Melanie Kristen Baird

Melanie is an exceptional trial lawyer and the head of the firm's Intellectual Property Litigation Group. She is the go-to Canadian adviser for an array of world-leading life sciences and technology companies.

Melanie's diverse intellectual property and commercial litigation practice encompasses patent, trademark, complex commercial, class actions, product liability, regulatory and technology disputes. Known for her bold and creative approach to advocacy, she is adept at devising strategic options and navigating cross-border issues.

Melanie has been consistently recognized as a leading litigator both in Canada and globally. She was named IP Litigator of the Year by Benchmark in 2022 and again in 2023. She is ranked as one of the Top 50 Trial Lawyers in Canada, in addition to being ranked as one of the Top 100 Women Litigators in Canada and one of the Top 250 Women in IP worldwide and is recognized by every major legal directory including Chambers, Legal 500, IAM Patent 1000 (Gold Tier and Global Leader), Managing IP and Lexpert.

Melanie is an executive member of The Advocates' Society Mid-Career Advocates Committee, as well as an active participant in many other legal and Intellectual Property related organizations. She is also a fellow of the Litigation Council of America.

Melanie regularly speaks and teaches on advocacy and intellectual property topics.