Known for handling complex patent licensing, acquisitions and sales, patent prosecution, patent due diligence and counseling as well as strategic patent asset management, DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s intellectual property and technology department advises clients across a diverse range of industries and technologies. Boston’s Larissa Bifano leads the team and advises on patents and licenses for AI-driven systems in addition to handling patent litigation. In San Diego, Lisa Haile focuses on patent protection and IP transactional matters. Raymond Miller in Philadelphia covers patent development and strategies with a life sciences focus, and Lauren Murdza is key name for technology transactions and general corporate matters, including licensing and development agreements. Based in Palo Alto, Victoria Lee is adept at handling a range of technology-related matters, including structuring, drafting, and negotiating complex commercial and intellectual property agreements, and Jeffrey Aronson also handles IP-related transactions in the TMT sector. Dallas-based Mark Lehberg extends the team’s expertise in technology licensing transactions. At the beginning of 2023, a large team of attorneys joined the team from Dentons, including San Francisco lawyers Peter Yim, Randy Omid  Parker Kuhl and Brian Ho as well as Seattle attorney Michael Swett and Palo Alto-based Christopher Eide.

The technology transaction practice at Fenwick & West LLP represents leading technology and life science companies in IPOs, M&A transactions, litigation and prosecution, and licensing issues. The group is jointly led by Jonathan Millard in San Francisco, who focuses on M&A, licensing, and privacy matters, and Jennifer Stanley, who also chairs the firm’s copyright practice and is noted for her close relationships with clients in the media sector. Also based in San Francisco are Rufus Pichler, who regularly assists technology sector clients with transactions, in- and outbound licensing agreements, development and commercialization agreements, and Joseph Schenck, who is known for his ability to handle commercial transactions involving intellectual property, in particular in the interactive gaming industry. In Silicon Valley, David Hayes is a key contact for intellectual property matters, including litigation, licensing, distribution, and technology transfers. Michael Sussmann, who focuses on data privacy and cybersecurity, joined the group from Perkins Coie LLP in April 2023.

Goodwin acts on behalf of clients in various industries, such as technology, life sciences, and financial services, in relation to developing and implementing patent procurement, management, and exploitation policies. In addition, the department also covers patent enforcement and IP litigation, and it is also active in advising on licensing and technology transactions. Catherine McCarty co-leads the team in Boston and specializes in matters concerning the pharma sector, while James Riley co-leads the department from the firm’s Silicon Valley office, representing emerging growth technology companies and venture capital firms. In Boston, Stephen Charkoudian covers technology, data and intellectual property transactions, Kingsley Taft is a key contact for clients in the biotechnology sector, and Bethany Withers chiefly advises tech companies on data, publicity rights, and intellectual property issues. Noelle Dubiansky in Washington DC frequently assists biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and various other life science enterprises with M&A transactions, strategic partnerships, and tech acquisitions.

With a focus on intellectual property transactions in the high-tech (including AI), fintech, biotech and pharmaceutical industries, Jones Day‘s IP transaction department covers the development, licensing, acquisition, and commercialization of key technology and intellectual property assets. The US group is led by Ka-On Li in Silicon Valley, who focuses on commercial and licensing transactions for clients active in industries such as technology, life sciences and financial services and advise son outsourcing, IP commercialization, as well as software- and cloud-related matters. In San Diego, Thomas Briggs has vast experience negotiating cross-border licensing arrangements, while Robert Latta focuses on IP matters relating to the life sciences and environmental sustainability spaces. In New York, Warren Nachlis' practice covers a range of IP-related matters and particularly centers on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and Scott Lyne focuses on corporate transactions, licensing, and counseling involving intellectual property and technology.

Latham & Watkins LLP is well-known in the market for handling complex IP transactions, including cross-licensing, collaboration, and joint agreements, as well as due diligence relating to the licensing of IP. The team chiefly handles licenses relating to the life sciences and technology sectors, fielding dedicated teams maintaining close relationships with clients in these spaces. Key members of the team are Christopher Hazuka in San Diego, who advises life sciences companies on agreements and transactions, Aaron Gardner in New York, who focuses on the biotech and nutrition spaces, and Jengeun Jekkie Kim in the Bay Area, who handles licensing and commercial transactions in connection with digital health products and medical devices. Judith Hasko has left the firm.

