Skip Navigation Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Show Menu About / Awards & Recognition Blakes Women Awarded 2021 Lexpert Rising Stars November 25, 2021 Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes) is pleased to announce that Partners Melanie Baird, Iris Fischer, and Alexandra Luchenko have been honoured as winners of the 2021 Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40. “Melanie, Iris and Alexandra are outstanding lawyers who have played leading roles in many complex and consequential disputes and investigations,” said Firm Managing Partner Bryson Stokes. “We are delighted to see their accomplishments recognized, and we congratulate them on these well-deserved awards.” Melanie Baird is the go-to Canadian litigation advisor for a wide array of world-leading clients, having represented them successfully through many precedent-setting trials, applications and appeals. Her diverse litigation practice encompasses intellectual property, complex commercial, class actions, product liability, cannabis and technology disputes. Melanie has extensive experience in life sciences litigation, as well as in the software, tech and social media spaces, dealing with commercial, patent, trademark, copyright and licensing disputes. Iris Fischer is co-leader of the Blakes Litigation & Dispute Resolution group in Toronto and leader of the Firm’s Media & Defamation practice. Her experience ranges from complex commercial disputes to white-collar crime, constitutional, competition, freedom of information/privacy and class action matters. Iris helps lead the Firm’s recently launched Public Sector Crisis & Compliance group, which helps clients navigate high-stakes legal issues and situations that arise where business meets government. Alexandra Luchenko develops business-focused, outcome-driven legal solutions for clients involved in complex commercial disputes, transactional litigation, shareholder activism, regulatory investigations and crisis management situations arising from cybersecurity breaches, alleged violations of anti-corruption legislation, fraud, accounting irregularities and whistleblower claims. She has appeared at all levels of court in Canada and is a certified fraud examiner, conducting internal investigations for companies with operations around the world. Alexandra oversees the Firm’s cybersecurity initiative in Vancouver. The annual Rising Stars Awards are presented to lawyers from law firms and in-house counsel, aged 40 or under, who are up-and-coming in the Canadian legal community. Lexpert selects the finalists based on a number of criteria. An advisory board votes on the winning candidates. Share this page Comment on a News Story and Media Inquiries Blakes has legal experts in all offices dedicated to helping you quickly. If you need comment on today's news or for any media request, please contact: Nathan Baker Specialist, Communications & Public Relations +1-416-863-2989 nathan.baker@blakes.com Charles Sieuw Manager, Marketing Communications and Public Relations +1-514-982-4026 charles.sieuw@blakes.com Mathieu Rompré Director, Firm Marketing Communications, PR & Quebec Business Development +1-514-982-5085 mathieu.rompre@blakes.com Latest Awards & Recognition September 28, 2021 Julie Soloway Named One of the Top Women in Antitrust AWARDS & RECOGNITION September 21, 2021 Blakes M&A Team Wins at 2021 IFLR1000 Awards AWARDS & RECOGNITION September 15, 2021 Navin Joneja Named One of Canada’s Most Influential Lawyers AWARDS & RECOGNITION MORE AWARDS & RECOGNITION Quick Links Insights Lex Mundi Locations Find a Person Expertise Employee Access Daily Screening Alumni Blakes Nitro Join Blakes Legal Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Accessibility Email Fraud Connect with Us Connect with us on Linkedin Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to us on YouTube © Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. All Rights Reserved. 2021 This website uses cookies to help the site work properly, enhance your experience and help us learn what information interests you. These cookies include targeted media cookies and advanced analytics cookies. For more information see our Cookie Policy. To opt out of cookie tracking please Dismiss and accept the cookie policy