T. Gary O'Neill, Partner

Mr. O'Neill practises in civil litigation, as well as intellectual property litigation with emphasis on electrical, computer, communications and related technology. He also concentrates on law relating to the acquisition, transfer and enforcement of intellectual property rights, including trade secrets and confidential information and computer software copyright.

Mr. O'Neill joined the firm as an associate in 1980 and became a partner in 1983. Prior to entering the legal profession, he was a design engineer in a variety of high technology related firms.

He received his law degree from the University of Ottawa where he was awarded the silver medal, and has also acquired a graduate degree in engineering from Carleton University. He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1975.

A qualified patent agent since 1989, Mr. O'Neill was the recipient of the Maybee Prize for the highest standing in the patent agent exams. He is also a Registered Patent Agent before the United States Patent Office.

He is a member of the County of Carleton Law Association, the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Patent and Trademark Institute of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Intellectual Property Committee, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Canadian Bar Association and the Computer Law Association. His committee involvement in the past has encompassed a variety of roles including chairman of the Canadian Bar Association Committee on Computers and Computer Related Technology, membership on the Patent and Trademark Institute of Canada Litigation Committee and head of the Intellectual Property Department of Gowlings.

Publications have included articles for trade journals on the subject of intellectual property and technology protection. Mr. O'Neill is also a frequent speaker at various symposia in Canada and around the world.

Mr. O'Neill is an advocate in the Provincial Court (Criminal Division), the Ontario Court (General Division), the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Federal Court Trial Division, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.

He is a former lecturer in patent law at the University of Ottawa and in contract law at Carleton University.

His community work has included involvement with the Ottawa-Carleton Economic Development Corporation and various coaching and organizational activities in a broad range of minor sports.