Noted for its capabilities in complex patent transactions, Morrison Foerster‘s intellectual property department’s expertise ranges from patent and technology licensing agreements, acquisitions, and joint ventures to strategic alliances, supply agreements, and global outsourcing matters. Michael Ward primarily handles patent strategy and protection matters in the life sciences and tech spaces and co-heads the practice with Aaron Rubin, who advises start-ups and established companies on technology transactions. Tessa Schwartz is routinely involved in technology commercialization matters, while William Schwartz regularly represents companies in corporate and tech transactions and Justin Haan advises on commercial and licencing agreements primarily in the TMT sector. Boston’s Matthew Karlyn is a key name for companies in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, medical device and technology industries. In January 2023 patent litigators Timothy Chen Saulsbury,  Eric Wiener, and Daralyn Durie joined the department from Durie Tangri LLP alongside Los Angeles-based partner Kira Davis. Unless otherwise mentioned, all named lawyers are based in San Francisco.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP assists a large roster of blue-chip clients with technology and IP transactional matters, including patent acquisitions and divestitures, license arrangements, and technology and IP joint ventures. The department is jointly led by Charan Sandhu and Jeffrey Osterman from the firm’s New York office. While Sandhu has vast experience in complex technology and IP transactions as well as licensing agreements, Osterman’s practice focuses on technology outsourcing and integration as well as on patent and content licensing. Other notable members of the team are Karen Ballack in Silicon Valley, who advises on the development, commercialization and other exploitation of technology and IP, and New York’s Dennis Adams, whose practice spans across the technology and life science industries. Also in New York, Olivia Greer focuses on assisting clients with privacy and data security issues. Michael Epstein retired from the partnership in late 2022.

Baker Botts L.L.P. handles the full spectrum of licensing matters, fielding a team that is well-versed in advising on patent, copyright and trademark license agreements as well as on technology development, acquisition, distribution and research, and outsourcing agreements. The team also benefits from in-house IP litigation expertise, allowing it to handle all aspects of patent strategy and protection issues Christa Brown-Sanford co-heads the group from Dallas and focuses on patent procurement, litigation, and portfolio development, frequently handling licensing matters in related to telecommunications, electronics, and cutting-edge technologies. Co-head Jennifer Tempesta is based in New York and chiefly handles patent litigation. Luke Pedersen co-chairs the practice from Washington DC and covers a wide range of matters relating to intellectual property, placing a particular focus on technology transfers and patent portfolio management, while New York-based co-chair Paul Ragusa advises clients on patent litigation, inter-partes reviews, IP transactions, and licensing, including of standard-essential patents.

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP‘s IP management and transactions section assists clients in IP-related transactions, IP licensing, and with their IP portfolios. The mechanical practice group is led by Brian Kacedon in Washington DC, who focuses on patent and technology licensing and litigation. Managing partner Erika Harmon Arner handles patent litigation related to computer software and electronic technology, while firm chair Anand Sharma handles patent portfolio management and strategy in addition to representing clients in litigation. Reston-based lawyer Elliot C. Cook advises his clients on patent litigation, portfolio development, and patent prosecution. Patent attorney Michele C. Bosch has a diverse practice with an emphasis on post-grant proceedings, while Virginia L. Carron in Atlanta counsels clients on diverse licensing and related transactional matters. In October 2023, Boston partner Nishla H. Keiser re-joined the firm from an in-house role at Orna Therapeutics. Unless otherwise mentioned, listed contacts are based in Washington DC.

Fielding a team that is experienced in patent licensing, patent portfolio management, and patent infringement litigation, Kirkland & Ellis LLP counts both patent licensors and licensees in its diverse roster of life sciences and tech clients. Key contacts in the team include tech M&A specialist Seth Traxler, who is based in Chicago, and John Lynn, who divides his time between San Francisco and Austin and advises on the tech, data protection, and AI elements of corporate and financing transactions. New York’s David MacDonald frequently works on technology transactions, licensing agreements on behalf of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and settlement agreements in patent litigation. In his dispute resolution-oriented practice, Chicago-based Russell Levine emphasizes patent infringement matters and disputes relating to technology transfer and patent licensing agreements. Los Angeles’ Ellisen Turner is a key name for complex patent licenses and technology transactions, and in New York, Shellie Freedman is adept at handling IP joint ventures and strategic alliances in addition to licensing matters.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s intellectual property practice features IP practice head Louis Beardell in Philadelphia, IP deputy practice lead Dion Bregman in Silicon Valley, Princeton-based leader of the life science practice Alan Leeds and deputy life sciences head Benjamin Pensak, who shares his time between Chicago and San Francisco. This consortium of lawyers brings together expertise for licensing, commercial, and technology transactions, regularly advising on patent licensing, IP strategy, collaborations, strategic alliances, and joint ventures, in addition to providing clients with standards body advice. The group works on the prosecution and counseling of life science and chemistry patents, business methods and e-commerce patents, and electrical, mechanical, and software patents. Silicon Valley’s Rahul Kapoor is noteworthy for his transactional experience in technology-licensing deals.

