Lawyers
Sana Halwani

About

Sana* is a force to be reckoned with in the IP world, and it’s easy to see why. Sana takes on matters that would intimidate others without a molecule of hesitation. She earns the trust of her clients for her thorough grasp of their situations and her compelling courtroom presence. When faced with challenging problems, she doesn’t just provide answers, she creates§ value for clients, no matter their business. She is as comfortable delving into the details of a chemical synthesis as she is analyzing source code. It’s no surprise that she has been recognized as a Global Female IP Star and one of Canada’s 80 Women to Watch. In even the most complicated cross-border disputes, Sana works constructively with experts and international counsel to identify novel solutions‡ for any problem. But if a solution can’t be precipitated, her clients are glad she’s on their side. Her scientific acumen and passion for advocacy are a winning combination in any context. .

Expertise

  • Practice Areas:

  • Bar Admissions:

    • Ontario (2005)

  • Education:

    • University of Toronto Faculty of Law (2004) JD (Dean's Honours List and Awarded Dean's Key)
    • University of Sheffield, School of Law (2001) Master of Arts in Biotechnological Law and Ethics with Distinction; Special Commendation for Outstanding Performance
    • Queen's University (2000) Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry (First Class Degree; Arts and Science Honour Roll)

Details

  • Bio
  • Cases
  • Associations
  • Blog Posts
  • News & Media
  • Publications & Presentations
  • Recognition

Sana Halwani

is a partner at Lenczner Slaght.

"Her knowledge of patent law is faultless, as are the arguments she comes up with." — IAM Patent 1000

Sana's practice is primarily focused on intellectual property litigation. In patent matters, she has experience with numerous industries, including pharmaceutical and biologics, information technology (including software), telecommunications, gaming, oil and gas, and heavy industrial. In copyright, trademark, and trade secret matters, Sana has represented diverse clients including software companies, furniture manufacturers, fashion designers, and media companies.

Sana has represented clients at all levels of the Ontario and Federal courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and regularly provides strategic patent and regulatory advice.

She has also acted pro hac vice in patent actions in the United States, and has extensive experience as part of international teams litigating large cross-border disputes.

Sana is frequently invited to speak on topics in intellectual property, advocacy and diversity in the profession.  She teaches trial advocacy at the University of Toronto, and is a co-chair of its Academic Tribunal. Sana is Chair of the Litigation committee of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC), as well as co-Chair of IPIC's Women in IP Networking Group. Sana is also fluent in French.

Prior to entering private practice, Sana clerked for Justice Rosalie Abella of the Supreme Court of Canada.  Sana is a registered US and Canadian patent agent, as well as a Canadian trademark agent.

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  • University of Toronto Alumni Association - Board of Directors (2016 - present)

  • Governing Council, University of Toronto - College of Electors (2015 - present)

  • University of Toronto - Academic Tribunal (student discipline matters), Co-Chair (2013-present)

  • University of Toronto Faculty of Law - Adjunct Professor, Trial Advocacy (2010 - present)

  • Advisory Committee on Prothonotary Appointments - Bar Representative (September 2017 - present)

  • Federal Court IP Users Committee - Member (2018 - present)

  • Intellectual Property Owners Association - Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Issues Committee (voting), Women in IP Committee (non-voting), Canada Practice Group (non-voting)

  • Harold G. Fox Moot in Intellectual Property - Judge (factums and oral argument)(2011 - present)

  • University of Toronto - Law Alumni Association (2010 - 2018)

  • Intellectual Property Institute of Canada - Fellow; Chair of the Litigation Committee; Co-Chair of the Women in IP Networking Group (WING); Forums and Seminars Committee; Life Sciences Committee

  • Rouge Valley Health System - Research Ethics Board (2014 - 2017)

  • The Advocates' Society

  • Canadian Bar Association - Ontario

  • American Bar Association - Intellectual Property Law Section

  • Procedural Skirmishes and Unintended Effects: The Proposed NOC Regulations

    The proposed regulations amending the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations were released on July 14, 2017. These Proposed Regulations are a dramatic change from the existing Regulations, both substantively and procedurally.

    Sana Halwani | July 19, 2017

  • The Death Knell of the Rocket Docket

    For those of us who take an interest in American patent litigation, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (also known as the “Rocket Docket”) has been a fabled place where a third (or more) of US patent suits are heard, cases get to trial in two years or less, and patentees are king. It has also been the venue of choice for patent suits brought by non-practicing entities (NPEs...

    Sana Halwani | May 25, 2017

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  • Chambers Global (2019)

    Intellectual Property: Litigation (Canada) (Recognized Practitioner)

  • Chambers Canada (2019)

    Intellectual Property: Litigation (Nationwide – Canada) (Recognized Practitioner)

  • Lexpert Rising Stars (2018)

    Leading Lawyers Under 40

  • Lexpert/ROB Special Edition: Canada's Leading Litigation Lawyers (2018)

  • Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (2018-2019)

    Intellectual Property, Litigation - Intellectual Property (Consistently Recommended)

  • Who's Who Legal: Canada (2018)

    Patents

  • IAM Patent 1000 (2016-2019)

    Patent Litigation: Recommended Individual (Silver)

  • The Legal 500 Canada (2018-2019)

    Intellectual Property (Recommended Lawyer)

  • Managing Intellectual Property: IP STARS (2017-2018)

    Top 250 Women in IP, Patent Star - Canada, Trade-mark Star - Canada

  • Best Lawyers in Canada (2018-2019)

    Intellectual Property

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