TORONTO – May 19, 2004- LAWFUEL – Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes), one of Canada’s
leading full-service business law firms, today announced that John Orange and
Santosh Chari will be joining the Blakes Intellectual Property Group in Toronto.
“John and Santosh are very well-known in the intellectual property field,” said Jim
Christie, the Firm’s Chairman. “Their knowledge and expertise will further enhance
the breadth and depth of our IP practice, particularly in the patents area. It is
with great pleasure that I welcome them both to Blakes.”
Mr. Orange started working in 1971 with the patent group of a large multinational
organization in the U.K. and for more than 25 years has provided strategic advice on
the development and enforcement of intellectual property rights for Canadian
companies in the mechanical and electrical fields. His professional experience
includes involvement in the licensing program for the compact disc industry,
developing IP portfolios and working in the area of encryption. Mr. Orange has
obtained international recognition as a leading IP professional and he has played a
leading role in developing formal patent training courses around the world. He is
listed as a patent expert in the Guide to the World’s Leading Patent Experts
published by Euromoney Legal Media Group.
Mr. Chari’s practice focuses on advising clients on intellectual property protection
of technology. This includes the preparation and prosecution of utility and design
patent applications, the preparation of infringement and validity opinions and
advising on IP management issues. Mr. Chari advises on a broad range of technologies
with specific emphasis in the areas of biotechnology, pharmaceutical and chemical
matters. He has represented clients before patent offices in various countries
around the world. Mr. Chari has acted for various biotech firms, large
pharmaceutical and chemical firms, universities and various small to medium-sized
Canadian companies.
Founded in 1856, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP has over 500 lawyers and offices in
Canada, the United States, Europe and China. Earlier this month, Blakes was named
“Canadian Law Firm of the Year” by Chambers and Partners Legal Publishers. Blakes
has also been ranked Canada’s Leading Law Firm by The International Who’s Who of
Business Lawyers 2003/2004, published by Who’s Who Legal, with more lawyers ranked
as leading business lawyers than any other law firm in Canada. The Firm’s signature,
“Blakes means business” is not just a catch phrase but a discipline that defines how
Blakes helps clients achieve their business objectives. More information on Blakes
is available by visiting the Firm’s Web site at www.blakes.com
