California - Jurisdiction Review

Armond Wilson

Firm overview

Armond Wilson LLP is a California-based patent litigation boutique specializing in high stakes IP litigation, IPRs, and Federal Circuit appeals. We actively litigate cases in federal courts from coast-to-coast, the Federal Circuit, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the International Trade Commission.

We are trial lawyers specializing in prosecuting and defending patent and intellectual property disputes, litigation, and appeals. Engineers by training, we have the technical acumen to handle complex technologies and distill them into clear and engaging stories for judges and juries.

With backgrounds as BigLaw partners and practice group leaders, and 35 years of combined experience, we formed a boutique law firm to offer our clients the same high-quality legal services and attention to detail, with flexibility and alternative fee arrangement options.

We have successfully handled contested IP matters throughout the United States. Our successes have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Economist, The Daily Journal, and Law360. Our track record of substantial jury verdicts and client settlements speaks for itself, including significant defense wins and over $500 million in jury verdicts.

Our clients range from large, publicly-traded companies to small, privately-held businesses. We are fortunate to have longstanding relationships with our clients and thoroughly enjoy partnering with them.

Bunsow De Mory

Firm overview

Inventors, research institutes, and technology companies around the world count on Bunsow De Mory LLP to protect and enforce their intellectual property rights by prosecuting and defending patent infringement litigation in federal courts and the International Trade Commission, petitioning for and defending against post grant review of patents before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and formulating and executing on patent license programs. In every forum, Bunsow De Mory takes on law firms 50 times its size and succeeds with a combination of legal, technical, and strategic expertise.

Most firm lawyers (partners and associates) have science-based degrees covering electrical, chemical, and biomedical engineering, computer science, and biology. Every firm partner has tried at least one patent infringement case; the two named partners have collectively tried more than 50 patent cases in federal district courts around the country. Very few large law firms can make the same claim about their top intellectual property lawyers. Firm partners also regularly appear before the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.

Over the last 12 months, the firm has focused its patent litigation practice on representing patent owners against some of the largest technology companies in the world, including Google, Oracle, Cisco, Samsung, and Seagate Technologies. Consistent with the trend in modern patent litigation, most of these cases are litigated simultaneously on multiple fronts: prosecuting patent infringement cases in federal court and defending post-grant review petitions before the PTAB. And while the big companies typically hire a slew of law firms to handle these related matters, Bunsow De Mory’s clients trust the firm to develop and execute an integrated strategy across all fora.

Bunsow De Mory does not just play defense at the PTAB. Long-standing client Agilent Technologies relies on the firm to challenge the validity of biotech patents that could interfere with the development and deployment of Agilent’s life-saving products and services.

Not every patent dispute should be litigated; often the costs far outweigh the benefits. It takes a firm like Bunsow De Mory, with its vast patent litigation experience, to know when licensing a patent is the most efficient and effective outcome. Clients task the firm with evaluating and licensing part of the company’s patent portfolio.

Bunsow De Mory is a majority women-owned law firm with diverse team of lawyers and legal professionals. We use a collaborative approach that accentuates our experience, skill, and strategic judgment. At less than 20 lawyers, we regularly take on big companies represented by big law firms to achieve outstanding results for our clients.

Last updated 4th October 2020

Weil Gotshal & Manges

Firm overview

Weil offers a comprehensive, national IP practice, encompassing Patent Litigation, Technology and IP Transactions, IP/Media (which encompasses trademark, copyright, music licensing, and advertising matters), and our cross-disciplinary IP Counseling Practice.

Weil’s national Patent Litigation practice offers strong platforms in Silicon Valley, Houston, New York, and Washington, DC, with 40 practitioners nationally. We have earned a reputation as a go-to firm for high stakes patent litigation in all of the major venues, including in federal district courts, at the United States International Trade Commission, on appeal at the Federal Circuit, or before the Patent Office. Our patent litigators regularly handle matters where the rulings are game-changing and where the law, facts, and technology are complex. In many instances, these cases often have far-reaching impacts across entire industries. Importantly, many of our attorneys have degrees in chemistry, biology, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and physics. These technical and scientific backgrounds allow us to identify critical issues and quickly understand the technology at the forefront of a case. With the majority of our team licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent Office, our team has unique strategic advantages in being able to navigate the interplay of district court cases and IPR/post-grant proceedings. Indeed, our lawyers are leaders in inter partes review and covered business method review proceedings, having handled more than 250 of them since 2012.

