How I can help your business 

Overview & Expertise 

Michael is a Partner and lawyer in Marks & Clerk’s Ottawa office, and he is a member of the trademarks practice group in Canada. 

Michael’s practice focuses on trademark clearance, prosecution, portfolio management, opposition and expungement proceedings, as well as trademark enforcement and litigation, Michael has a broad range of expertise in all areas of trademark law and advises a diverse range of clients including pharmaceutical companies, financial institutions, consumer and lifestyle brands and media conglomerates, on the acquisition, protection and enforcement of trademark rights in Canada and around the world.  

Michael has appeared before the Trademarks Opposition Board, the Ontario Superior Court, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Federal Court of Appeal. 

Michael is an active member of INTA has been appointed as Chair of the Canadian Subcommittee on Non-Traditional Marks. He is also a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Ontario and is an active member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada.  He was previously a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa Law School where he taught Trademark Law.  

Client work & Case Experience

FinTech sector – Advised a U.S. payments technology company in the first successful challenge of an Official Mark under the new section 9(4) of the Trademarks Act on the basis that the holder was not a public authority.   

Consumer products sector – Managing the Canadian trademark portfolio of a US-based herbal natural health product company. Recently advised in a series of related oppositions involving several of the client's marks.

Chemical sector – Managing all aspects of a global chemical company’s Canadian trademark portfolio of more than 200 trademarks, including clearance, prosecution, opposition, cancellation and enforcement matters.

Media & Entertainment sector – Advising a US-based global media and entertainment company on its Canadian trademark prosecution work as well as on confidential enforcement work. 

Famous & Celebrity Brands – Advises on the Canadian trademark portfolio for several well-known retail brands.