Victoria practice

André holds a graduate degree in physics from the University of Ottawa, focusing in semiconductors, optics, solid state and laser physics. His aptitude for all-things-science and drive to secure market-relevant claims for his clients has led André to advise clients in a gamut of highly technical fields, from ICT and software start-ups to universities, government and medical research agencies and established high-tech companies.

An esteemed expert in Canadian patents, André advises foreign associates in the prosecution of Canadian patent applications. He is an active participant and committee member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and is a current instructor for the Patent Agent Training Course and a member of the Patent Agent Examination Board for three years.

James holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in life sciences and honours biology and was a doctoral graduate student in molecular pharmacology at the University of Trieste in Italy. After collaborating with scientists around the globe as a doctoral student, James developed an interest in intellectual property, going on to manage and help enforce the patent portfolio for a life sciences company in Toronto for two years.

James has worked with scientists and engineers of all disciplines—from biofuels to medical research, devices and pharmaceuticals in public and private sectors. He is the inventor of several Canadian and American patents, as well as author of numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications. He has acted as scientific advisor to the Canadian Spinal Research Organization and the International Institute for Spinal Regeneration and is a member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, sitting on the Young Practitioner’s Committee.

Alistair is our resident chemical-engineer-turned-lawyer. After years of working in the development and testing of medical devices, Alistair practiced in a national intellectual property law firm and served as in-house counsel for a handful of technology-based organizations. He has since joined Merizzi Ramsbottom & Forster as partner and in-house counsel.

Alistair has hands-on experience with patents and patent litigation in both external and internal counsel roles. He has experience in, among other things,  drafting and prosecuting patents; responding to subpoenas and court orders; and advising on copyright, privacy and compliance issues. Today, he works with clients to assess and improve the value of their intellectual property assets and manage their IP and other legal matters to drive business success while identifying and minimizing legal risk. He provides virtual in-house counsel and IP portfolio management services to select tech companies specializing in early-stage and disruptive technologies.

Craig obtained a mechanical engineering degree from the Royal Military College of Canada, and spent four years as an aerospace engineer in Canada’s Armed Forces. He subsequently obtained a law degree from the University of Toronto and was called to the Bar of Ontario, at the same time qualifying as a registered patent agent and as a registered trademark agent.

Craig develops IP strategies to match the client’s business objectives, and works to implement those strategies as cost-effectively as possible. In over 30 years of private practice, he has prepared, filed and prosecuted hundreds of patent applications for clients’ inventions, in many countries worldwide and in diverse technical fields (including automated manufacturing systems and components, robotics, handheld wireless devices, software, hand tools and power tools, hockey equipment, logging equipment, shredders, heavy machinery generally, wind turbines, plastic products, injection molding equipment, and many other fields).

He is a Fellow of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, and a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association.

Jean-François holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in physics from the University of Ottawa and a PhD in physics from the University of Montreal. His expertise is centered around computational material science and thin film physics. He later spent two years as a postdoctoral researcher at the department of Mechanical and Aerospace engineering at Carleton University, where he deepened his knowledge in computer modelling of chemical reactions.

Before joining Merizzi, Ramsbottom and Forster, Jean-François taught first year and graduate university courses, before choosing to pursue a career in patents. He has authored a series of articles in peer-reviewed journals and he has travelled the US and Europe presenting his research at international conferences. His extensive scientific background has given him a diverse range of analytical and technical skills.

Eric obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Physics and Chemistry, as well as a Master’s and PhD in Physics from the University of Ottawa. In addition to graduate work that focused on assay development and single-biomolecule sensing for diagnostic applications, Eric also has experience in molecular dynamics simulations, with articles published on topics ranging from tumour biomarker detection to the simulation of stressed metals for improved nuclear reactor safety.

Alongside providing a highly multidisciplinary skill set, Eric’s extensive scientific background has afforded him the ability to travel Canada and Europe presenting his research at international conferences. Eric was ultimately inspired to pursue a career in intellectual property with Merizzi, Ramsbottom and Forster following the pursuit of several international patent applications stemming from his graduate research.

Kim holds two scientific degrees in the fields of biochemistry and genetics. She also holds an LL.B. and will soon be admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa and a Registered South African Patent Attorney. Kim practiced at a boutique intellectual property law firm in South Africa for four years before joining Merizzi Ramsbottom & Forster.

Kim specialises in domestic and international patent matters, from drafting and prosecuting patents to patent opinions and enforcing patents through litigation where necessary. She also advises clients on industrial designs, plant breeders’ rights and intellectual property agreements. Kim strives to develop comprehensive, forward-thinking intellectual property strategies which strike an effective balance between competitive advantage and cost. Although Kim’s background is in life sciences and biotechnology, she quickly grasps new technical subject matter and can assist clients with inventions across most fields of technology.