James Baker, a partner and patent agent in Gowling WLG’s Intellectual Property Group, has been named a 2016 Forty Under 40 award recipient by the Ottawa Business Journal and Ottawa Chamber of Commerce.
Considered among the city’s most prestigious business honours, the Forty Under 40 awards celebrate leaders under the age of 40 who are both highly successful in their careers and committed to developing Ottawa’s business community. The awards will be presented at a gala at the Hilton Lac-Leamy on June 16. Recipients will also be showcased in a special June edition of the Ottawa Business Journal.
“This recognition is both hard earned and well deserved,” said Peter Lukasiewicz, CEO of Gowling WLG Canada. “A tireless and natural leader, James has played an instrumental role in strengthening our firm’s chemical and biochemical practice both in Canada and abroad. This, coupled with his ability to find innovative solutions to our clients’ most complex problems, has made him an invaluable member of our team.”
Co-chair of Gowling WLG’s Chemistry Sub-Group, Baker focuses his practice on patent prosecution and drafting, particularly in the fields of oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, automotive and material sciences. Drawing on a rich background in chemistry, he works closely with professionals in the firm’s Energy, Projects & Infrastructure, Life Sciences and Manufacturing sector groups, preparing opinions in the areas of patentability, infringement, validity and freedom to operate.
Highly regarded for his business development acumen, Baker has spearheaded numerous successful national and international client pitches, and has helped advance the strategic growth of the firm’s chemical market share across multiple service offerings.
Baker is frequently invited to participate on conference panels and conduct in-house seminars to general and patent counsel around the world. Over the course of his career, he has spoken and written on a broad range of topics with respect to patent protection, jurisdictional protection strategies and the impact of case law outcomes.
Outside of his patent practice, Baker devotes time and energy to supporting local Ottawa charities. Earlier this year, together with some of his colleagues at the firm, he helped organize the first annual 2016 Corporate Charity Curling Bonspiel. Sponsored by Gowling WLG, the event raised more than $11,000 for the Make a Wish Foundation — Eastern Ontario.
Baker has also sat on the organizing committee for the firm’s annual charity golf tournament for the past five years, which donates $25,000 annually to local Ottawa causes.
Baker’s win continues a trend of Gowling WLG professionals receiving the Forty Under 40 award, including 2015 recipient Michael Crichton and 2014 recipient Karen Hennessey. Visit the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce website for a full list of this year's winners.