Experience

As a Ph.D. scientist, patent agent and patent lawyer in our Calgary office, Sue is able to leverage her scientific and legal knowledge to support clients in obtaining protection for, and enforcing, their patent rights. With expertise in diverse areas of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Sue drafts and/or prosecutes patents in the biotechnological, pharmaceutical and chemical arenas, in addition to oil and gas extraction and processing, and mechanical technologies.

Sue has prepared numerous infringement, validity and freedom-to-operate opinions in a variety of complex technology areas and particularly pharmaceuticals, for clients in disputes. Sue’s in-depth experience in patent litigation includes over 10 years of proceedings pursuant to the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations, in addition to actions before the Federal Court of Canada in other technology areas.

Prior to pursuing legal studies, Sue obtained a B.Sc. in biochemistry, minoring in biomedical sciences, and a Ph.D. in the fields of insect biochemistry, molecular biology and drug resistance. After her Ph.D., Sue managed a laboratory at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Salt Lake City, where she also did bench work in immunology; this was followed by scientific research at the University of Calgary in a transgenic mouse laboratory. Throughout her scientific and legal studies, Sue has received numerous awards for academic excellence.

 

Professional Activities

  • Member, Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC)

Community

Sue is a member of the Patent Practice Committee and the Patent Agent Training Course Committee of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada. Sue also guest lectures in the Medical and Engineering faculties at the University of Calgary.