People

Services

Industries

Firm

About

Knowledge

Careers

News

Events

Contact

Connect

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Terms of Use

Accessibility

Legal

Calgary

Edmonton

Montréal

Ottawa

Toronto

Vancouver

New York

Dominique T. Hussey

Chief Executive Officer and Intellectual Property Litigator, Pharma/Biotech and Trademark Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Chief Executive Officer

Melanie Teetaert

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Partner

Cheryl M. Woodin

Commercial Litigation, Product Liability & Class Actions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

For 2025, <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7b8AABD48C-0C9A-4C2D-AB95-D9794F1BAD8A%7d%40en">Dominique Hussey</a>, <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7bDBE7E2AD-D4AB-49E7-B071-5F10AEFB58A6%7d%40en">Melanie Teetaert</a> and <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7bBB7E2F17-4898-4C5A-860E-BCC568DCF931%7d%40en">Cheryl Woodin</a> have once again earned a place on Benchmark Litigation's <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://benchmarklitigation.com/Jurisdiction/Top-100-Women-Canada/Details/8904#lawyers" target="_blank">Top 100 Women in Litigation</a> list.

Dominique Hussey Melanie Teetaert and Cheryl Woodin Recognized Again Among Benchmark Litigations

Dominique Hussey, Melanie Teetaert and Cheryl Woodin Recognized in Benchmark's Top 100 Women in Litigation

Stephen D. Burns

Technology Lawyer, Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner, Trademark Agent

Curtis A. Cusinato

Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions and Capital Markets Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Vice Chair and Partner

Vincent M. de Grandpré

Intellectual Property Litigation and Strategy Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Eighteen Bennett Jones lawyers are ranked in the July 2025 <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.lexpert.ca/special-editions/health-sciences-law" target="_blank">Lexpert Special Edition: Health Sciences</a>. The annual feature profiles Lexpert-ranked lawyers in Health Sciences and related practices.

Eighteen Bennett Jones Lawyers Ranked in Lexperts Special Edition on Health Sciences

Eighteen Bennett Jones Lawyers Ranked in Lexpert's Special Edition on Health Sciences

Blair C. Yorke-Slader KC

Leading Corporate, Commercial and Energy Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Blair Yorke-Slader talks with Canadian Lawyer about the Court of King's Bench of Alberta ordering NOVA Chemicals Corporation to pay Dow Chemical Canada a total of C$3.56 billion in damages.

Dow Chemical Canada Awarded

Dow Chemical Canada Awarded C$3.56 Billion From Nova Chemicals

Blair Yorke-Slader talks with Law.Com about Bennett Jones' work for Dow Chemical Canada in what is believed to be the largest commercial damages award in Canadian history.

Bennett Jones Team Wins Largest

Bennett Jones Team Wins Largest Commercial Damages Award in Canadian History

Lorelei Graham

Food and Agribusiness Lawyer, IP Lawyer, Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Across the Atlantic, the European Union (EU) and its member states have also been encouraging climate-resilient agri-tech innovation, but their approach to intellectual property incentives has been a bit different. The European Union has set ambitious climate goals (like achieving climate neutrality by 2050) and launched the European Green Deal, a broad policy agenda to support sustainable technologies. While funding and regulations (such as support for sustainable farming practices) are big parts of the EU strategy, there is also recognition that IP rights play an important role in fostering innovation. However, unlike Canada or the recent US pilot program, Europe has not implemented a unified “green channel” for patent examination at the European Patent Office.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III: Green Without the Label: Europe's Pragmatic IP Approach to Agri-Tech Innovation

Steven L. Major KC

Commercial Dispute, Construction, Fraud, Police and Personal Injury Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Drew C. Broughton

Corporate Commercial and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Kevin Myson

Corporate, Commercial Transaction, Energy, Natural Resource and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Canada is navigating a "wild frontier" in the energy industry, with a unique opportunity to forge successful and sustainable partnerships both domestically and internationally. This was the rallying call at the Energy Business Forum during the 74th Canadian Energy Executive Association (CEEA) conference in Banff, Alberta, where industry leaders gathered to share visions for the future of Canada's energy landscape.

Key Takeaways From the Wild Frontier Energy Business Forum CEEA 74

Key Takeaways From the "Wild Frontier" Energy Business Forum at CEEA '74

Jennifer (Jenn) K. Choi

Associate

Maruska Giacchetto

This article examines the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision in J.P. Thomson Architects Ltd. v Greater Essex County District School Board, 2025 ONCA 378, which provides critical clarification on the interpretation of multi-step dispute resolution (MSDR) clauses. MSDR clauses, commonly used in commercial contracts, outline escalating steps such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration to resolve disputes. The Court addressed ambiguities in the drafting of MSDR timelines, emphasizing that specified timeframes should be interpreted as minimum waiting periods rather than strict deadlines. The decision overturned a lower court ruling that barred a party from arbitration due to a perceived failure to meet a 30-day mediation request deadline. This article highlights the importance of precise drafting in MSDR clauses, discusses the implications of the Court's decision, and provides practical guidance for parties drafting or negotiating dispute resolution provisions in commercial agreements.