Ropes & Gray LLP is noted for its ability to advise on IP transactions and licensing, structure the IP and technology aspects of major strategic and private equity-backed M&A, and handle strategic patent and trademark portfolio management. The team further stands out for its strength in handling the sale and financing of royalty interests and IP litigation. The intellectual property transactions practice is led by Melissa Rones in Boston and Megan Baca in Silicon Valley. Frequently advising various life science companies, David McIntosh and Marc Rubenstein are key names in Boston. Also based in Boston and advising clients across the life sciences and biotech sectors are Abigail Gregor, Hannah England, Amanda Austin, and Regina Sam Penti. New York’s Jordan Altman joined the team from Shearman & Sterling LLP in April 2023. In July 2023, Violetta Kokolus  left the team.

The intellectual property team at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP handles large domestic and cross-border technology transactions and includes practitioners with expertise in working with software and software-related companies across the country. The team also regularly assists clients with data protection and other technology-related issues arise in the course of their transactional activities. The ‘extremely thorough and intelligent‘ Daniel Ilan oversees the department in New York and has experience advising multinational corporations and private equity firms on IP, technology, cybersecurity, and privacy matters. With extensive experience in high-profile technology transactions, Marcela Robledo spearheads the practice in the Bay Area. In New York, Brendan Cohen and Melissa Faragasso are further members of the team.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP advises leading enterprises and organizations on stand-alone IP, technology, outsourcing and other commercial issues arising from licensing, collaboration, R&D, and securitization. The team is particularly experienced in handling matters surrounding patent rights, patent prosecution, and the scope and transferability of licensing agreements. Frank Azzopardi is the head of the team and is noted for his ability to in structure and negotiate commercial transactions and advise on IP and tech-related issues. David Bauer covers IP and technology-related corporate and commercial transactions, including licensing and collaboration agreements, and Pritesh Shah is a key contact for advising on the IP and data privacy aspects of licensing and M&A transactions. Another key team member is Matthew Bacal, who maintains close relationships with clients active in the AI space. All named attorneys are based in New York.

Dickinson Wright PLLC‘s coast-to-coast IP licensing/transactions practice group is comprised of patent attorneys, many of whom who have an engineering background and bring together the necessary expertise to advise on software licensing, technology licensing for universities, cross-licensing to resolve disputes, and traditional patent licensing. Adept in a wide range of intellectual property matters, especially to do with mechanical and electrical technologies, group head and ‘star in the licensing area’ Richard A. Jones in Troy has vast experience in negotiating patent licensing agreements and resolving IP disputes for his major automotive and material handling clients. In Austin, Lance Anderson deals with technology and intellectual property-focused transactions, Steven Daniels has extensive experience litigating intellectual property disputes, Andrea L. Arndt specializes in the international prosecution of patents and trademarks,  and Stephen Mason advises early-stage technology startups on a diverse range of IP issues.

Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP‘s team is noted for its expertise in patent licensing and transactions and covers the full spectrum of technologies, industry sectors and IP practice areas. The team is also equipped to handle contentious matters, with extensive experience in litigation and prosecution in connection with patent procurement. ‘Outstanding’ trademark portfolio management specialist Salima Merani and patent procurement expert Sabing Lee jointly lead the medical device group, while Jason Gersting is the chair of the IP and tech transaction group. In San Diego, Kimberly Miller delivers the full range of advice for all IP-related matters. Adam Gilbert retired and Lori Yamato departed the firm  in January 2023. Unless otherwise stated, all team members are based in Orange County.