America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2011: Intellectual Property

Chambers & Partners has compiled its independent and objective list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business based on comments gathered from thousands of interviews with clients and lawyers from Maine to Hawaii. This guide — which is designed to reflect market opinion — contains a view of the firms and attorneys who are considered leaders in their field.

In Chambers' 2011 review of national legal talent in the area of "Intellectual Property," our Firm and our lawyers are listed among the best in the country.

Chambers' comments:

Illinois Ranking: Tier 1

The Firm: Kirkland & Ellis is considered one of the best all-round firms in Chicago and its IP reputation is upheld by the group routinely acting on the largest cases in the market. A prime example is its representation of Apple in an ITC patent infringement case against smartphone competitors Nokia and HTC. Other marquee names on the client roster include GM, Hitachi and Motorola.

Sources Say: "An extremely attentive, responsive, creative and successful group, which really knows how to form a partnership with in-house counsel."

Key Individuals: William Streff's practice spans IP litigation, transactions and general counsel. He is experienced in representing clients from a wide range of business sectors, including computer hardware and software, and satellite and cable communication systems. Russell Levine is hailed as "an awe-inspiringly good litigator." He scored a recent victory for Tyco Electronics in the defense of a complex patent infringement. David Callahan focuses on complex litigation in the areas of patents, trademarks, trade secrets, false advertising and unfair competition. He has extensive experience appearing before bench and jury trials in federal courts, and before the federal and seventh circuits.

Renowned trial lawyer Kenneth Adamo is a new addition to the team. He was previously at Jones Day, where he practiced in the firm's Cleveland and Dallas offices. He is "very dynamic and great on patent litigation."

Nationwide Ranking: Tier 1

The Firm: This group's impressive geographical reach allows it to serve a diverse set of clients, ranging from large national electronic companies to companies in the oil, gas and energy industries. The team is spread across offices in California, Illinois, New York and Washington, DC, and receives particular praise for its prowess in disputes. It also handles IP matters involving unfair competition, privacy and trade secrets matters. Teva Women's Health, Honeywell and Siemens all feature on its impressive roster of clients.

Key Individuals: William Streff is based in Chicago and is one of the practice group leaders.

Patent
New York Ranking: Tier 2

Trade Mark & Copyright
New York Ranking: Tier 2

The Firm: Although this firm has lost some individuals in recent times, it still boasts an exhaustive IP practice with experience that spans a wide range of industries, including technology, consumer products, entertainment and media, fashion and financial services. The team represents corporations and individuals in the IP arena in all phases of litigation, and recently had a Harry Potter infringement suit dismissed. The group has a great deal of experience working with IBM, particularly involving litigation regarding patent infringements.

Sources Say: "The firm's successes speak for themselves: truly an outstanding firm across the board, which can cover all our IP issues to the highest standard."

Key Individuals: Gregory Arovas has acted for both plaintiffs and defendants in plenty of high-profile patent and trade secret litigations. "He is one of the go-to guys; he is very knowledgeable in the law, has shrewd strategic thinking and is experienced in transactions and trials," according to one source. Dale Cendali's practice encompasses patent, Internet and trade secrets law, but it is her copyright and trademark work that receives most praise. Representative clients include J.K. Rowling, the Associated Press and Colgate-Palmolive, and she is known to be "incredibly easy to deal with, a great strategic thinker and able to execute a case according to a plan." Claudia Ray represents DIRECTV in a trademark infringement suit, and has experience with clients in a wide range of industries, including entertainment and media, financial services, technology and consumer products.

California Ranking: Tier 3

The Firm: The firm's California IP team comprises lawyers from its Los Angeles, San Francisco and Palo Alto offices, and forms part of a wider national group that is recognized for its prolific and hugely successful trial practice. Recent headline work includes defending PayPal in a multiparty matter where more than two dozen financial institutions were accused by a Florida inventor of infringing two patents related to information security in online transactions. The firm also handles non-contentious IP-related matters.

Sources Say: "Kirkland & Ellis has demonstrated intellectual horsepower, great writing skills, exceptional case organization and fantastic trial prowess."

Key Individuals: Los Angeles-based Robert Krupka is "among the elite," according to sources, who also comment on his "gift for gaining the attention and trust of juries - a talent which is difficult, if not impossible, for most to master." He has recently been engaged in representing Teva Women's Health in a $125 million success involving its patent for an extended-regimen oral contraceptive. He was assisted in this by younger partner Alexander MacKinnon, who is described by sources as "a real talent." He has also been representing DIRECTV in a patent infringement matter. Patent litigator Adam Alper, based in the firm's San Francisco office, has considerable experience of representing clients in the semiconductor, telecom, computer hardware and pharmaceutical industries.

District of Columbia Ranking: Tier 3

The Firm: Kirkland & Ellis has particular experience in litigating major patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and advertising cases. Standout recent engagements include representing Apple in ITC and district court actions against smartphone competitors Nokia and HTC. Other important clients include Boeing, GlaxoSmithKline and Honeywell.

Sources Say: "The team possesses the ideal qualities of thoroughness and aptitude, and has polished the art of persuasion. Its trial successes are extremely impressive."

Key Individuals: Edward Donovan has made a name for himself in patent infringement litigation. He has vast experience before district courts, and in Section 337 proceedings before the ITC. Daniel Attridge has represented clients across a wide variety of industries and practice areas, including government contracts, antitrust, IP and insurance coverage. "He has an outstanding court presence and thinks well on his feet," said a source. Gregg LoCascio handles trials and appeals in intellectual property and technology cases, and has recently defended Siemens in a patent infringement suit relating to neurological MRI technology. Clients appreciate his "unrelenting energy and fight."

Reprinted with permission from Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2011— www.chambersandpartners.com.