Melanie Baird
Partner
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Melanie’s diverse litigation practice encompasses intellectual property, complex commercial, class actions, product liability, cannabis and technology disputes. She is the go-to Canadian litigation adviser for a wide array of world-leading clients, having represented them successfully through numerous precedent-setting trials, applications and appeals.
Melanie excels at litigating cases in emerging fields. For example, she was counsel on the first biologic and biosimilar drug patent cases and some of the first social media patent cases in Canada. She works extensively with life sciences and biotech companies on complex litigation of all types. She also has broad experience in the software, tech and social media spaces, dealing with commercial, patent, trademark, copyright and licensing disputes. Melanie is widely sought after for her advice on deal and litigation strategy, the evaluation and management of IP portfolios, regulatory issues, commercial and M&A transactions involving significant IP assets and international considerations.
A recognized leader, Melanie is listed as one of the Top 50 Women Litigators in Canada by Benchmark, one of the Top 250 Women in IP worldwide by Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars and as a specialist by Lexpert in Litigation (Corporate Commercial and IP), Cannabis, Health Sciences and Technology. She regularly speaks on IP, advocacy, business development and practice management, and is active in numerous professional organizations. Melanie is also a leader within her firm where she serves as the co-head of Blakes’ IP Litigation Group, as part of both the associate and student committees responsible for the recruitment, development and advancement of young lawyers, and helps lead the firm’s United Way campaign.
Contact Details
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 416-863-5262