Best Lawyers in California, United States for Intellectual Property Law
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Neel Chatterjee is a partner in Goodwin’s Intellectual Property practice and serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. An internationally recognized technology litigator and trial lawyer, Mr. Chatterjee has a proven track record of wins in hard-to-win technology cases. Mr. Chatterjee has a passion for representing entrepreneurs and disruptive technology companies, even at their earliest stages. His cases often break new ground in undefined areas of the law. Clients frequently turn...
Joseph C. Gratz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Copyright Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Patent. Joseph C., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Noel Gillespie is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law and Trademark Law. Noel, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Noel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Melanie Howard’s practice focuses on the acquisition, protection, licensing, exploitation and sale of intangible assets for major brands and individual talent. Known for her business-minded approach, she represents clients across a variety of industries, including fashion and luxury retail, esports, automotive, technology, entertainment and media, and financial. Clients regularly turn to Melanie for strategic brand protection guidance and counsel on data privacy matters in the context o...
Michael J. Wise is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Patent Law. Michael J., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
James G. Snell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Technology Law and Trademark Law. James G., who practices law in Palo Alto, California, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Elizabeth Day is a trial attorney with Bunsow De Mory LLP in Redwood City, California . Her practice focuses on complex intellectual property and patent disputes , representing clients in federal district courts throughout the United States and before the International Trade Commission. Her work centers on matters involving Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent, and Patent Law. For nearly three decades, Elizabeth has handled high‑stakes technology disputes involving a wide r...
Jacqueline C. Charlesworth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Copyright Law and Entertainment Law - Music. Jacqueline C., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jacqueline C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Bing Ai Ph.D. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. Bing, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bing is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Noel Matthew Cook is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trademark Law. Noel Matthew, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Noel Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Darryl Woo is a veteran trial lawyer who has successfully tried numerous cases to verdict, and concentrates his practice on patent litigation and other complex technology litigation, principally in the areas of semiconductors, information technology, life sciences and biotechnology. He has appeared as lead counsel in patent litigation across the country, including the ITC, dealing with technologies ranging from software to semiconductor fab equipment, materials chemistry, voice over IP, fiber...
Vincent H. Chieffo is an entertainment and media litigator with significant trial and appellate experience. His practice also includes entertainment transactional work. His litigation experience encompasses disputes throughout the entertainment business, including those involving copyright and trademark infringement, right of publicity, defamation, the rights of estates and heirs in copyrights and other entertainment assets, idea submission, royalties and participations, and distribution and ...
Matthew C. Bernstein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent and Patent Law. Matthew C., who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ian K. Boyd is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Trademark Law. Ian K., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ian K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Stephen Gillespie advises public and private companies on a wide range of strategic partnerships and technology transactions. He focuses his practice on structuring, drafting and negotiating a variety of complex agreements, including procurement and licensing; distribution, sales and marketing; and strategic alliances. Mr. Gillespie regularly counsels clients on the development and commercialization of technology and products and arrangements involving software, data and services.
Sonal N. Mehta is a trial lawyer representing many of the world’s leading technology and life sciences companies in high-stakes disputes. Ms. Mehta is regularly called upon by clients—ranging from Silicon Valley’s largest companies to cutting-edge startups—to serve as both lead counsel in the courtroom and trusted advisor in the boardroom. She has nearly 25 years of experience across all aspects of trial and appellate practice, including federal jury and bench trials, ...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.