Intellectual Property: Georgia

THE FIRM This team has an outstanding reputation across trademark, patent and copyright law. It receives particular praise for its depth of resources and breadth of experience. The team recently represented Sony Pictures Entertainment in the defense of a copyright infringement and unfair competition suit involving the movie, 'Don’t Mess with the Zohan'.

Sources say: "The lawyers deliver excellent results at a reasonable cost and are very agreeable to work with."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Miles Alexander is described by sources as "an institution in IP law." He has a wealth of experience across the sector, but is particularly commended for his work involving trademark and unfair competition. Sources say: "He is a great business analyst and has great judgment about how things will play out." Joseph Beck has a superb reputation in copyright litigation. He is involved in a number of high-profile cases, including the aforementioned Sony Pictures Entertainment lawsuit. John Pratt heads the IP department and focuses on patent law, including prosecution, litigation and licensing matters. He was part of the team that successfully resolved a trade dress matter for Knoll. Jerre Swann is described by sources as "a genuine expert in this field." He has considerable experience of dealing with contentious trademark, copyright, false advertising and trade dress actions. Jim Ewing chairs the intellectual asset acquisition and transactions team and is praised for his client-focused approach: "He is unsurpassed in his ability to satisfy his client's objectives." William Boice has a wealth of experience in patent litigation. He played a key role in the successful representation of Epic Systems against claims of patent infringement. William Brewster is praised for his excellent service across trademark, false advertising and unfair competition matters. He is representing Flowers Foods in a trademark infringement lawsuit filed against Hostess Foods. Wab Kadaba has an excellent reputation in patent and trademark litigation. He represents clients from a broad range of industries, including software, retail and technology. Mitchell Stockwell is praised for his energy, experience and record of success in patent litigation. Steven Moore serves as lead counsel in the representation of Motorola in five separate patent lawsuits. Charles Henn has a broad IP litigation practice, including cases involving copyrights, trademarks, patents and trade secrets.

THE FIRM This team has extensive experience in both contentious and non-contentious IP matters. It handles the trademark clearance, enforcement and registration work for American Family Life Assurance and has represented Georgia-Pacific in a series of patent infringement suits. Clients value the team's depth of resources and dedication to the sector.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Patrick Flinn is "a great legal mind and a savvy litigator," according to interviewees. He advises clients on contentious issues in the technology sector, including electronics, computer software and telecommunications. Frank Smith is the leader of the patent litigation group, and has a wealth of experience in infringement cases. He has been involved in the Georgia-Pacific litigation. Martin Elgison is praised for his innovative and detail-oriented approach, and has recently been involved in a number of patent and trademark prosecution matters. David Stewart is praised for his "innate legal intuition" and personable manner. He has a broad range of experience across trademark, copyright and trade secret matters. Jeffrey Young is praised by clients for his depth of experience in patent prosecution. He advises clients from a number of different industries, including financial services, software and consumer products.

THE FIRM This team is recommended for its breadth of expertise, covering patent, trademark, copyright, trade secrets and licensing. It provides transactional and regulatory counseling, and represents clients in a wide range of litigation. The team is particularly praised for its technical ability, and includes a large number of doctors, engineers and scientists.

Sources say: "This team consistently performs. It is able to keep costs down without quality being compromised."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bill Needle is widely recognized as a leader in dispute resolution. He has extensive experience across patent, trademark and copyright litigation, and is sought after as a mediator and arbitrator. Larry Nodine is a skilled litigator, and is particularly recommended for the defense of clients in patent litigation. He is currently defending Fifth Third Bank in a matter relating to credit card transaction management. Gregory Kirsch acts as patent counsel to a broad range of clients, from large multinational corporations to small startup technology companies. Sumner Rosenberg is the managing partner of the firm's Atlanta office and has a diverse range of IP experience. He focuses particularly on international patent and trademark prosecution. Highly respected patent lawyer Mitch Katz is currently acting for Mölnlycke Health Care in an ongoing reexamination case at the US Patent Office.

THE FIRM This firm offers a comprehensive IP service and is particularly well known for its litigation prowess. It has recently represented clients in several high-profile patent infringement and interference matters, including acting for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in a matter involving wind turbine generators. Clients also praise the team for its advice on licensing, patent procurement and due diligence.

Sources say: "The team tirelessly works at a case to achieve the best possible result."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner Roger Taylor focuses on patent protection and related litigation. He was heavily involved in the aforementioned representation of Mitsubishi, and is representing Research In Motion in patent interference litigation. Bruce Bower represents and counsels clients in all areas of patent law. He recently successfully concluded a patent infringement matter on behalf of MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems and Coca-Cola. Virginia Carron advises clients on patent and trademark litigation, including working with Taylor on the Research In Motion matters. Sources say: "She always goes the extra mile." William Dyer is an experienced patent litigator, who is particularly focused on the electronic and IT industries.

THE FIRM This team provides clients with a strong combination of trial experience and technical expertise. It advises clients on a wide range of matters, and has particular strength in patent litigation. Clients include UPS, Coca-Cola, 3M and Nokia.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Holmes Hawkins is highly respected by peers and clients, and receives particular mention for his handling of patent infringement cases. Bruce Baber leads the team's representation of Coca-Cola as litigation, global coordinating and strategic counsel in the protection of its trademark. Scott Petty has a broad range of experience, including patent, trademark and copyright counseling, in addition to a strong prosecution and litigation practice.

