Gowlings is pleased to welcome Stephen Ferance, a renowned intellectual property lawyer and patent agent, as a partner in its Vancouver office.
With a practice focused on patent prosecution and portfolio management in the high-tech innovation sector, Ferance is ranked as a leading IP practitioner in the 2015 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, and was named a 2014 “Life Science Star” for medical devices by LMG Life Sciences. Prior to joining Gowlings, he was a partner at a prominent boutique IP firm.
“Steve is a highly regarded IP lawyer who takes a practical, hands-on approach to helping tech clients maximize and protect the value of their patents,” said Scott Jolliffe, Gowlings chair and CEO. “His addition to Gowlings increases our ability to provide top-tier patent prosecution services across a broad range of key technology sectors — and enhances our position as one of the world’s foremost IP firms.”
Ferance has a strong background in physics, applying both legal and technical expertise to evaluate the eligibility of technology patents and guide domestic and foreign clients through the portfolio development process. His services cover a number of technologies, including computer software and hardware, electronic gaming, semiconductor chip manufacturing, medical devices, telecommunications, and oil & gas extraction.
“Gowlings is a global leader in intellectual property law, with unmatched capabilities spanning all major IP areas,” said Ferance. “I’m delighted to join an innovative, forward-thinking firm that my clients can count on for exceptional service, results and value — not only in IP, but in business law and high-stakes litigation, as well.”
Called to the British Columbia Bar in 1999, Ferance is a prolific author and speaker on the subject of Canadian patent law. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, where he has taught patent law for nearly a decade.
As one of the world’s pre-eminent intellectual property law firms, Gowlings boasts top practices in patents, trademarks, copyright, IP litigation, life sciences and more. With nearly 150 IP professionals in offices across Canada as well as in Russia and the CIS, the firm delivers practical, cost-effective advice to help clients grow and thrive.
Earlier this month, Gowlings announced that it will be joining forces with Wragge Lawrence Graham and Co, a leading law firm headquartered in the U.K., to create a new international legal practice called Gowling WLG. When it launches in January 2016, Gowling WLG will be a Global 100 legal practice from day one — and home to one of the world’s premier intellectual property practices.