. After receiving his Juris Doctor from the University of Alberta, he articled and practiced with another boutique IP firm in Vancouver. Outside of work, Garth enjoys skiing or mountain biking as the seasons permit, plays several musical instruments, and has a regular tabletop gaming group.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- IP Lawyer of the Year
Gavin Manning is a partner of the firm and has practiced intellectual property law for over 25 years. He assists clients with all aspects of identifying, protecting, and benefitting from their intellectual property, with a particular emphasis on securing patent protection, challenging patents, opining on patent matters, and advising on transactions and licensing. Gavin has extensive experience in protecting intellectual property around the world and managing large IP portfolios.
Gavin represents a broad client base ranging from individual entrepreneurs and start-up companies to universities and domestic and international corporations. He enjoys working for clients who see intellectual property as being mission critical.
Gavin has helped clients evaluate and secure intellectual property protection for technologies including devices for improving the quality of service in internet communications, medical devices, supercomputers, medical ultrasound systems, electronic displays, downhole tools, computerized printing technology, and many others. His preferred areas of technology include optical, electronic and electromechanical systems, mechanical devices, and computer-related inventions. He is personally passionate about large machines, metalworking, welding, and high power electrical systems.
Gavin graduated from Simon Fraser University (SFU) with a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Physics (1983) and from the University of British Columbia with a Master of Science Degree in Physics (1987). During this time, Gavin worked on a dairy farm doing all manners of work from cow milking to repairing farm equipment and as a research technician at SFU's Energy Research Institute.
Hilton Sue advises clients on all aspects of intellectual property protection, and has particular experience and expertise in: preparing and prosecuting patent, trademark and industrial design applications in Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere; strategic analysis, planning, development and management of intellectual property portfolios; and the commercialization of intellectual property, including due diligence investigations and opinions and technology transfers and licensing.
Hilton represents a broad range of clients ranging from startups to international corporations. He is the Canadian patent counsel to a multinational designer/producer of audio, electronic and infotainment systems. He also prosecutes large numbers of Canadian patent applications for a major Asian mobile phone company and is the Canadian trademark counsel for a major U.S. interactive gaming and entertainment company. Hilton also advises and assists many local clients in developing patent and trademark portfolios in multiple countries. He also has much experience in advising and assisting clients in buying, selling or licensing their intellectual property.
Hilton studied Electrical Engineering (Computer Engineering Option) at the University of British Columbia before also completing his law degree at UBC. He has received numerous awards for academic achievement, including the UBC Chancellor Scholarship, the Law Foundation of B.C. Entrance Scholarship, and others. Hilton's patent practice is primarily in the electrical/electronic, computer, communications and mechanical fields, and his training as an electrical/computer engineer prior to studying law enables him to readily understand inventions in these fields and assist/advise clients regarding how best to protect those inventions through intellectual property law.
Hilton is a Certified Licensing Professional, one of the first professionals in Canada and the USA to achieve this designation. Outside of work, Hilton is an avid traveler, foodie and amateur photographer.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Canadian Lawyer on Canadian Intellectual Property Office 's New Guidelines
While most lawyers quoted in Canadian Lawyer's article believed that this was a change for the better, many raised concerns as to whether this new approach would be substantively different. Others pointed to the lack of a clear framework or "roadmap" for applicants. As Jennifer Marles said, "the devil's in the details".
Karen Chow helps clients in all areas of intellectual property, including trademarks, patents, industrial designs and copyright. This includes preparing and prosecuting trademark, patent, and industrial design applications, conducting patentability and trademark registrability searches, IP transfers and licensing matters, and IP disputes and litigation matters. Karen enjoys learning about her clients' businesses and their products and technologies.
Before joining Oyen Wiggs, Karen articled and practiced at another local boutique IP firm in Vancouver.
Karen studied chemistry and sociology at McGill University and completed her law degree at the University of Ottawa. Prior to law school, she worked at Health Canada, in the Office of Patented Medicines & Liaison and as a scientific review officer in the Health Products & Food Branch.
