Patent and trademark litigator Geoffrey Mowatt is joining Blake, Cassels & Graydon in Toronto as a partner and co-leader of the firm’s intellectual property litigation group.

Mowatt, who made the move after a long career at DLA Piper, focuses his practice on patent and trademark litigation in the life sciences sector. He has more than two decades of broad expertise in IP law.

Blakes said Mowatt will provide clients with strategic counseling and pragmatic advice on sensitive disputes and regulatory and compliance matters.

“IP litigation is a strategic priority for the firm as it is important for our clients in innovative sectors,” firm chair Geoff Belsher said.

Mowatt is a certified specialist in patent law and a registered patent and trademark agent. He helps clients at all stages of patent and trademark disputes, from prelitigation opinions to trials and appeals, the firm said. He also counsels life sciences companies on regulatory and compliance issues related to pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices and health care.

His clients have included Aurora Cannabis, Pfizer Canada and G&W Distilling.

Mowatt started his legal career at Toronto IP law boutique Dimmock Stratton, which in 2016 merged with DLA Piper. It was DLA’s second major move in Canada after merging with Vancouver-headquartered Davis LLP in 2015.

In a statement, Mowatt said he’s excited to work with his co-lead, Fiona Legere. He also lauded the firm’s “market-leading” life sciences and litigation and dispute resolution groups and said Blakes “offers a strong foundation for this next chapter of my career.”

DLA Piper did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Mowatt’s departure.

Blakes has more than 760 lawyers in five offices across Canada, as well as London and New York. It is ranked 90th in the Global 200.