Our Technology and IP Transactions group comprises 22 lawyers in New York, Silicon Valley and London who spend 100% of their time on technology and intellectual property transactions—a distinguishing feature of Weil—bringing deep expertise to client matters. We represent our clients in all stages of development from start-ups to Fortune 50 across a broad range of industries. We are well known for our cutting-edge work across all forms of stand-alone technology and intellectual property transactions such as patent acquisitions, licensing agreements, joint ventures, strategic alliances, research and development collaborations, internet/e-commerce arrangements and other types of cross-border technology transactions, among others. Our lawyers also handle transactions in the Fintech and Adtech sectors.

Our IP/Media practice, which boasts nearly two dozen lawyers with IP expertise and courtroom experience, has a leading reputation for success on behalf of media and non-media companies dealing with challenging IP issues and disputes. Leading social media companies, major entertainment companies, and international financial services companies regularly turn to Weil’s IP/Media practice to manage a wide variety of issues, including: complex and cutting-edge secondary liability issues; music licensing; trademark and copyright licensing requirements; trademark strategy, enforcement and litigation; IP matters arising in the transactional context; false advertising claims; DMCA safe harbors and compliance requirements; development of terms of service, fair use and assessment of infringement risks (both direct and secondary); and defenses associated with the clients’ service offerings and product development initiatives. Weil has also built the nation’s pre-eminent music copyright law licensing practice, which includes clients like Sirius XM Radio, Inc., Twitter, Mood Media, the local broadcast radio industry, the local broadcast television industry, broadcast television networks, dozens of cable networks, and a host of Internet-based music users. We work closely with our broad base of clients to help coordinate these issues on a global basis, and over the last several decades, our lawyers have participated in many of the most significant trademark & copyright cases of our time.

Weil also offers an IP Counseling group, which provides clients with pre-litigation counseling and design-around advice, patent strategy and analysis, and technology-focused litigation services (such as infringement and invalidity contentions, prior art searching and analysis, reexaminations, and expert reports).

Weil’s clients benefit from our deep bench of leading practitioners with the full spectrum of IP capabilities. Clients of the group include: AIG; eBay; Eli Lilly; Facebook; General Electric; GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Illumina; Intel; Johnson & Johnson; Lenovo Group; Micron; Nuance Communications; Oculus; Oracle; S&P Global; Samsung; Sanofi; SiriusXM Radio; Twitter; Under Armour; among others.

Last updated 9th March 2020

Desmarais

Firm overview

Desmarais LLP is a premier intellectual property litigation firm with approximately 75 attorneys across its New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. offices. The firm has successfully tried and won several of the industry’s most high-profile patent cases in recent years, representing some of the world’s largest companies.

The firm works on complex, often technology-focused disputes, handling every step of the litigation process. The breadth of Desmarais LLP’s work spans a wide range of subjects and technologies, and the firm has obtained successful trial results for clients – both plaintiffs and defendants – in dozens of patent infringement cases and other intellectual property areas.

Litigation

Desmarais LLP handles all patent litigation stages and has significant trial experience in every major forum for technology and life sciences in the United States and elsewhere. The firm has successfully tried cases before judges and juries throughout the U.S., before administrative bodies (including the International Trade Commission and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board), and in front of arbitration panels. Desmarais LLP’s patent infringement successes include winning trials across a host of district courts, preserving both offensive and defensive victories on appeal, obtaining reversals of adverse results, and steering the development of substantive law in clients’ interests in a variety of subject matter areas.

The firm’s patent litigation experience spans numerous industries covering technologies including biotech innovations, chemicals, consumer electronics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, software, telecommunications, and transportation. The firm’s High-Tech Practice, International Trade Commission Practice, Life Sciences and Medical Device Practice, and Post-Grant Practice also litigate in areas beyond patent disputes, including antitrust, contracts, counterfeiting, fraud, trade dress, trademarks, trade secrets, and unfair competition.

