Catherine Phillips-Smith

Catherine Phillips-Smith is an integral part of Gowling WLG's Toronto team, offering her expertise as an associate within the Intellectual Property Group. Her legal journey has been marked by a distinctive blend of intellectual property law and administrative law, enriched by her tenure as a law clerk to Justice Donald J. Rennie at the Federal Court of Appeal. During this period, Catherine honed her skills on various intellectual property matters, including patents, trademarks, and copyright cases, and contributed to judicial review proceedings concerning decisions from numerous federal boards and tribunals.

Her academic background is equally impressive, boasting a JD from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, where she delved into Law and Technology. Catherine's pre-law academic achievements are rooted in chemical engineering and applied chemistry, with a Master of Applied Science from the University of Toronto. Her research focused on aerosols in Alberta's oil sands, culminating in a publication in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. Additionally, Catherine's undergraduate work in the same field at the University of Toronto was complemented by a Summer Student Fellowship at the prestigious Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, a testament to her commitment to ocean research and education.

Catherine's practice areas include IP Litigation & Strategy, Patents, and Trademarks, Brands & Designs. She was called to the Ontario bar in 2021, marking the beginning of her promising legal career. Her educational journey at Dalhousie University was distinguished by numerous scholarships and prizes for academic excellence and community service, including the Schulich Scholarship and the Fasken Prize for the highest average in her first year from Ontario. Catherine's commitment to community and education is evident from her roles as a student mentor and tutor, particularly within the Indigenous Black & Mi'kmaq Initiative, showcasing her dedication to fostering academic success among her peers.

Her journey from the University of Toronto to the halls of Gowling WLG has been marked by accolades such as the Dean's List and various awards for her outstanding contributions to environmental studies and her prowess in varsity rowing. Catherine Phillips-Smith's career is a testament to her intellectual vigor, interdisciplinary approach, and unwavering dedication to both her legal practice and community engagement.