As it prepares to celebrate 100 years of offering intellectual property services in Canada, Marks & Clerk announces Jonathan Colombo, Catherine (Cat) Lovrics and Amrita V. Singh will join the group, with Jonathan taking on the role of Managing Partner of Marks & Clerk Canada. The three high-profile hires will help usher in the next century of M&C’s Canadian operations, reinforcing its strong commitment to Canada and building the firm’s profile as a preeminent intellectual property firm in the market.
The new partners are leaders in the intellectual property bars, arriving from a highly ranked Canadian IP firm. They are recognized thought leaders and known for excellent client service. Clients, old and new, will benefit from a strengthened Canadian full-service intellectual property firm, with access to a growing network of 18 locations worldwide.
Jonathan Colombo, one of Canada’s leading trademark litigators, will join Marks & Clerk Canada as Managing Partner. Jonathan brings a wealth of experience in trademark and copyright advisory and contentious matters, as well as IP firm management. He has represented countless national and international companies in trademark, copyright and advertising disputes. Jonathan is a former Managing Partner of Bereskin & Parr LLP (B&P), and also a former co-leader of its Trademarks practice group. He is an active member of International Trademark Association (INTA) committees, and ranked among the leading lawyers in Canada for intellectual property and trademark law. He is also the former member of the Canadian Trademark Agents Board of Examiners and has taught trademark law at McGill University.
Catherine (Cat) Lovrics is a leading copyright and trademark strategist. In addition to complementing Marks & Clerk’s trademark team, Cat will lead the Copyright & Digital groups. She will develop new practice areas leveraging her expertise in copyright, personality rights, marketing law, as well as data protection. Cat led B&P’s Copyright & Digital Media group, and co-led its Privacy, Cybersecurity & Data Protection practice group. Among various accolades, she was named a Lexpert Leading Lawyers Rising Star in 2018. Cat is an active member of the IP bar, including as Vice Chair of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada’s Copyright Committee, and a Trustee of the Copyright Society of the USA (CSUSA).
Amrita V. Singh, who has worked closely with Jonathan and Catherine, is a rising star in the world of IP litigation with a significant list of successful high-profile litigations already under her belt. She specialises in all areas of intellectual property law litigation and has acted for clients in a variety of industries, including leisure, hospitality, chemicals, architectural and construction, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Among many other roles, Amrita is an elected representative of the Ontario Bar Association’s Council, the Vice Chair of the Information Technology and Intellectual Property section executive, and is also the Vice-Chair of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada's (IPIC) Litigation committee and an elected member of the Canadian Bar Association’s Intellectual Property section executive, and a member of the Federal Courts Users Committee.
Commenting on today’s announcement:
Marks & Clerk International’s Chairman, Daniel Talbot-Ponsonby, said:
“As we approach our centenary celebrations in Canada, we are delighted to have three such talented and experienced lawyers join us. Internationally we are one of the world’s leading intellectual property firms and we are looking forward to our successful and established Canadian operations continuing to grow under Jonathan’s experienced and dynamic leadership.”
Jonathan Colombo said:
“I am excited about the role I can play in helping grow Marks & Clerk’s Canadian business and leveraging its international excellence as a preeminent IP firm. As we enter the next century of Marks & Clerk Canada’s history, I look forward to the Marks & Clerk team achieving great things for its clients.”
Catherine Lovrics said:
“I am thrilled to be joining Marks & Clerk with its unique balance of Canadian heritage and international reach. I’m excited to build on 100 years of excellence in the Canadian trademark landscape, and to grow a leading copyright practice at Canada’s oldest IP firm. I look forward to collaborating with the existing team to serve our clients, be they multinational corporations, family businesses, founders, artists or others in the creative industries.”
Amrita V. Singh said:
“Joining Marks & Clerk alongside Jonathan and Catherine is an exciting opportunity, enabling me to work with an established Canadian firm to help lead and expand its IP litigation team while, at the same time, being part of one of the world’s leading international intellectual property firms.”