Additionally, the firm’s Pro Bono Practice is committed to serving the community, partnering with organizations such as the SDNY Pro Se Clerk’s Office, the Veterans Consortium, Immigration Equality, and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. Each year, Desmarais LLP recognizes attorneys and paralegals who make substantial contributions as part of its Pro Bono Challenge.

Innovative Fee Structures

Desmarais LLP is an industry trailblazer in alternative fee arrangements (AFAs). The firm has abandoned the traditional (and frequently inefficient) billable-hour model in favor of fee arrangements more closely tailored to clients’ interests. This flexible and innovative approach sets it apart from other top-tier firms that litigate similarly large, complex cases.

For clients who prefer predictability, the firm provides flat-fee arrangements negotiated at the outset of the matter, and for those seeking a shared-risk approach, the firm is open to contingent fee arrangements and hybrid structures tailored to the client and the case. Additionally, the firm offers flat-fee billing for expenses. This gives clients clearer budgeting for the duration of the matter (though monthly fees can vary based on the stage of the litigation).

Benefits and Compensation

Desmarais LLP is a leader in benefits and compensation – paying associates salaries that top the New York scale and year-end bonuses for high performers that significantly exceed the market rate. The firm covers 100% of health insurance premiums for all employees and their dependents, meaning attorneys and staff having no monthly costs, except when they receive medical services (e.g., copays). The firm also contributes 4% annually to employees’ 401(k)s – not as a match but as an automatic contribution, even if employees are not paying into their retirement accounts. In addition to short-term disability for birth mothers, Desmarais LLP also provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all lawyers and staff, regardless of gender or whether they are adoptive parents.

Diversity

Desmarais LLP is committed to maintaining a workplace that respects all cultures, backgrounds, beliefs, and identities. The firm believes its attorneys’ and staff’s diverse set of experiences play a valuable role in helping achieve creative and effective solutions when dealing with clients’ most challenging cases. The firm’s Diversity Committee promotes an inclusive work environment and focuses on recruiting and retaining lawyers from diverse backgrounds. Desmarais LLP also regularly sponsors student organizations dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion at law schools and sponsors the annual ChIPs Global Summit dedicated to the advancement of women in technology, law, and policy.

IP STARS Reviews

Arnold & Porter

Arnold & Porter’s California IP group is spread across three offices in Los Angeles, Palo Alto and San Francisco. The firm is highly recommended in litigation across practice areas, including patent, trademark and copyright.

Key patent practitioners include Michael Berta and Deborah Fishman, who offer significant experience in patent litigation and post-grant proceedings. For copyright and trademark matters, Ronald Johnston and Rhonda Trotter are two of the firm’s standout practitioners. Thomas Magnani contributes to the firm’s significant practice focused on IP transactions.

Bunsow De Mory

Bunsow De Mory is notable for its activity in patent litigation, earning recommended status in California.

Name partners Henry Bunsow and Denise de Mory are two of the firm’s notable patent practitioners. Bunsow is experienced in complex patent and technology litigation. De Mory handles patent cases in a number of industry areas, including life sciences and telecommunications.

Cooley

Cooley’s California IP offering includes attorneys well-versed in transactions, prosecution and litigation. The firm is highly recommended in the state for copyright, patent and trademark litigation and trademark prosecution. The firm is also recommended in California for patent prosecution.

Noteworthy practitioners in the patent group include Heidi Keefe, Mika Mayer and Michelle Rhyu. Mayer focuses on patent prosecution and strategy in the medical device and biotech sectors. Keefe is well-known for her PTAB work and overall significant litigation expertise. Rhyu handles high-stakes patent cases, recently in the biologics arena.

In trademark, Bobby Ghajar is one of the firm’s leading practitioners. Based in the Santa Monica office, Ghajar concentrates on trademark litigation, TTAB proceedings and appellate matters.

DLA Piper

DLA Piper is recommended for IP protection and disputes in the United States. The firm has a strong IP team in California. Patent litigator Sean Cunningham serves as global co-chair and US chair of the firm’s IP & Technology practice group. Other notable senior patent practitioners in the firm include life sciences patent lawyer Lisa Haile.

