Bryana T. McGillycuddy and Samuel N. Rudman have been recognized in Benchmark Litigation’s 2026 40 & Under – Northeast list. Bryana, a partner in Choate’s IP Litigation and Business & Financial Litigation Groups, helps clients across a wide range of industries including biotech, pharmaceutical, technology, and financial services. Bryana is a trial lawyer skilled at navigating high stakes intellectual property-related disputes, including patent and trade secrets litigation, as well as complex business disputes in state and federal courts across the country. Her work includes Hatch-Waxman and biosimilars litigation, licensing disputes, and contentious proceedings before the PTAB. Bryana also provides strategic counseling and diligence advice to clients on their most transformative transactions. This is Bryana’s second year being named to Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under list. Additionally, she has been recognized by The Legal 500 Boston Elite in Intellectual Property, and by Managing Intellectual Property as a Rising IP Star. Sam, a partner and head of Choate’s Business & Financial Litigation Group, is a first-chair trial lawyer who represents a wide range of clients in connection with their most challenging matters. In recent years, Sam has tried or arbitrated cases arising in a variety of different contexts, including cases concerning alleged breaches of contract and fraud, high-stakes insurance and reinsurance disputes, and various other complex commercial matters. In addition to his recent trial experience, Sam also routinely represents clients in cases arising under antitrust laws, in class actions, and in regulatory matters. This is Sam’s third year being named to Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under list, and his second year as a Litigation Star. Benchmark Litigation’s 40 & Under list identifies the best and brightest litigators across the U.S. The vetting process for 40 & Under nominees and Litigation Stars is conducted through the examination of recent casework, extensive interviews with litigators and their clients, and the professional opinion of peers within their jurisdiction or practice area.