Welcome to the 2021 edition of IP STARS.
Managing IP is delighted to publish the 2021 firm rankings for patent work in more than 50 jurisdictions. Some of the firms featured this year are widely regarded in the market as the best firms for patent work.
To check if a firm has been ranked this year for patent work, enter the firm’s name in the search bar or use the regional navigation menu above to select the jurisdiction (click on 'Rankings' to see the 2021 firm rankings).
In Germany, we have a special rankings table that recognises patent attorneys for their litigation work. For the US, we have patent rankings for states such as California as well as national rankings, including PTAB litigation and Life Sciences IP (see the United States (National) page).
Congratulations to all the firms ranked this year.
What to expect next
We have more 2021 rankings to announce in the coming weeks and months and therefore we will continue with our research. Below is the updated 2021 results publication timeline, which is subject to change.
IP STARS 2021 rankings and content
March: Trade mark practice rankings for firms here
April: Intellectual property practice rankings for firms (only for certain jurisdictions) here
May: IP Stars list 2021 here
June: Patent practice rankings for firms (including US states such as California)
June: Managing IP’s Top 250 Women in IP 2021
July: IP transactions practice rankings for firms
August: Firm reviews updated/published and copyright practice rankings for firms (including US states such as California)
September: Managing IP's Rising Stars list and Corporate IP Stars list 2021
Managing IP Awards 2021
March 30: EMEA Awards event
April 7: Americas Awards event
June 17: Asia-Pacific Awards event/winners announcement (register/watch the event here)
Read about the shortlists and winners here.
Research for IP STARS rankings and MIP Awards 2022
Any research information not considered or used for this year’s edition will be used for the 2022 edition. We will start the research for the 2022 edition of the IP STARS rankings and Managing IP Awards in September 2021. The submission deadline is October 31.
Read about our research here and the documents to complete here.
About IP STARS
Managing IP published its first legal directory in 1994 and rebranded it in 2013 as IP STARS. The publication quickly established itself as the leading specialist guide to IP law firms and practitioners worldwide. The research for IP STARS covers a variety of IP practice areas and more than 70 jurisdictions, making it the most comprehensive and widely respected guide in the IP profession.
Research methodology
The research for these rankings was conducted rigorously and impartially by our team of research analysts in London, New York and Hong Kong. Each year we request information from thousands of firms, IP practitioners and their clients through interviews, email and online surveys.
Before compiling the rankings, our analysts also conducted their own independent research, including an analysis of publicly available information (such as court or IP office data) and existing data we hold on firms.
The aspects assessed for the firm rankings include expertise, workload, market reputation/record, outcomes achieved for clients, and unique strengths in a given practice area. Judgements about which firms to include in the rankings, and which tier and practice area they should be in, take account of all this information.
Firms are ranked alphabetically in tiers, or as highly recommended or recommended. The total number of firms listed varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The rankings are split into prosecution and contentious work in most jurisdictions and in others we consolidated the practice areas.
The prosecution ranking takes account of pre and post-registration work including office proceedings and portfolio management advice. The contentious ranking covers patent-related disputes work (in and outside the courts). Where appropriate, some firms were ranked for both practice areas. We also have special patent rankings in Germany and the United States.
These rankings are based on information available at the time the research was completed (February 2021). Except for firm name changes, any subsequent developments or information that could influence our rankings will be considered during the research for the 2022 edition of IP STARS, which starts in September 2021. However, Managing IP reserves the right to remove a firm or individual from our website at any time.
For the avoidance of doubt, the ranking tables do not suggest or indicate that the expertise or services of the listed firms are limited to the practice area in question. Managing IP does not recommend or endorse any practitioner or firm for IP work. Please read the terms of use concerning our content here.
The IP STARS rankings are not influenced by any commercial relationship, including advertising, with Managing IP or IP STARS. There is no fee to pay to participate in our research. No firm or practitioner can pay to be ranked. Participation in our research does not guarantee ranking. The rankings are subject to change each year. Learn more about the practice areas and methodology here.
Please contact us via email if you have information or feedback concerning our rankings or content.