Durie Tangri

California-based Durie Tangri became part of Morrison Foerster on January 1, 2023. The firm was highly recommended in copyright and patent litigation.

Founding partner and trial lawyer Daralyn Durie is highly regarded for her work in IP litigation. She is well-versed in a number of areas, including life sciences patent litigation. Fellow founding partner Ragesh Tangri has a strong reputation in trade secrets and other IP-related disputes. Mark Lemley is praised for expertise in IP litigation and is considered a thought leader in the area.

In copyright and trademark, Joseph Gratz is one of the leading partners at the firm. He is well-versed in copyright matters, often with a technology or internet focus.

Fenwick & West

Fenwick & West’s IP practice in California offers capabilities in both contentious and non-contentious IP matters. This year the firm earned highly recommended rankings in copyright, patent prosecution, and trademark litigation and prosecution. Fenwick & West is also recommended for patent litigation.

Key patent practitioners include Daniel Becker, Robert Hulse, John McNelis and Rajiv Patel.

In the trademark group, key practitioners include Sally Abel, Andrew Bridges, Jedediah Wakefield and Karen Webb. Sally Abel was also recognized in the Top 250 Women in IP list.

Fenwick & West is also viewed a leading firm in the IP transactions area, a practice supported by notable attorneys Jake Handy and David Hayes.

In 2021, the firm was named Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year in the West and US Trademark Prosecution Firm of the Year. Other shortlisted categories include US Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year and Copyright Firm of the Year, as well as three regional nominations in the West.

Fish & Richardson

IP firm Fish & Richardson continues to maintain a strong reputation in major West Coast markets, including San Diego and the Bay Area. The firm is highly recommended in the state for patent litigation and prosecution, areas the firm received significant awards attention by Managing IP. Additionally, the firm has a significant offering in the trademark area with experts focused on prosecution and enforcement.

Some of the firm’s leading patent practitioners in California include Juanita Brooks, Chris Marchese, John Phillips and Jonathan Singer. The West Coast patent group is active in prosecution, strategy, post-grant proceedings, jury trials and Hatch-Waxman disputes. Juanita Brooks is often hailed as one of the top patent litigators practicing nationally and is featured as one of the Top 250 Women in IP.

In the trademark area, Silicon Valley-based Lisa Greenwald-Swire is one of the firm’s go-to practitioners. She manages trademark portfolios, prosecution, enforcement and oppositions for clients.

In 2021, the firm won the US ITC Firm of the Year and US Specialty IP Firm of the Year awards from Managing IP.

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher

Los Angeles-based Gibson Dunn & Crutcher offers an IP practice primarily focused on representing clients in contentious matters. The firm operates out of major markets in California including Palo Alto Century City and Orange County. This year the firm maintained a highly recommended ranking in California for patent litigation.

Key practitioners in the patent department include Century City-based partner Wayne Barsky, and co-head Josh Krevitt, who splits his practice between the New York and Palo Alto offices.

Irell & Manella

California-based Irell & Manella has a strong reputation in IP litigation, earning highly recommended status in the copyright and patent contentious areas. The firm is also recommended for its practice focused on trademark litigation.

Key practitioners in the patent group are Morgan Chu and Jason Sheasby. Chu is an internationally recognized IP litigator with a successful track record in trials and appellate matters. Sheasby is viewed as the incoming generation at the firm with similar success as an IP trial lawyer.

In 2021, the firm was shortlisted for the Patent Contentious Firm of the Year award in the West by Managing IP.

Jones Day

Jones Day is recognized across all IP areas in California, but most notably earns highly recommended status in the areas of patent litigation and prosecution.

Key patent practitioners include Steven Corr, Anthony Insogna, Randy Kay, Greg Lanier, and S Christian Platt. Insogna is the chair of the firm’s global IP practice and is regarded as a leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent attorney. Platt assists clients from the firm’s San Diego and Silicon Valley offices. He deals with various types of patent infringement disputes.

Recently, Los Angeles IP partner Brent Sokol left the firm for Greenberg Traurig.

Keker Van Nest & Peters

Keker Van Nest & Peters has a significant IP litigation practice that is highly recommended for copyright and patent litigation matters. The firm is well-known for its team of trial-savvy attorneys who are often active for major technology clients in IP disputes. Other rankings in the state include recommended status for trademark litigation.

