Natalie Raffoul is the managing partner of BRION RAFFOUL LLP and a world-renowned expert in the patenting of software, business methods, artificial intelligence and the legal issues surrounding such subject matter. She is consistently ranked among the world’s leading patent practitioners in the IAM Patent 1000 publication annually since 2014, and shortlisted as one of the most Highly Recommended patent prosecutors in Canada. Since 2020, she has been recognized in the IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists. She is frequently called upon by the Canadian and Ontario governments to advise on IP and commercialization issues, and Natalie is frequently published or quoted in the leading Canadian news publications, such as the Globe and Mail and the Hill Times, on current IP and licensing issues. In 2019, Natalie was appointed to Ontario, Canada’s first Expert Panel on IP led by Jim Balsillie (former Co-CEO of BlackBerry), and in 2020, she was appointed as an advisor to the Joint Minister’s Roundtable on the Ontario Health Data Platform. Since 2018, she has been recognized in Who’s Who Legal as a world-leading expert for patents in Canada. She advises clients, in English and French, on worldwide IP filing strategies and portfolio management, including trade secret considerations, as well as on and IP licensing.
Natalie played a pivotal role representing Waterfront Toronto in its high-profile negotiations against Alphabet, the parent company of Google, during the smart city project discussions for the Quayside development. This complex legal battle garnered significant public attention due to the controversial nature of the project. Natalie’s strategic expertise was instrumental in guiding Waterfront Toronto through the intricacies of intellectual property concerns, which ultimately resulted in a favorable resolution. Her contributions were so significant that they were prominently featured in Josh O’Kane’s book “The City That Google Can’t Buy,” where she was repeatedly cited for her deep involvement and influence in the case. This case highlighted her ability to navigate high-stakes IP issues in large-scale, high-profile projects. In 2021, she led and taught Train-the-Trainer courses for the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) in Saudi Arabia and Ukraine and was also asked by WIPO to partake in a new pilot program to assess the IP strategy of green technology companies located in Brazil. In 2023, Ms. Raffoul was selected by WIPO as an international IP expert to help the Singaporean IP Office (IPOS) advise innovative companies in Singapore on IP strategy.
Ms. Raffoul holds a degree in electrical engineering from Western University (London, Canada) and a JD in law from Queen’s University (Kingston, Canada). She is also a registered Patent Agent and professional engineer.