Choate’s Intellectual Property Group Receives Top Rankings in Managing Intellectual Property’s 2014 “IP Handbook”

Choate announced today that it received top national rankings in patent prosecution, patent litigation and bio life sciences in Managing Intellectual Property’s 2014 “IP Handbook,” a guide to the world’s leading intellectual property practices.  Choate also received the top “Highly Recommended” Massachusetts ranking for its leading Intellectual Property Group.  

Six of Choate’s partners were included in the “IP Stars” listing of the country's leading IP attorneys.  These include Dr. Brenda Herschbach Jarrell, Karen Copenhaver, Robert S. Frank Jr., Dr. William Haulbrook, Dr. Charles Lyon and Eric Marandett. 

The IP Handbook noted that Choate has “a stellar reputation representing clients in the life sciences and high tech industries.”  The publication added that, “Although much of the praise for Choate’s work in the IP arena centers on the management of patent portfolios, the firm's prowess in litigation should be stressed.”  Trial lawyers at Choate represent major US-based and multinational companies and reportedly place a particularly strong emphasis on pre-litigation and due diligence counseling.  Speaking of the firm as a whole, one client said, “Choate, Hall & Stewart is consistently performing outstanding work.” 

Regarding specific attorneys, “few receive as much commendation as Brenda Jarrell,” with one client stating that “Brenda is the best IP attorney in the healthcare industry.”  Robert Frank, who “served as lead trial counsel for Hewlett-Packard in contract litigation against Oracle involving claimed damages in the neighborhood of $4 billion,” was singled out by clients and peers alike.  Charles Lyon was also praised for his “understanding of highly-technical patent details.” 

Choate’s expertise in trademark law was also noted with one client stating, “We have been very pleased with Choate’s attentiveness to detail, client service and cost-effective representation.”

MIP is a leading international magazine for in-house IP counsel.  Rankings for the IP Handbook are based on extensive research conducted among IP practitioners in more than 80 countries between September 2013 and January 2014.  Firms are ranked in tiers in each category in each jurisdiction.  Both the firm rankings and the list of “IP Stars” are based on recommendations from peers and clients.