The firm’s notable bench of litigators includes Christa Anderson, Brian Ferrall, John Keker and Robert Van Nest. Name partners Keker and Van Nest have backgrounds as generalist litigators with a significant track record for IP disputes. Anderson’s diverse IP practice involves matters related to copyrights, patents and trademarks.

Clients of the firm include Google, Netflix, Twitter, SanDisk, Qualcomm and Arista Networks.

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton offers a full suite of IP services in California, this year earning highly recommended status in copyright, patent and trademark prosecution and trademark litigation. The firm is also recommended for its patent contentious practice.

For patents, key practitioners in the state are Paul Haughey, Patrick Jewik, Steven Moore, Babak Sani and William Shaffer.

The firm’s trademark and copyright group is supported by Jennifer Arkowitz, Anthony Malutta and Joseph Petersen in its California offices. Arkowitz specializes in global trademark portfolio management for major brands. Malutta serves as co-head of the trademark and copyright practice group. Petersen is one of the firm’s foremost copyright experts, counseling companies in entertainment, retail and other sectors.

In 2021, the firm was awarded Trademark Prosecution Firm of the Year in the West by Managing IP, and was also shortlisted in the Patent Prosecution and Trademark Contentious categories for the Western region.

Kirkland & Ellis

In California, Kirkland & Ellis has a significant IP litigation practice, most notably in the patent arena. The firm is also recommended in the state for copyright and trademark litigation.

Leading patent practitioners in California include Adam Alper and Luke Dauchot, who both offer significant trial experience. Alper handles patent litigation for companies across the tech sector, including matters related to semiconductors, telecommunications and computers. In addition to his patent practice, he has significant experience handling trade secrets and copyright disputes.

Diana Torres is a partner in the firm’s Los Angeles and Bay Area offices, and is one of the leading practitioners in the copyright and trademark group.

In 2021, the firm was shortlisted for a number of Managing IP Awards including those for the US Trademark Contentious Firm of the Year, US Appellate Firm of the Year, and US ITC Firm of the Year. The firm also won the US Patent Contentious Firm of the Year award.

Knobbe Martens

IP firm Knobbe Martens offers deep expertise in nearly all areas of intellectual property, earning highly recommended rankings in patent and trademark prosecution and litigation. In California the firm has offices in Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.

Key practitioners in the patent practice include Jon Gurka, Steve Jensen, Christy Lea, Sabing Lee, Salima Merani, Joseph Re, Robert Roby, John Sganga and Gerard von Hoffmann. Re is currently president of the American Intellectual Property Law Association.

The firm has a significant trademark and copyright practice, led in part by brand protection co-chair practitioner Susan Natland. She focuses her practice on trademark clearance, prosecution, enforcement and office proceedings.

Loeb & Loeb

Loeb & Loeb is highly recommended in California in the areas of copyright, and trademark litigation and prosecution. The firm is known as one of the preeminent practices servicing the entertainment industry.

Key practitioners in the trademark and copyright group include David Grace, David Grossman, Melanie Howard and Barry Mallen. Grossman specializes in contentious copyright and trademark matters, as well as cases involving false advertising and unfair competition. Grace handles litigation, brand management and protection, licensing matters and strategic counseling.

Los Angeles-based Laura Wytsma is one of the firm’s notable patent practitioners. Her practice focuses on patent litigation and appeals.

In 2021, the firm was shortlisted by Managing IP for multiple awards, including Copyright Firm of the Year in the West, and US Transactions Firm of the Year. Loeb & Loeb also won the US Copyright Firm of the Year Award.

Morrison & Foerster

Morrison & Foerster maintains an active practice in California across all areas of IP, including copyright, trademark and patent matters. The firm is also notable for its robust IP transactions practice.

In the patent area, key practitioners in the firm are Michael Jacobs, Catherine Polizzi, Stefani Shanberg, Michael Ward and Arturo Gonzalez. Michael Jacobs and Arturo Gonzalez also have significant experience in the trade secrets area.

