Shane Hardy

Chair, Canadian Intellectual Property Practice Group

Shane is a strategic business adviser who has assisted in the acquisition, licensing, and marketing of some of the world’s most famous trademarks and IP assets. Shane is one of a select few Canadian practitioners recognized for his experience in commercial transactions regarding intellectual property assets and is frequently called upon by brand owners around the world to assist with their international acquisition and licensing plans. Shane has assisted clients with cross-border acquisitions where target entities have an intellectual property focus and is a leader of the firm's luxury law protection team.

As a registered trademark agent, Shane has managed intellectual property portfolios on behalf of some of the world’s most successful brands. He acts for clients in trademark oppositions and cancellation proceedings and provides strategic guidance to globally recognized clients on trademark availability, registrability, and online expansion plans. Chambers Canada recently recounted one client who noted, “… [Shane] really stands out. He takes the time to understand our business and is more of a business partner to us.”

While business-focused solutions are almost always preferred, clients appreciate that litigation can be necessary and, in some cases, even a driving force behind business success. Shane’s clients appreciate his courtroom presence and significant experience in dealing with all levels of Canadian courts. Shane’s success in representing clients in high-stakes litigation is key to his client’s success. Shane’s advocacy practice has seen him act on behalf of clients in virtually all sectors of the economy. His in-depth knowledge of the digital economy and intellectual property enforcement strategies is of significant strategic value to clients in the technology, manufacturing, retail, and entertainment industries who look to Shane to assist them in navigating international regulatory regimes.

Intellectual property assets increasingly form the basis of new business creation and expansion within the digital economy. Online marketing and product claims have increasingly drawn the attention of capital market regulators. Shane works hand-in-hand with clients to successfully respond to enforcement actions initiated by global securities regulators and law enforcement.

Experience

News

17 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch in Canada

September 04, 2024

Best Lawyers Canada has named 17 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from the firm’s Toronto and Vancouver offices in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada.

Six Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Recognized as IP Stars by Managing Intellectual Property

July 12, 2024

Frank Abramonte, Thomas Fisher, James Gale, Shane Hardy, Hugh Marbury, and Camille Miller were named IP Stars by Managing Intellectual Property. Abramonte, Fisher, Gale, and Marbury were named Patent Stars.

Six Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named to the 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory

March 29, 2024

Andrew Elbaz, Rory Godinho, Shane Hardy, Michael Osborne, Steven Weisz, and Kevin Zimka were named to the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for 2024.

Four Cozen O’Connor Attorneys, Practice Area Recognized in 2024 Chambers Global Rankings

March 05, 2024

Geoffrey Ferrer, Shane Hardy, Michael Osborne, and Steven Weisz were recognized in their practice areas based on their legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness, and client service.

Intellectual Property Department Honored by World Trademark Review 2024

February 06, 2024

Cozen O'Connor’s Intellectual Property Department was recognized by World Trademark Review 1000. Amy Divino, Noelle Engle-Hardy, Lisa Ferrari, Shane Hardy, Ashley Kessler, Lorraine Linford, Camille Miller, Melanie Miller, Brigeeta Richdale, and Edward Weisz were named to the World Trademark Review 1000 list.

Announcing Cozen O’Connor Canada’s Technology and Privacy Team

January 23, 2024

We are excited to launch Cozen O’Connor Canada’s Privacy and Technology team.

Three Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Chambers Canada

October 13, 2023

Shane Hardy (Intellectual Property), Michael G. Osborne (Competition/Antitrust: Litigators), and Steven J. Weisz (Restructuring/Insolvency) were also recognized in the 2023 Chambers Global rankings.

Ten Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch in Canada

August 24, 2023

Ten Cozen O’Connor lawyers from the firm’s Toronto and Vancouver offices were selected for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada

Business Today Names 32 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to Its Top 10 Lists

July 28, 2023

These lists recognize lawyers “mastering,” “leading,” “revolutionizing,” and “dominating” their fields in their respective states and nationwide.

Eight Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Recognized as IP Stars by Managing Intellectual Property

June 27, 2023

Eight members of Cozen O'Connor’s Intellectual Property Department, Frank Abramonte, Noelle Engle-Hardy, Thomas Fisher, James Gale, Gregory Gulia, Shane Hardy, Hugh Marbury, and Camille Miller, were named IP Stars by Managing Intellectual Property.

Four Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named to the 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory

March 14, 2023

Shane Hardy, Michael Osborne, Steven Weisz, and Kevin Zimka were named to the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for 2023.

Intellectual Property Department Honored by World Trademark Review 2023

February 22, 2023

Cozen O'Connor’s Intellectual Property Department was recognized by World Trademark Review 1000.

Six Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized in 2023 Chambers Global Rankings

February 22, 2023

Chambers Global has recognized six Cozen O’Connor attorneys: Susan Eisenberg (Miami – Labor & Employment), Geoffrey Ferrer (New York – Transportation & Trade), Shane Hardy (Toronto – Intellectual Property), Michael Osborne (Toronto – Antitrust & Competition), Joseph Tilson (Chicago – Labor & Employment), and Steven Weisz (Toronto – Bankruptcy & Restructuring) as worldwide leaders in their respective practices.

Cozen O'Connor's Recent Canadian Growth Featured on Law.com International

November 16, 2022

In the article, "Foreign Firms Making Waves in Canada's Mid-Market" Law.com discusses Cozen O'Connor's recent growth in Toronto and Vancouver.

Investindustrial’s Agreement to Purchase Majority Stake of Eataly S.p.A

October 17, 2022

Cozen O’Connor served as U.S. and Canadian counsel in Investindustrial’s acquisition of a majority stake in Eataly S.p.A., the global chain of upscale Italian marketplaces. A team led by M&A attorney and Italy Practice chair Christian Moretti conducted significant due diligence of more than 20 Eataly businesses in the United States and Canada, in collaboration with Deloitte Legal Italy and Studio Legale Chiomenti. For nearly two decades, Eataly has been operating high-quality Italian food markets and restaurant concepts in prestigious locations across the globe, including flagship stores in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas, and Silicon Valley.

Two Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized in 2023 Chambers Canada Rankings

October 14, 2022

Chambers Canada has recognized two Cozen O’Connor attorneys, Shane Hardy and Steven J. Weisz, as leaders in their respective practices.

Six Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch in Canada

August 30, 2022

Best Lawyers selected five Cozen O’Connor lawyers from the firm’s Toronto and Vancouver offices for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada and one attorney from the Vancouver office for Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

Seven Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named IP Stars by Managing Intellectual Property

May 31, 2022

Seven members of Cozen O'Connor’s Intellectual Property Department, Frank Abramonte, Thomas Fisher, James Gale, Gregory Gulia, Shane Hardy, Hugh Marbury, and Camille Miller have all been named IP Stars by Managing Intellectual Property.

Cozen O’Connor Announces Changes to Firm Management 2022

March 23, 2022

Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce the following changes in firm leadership positions for the 2022 year.

Intellectual Property Department Recognized by World Trademark Review 2022

March 10, 2022

Cozen O'Connor’s Intellectual Property Department was recognized by World Trademark Review 1000.

Four Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized in 2022 Chambers Global Rankings

February 17, 2022

Chambers Global has recognized four Cozen O’Connor attorneys: Susan Eisenberg (Miami – Labor & Employment), Geoffrey Ferrer (New York – Transportation & Trade), Shane Hardy (Toronto – Intellectual Property), and Joseph Tilson (Chicago – Labor & Employment), as worldwide leaders in their respective practices.

Three Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Selected to Best Lawyers in Canada

August 26, 2021

Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce that Best Lawyers has selected three Cozen O’Connor lawyers for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada.

Cozen O’Connor Expands International Offices with Strategic Additions in Vancouver and Toronto

June 14, 2021

The new additions will further expand the firm’s North American Intellectual Property, Securities Litigation, White Collar Defense & Investigations, Product Liability, and Commercial Litigation practices.

Education

  • Dalhousie University, LL.B., 2000

Awards & Honors

Acritas Star, Independently Rated Lawyers

Best Lawyers in Canada, Intellectual Property Law

Business Today, Top 10 Canadian Intellectual Property Lawyers Defining 2023 Legal Landscape

Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Intellectual Property)

Chambers Canada (Intellectual Property)

Chambers Global (Intellectual Property)

Lexpert, Rising Star Award, Top Canadian Lawyers under 40 

Managing Intellectual Property, IP Star

Who’s Who Legal: IP

Who’s Who Legal: Canada (Trademark)

Who’s Who Legal: Trademarks

World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR), Leader

WTR1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals

 

  • Ontario

American Bar Association

Canadian Bar Association

International Trademark Association (INTA)

Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC)

Ontario Bar Association

Toronto Intellectual Property Group