John Simpson

John Simpson is the founder and Principal of Shift Law. John is a registered trademark agent and an experienced litigator in all areas of intellectual property, including trademarks, copyright, confidential information and publicity rights. He regularly appears before the Federal Court of Canada, the Ontario Superior Court and the Trademarks Opposition Board. John’s practice includes drafting and negotiating intellectual property agreements and Canadian and U.S. trademark prosecution.

John is one of a select number of trademark and copyright lawyers who have been certified by the Law Society of Ontario as specialists in trademark and copyright law. He has published numerous articles and papers on intellectual property law issues and he has lectured on intellectual property law at Osgoode Hall law school and elsewhere. He is frequently quoted in leading publications regarding intellectual property law issues.

John is a member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and is ranked in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as Repeatedly Recommended for Intellectual Property and in the World Trademark Review’s WTR1000 list of the world’s leading trademark practitioners.

John obtained his LL.B. from Western University, Faculty of Law where he was one of the original graduates of the Information and Technology Law program in 2003.

Before attending law school, John worked in the Canadian book and magazine publishing industry and, prior to that, he studied philosophy and political theory in Halifax and in New York City. He lives in Toronto with his wife and two sons. When he is not working, John likes running, cycling, skiing, watching baseball and reading about history.

Leadership and Community Involvement

• Intellectual Property Institute of Canada
• International Trademark Association
• Ontario Bar Association, Past Executive member of IT & IP Law Section
• Pro Bono legal work
• Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer
• Leaside Baseball Association

Download PDF