Intellectual Property: Pennsylvania

THE FIRM This firm has almost 90 lawyers spread across its Philadelphia, Atlanta and Seattle offices, all of whom focus exclusively on IP law. Though it lost three partners to Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld recently, the quality of Woodcock Washburn's attorneys and the sophistication of its work means it remains Pennsylvania's preeminent IP firm. The majority of the firm’s work concerns patent law, but it also has expertise in trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. Clients include Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft and Dupont.

Sources Say: “The attorneys are good communicators and excellent businesspeople; everything is done to the highest standard.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dale Heist is "a creative thinker who aligns litigation with business strategy.” He is representing Microsoft in a number of patent infringement cases. John Donohue handles contentious and noncontentious trademark issues. “He has an awesome reputation and helps drive the practice forward.” Steven Rocci chairs the firm’s policy committee and focuses on patent litigation and counseling. Clients call him "an able commander, even in the most hectic situations." He defended Illinois Tool Works against claims of trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract and unfair trade practices. Joseph Lucci has an excellent reputation for patent litigation and prosecution. He has recently advised Janssen, a Johnson & Johnson company, on patent issues. David Wolfsohn is "an effective negotiator who is great at building a case.” He focuses on trade secret, copyright and trademark litigation. Nancy Frandsen specializes in trademark and copyright litigation. “She brings both a legal and a business perspective, and is immensely knowledgeable.” Patent litigator Paul Milcetic is "assertive and confident in the courtroom.” He represented TruePosition in its patent infringement case against Andrew Corporation.

THE FIRM This Philadelphia-based firm specializes in IP, computer and IT law. It handles all aspects of IP and has a particularly good reputation for representing generic drug manufacturers in patent litigation. The firm has 26 attorneys in total.

Sources Say: “This firm has a high level of expertise and a high level of civility. It has a great reputation.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Manny Pokotilow is managing partner of the firm. Peers call him "one of the best: he really knows his way around the courtroom." He handles all aspects of IP law, with an emphasis on litigation. Martin Faigus has an excellent reputation for patent preparation and prosecution. Robert Silver is "a consummate professional who commands respect in the market.” He specializes in IP litigation, where he acts for a number of generic pharmaceutical companies. Barry Stein is a leading patent prosecutor whose clients include Roper Industries and Checkpoint Systems. Stanley Cohen handles all aspects of patent, copyright and trademark law. Interviewees say: “He is a gentleman, even when you lock horns with him.”

THE FIRM This firm handles all aspects of intellectual property law. The Philadelphia team is perhaps best known for IP litigation. Its stellar client list includes Apple, The Bank of New York Mellon and Pfizer.

Sources Say: “It is responsive and focused on real-world solutions.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Glenn Gundersen is "one of the best trademark lawyers out there.” He specializes in trademark prosecution and counseling. Martin Black heads the firm’s IP group. “A careful, detailed attorney who has great judgment,” he focuses on patent and trade secret matters. Kevin Flannery is "calm, collected and forceful.” He also handles patent and trade secret litigation, and recently represented MetLife in a trade secret case.

THE FIRM This firm has experience in the full range of IP issues and strength across a number of industries, including life sciences, mechanics, electronics and the computer industry. The cross-disciplinary IP litigation team has been particularly active this year. Clients include Amazon.com, Avantext and Yale University.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gregory Lavorgna is a managing partner at the firm. Clients call him "a gentleman of the highest caliber - tip-top in every category.” He has a broad practice spanning contentious and noncontentious patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret matters. He is defending Avantext against claims of patent infringement brought by Aircraft Technical Publishers. John Marshall has expertise in contentious and noncontentious patent, trademark and copyright issues. His work includes defending Photomedex in a patent infringement case. Kathryn Doyle is "a clear thinker and an excellent attorney.” She heads the firm’s life sciences group and handles all aspects of life sciences patent law. Robert Koons handles contentious and noncontentious issues relating to patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. He also has expertise in antitrust law. Daniel Monaco is "a skilled attorney who is great at building client relationships.” He has expertise in all aspects of IP law, with an emphasis on chemistry and biotech patents. Arthur Seidel has long been one of Pennsylvania’s leading IP lawyers, and is of counsel with the firm.