THE FIRM This team provides a comprehensive service across patent, trademark and copyright matters. It attracts clients from a wide variety of industries, including biotechnology, pharmaceutical and electronics. Clients value the team's commercial awareness and industry-specific knowledge, with a large number of the attorneys holding technical degrees.

Sources say: "The team is full of talented attorneys, who are extremely personable and energetic."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Malvern Griffin has a diverse range of IP experience. He centers his practice on patent protection, with a particular emphasis on the computer software, e-commerce, financial services and telecommunications fields. William Long is a litigator who is experienced in handling disputes involving patents, trade secrets and copyright. James Johnson has recently advised McKesson on the selection, adoption and protection of its trademarks. Peter Pappas is praised by sources for his diligence and client-focused approach. He works with clients from the energy, consumer products and chemical industries.

THE FIRM This IP boutique achieves strong praise for its breadth of expertise and geographical coverage. The practice is particularly praised for its handling of high-profile patent litigation.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thad Kodish is an excellent litigator, with a practice that spans the chemical, manufacturing and telecommunications sectors.

THE FIRM This team is well known for its expertise in the media and entertainment sector, and receives special commendation for its digital media practice. It advises clients on licensing, trademark and copyright matters, including litigation. Recent clients include MySpace Music, The Recording Academy and Country Music Association.

Sources say: "I have been consistently impressed with this team's attention to detail, client service and business acumen."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joel Katz is widely recognized as a leader in the field of entertainment law, representing music producers, record companies and Fortune 500 companies in a range of IP matters. "He has unyielding energy and is larger than life. He is able to turn any problem we are confronted with into a positive opportunity," says one interviewee. Robert Rosenbloum receives strong praise for his negotiation ability in IP licensing and transactional matters. Sources say: "He gives full attention to the big picture without losing his grip on the details."

THE FIRM This team is particularly recommended for its handling of contentious IP issues across patent, copyright and trademark law. It is currently defending Google in patent litigation in district court in Northern Georgia and Delaware. Other clients include Mizuno USA and Lifetime Brands.

Sources say: "The team quickly identifies solutions to our needs and implements a plan of action to achieve them."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Douglas Salyers chairs the practice group and lead the team's representation of Google in the patent infringement case in Northern Georgia. He has extensive trial and appellate experience. Sources praise Michael Hobbs' clear communication style: "He was able to guide us through the trademark process in terms that we could understand." He has recently defended clients in a number of high-profile copyright infringement cases. Mark VanderBroek has a wealth of experience in IP litigation, arbitration and mediation. His expertise includes trademarks, trade dress, counterfeiting, false advertising and copyrights.

THE FIRM This team receives particular praise for its strong regional presence and broad range of expertise. It advises clients across procurement, counseling and litigation, and has recently had success in several reexamination proceedings and false patent marking cases. The team's impressive client base includes Google, Crane Nuclear, Immersion Corporation and Amarr Company.

Sources say: "The team is highly confident, which in turn brings confidence."

KEY INDIVIDUALS William Ragland is a prominent litigator, who is particularly recommended for his handling of patent infringement lawsuits and false patent marking cases. James Vaughan has a diverse range of experience including portfolio management, opinion work, litigation and prosecution. However, he is particularly well respected for his management of inter partes reexamination proceedings. Louis Isaf is "a fountain of knowledge in patent matters," say sources. He advises clients on patent portfolio management, patent procurement and market protection.

THE FIRM This team attracts a wide client base, ranging from large multinational corporations to individual inventors, authors and owners of creative works. It has a broad base of expertise in contentious and non-contentious matters, covering patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and unfair competition.

Sources say: "Litigation is second nature to this team. The lawyers always make you feel like you are in safe hands."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Norwood Jameson represents clients in a broad range of IP litigation, including trademark, trade dress and copyright, but is particularly well recognized for his success in patent litigation. Patent litigator Matthew Gaudet is recommended for his experience in the technology sector.

THE FIRM This accomplished team advises clients on a range of patent, trademark and copyright matters. It is recognized for its strong technical expertise, with a large number of the lawyers also trained as scientists and engineers.

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Fry is a skilled litigator, with a focus on the technology sector. His experience includes patent, trademark and copyright infringement, unfair competition and trade secret litigation. Bryan Harrison is also recognized for his litigation prowess, particularly in matters involving antitrust issues, as well as IP. Tim Tingkang Xia counsels domestic and international clients on a broad range of IP matters. He has a strong focus on patent preparation and prosecution.

THE FIRM This team provides clients with a comprehensive IP service, but is particularly recommended for its handling of complex trademark issues and patent prosecution. Clients include Volk Enterprises, Polytechnic Institute of New York University and The Carter Center.

Sources say: "The whole team is incredibly attentive and has never even come close to missing a deadline."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rodgers Lunsford is a revered litigator, particularly in copyright infringement matters. He also advises clients on rights transfers, enforcement programs, and patent prosecution. Dale Lischer is a patent litigator, and has recently had success representing a plaintiff in a patent infringement case.