DLA Piper welcomes six new Canadian partners

DLA Piper in Canada welcomes six additions to the partnership, effective January 1, 2026.

“I am thrilled to congratulate the six new additions to the partnership,” said Russel Drew, Canada Managing Partner. “Each of them has demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and leadership and their contributions have strengthened our firm. We look forward to accompanying them in their continued success and to the impact they are sure to make in the years to come.”

Lee K. Axford practises in the areas of commercial transactions, including commercial real estate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, share and asset purchase transactions, secured lending matters, including in the oil and gas sector, tax-driven reorganizations, and commercial leasing matters. Lee acts for a wide range of public and private sector clients, providing strategic advice during all stages of client transactions, from negotiating and drafting complex principal agreements to delivering post-closing advice and support. He is called to the bar in Alberta, Ontario and the Caribbean nation of Grenada. Lee first joined the firm as a summer student in 2010.

Rosalie A. Clark has a practice that encompasses all aspects of construction and infrastructure law, she represents a broad range of clients, including both public and private owners, general contractors, design professionals, and specialized trade contractors and suppliers. Rosalie has assisted clients across a wide range of industries and has experience providing practical and strategic advice on issues that arise throughout the life cycle of a project, including procurement methods, contract models, and disputes. Rosalie has appeared before various arbitrators, the British Columbia Supreme Court, the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and numerous administrative tribunals in both British Columbia and Ontario. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada and has been named a Stand-Out Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

Tyson Gratton has a business law practice focussed on advising video game, media, and ‎information technology businesses and is a member of the Firm’s Media, Sports, & Entertainment Group. Tyson provides expert advice on commercial transactions including: publishing, development, and sponsorship agreements as well as, technology sales and procurement. Tyson also advises clients on consumer protection, marketing, and consumer privacy matters across a number of industry sectors. Tyson assists clients in investing and expanding operations into Canada; in particular video game and media studios.  Tyson is recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada in the area of Information Technology Law. For several years, Tyson practiced in-house at a television studio. Tyson joined the firm as an associate in 2020.

Rob D. McDonald practises in the areas of intellectual property litigation and enforcement, branding strategy, trademark protection and commercialization, and licensing and exploitation of all forms of IP. Rob provides IP due diligence support on commercial and cross border transactions, advises on media, sports and entertainment matters including video games, professional athlete and celebrity agreements and brand protection and licensing, artificial intelligence, IT service and outsourcing agreements. He has litigated copyright, trademark, patent infringement, trade secret, and shareholder dispute actions at various levels of court including the Federal Court of Appeal. Rob represents clients worldwide across various industries, and is a registered trademark agent in both Canada and the United States. He is recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, WTR 1000 and The National Post.

Cristina Mihalceanu is an intellectual property and technology lawyer with extensive experience in patent, trademark, and copyright matters, including complex litigation and strategic advisory work. She assists clients across a broad range of industries and also contributes to the firm’s broader litigation team and advises on regulatory and privacy matters involving technical or scientific issues. She works with clients and counsel in multiple jurisdictions to develop coordinated global strategies for IPT matters. Cristina has notable trial and appellate experience, having appeared before the Federal Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, and Ontario court. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biotechnology and is recognized by Managing Intellectual Property as an IP Star and Best Lawyers in Canada.

François Tremblay has a diversified business law practice covering international trade, privacy and data protection, commercial and corporate law. François regularly acts for Canadian and international clients on mergers, acquisitions, and financing matters. As part of his privacy and data protection practice, François regularly supports Canadian, American, and international clients in navigating their obligations under Canada’s complex privacy regime. He is also active on matters of international trade, economic sanctions and export controls law. He is able to support clients with comprehensive, practical advice and deliver effective, practical risk mitigation strategies. In addition to French and English, François is fluent in Japanese, which has allowed him to act on several internal investigation mandates involving Japanese multinational companies.‎