Natalie Rizkalla-Kamel

Residing in Toronto, Natalie Rizkalla-Kamel is a distinguished partner at Gowling WLG, where she excels in intellectual property litigation, trademark prosecution, and strategic management of global trademark portfolios, alongside transactional IP endeavors.

With her extensive experience across all court levels, Natalie has successfully represented clients in patent, trademark, and copyright disputes. Her clientele spans numerous sectors, including retail, cosmetics, manufacturing, cannabis, financial services, and pharmaceuticals. Natalie's commitment lies in crafting effective litigation strategies tailored to her clients' business objectives, ensuring their interests are protected and advanced in every case.

As a registered trademark agent in Canada, Natalie adeptly guides clients through the complexities of acquiring, protecting, and enforcing trademark rights, both domestically and internationally. Her proficiency has notably extended to the cannabis industry following its legalization in Canada, where she has developed brand strategies and navigated trademark disputes for cannabis brands, contributing her insights to prominent publications on cannabis branding trends.

Natalie actively engages with the IP legal community, contributing writings on new developments in IP law and participating in committees across several professional associations. Her leadership and expertise have been recognized with accolades such as the Lexpert "Rising Star: Leading Lawyer Under 40" award in 2017, affirming her standing at the pinnacle of Canada's legal profession.

Before her legal career, Natalie pursued a background in civil engineering, holding an MSc from Queen's University and a BSc from the University of Manitoba, both highlighting her technical proficiency. She transitioned to law, obtaining her JD from the University of British Columbia, and has since been a pivotal force in IP law, acknowledged through rankings in World Trademark Review 1000, Chambers Canada, and Best Lawyers in Canada, among others.

Natalie's practice areas include Life Sciences, Cannabis, IP Litigation & Strategy, Patents, Trademarks, Brands & Designs, and Brand Protection, showcasing her broad expertise and influence in the field of intellectual property law.