Robert Cowan

About Robert

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Robert is a Partner in our Halifax office who practices corporate and business law with a particular specialization in technology and intellectual property. He works extensively with early and growth stage companies in various industries across multiple sectors.

As a former in house lawyer for Dalhousie University, Robert draws on his experience to service a breadth of legal business needs in both the private and public sector. Since joining McInnes Cooper, Robert has been working extensively with entrepreneurs and startup companies, partnering on venture capital financings, along with the ownership, protection and licensing of patents, trademarks and copyright.

Robert takes the time to connect with his clients and truly understands their business. He thinks like an entrepreneur and provides practical legal advice to address their legal needs. Robert’s proven ability with intellectual property agreements relating to research and development and licensing is regularly drawn upon by his clients. He is also known for his capabilities relating to commercial financing, mergers and acquisitions and education law.

In his personal life, Robert and his wife are kept very busy with their four children. Robert prides himself on his involvement in the activities of his children and in the broader community. Robert has been a volunteer soccer coach and basketball coach, and is a member of the boards of the Canadian Technology Law Association, Propel ICT, Venture 2 Impact Inc. and the JazzEast Rising Association. He is past board member of the Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists, the Canadian Cancer Society (Nova Scotia Division), Entrepreneur’s Forum and BioNova.

Robert is a member of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), and the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, he is a past member of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, the Licensing Executives Society, and the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada.

Robert is the past chair of the Intellectual Property Section of the CBA (NS) and has taught intellectual property law at the Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law. Rob is also ranked in The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory for his practice in Intellectual Property Law and by Best Lawyers™ in Canada for his practice in Information Technology, Corporate Law, Venture Capital Law and Technology Law. He has been named Best Lawyers® 2022 Information Technology Law “Lawyer of the Year”.