Outside the office, Karen enjoys snowboarding, yoga, watching movies, and trying new recipes.
Job Titles:
- Director, Administration & Human Resources
Lawrence Chan's practice includes drafting and prosecuting patent, trademark, and industrial design applications. His patent practice focuses on inventions in the mechanical, biotechnological, and software fields. He has helped clients secure intellectual property protection in Canada and around the world. Lawrence also advises clients regarding licensing and other transactions involving intellectual property.
Lawrence is a registered Canadian patent and trademark agent and is also authorized to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Lawrence has also assisted clients in various intellectual property litigation matters, including both infringement actions and appeals from administrative tribunals. He has appeared before the Federal Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
Prior to joining Oyen Wiggs, Lawrence articled and practiced at a boutique intellectual property firm.
Leslie J. Chan assists clients with all aspects of identifying, protecting, and benefiting from their intellectual property, with a particular emphasis on preparing and prosecuting patent applications in the life science field and other related fields.
Leslie articled at Oyen Wiggs in 2021 and has continued with the firm as an associate lawyer since 2022.
Leslie completed his law degree at the Peter A. Allard School of Law. During law school, he was a member of UBC's 2020 Gale Cup Moot team and was a judicial intern with the British Columbia Provincial Court.
Prior to law school, Leslie completed his B.Sc. in Biochemistry and his Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology, both at UBC. His doctoral work involved studying enzymes and signaling pathways that control cellular metabolism and lipid synthesis.
In his spare time, Leslie enjoys running, hiking, spending time with his dog, trying new restaurants and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Annuities and Renewals Administrator
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Professional Engineer
Nick Garner is both a patent lawyer and professional engineer with particular expertise in preparing and prosecuting patent applications for inventions within the mechanical arts. Nick's client range from individual inventors and start-ups to established companies with a global presence.
He is a Canadian patent lawyer and registered patent and trademark agent with over 14 years' experience in a variety of technology. He has assisted clients in obtaining patent protection in a variety of industries including manufacturing and construction, marine products, control and sensor systems, consumer products, green technology, aerospace systems, vehicle accessories, and tool assemblies.
When not in the office, Nick chooses to live a healthy lifestyle and aims to long-distance run three times a week. You may also find him hiking the local North Shore trails or on a sail boat catching a summer breeze. Nick additionally enjoys travelling when time permits and listening to podcasts.
Nina Rajic assists clients with all aspects of identifying, protecting and benefiting from their intellectual property, with a particular emphasis on preparing and prosecuting patent applications in the computer, electrical, physics and mechanical-related fields.
Nina attended the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. Prior to law school, Nina obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Engineering with Distinction from the University of British Columbia.
In her spare time, Nina enjoys skiing, travelling and watching musicals. She is fluent in Serbian.
Roni Jones assists clients with all aspects of identifying, protecting and benefiting from their intellectual property, with a particular emphasis on preparing and prosecuting patent applications in the industrial, mechanical and computer-related fields. Roni's technical background allows him to delve into his clients' technologies to better identify and serve their needs.
Whether it is a startup or an established organization, Roni is passionate about his clients' businesses and enjoys learning about their respective technologies and industries. He has experience working with technologies in a wide range of industries such as sporting goods, oil and gas, forestry, construction materials, consumer electronics, financial software, audiovisual software, medical devices and many others.
Roni also has experience with advising his clients in litigious matters and negotiating and preparing intellectual property transactions and licensing agreements.
Roni attended law school at the University of British Columbia, where he obtained his Juris Doctor in 2013. He was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 2014 after articling at the firm. Prior to studying law, Roni obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Materials Engineering at the University of British Columbia and worked in research and design for a local startup company. In his spare time, Roni is actively involved in Vancouver's cycling community.
Todd Rattray is a partner of the firm. His practice focuses on providing intellectual property advice to members of the Pacific Northwest's science and technology community. Todd has lectured on various aspects of intellectual property and technology law at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Victoria. Todd has also been a presenter for Continuing Legal Education, teaching other British Columbia lawyers and professional about intellectual property. Todd's areas of experience include: