Lawyer / Trademark Agent / Shareholder
Ismaël is a lawyer (Quebec Bar) and a registered trademark agent with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). His practice encompasses all aspects of intellectual property: trademarks, copyright, patents, industrial designs, and trade secrets.
His extensive expertise allows him to accomplish various mandates: filing and prosecution of applications, portfolio management, litigation and disputes, commercial contracts and licenses, regulatory matters, and strategic transactional advice.
Ismaël’s clients are creative, innovative and technological businesses operating in a wide range of industries, including: software, electronics, biotech and medtech, industrial equipment, automotive, fashion, jewelry, cosmetics, sports and fitness, music, media and entertainment, food and beverage, etc.
Highly pragmatic, Ismaël is able to deal with complex intellectual property issues and deliver tailored advices and solutions for his clients from a business perspective.
Thanks to his network of foreign correspondents built through the INTA (International Trademarks Association), Ismaël can assist businesses wishing to expand internationally.
Ismaël’s expertise has been recognized by the World Trademark Review (WTR 1000) as a “World’s Leading Trademark Professional” for 2022.
His trademark practice also contributed to rank BENOÎT & CÔTÉ in the IPPractice Top 50 Canada.
In parallel to his practice, Ismaël has been involved in the field of intellectual property over the years: administrator at FORPIQ (International Forum on Intellectual Property), lecturer at Polytechnique Montréal (Internet and civil liability), trainer at CENTECH, writer for various specialized magazines, speaker, coach and mentor. His community involvement has also led Ismaël to be director of strategic partnerships for REPAF (Réseau des entrepreneurs et professionnels africains) and a member of the board of directors of Parasports Québec.
This involvement earned him the “Young Leader” award in the ESTim2021 gala of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Montreal (CCEM), as well as the title of “Emerging Governor” (Quebec Bar Foundation, 2020-2023).
Since 2010, Ismaël has been keeping a legal news feed in the field of intellectual property: Ismaël Coulibaly (@Balmayer) / Twitter
“Don’t worry about playing a lot of notes. Just play the best ones.” — Miles Davis