Laurent Massam, a partner and intellectual property litigator in Gowling WLG's Toronto office, has been named among Lexpert magazine's "Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40" for 2016.
Massam received the award for his professional excellence, strong leadership skills, and commitment to pro bono and mentorship initiatives. He was honoured alongside other "Rising Stars" winners at a gala dinner at the Fairmont Royal York last night in Toronto.
"As his clients will attest, Laurent is indeed a rising star, with the skill and versatility of a litigator well beyond his years," said Peter Lukasiewicz, CEO of Gowling WLG (Canada). "He's also an outstanding mentor to our associates and students, and a tireless advocate for our firm's pro bono initiatives. We're delighted to see his talents and contributions being recognized in this way."
As a valued member of Gowling WLG's Intellectual Property Group, Massam advises clients on a full range of IP services, including patent infringement, copyright regulations and trademark prosecution, as well as civil litigation matters and advertising law. An experienced advocate, he has appeared before the Federal Court of Appeal, Federal Court of Canada, Ontario Superior Court of Justice and Copyright Board of Canada.
Massam was recently named national director of pro bono initiatives for Gowling WLG (Canada), having previously worked closely with Pro Bono Law Ontario on programs such as Lawyers for Aboriginal Arts. As director, Massam will continue to develop and expand the firm's pro bono services, which, over the last five years, have donated the equivalent of more than $10 million in legal fees to pro bono legal work.
Awarded annually by Lexpert, the "Rising Stars" awards celebrate lawyers under 40 from across Canada who consistently surpass expectations inside and outside of the office. Winners are chosen by an advisory board of distinguished members of the legal community.
Gowling WLG congratulates all of Canada's Leading Lawyers Under 40. A complete list of the 2016 winners is featured in the November/December issue of Lexpert magazine.
Scott Jolliffe, Christopher Pibus, James Buchan, Natalie Rizkalla-Kamel, James Blonde, Shelagh Carnegie, Laurent, Massam, Joanna Massam and Peter Lukasiewicz.