Laura MacFarlane
Laura MacFarlane
(She/Her)
Partner,
Practice Group Leader, Trademark Agent
Overview
Experience
Professional
Recognition
Community
News + Views + Events

Laura MacFarlane is a Calgary-based Partner with Field Law and is part of the firm’s insurance and general litigation group, as well as practice group leader for the firm’s Intellectual Property and Technology Group. In her broad role, Laura provides a range of legal services to clients across many industries, both in Alberta, nationally and internationally.

Laura’s work in intellectual property and insurance law has allowed her to build strong, complimentary skill sets in litigation, negotiation and strategy development. Because each practice group typically sees Laura’s client work having a focus both in and out of the courtroom. Laura has honed her negotiation techniques for a variety of legal settings. Laura also practices general litigation outside of her two practice groups. 

When assisting intellectual property clients as a lawyer and trademark agent, Laura’s client work spans a wide range of industries, which often includes technology, consumer goods, heavy industrial machinery, lifestyle brands, food, beverage and restaurants, among others. While Laura is based in Calgary, her intellectual property practice has seen her providing legal services to clients across Canada. In her insurance practice, Laura acts primarily on behalf of insurers in the course of claims defense on a variety of matters including casualty, motor vehicle, accident benefits, property loss, personal injury, professional liability, errors and omissions and bad faith claims.

Clients come to Laura for a range of legal services, including:

  • Insurance defence in a broad range of matters;
  • Assistance in both the prosecution and litigation of trademark matters from filing to registration, renewal and beyond
  • Intellectual Property specific litigation with a particular focus on matters of trade secret protection, trademark infringement, copyright infringement as well as contractual and fiduciary issues
  • Internet-based disputes including defamation cases and obtaining novel Court remedies including Norwich Orders to identify otherwise anonymous wrongdoers

Laura also works with clients to resolve employment issues which if left unsolved can create an undesirable work environment, reduce retention and negatively impact productivity. Her advice in the areas of compensation, hiring and termination, human rights complaints, privacy matters, non-competition and confidentiality agreements, contract negotiation and policy creation and implementation helps clients find solutions that maintain an effective workforce.

Value to Clients

Laura’s extensive work with clients who tend to have a large, well-known online presence, has given her invaluable knowledge when it comes to navigating this increasingly important space and the legal issues that accompany it. 

“I learn about my clients’ business at the outset of a file. I do this because I recognize that the client’s experience and industry-specific knowledge is a tremendous asset to have and helps me in finding them the right legal solution to meet their needs. The client is the keeper of much of the relevant knowledge I need to do my job. Tapping into this resource and working with the client allows them to share some ownership over the file. In my experience, this collaboration ultimately yields better outcomes.” 

Outside the Office

Laura’s keen eye for design and love for interior decorating has allowed her to transform her home and work spaces into carefully curated, well-designed productivity retreats. When she isn’t redecorating her own – or her friend’s – home or office, she’s planning her next food-inspired getaway. 

Calgary Bar Association
Member
2009 - Present
Law Society of Alberta
Member
2009 - Present
Community Service Award
University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Law
2008
Best Cross-Examination
Ontario Trial Lawyers Association
2008
Calgary Legal Guidance
Volunteer
2011 - Present
Sunshine Village Corporation v Chevalier, 2018 ABQB 484
Geophysical Service Incorporated v. Encana Corporation, 2016 ABQB 230
College of Dietitians of Alberta v. 3393291 Canada Inc. (Canadian School of Natural Nutrition), 2015 FC 449
October 2023
IP Explained: 5 Common Copyright Myths
What is intellectual property (IP), and how do you protect it? In this video series, we will explain what IP is, the types of IP your organization may have, and tips and practical considerations to help you protect, enforce, and commercialize your IP. ...
May 2023
IP Explained: The Basics
What is intellectual property (IP), and how do you protect it? In this video series, we will explain what IP is, the types of IP your organization may have, and tips and practical considerations to help you protect, enforce, and commercialize your IP. ...
January 2023 - 6 min read
How a Woman Uses an Obscure Legal Tool to Expose Online Trolls in Court
Canada Today
When a woman turned to leaders at The Meeting House megachurch in southern Ontario with allegations that her former pastor had sexually abused her, the ensuing investigation forced the pastor to resign and resulted in a reckoning that led to a drop in ...
February 24 + March 10
2020 - A Year in Review Webinar Series
Did you miss the Field Law Labour + Employment Group's annual Year in Review? The recordings are now available! Is employer-friendly OHS legislation coming to a worksite near you? What are the impacts of COVID-19 on employment legislation a...
December 3, 2020
Cocktails + Counsel: Setting Your Business Up for Success in Uncertain Times
Q+A Session
Join Field Law for another edition of Cocktails + Counsel, this time co-presented with PARK. This complimentary series brings you together with a few of our lawyers for an unscripted chat about legal issues pertinent to local business owners in th...
Winter 2020
2019 - A Year in Review Seminar Series
Seminars
Join the Field Law Labour + Employment Group for our annual seminars featuring legal updates and practical challenges for management and employee groups.Part 1 has been approved for 1.75 CPD hours and Part 2 has been approved for 2.25 CPD hou...
Winter 2019
2018 A Year in Review Seminar Series
Seminars
The Field Law Labour and Employment Group presents the annual Year in Review seminars in Calgary and Edmonton. Join us for legal updates and practical challenges for management and employee groups in the areas of:  Part 1: Human Rights ...
October 2018
#Hashmarks: Can a Hashtag be a Trademark?
The Medium
Through its automatic web of connections, the humble hashtag has been repurposed: it’s now associated with the cachet of internet fame.  In social media platforms the hashtag brings users from one descriptor to thousands of associated result...
Education
Canada, 2013, Trademark Agent
University of Western Ontario, 2009, Juris Doctor
University of Western Ontario, 2006, Bachelor of Science
Saint Mary's University, 2004, Bachelor of Science
Admissions
Alberta,2010
Languages
French