Gowling WLG

Partner Co-head - Intellectual Property, Global

Shelagh Carnegie is a partner and the co-head of the firm's Global Intellectual Property Group. Based in Toronto, she focuses her practice on all aspects of the trademark prosecution lifecycle. Shelagh is also a member of the firm's China Management Team that oversees the operations of its China offices.

Routinely distinguished as a leader in her field by publications such as World Trademark Review, Managing Intellectual Property, Chambers Canada, Chambers Global, Lexpert and Best Lawyers, Shelagh has extensive experience helping a local and international clientele clear, protect, commercialize, and enforce their trademark rights at home and abroad.

Over the course of her nearly 20-year career, she has provided sophisticated solutions to companies across an array of industry sectors, including alcohol, automotive, cannabis, clothing, food and beverage, consumer products, manufacturing, medical devices, professional services and technology.

Shelagh's clients – including a number of Fortune 500 companies – value her ability to align herself with their business objectives and develop bespoke strategies and reporting structures to suit their particular needs. Speaking to the World Trademark Review, past clients have praised her ability to achieve successful outcomes, no matter the challenge: "[Shelagh is] technically very efficient, has a great demeanor with clients and is always reliable. Again and again, she achieves outstanding results."

As co-head of Gowling WLG's Global IP Group, Shelagh works closely with colleagues in Canada, China, France, Germany, the UK, Singapore, the UAE and other locales to strengthen and streamline the firm's offerings across all areas of IP law – including with respect to IP prosecution, enforcement, litigation and transactional work.

Shelagh is the Events Subcommittee Co-chair of INTA's Trademark Administrators Committee and was recently serving as chair of the Brands & Marketing Team of MARQUES. Her work on the firm's Starbucks client team was recognized through the Starbucks International Excellence in Diversity Award.

"Shelagh Carnegie is one of the best lawyers anywhere around the world. Her sharp legal analysis, business-savvy advice, clarity, responsiveness at all hours of the day and completely reasonable rates combine to make her a shining star in the Canadian trademark firmament. She has a strong and confident presence, is thoughtful in how she presents herself and offers ever-insightful advice." - WTR 1000