THE FIRM This firm was founded in 2008 by a group of lawyers from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. It has 20 lawyers and advisers specializing in IP law and handles the full range of contentious and noncontentious issues relating to patents, trademarks and copyrights.

Sources Say: “The attorneys are client-focused, thorough and experienced."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alan Nadel handles bioscience, chemical and mechanical patent issues, such as patent preparation, prosecution, licensing and litigation. His practice is international in scope, with clients in Australia and Taiwan. He is advising on the IP portfolio of BioNumerik. Managing partner of the firm Ronald Panitch is "a masterful attorney - he has comprehensive knowledge of the area and provides pragmatic advice.” He has expertise in patent and trademark licensing and in reaching settlements in potentially contentious issues. Martin Belisario is "assiduous in his attention to detail and has great business judgment.” He has an excellent reputation for patent opinions and prosecution and is currently providing opinions and product clearance due diligence advice to Oki Data Americas, Synthes and West Pharmaceutical Services, among others. Clark Jablon specializes in patent prosecution, including business method patents. He recently built a patent portfolio for traffic.com. According to clients, “he demonstrates intelligence, conscientiousness and ingenuity.” William Schwarze is "a talented attorney who provides comprehensive advice.” He has more than 40 years of patent law experience and is a tremendous resource for colleagues and clients.

THE FIRM This group handles the full range of IP issues. The team has expertise in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotech and e-commerce matters.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Lynn Rzonca is managing partner of the firm’s Philadelphia office. She focuses on litigation and counseling relating to patents, trademarks and trade secrets. Hara Jacobs has a diverse IP litigation practice.

THE FIRM This firm has strength in contentious and noncontentious IP law. IP litigators in the Philadelphia office have seen an uptick in patent litigation and have recently represented a number of generic drug manufacturers. The firm has patent attorneys with expertise in biosciences, materials, chemicals, polymers, electronics and telecoms.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Cronk is "an acutely intelligent attorney who commands respect.” He advises on a wide range of contentious and noncontentious IP issues, with an emphasis on patent prosecution. He acted for CertainTeed in relation to its joint development agreement with Energy Conversion Devices.

THE FIRM This firm’s Pennsylvania IP team is split between its Pittsburgh and Harrisburg offices. The group is strong in litigation and prosecution and, through its offices across the USA, Europe and the Far East, it has an international reach. It is also able to draw on the resources of the firm’s life sciences and pharmacology groups.

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Kyper is a trial lawyer with an excellent reputation for patent, trademark, trade secret and noncompetition cases. “He is a reasoned litigator and a good strategist.” Patrick McElhinny focuses on patent litigation and also has experience handling trade secret, noncompetition, copyright and trademark cases. He is representing Carnegie Mellon University in its patent infringement case against Marvell Technology Group.

THE FIRM This firm has a renowned litigation group, which has dealt with a high volume of IP cases in recent times. It successfully defended Sensormatic Electronics against a $35 million patent infringement claim brought by Checkpoint Systems, and secured settlements totaling $3 million for members of the Business Software Alliance. The firm also has strength in noncontentious IP work, including prosecution, counseling and transactions.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Kelly Tillery is "a great litigator with an amazing track record.” He specializes in patent litigation and has a great deal of experience in obtaining injunctions and seizure orders in counterfeiting cases. Mark DeLuca sits in the firm’s Berwyn office and has an excellent reputation for pharmaceutical patent prosecution. Paul Kennedy has expertise in litigious and transactional matters relating to counterfeiting, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. Sources revere him as “one of the state’s best anticounterfeiting attorneys."

