The Patent 1000 focuses exclusively on patent practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal patent expertise.
Recommended - Firms: transactions
The French office of the multinational firm White & Case renders top-quality service when it comes to the commercialisation, acquisition and exploitation of intellectual assets. The set’s patent transactional advisers have also cut their teeth on litigation, keying all their advice to potential enforcement issues down the road. The key names to know are Clara Hainsdorf and Bertrand Liard. Hainsdorf is a skilled overseer of IP-rich agreements, commercial contracts as well as internet-related matters, including privacy and data protection issues. Her commercial instincts and deep knowledge of business law make her advice instrumental to clients seeking big-picture thinking and a broad outcome on their patent strategy. Liard also combines his patent expertise with his deep knowledge of IT and data privacy issues. An accomplished litigator, he is an invaluable counsellor when it comes to unravelling the complexities of doing business over the internet. The pair advise Meta on technology regulation in Europe, and serve up due diligence to E2 Drives in the context of its acquisition by Decathlon.
Silver - Firms: litigation
Recommended - Firms: transactions
White & Case added important assets in New York in 2021, bringing on board two highly respected former Quinn Emanuel partners, Peter Armenio and Colleen Tracy James. Their arrival beefed up an already outstanding life sciences – and all-round – patent litigation practice, headlined by Dimitrios Drivas and staffed with a host of other savvy trial lawyers, including Alison Hanstead and Raj Gandesha. Drivas has provided devoted support to innovative companies of all kinds as they take on their toughest challenges and face their most pressing threats, and has performed at the highest level for decades. Hanstead has a deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical sector, which she has cultivated through engagement in extensive Hatch-Waxman litigation and deal work. Gandesha demonstrates impressive range, too, and takes on diverse IP, antitrust and commercial cases while also advising on data issues. White & Case is a go-to for deals, as well as disputes, with its global technology transactions offering captained superbly by Arlene Arin Hahn. A dynamo for her clients, Hahn is also a diversity and inclusion champion within her firm and beyond its walls. She also has professional experience in Asia, as does Erin Hanson, a vital cog in the outfit’s technology transactions, M&A and IP groups.
Silver - Firms: litigation
Known for its expansive international reach and cross-border capabilities, White & Case re-enters the California rankings this year following some shrewd additions to the team. Making the switch from Paul Hastings, Yar Chaikovsky and Philip Ou are powerful allies to have on side when it comes to high-stakes litigation. They know exactly when and how to be aggressive to achieve results, and have sharpened their advocacy skills to a fine point. A key figure in the global IP group, Jonathan Lamberson is a Silicon Valley trial attorney and fount of insight and analysis on SEP issues.
Recommended - Firms: transactions
Recommended - Firms: prosecution
A close ally to life sciences and medical device companies, White & Case dispenses worldly wise advice encompassing all phases of the patent lifecycle. Its team in Boston has outstanding international credentials; Anita Varma is USPTO and European Patent Office qualified. Her ability to advise on a transatlantic – and worldwide – basis is second to none. Varma chairs the global IP group and is a gifted strategic counsellor with a sophisticated knowledge of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
White & Case is a global law firm with a longstanding presence in the markets that matter today. The firm’s on-the-ground experience, cross-border integration and depth of local, US and English-qualified lawyers help clients work with confidence in any one market or across many. White & Case guides clients through difficult issues, bringing its insight and judgment to each situation. The firm’s innovative approaches create original solutions to clients’ most complex domestic and multi-jurisdictional deals and disputes.
The firm’s main areas of practice are outlined below.
Antitrust
Clients throughout the world seek the advice of White & Case antitrust lawyers. They count on the firm’s extensive experience in litigation against governmental authorities or private parties, counselling on delicate questions and comprehensive worldwide coverage of merger control regimes.
Banking
Since White & Case’s founding, banking has been at the core of the firm’s practice. Today, the firm represents major banks worldwide, including many of the largest. The firm provides guidance related to acquisition finance, commercial lending, project finance, bankruptcy and debt restructurings, and regulatory advice.
Capital markets
White & Case has a formidable reputation in the field of international securities and finance. Clients benefit from the firm’s capabilities in equity and debt offerings, sovereign issues, high-yield debt, securitisations, derivatives, investment funds and regulatory and broker-dealer matters.
Commercial litigation
Clients entrust White & Case with their ‘must-win’ matters – disputes in which huge sums, invaluable patents and brands, and even out-and-out company survival are at stake. The firm has won major trials and appeals for clients in an array of industries, including financial services, pharmaceuticals, technology, sports, media and entertainment, and consumer products.
Financial restructuring and insolvency
White & Case is a recognised leader in complex cross-border insolvencies and workouts. The firm represents global clients in all aspects of restructurings, workouts and insolvency matters, including both transactional and litigation matters.
Intellectual property
White & Case was one of the first full-service firms to develop an IP practice. Its lawyers protect and defend clients’ innovations, creative works and brands around the world, offering advice related to patents, copyright and designs, IP audits and due diligence, licensing and merchandising, sourcing and technology, and privacy and data protection.
International arbitration
White & Case is the only leading global law firm with large and long-established arbitration teams in New York, Washington DC, London, Paris, Geneva, Singapore and Stockholm, along with significant strength in other key cities, including Frankfurt, Moscow, Miami, Seoul, Hong Kong and Sydney.
Mergers and acquisitions
White & Case is among the world’s leading law firms in mergers and acquisitions. The firm advises corporations, financial institutions and private equity firms across a variety of industries, in all manner of complex cross-border and domestic M&A transactions. Its M&A lawyers are leading practitioners in all major jurisdictions around the world.
Private equity
White & Case’s financial sponsor practice has a truly global reach, with market-leading service offerings in New York, London and Hong Kong, as well as fully integrated, full-service private equity practices across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. White & Case represents numerous preeminent large-cap and mid-market sponsors, as well as their portfolio companies, in their domestic and cross-border transactions.
Real estate
White & Case is highly regarded for its skill in helping clients complete complex real estate financings and its in-depth experience with legal matters relating to real estate investment funds. The group handles acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, portfolio sales and securitisation, financings and sales/leasebacks.
Tax
White & Case’s tax lawyers and advisers are strategically located in financial centres and government capitals worldwide to provide timely, effective advice on evolving tax law and policies. The practice has provided clients with innovative, practical approaches to minimise tax liabilities on issues ranging from mergers and acquisitions to financings and investment fund transactions.
Trade
White & Case helps clients manage the risks and maximise the opportunities associated with the increasing regulation of international trade in goods and services. The firm has an interdisciplinary, full-service global trade practice that is one of the world’s largest and most active in trade remedies and in the law of the World Trade Organisation.
White collar
White & Case helps clients deal with government investigations and enforcement matters. In addition to years of front-line prosecutorial experience, the firm has substantial experience defending clients through all phases of investigations, as well as criminal and civil enforcement proceedings. Clients include large corporations, as well as individuals prominent in business and political affairs.
Jurisdiction