Another key practice area of the firm is IP transactions, offering a dedicated group of attorneys who handle deals related to IP and technology. Some of the leading practitioners at the firm are Rufus Pichler, William Schwartz and Stephanie Sharron.

The firm's IP practice expanded in January 2023 with the integration of California-based firm Durie Tangri, a firm that was highly recommended in copyright and patent litigation. Founding partner and trial lawyer Daralyn Durie is highly regarded for her work in IP litigation. She is well-versed in a number of areas, including life sciences patent litigation. Fellow founding partner Ragesh Tangri has a strong reputation in trade secrets and other IP-related disputes. Mark Lemley is praised for expertise in IP litigation and is considered a thought leader in the area.

In copyright and trademark, Joseph Gratz is one of the leading partners at the firm. He is well-versed in copyright matters, often with a technology or internet focus.

Munger Tolles & Olson

Munger Tolles & Olson is a West Coast-based firm best known in IP for its copyright and trademark practices. The firm is highly recommended in California for copyright and trademark litigation.

Mark Helm, Kelly Klaus and Glenn Pomerantz are some of the firm’s leading practitioners. Klaus is an experienced litigator, primarily focusing on copyright infringement disputes for household names in the media and entertainment industry. Helm is an experienced in trials related to trade secrets, copyrights and trademarks. Pomerantz handles disputes for companies in the media, entertainment and sports industries.

O'Melveny & Myers

O’Melveny & Myers is an international firm with offices in Century City, Los Angeles, Menlo Park, Newport Beach and San Francisco. The firm is highly recommended in the state for copyright and patent litigation.

Key patent practitioners at the firm include Matt Kline and Ryan Yagura. Yagura is current head of the firm’s IP group and focuses his personal practice on patent litigation, often in district court and before the International Trade Commission.

Noteworthy trademark and copyright practitioners at the firm are Dan Petrocelli and David Eberhart. Petrocelli is chair of the trial practice committee and is well known for representing high-profile entertainment clients in copyright and trademark disputes. Eberhart is active in trade secrets and copyright matters for consumer products and electronics companies.

The firm also offers significant IP transactions expertise with Heather Meeker, who is an expert in technology transactions and open source issues.

In 2021, the firm was shortlisted by Managing IP for the Copyright Firm of the Year for the West award.

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe maintains a significant practice in all areas of IP litigation and holds a highly recommended status in California. Financial services law firm Buckley joined Orrick in February 2023, a move which made Orrick a strong law firm for financial services and fintech work.

Jared Bobrow, Denise Mingrone and Clement Roberts are some of the firm’s key practitioners in the patent area, offering decades of shared litigation experience. Bobrow currently serves as co-chair of the firm’s IP practice group. Mingrone has extensive experience handling complex contentious matters for large technology companies. Roberts’s current patent litigation clients include FitBit, Netflix, Quantum and Zynga.

For trademark and copyright matters, Annette Hurst is one of the firm’s leading experts. She has extensive experience handling trials and appeals in these areas, with prominent representations like Oracle in its high-profile copyright dispute against Google.

Paul Hastings

Paul Hastings is recommended in California for its capabilities in copyright and patent litigation matters. Their Palo Alto-anchored IP litigation team is spread across four cities in California and is led by Yar Chaikovsky, global co-chair of IP litigation.

Key practitioners include Chris Kennerly, David Okano, Philip Ou, and patent attorney Yar Chaikovsky, an expert in IP litigation, Section 101 challenges, and appellate review. Partner Steve Marenberg recently joined the firm as chair of the entertainment and media litigation practice group and is based in the Century City Office.

In 2021, the firm was shortlisted by Managing IP for the US Patent Contentious Firm of the Year award.

Perkins Coie

Perkins Coie receives top marks in California for its capabilities in both patent prosecution and patent litigation matters. In the past year, the firm has added a number of lateral IP attorneys in the Bay Area.

Key practitioners in patent prosecution include Viola Kung and Michael Wise. Key practitioners in patent litigation include John Shnurer, James Snell, James Valentine and Bobbie Wilson.

In 2021, the firm was shortlisted by Managing IP for the Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year in the West, and Trademark Prosecution Firm of the Year in the West awards.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan is top tier in California for copyright, patent and trademark litigation. The litigation boutique is well known for its trial-tested attorneys who often handle novel or high-stakes cases. The firm is often engaged in matters in district court, appeals, ITC cases and office proceedings.

