Christie Bates

Christie stands out at Bereskin & Parr LLP, where she excels as an associate and trademark agent. She skillfully navigates the intricate world of licensing, safeguarding, and enforcing trademarks, copyrights, and confidential information. Christie's work spans a vast array of responsibilities, including managing trademark portfolios, engaging in prosecution and contentious cases, and diving into the legalities of trademark and copyright litigation. Her advisory services and transactional intellectual property efforts further highlight her diverse expertise.

Notably, Christie has steered complex international trademark portfolios for various franchises, skillfully represented clients in infringement disputes in the Federal Court, and adeptly negotiated and drafted agreements related to technology, intellectual property licenses, and cross-branding. Her accomplishments have not gone unnoticed; she's been heralded as a "One to Watch" by Best Lawyers in Canada for Intellectual Property in both 2022 and 2021 and named a "Rising Star" in the same field by Managing IP in 2022. Additionally, Christie plays a pivotal role in the Toronto Intellectual Property Group as an executive and actively contributes to the International Trademark Association’s Young Practitioners Committee.

Beyond her professional life, Christie harbors a passion for the performing arts, particularly singing and acting, often blending the two in amateur productions. Over the past decade, she's graced over a dozen productions, showcasing her versatility and dedication to the arts. Furthermore, Christie contributes to the cultural landscape by serving on the board of one of Canada’s most storied music organizations.

Christie's educational background is as impressive as her career, with a Bachelor of Civil Law & L.L.B. from McGill University in 2016, an MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History from the University of Cambridge in 2012, and an HBA with High Distinction from the University of Toronto in 2011. Her professional qualifications include being a Registered Canadian Trademark Agent since 2019 and admission to the Ontario Bar in 2017.

Her affiliations are extensive, serving as an executive of the Toronto Intellectual Property Group, a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Licensing Executive Society, and the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC), as well as being part of INTA’s Young Practitioners Committee and a think tank member at Building Transformations. Christie's areas of expertise cover a wide range, including cannabis, copyright and digital media, IP management and strategic counseling, licensing and transactions, litigation and contentious IP matters, and trademarks, making her a versatile and invaluable asset in the field of intellectual property.