THE FIRM This firm has two Pennsylvania offices, in Allentown and Valley Forge. It specializes exclusively in IP law and has a wide range of industry expertise, including electronics, biotech and manufacturing. The firm serves a range of clients, including startups, international corporations and institutions.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Benjamin Leace chairs the firm’s litigation and trademark practices. One interviewee says: “I think the world of him - he is a terrific attorney and it’s a pleasure to deal with him.” Kenneth Nigon is "a standout practitioner" with an excellent reputation for electronics work. He heads the firm’s patent preparation and prosecution practice. He is patent counsel for three laboratories of a Japanese electronics company. Paul Prestia has long been a major presence in IP law; he works with life sciences clients on a range of IP issues.

THE FIRM This firm has IP teams across the USA, UK, Germany and France. The Pennsylvania IP team is divided between the firm’s Philadelphia and Pittsburgh offices. The Pennsylvania team has experience in all areas of IP law, including litigation, prosecution, counseling and transactions.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Frederick Colen specializes in IP litigation and licensing. Sources say: “He has been continuously impressive in his approach and results.” William McNichol is "a stellar lawyer who can see the bigger picture while staying attentive to the details.” He handles IP matters in the technology, pharmaceutical, biotech and medical sectors.

THE FIRM This firm has greatly strengthened its Pennsylvania IP group with the addition of three partners from Woodcock Washburn. It is now among the state's strongest patent litigation teams for life sciences clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dianne Elderkin recently joined from Woodcock Washburn and specializes in patent litigation. Clients call her "an extremely impressive litigator who has never steered us wrong." She recently won $1.67 billion - the largest ever jury verdict in a patent infringement case - for her clients Centocor Ortho Biotech and New York University in their case against Abbott Laboratories.

THE FIRM This firm’s Pennsylvania IP team is based in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The group was significantly strengthened in 2008 with the arrival of Roberta Jacobs-Meadway and Jay Meadway from Ballard Spahr. It handles the full range of IP issues for clients in a range of sectors, including retail, biotech, technology transfer and specialty food products.

Sources Say: “In terms of expertise, this firm has the whole deck of cards - it provides excellent representation.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Roberta Jacobs-Meadway, who focuses on trademark litigation, is praised by one client for her “analytical skills, diligence and advocacy ability.” She is defending Sheetz against claims of trademark infringement, unfair competition and dilution brought by the parent company of Subway restaurants. Jay Meadway has an excellent reputation for transactional IP law, with an emphasis on international issues relating to trademarks and copyrights. Richard Peirce is expert in IP issues relating to the Internet and other new communication technologies.

THE FIRM This firm has six offices across Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. The firm started life as a tax boutique but has now extended into other areas. It has had particular success in IP, where it has grown a client base of corporate, institutional and individual entities, including Primepoint, Deb Shops and the University of Pennsylvania.

Sources Say: “This firm has talented lawyers with ‘big-firm training’ who work on a cost-effective basis.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jordan LaVine has experience in all aspects of trademark, copyright and unfair competition law. Clients say: “He has sound judgment and provides practical advice.” Lynda Calderone chairs the firm’s IP group and specializes in IP litigation and patent preparation and prosecution.

THE FIRM This firm is regarded as Pittsburgh’s preeminent IP boutique. It has 32 lawyers with expertise in all areas of IP law, such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition and litigation. It is experienced in working with clients across a wide range of industries.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Byrne handles all aspects of patent law, including prosecution and litigation. Interviewees praised his “broad and well-regarded practice.” Kent Baldauf is a trained metallurgical engineer, and for more than 30 years has advised clients on issues relating to patents, trademarks and copyrights. John McIlvaine is "a stand-up guy and an impressive attorney.” He handles contentious and noncontentious patent and trademark matters.

THE FIRM This Philadelphia IP boutique handles the full range of contentious and noncontentious IP issues. It provides portfolio and management counseling to InterDigital Communications, a telecoms company. The firm’s clients also include Olympus, AstenJohnson and AMD.

Sources Say: “The attorneys have excellent communication skills and always work to a high standard.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients say Anthony Volpe “has technical expertise in a variety of areas and provides us with advice we can rely on.” His practice focuses on securing, licensing and enforcing IP rights, and on foreign IP matters. He is representing Vishay Dale Electronics in its patent infringement case against Cyntec.