Today's emerging IP practitioners have a wide range of career options. While IP work was traditionally handled exclusively by law firms, more and more businesses are now seeking IP specialists to complement their in-house legal teams. As organizations strive to optimize their internal legal resources, IP lawyers and agents alike can bring valuable expertise to the table. This article aims to provides helpful tips for IP professionals who are looking to succeed in-house.

In recent years, environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) considerations have become increasingly important for Canadian companies and innovators. From consumer demand for increased sustainability, transparency, and social accountability, to investors’ focus on ESG in investment decision-making processes; ESG criteria are now a significant marker for company success. As such, robust ESG practices are imperative for companies in order to manage operational, regulatory, fiduciary, reputational, and innovative risks.

By now you have probably encountered a plethora of articles that discuss how to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experimenting with different aspects of your routine is one way to determine what does and doesn’t work for you.

The world around us is becoming more reliant on technology, and the practice of IP law is no exception. There are already numerous resources offered by national IP offices and agencies around the world. For instance, Google Patents, a search engine for prior art, indexes more than 87 million patents and patent applications with full text from 17 patent offices. Similarly the World Intellectual Property Organization offers numerous resources and databases to conduct international trademark, patent, and industrial design searches. Here at home, CIPO's website has a large collection of resources on Canadian IP law and how to register, enforce, and find IP.