Jennifer Ponton

Partner

Toronto
[email protected]
416.367.6285

Jennifer is a lawyer and trademark agent practising in intellectual property law, with a particular focus on trademarks. She has extensive experience acquiring, managing, licensing and enforcing the intellectual property rights of her clients in Canada and abroad.

Jennifer has appeared before the Federal Court of Canada in trademark infringement and expungement proceedings and before the Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s Trademark Opposition Board to oppose the registration of third-party applications, and defend and secure registration of her client's trademark applications.

Jennifer is known for her exemplary client service and clients view her as a trusted business advisor. She represents a range of clients, from local SMEs and non-profits, to large multinational corporations operating in a wide variety of industries, including finance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, cannabis, sports, technology, apparel and food and beverage.

Jennifer was recognized in the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada (Intellectual Property Law). She was awarded the Rising Star in IP award at the Americas Women in Business Law Awards in New York in 2019. She is also ranked in the 2020 edition of Expert Guides as a Rising Star in Trademarks.

Jennifer is actively involved in the intellectual property law community, serving on committees of the International Trademarks Association (INTA) and the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC). She is a frequent speaker on topics relevant to brand owners. Prior to joining BLG in 2019, Jennifer was an associate at a top-tier national intellectual property firm, practicing in both their Toronto and Ottawa offices.

Experience

  • Successfully defended client’s use of “Locust Lane” name in Federal Court proceeding alleging passing off:  Hidden Bench Vineyards & Winery Inc. v. Locust Lane Estate Winery Corp., 2021 FC 156
  • Successfully represented client in Federal Court appeal of two Trademark Opposition Board decisions: Beverly Hills Jewellers MFG Ltd. v. Corona Jewellery Company Ltd., 2021 FC 673
  • Successfully represented client in opposition proceedings before the Trademark Opposition Board: AutoCanada Holdings Inc. v Autocapital Canada Inc., 2019 TMOB 142
  • Manage global trademarks portfolio (25+ countries) for a global cosmetics company, including clearance, global filing strategies and enforcement of trademarks and copyrights
  • Negotiated resolution of trademark dispute between cannabis companies

Beyond Our Walls

Professional Involvement

  • International Trademark Association (INTA) Publications Committee, 2020-Present
  • Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC), Trademark Agent Training Committee (2019-Present), Instructor of Trademark Agent Exam Prep Course (2019-2021)
  • Member, Ontario Bar Association
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association

Awards & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in Canada® (Intellectual Property Law).
  • Recognized in the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada (Intellectual Property Law).
  • Recognized in the 2021 edition of WTR 1000 — The World's Leading Trademark Professionals.
  • Ranked in the 2020 and 2021 editions of Expert Guides as a Rising Star in Trademarks.
  • Awarded the "Rising Star in IP" at the Euromoney LMG Americas Women in Business Law Awards 2019.

Bar Admission & Education

  • Ontario, 2014
  • Registered Trademark Agent
  • JD, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, 2013
  • MSc, University of Toronto, 2009
  • HBMSc, University of Western Ontario, 2007