Do you need to rush to mediate - Ontario Court of Appeal

Do You Need to Rush to Mediate? Ontario Court of Appeal Clarifies Interpretation of Multi-Step Dispute Resolution Clause

The United States has long been a major player in both agri-tech innovation and the intellectual property (IP) landscape. In the past, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offered its own version of a green patent fast-track to encourage climate-friendly inventions. Notably, in 2009 to 2011 the USPTO ran a Green Technology Pilot Program that prioritized examination for certain eco-friendly patents. The pilot ended in 2012, but more recently the USPTO brought back the idea in June 2022, with the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program, which was essentially an accelerated examination program for patent applications directed to fight climate change. Under this program, inventions designed to reduce or monitor greenhouse gas emissions, including many clean energy, sustainability or climate-smart agriculture innovations, could be examined out of turn. Importantly, like Canada’s program, the US pilot did not charge the usual petition fee for expediting. The goal was to spur green tech by making it faster and cheaper to secure IP rights.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II: Innovation Interrupted: What the End of the USPTO's Green Program Means for Agri-Tech

Climate change is driving a surge in agricultural technology (agri-tech) innovations aimed at making farming more resilient and sustainable. From drought-resistant crops to carbon-capturing soil techniques, these climate-focused agri-tech solutions are crucial for global food security. An often-overlooked piece of this puzzle is intellectual property (IP) strategy, namely how patents and other IP rights are used to protect and incentivize innovation.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I: Planting the Future: Why Canada's IP System May Be the Climate Innovation Sleeper Hit

Bennett Jones—Lexpert's Leading Canadian Litigation Lawyers

Authors


Bennett Jones Announcement Bennett Jones—Lexpert's Leading Canadian Litigation Lawyers November 30, 2018 Authors Blair C. Yorke-Slader KCVice Chair and Partner Dominique T. HusseyChief Executive Officer Hon. John C. (Jack) Major C.C., KCCounsel Melanie L. AitkenManaging Principal, Bennett Jones (US) LLP Michael A. Eizenga L.S.M.Partner Richard B. SwanPartner Robert W. StaleyVice Chair and Partner Munaf Mohamed KCLead Director and Partner James J. Heelan KCPartner Valerie R. Prather KCPartner Barbara J. Stratton KCEdmonton Managing Partner Jennifer A. Miller KCPartner Cheryl M. WoodinPartner 27 Bennett Jones lawyers are ranked in the Lexpert special edition of Canada’s Leading Litigation Lawyers. The issue profiles Lexpert-ranked lawyers in business-related litigation and appears in December’s Report on Business Magazine in the Globe and Mail. Blair Yorke-Slader Chris Simard Dominique Hussey Donald Cranston Jeff Leon Jack Major John Rook Kevin Zych Melanie Aitken Michael Eizenga Randal Hughes Ranjan Agarwal Richard Swan Robert Staley S. Richard Orzy Beth Riley Ken Lenz Anthony Friend Munaf Mohamed Stuart Hankinson Alan Gardner James Heelan Valerie Prather Barbara Stratton Jennifer Miller Cheryl Woodin Share by Email Social Media Download Download Subscribe Republishing Requests For permission to republish this or any other publication, contact Amrita Kochhar at kochhara@bennettjones.com. For informational purposes only This publication provides an overview of legal trends and updates for informational purposes only. For personalized legal advice, please contact the authors. Authors Blair C. Yorke-Slader KC, Vice Chair and Partner Calgary • 403.298.3291 • yorkesladerb@bennettjones.com Dominique T. Hussey, Chief Executive Officer • Co-Head of Innovation, Technology & Branding Practice Toronto • 416.777.6230 • husseyd@bennettjones.com Hon. John C. (Jack) Major C.C., KC, Counsel Calgary • 403.298.3166 • majorj@bennettjones.com Melanie L. Aitken, Managing Principal, Bennett Jones (US) LLP • Head of Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment Practice New York - United States • 416.777.4855 • aitkenm@bennettjones.com Michael A. Eizenga L.S.M., Partner • Co-Head of Class Actions Practice Toronto, Vancouver • 416.777.4879 • eizengam@bennettjones.com Richard B. Swan, Partner • Co-Head of Commercial Litigation Practice Toronto • 416.777.7479 • swanr@bennettjones.com Robert W. Staley, Vice Chair and Partner Toronto • 416.777.4857 • staleyr@bennettjones.com Munaf Mohamed KC, Lead Director and Partner Calgary, Toronto • 403.298.4456 • mohamedm@bennettjones.com , • • James J. Heelan KC, Partner • Co-Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department Edmonton • 780.917.4275 • heelanj@bennettjones.com Valerie R. Prather KC, Partner • Co-Head of Health Practice Calgary • 403.298.3486 • pratherv@bennettjones.com Barbara J. Stratton KC, Edmonton Managing Partner • Co-Head of Health Practice Edmonton • 780.917.4255 • strattonb@bennettjones.com Jennifer A. Miller KC, Partner Edmonton • 780.917.4261 • millerj@bennettjones.com Cheryl M. Woodin, Partner • Co-Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department Toronto • 416.777.6550 • woodinc@bennettjones.com