Charlotte McDonald

Bio

Charlotte McDonald is a partner and trademark agent in Gowling WLG's Toronto office. She practises intellectual property law, with a focus on intellectual property litigation and trademark prosecution.

Charlotte has extensive experience before the Federal Court. She has been counsel for parties involved in patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret and Patented Medicine Prices Review Board disputes. She has participated in multiple Federal Court trials and judicial reviews. She manages complex trademark oppositions and expungement proceeding before the Trademark Opposition Board. She is skilled in alternative dispute resolution, frequently settling matters prior to trial and participating in successful court-assisted and independent mediations.

Charlotte provides advice for contentious and non-contentious legal issues, including enforcement of copyright, trademark and patent rights; patent, trademark and copyright licensing and assignments; and trademark registrability and use opinions.

With her wide range of legal experience, Charlotte has managed small to mid-sized trademark portfolios in Canada and internationally in a variety of different fields, including software, education, cosmetics, publishing, environmental conservation, cannabis, food and beverage and other consumer products.

Charlotte is also an active member of Gowling WLG's IP Litigation Practice Group, Trademark Practice Group and pro bono program. Charlotte is also a member of the National Association of Women Lawyers, Editorial Board of the CIPR, the Executive Committee for the Intellectual Property Section of the CBA and the Indigenous Rights Committee of INTA.

Charlotte won the Legal 500 Next Generation Partner in 2023 and 2024 and the 2022 Gowling WLG Neil Abbott Mentorship Award.

Experience

Qualifications