Key patent litigators at the firm include Fred Lorig, Victoria Maroulis, Sean Pak, William Price, Claude Stern, Robert Stone, Charles Verhoeven and Michael Zeller. Verhoeven is one of the firm’s most prominent trial lawyers and is currently serving as co-chair of the national patent litigation practice group.

In the trademark and copyright space, Margaret Caruso, Bruce Van Dalsem and Claude Stern are some of the firm’s experienced practitioners.

In 2021, the firm was shortlisted by Managing IP for the Patent Contentious Firm of the Year in the West award.

Sidley Austin

International firm Sidley Austin has offices in Los Angeles, Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Century City. This year the firm earns a highly recommended patent litigation ranking in California for its group of trial-ready attorneys active in the tech and life sciences sectors.

Key patent practitioners of the firm include Michael Bettinger and Sam Tiu. Bettinger is head of the firm’s West Coast IP litigation practice group and focuses on patent litigation and appeals for clients in the tech industry.

The firm also has a significant IP transactions practice supported in part by California practitioners Joshua Hofheimer and Glenn Nash. Nash is global co-chair of the firm’s technology and IP transactions group and co-chair of the technology industry group.

Sidley Austin won the US Appellate Firm of the Year award from Managing IP in 2021.

Weil Gotshal & Manges

Weil Gotshal & Manges is highly recommended in California for its patent contentious practice. The firm also has a notable group on the West Coast focused on IP transactions.

In the patent area, Edward Reines is one of the key practitioners at the firm and is well known for his expertise in Federal Circuit matters. He currently serves as firmwide co-head of the patent litigation practice.

The firm’s IP transactions expertise is bolstered by Silicon Valley partner Karen Ballack, who specializes in licensing agreements, collaborations, IP acquisitions and divestitures, among other services. Recent representations include GlobalFoundries in a sale to Marvell.

In 2021, the firm was shortlisted by Managing IP for the US Copyright Firm of the Year, US Life Sciences IP Litigation Firm of the Year, and US Transactions Firm of the Year awards.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s IP practice in California represents technology and financial institutions in IP litigation, prosecution and technology-related transactions. The firm is highly recommended in the state for copyright matters, with recommended status for patent and trademark litigation. The firm also has a significant IP transactions practice, for which the firm is ranked in the top tier nationally.

Key patent practitioners include Vera Elson, James Heslin, Olivia Kim, Michael Levin, Edward Poplawski, Paul Tripodi and Vern Norviel. Poplawski serves as head of the firm’s patent litigation practice and specializes in contentious matters relating to technologies as diverse as computer processor architecture, liquid crystal optic devices and data transmission systems. Los Angeles-based Olivia Kim is a patent trial lawyer who is exceptionally skilled at handling complex patent and technology-related cases.

Vern Norviel leads the firm’s patents and innovations counseling practice. He offers his expertise in strategic counseling and portfolio development for life sciences companies and venture capital firms.

Ian Edvalson and Jeffrey Guise are two of the firm’s expert IP transactions specialists. Edvalson co-chairs the technology transactions group and Guise is focused on IP licensing, acquisitions and patent counseling.

Winston & Strawn

Winston & Strawn is recommended for IP litigation. Technology patent litigator David P Enzminger and soft IP litigator Jennifer A Golinveaux lead the firm's IP practice.

Michael Tomasulo and Kelly C Hunsaker and are among the key patent lawyers in this jurisdiction. Tomasulo deals with high-stakes IP cases in the tech space. Other notable lawyers in the practice are Diana Hughes Leiden, who specialises in copyright and trademark work, and transactional IP lawyer Stephen T Kong.

Womble Bond Dickinson

Womble Bond Dickinson maintains a competitive IP practice in California. The firm is recommended in California for patent prosecution.

The firm’s growing intellectual property practice offers expertise in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Key practitioners in the patent group include James Scheller and Lester Vincent. Vincent focuses on prosecution and strategy involving utility patents and designs. James Scheller is experienced in the electronics, Internet, and medical device areas.