Gowling WLG

Intellectual Property

Partner, Patent Agent

Christopher Van Barr is among Canada's most experienced and sought-after intellectual property litigators. He has represented some of the world's largest and most innovative companies, such as Bayer, Google, Takeda, as well as institutions such as Canada's National Research Council, in the most complex of high-stakes patent, PM(NOC), trademark and trade secret cases. Chris is recognized for his first-chair trial and appeal expertise and strategic foresight. In numerous independent surveys, Chris' clients note: "He's got great strategy", "He's our go-to guy for very complex litigation", "He is a great team leader".

Chris was named IP Litigator of the Year in 2017 and 2014 by Managing Intellectual Property, and was again shortlisted for the award in 2022.  Year after year, Chris is listed in the Lexpert Directory, Chambers Global, MIP IP Stars, The Legal 500, IAM Patent 1000, Expert Guides, and received the Best Lawyers 2020 Intellectual Property Law Lawyer of the Year award in Ottawa. In 2021, he was similarly recognized in the field of Biotechnology Law by Best Lawyers.

Chris is the former Canadian leader of Gowling WLG's Intellectual Property Litigation and Strategy Group and presently sits as a Trustee on Gowling WLG's national Board of Trustees.

Outside the Court, Chris provides strategic advice on the enforcement of intellectual property rights and the coordination and management of litigation strategies throughout multiple jurisdictions around the world. Chris has also served the broader community, acting as an adjunct professor of patent and trade secret law for eight years at the University of Ottawa, sitting as a long-time member of the Federal Court Judges' IP Users' Committee and serving as Chair of the Canadian Bar Association's Court Practice Committee. He is presently a Canadian member of the AIPPI Enforcement Committee. Chris has been a registered patent agent since 2000.