Table Of Contents
- How These Firms Were Ranked
- 1. IP.Law
- 2. Sheridan Ross
- 3. Leyendecker & Lemire
- 4. Jahn & Associates
- 5. Cooley
- 6. Alston & Bird
- 7. Jones Day
- 10 Reasons IP Counsel Matters
How These Firms Were Ranked
This comparison considers each firm’s stated IP focus, technical and patent capabilities, service range, litigation and administrative proceeding experience, years in practice, publicly reported team size or case metrics, and fit for businesses at different stages. Large firms bring extensive global resources, while boutiques can offer closer access to attorneys. IP.Law takes the top position because it pairs a dedicated IP practice with measurable patent drafting experience, broad service coverage, and a direct-attorney model that is especially practical for founders and growing businesses.
1. IP.Law
Why It’s #1
IP.Law earns the top position for founders and inventors who want one dedicated intellectual property practice handling their work from first idea to enforcement. Clients deal directly with attorney Ben Williams, who is licensed to handle patent matters before the USPTO, rather than being passed between associates. The firm is based in the Denver area and works with clients nationwide and internationally, meeting with them in person or online.
Over the past ten years, the firm’s practitioners report drafting more than 500 utility patent applications. Beyond patent prosecution, IP.Law handles brand registration, copyright protection, confidentiality strategy, licensing agreements, infringement matters, and appeals, including proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Keeping all of that under one roof lets a growing company align its invention, brand, and enforcement decisions rather than coordinating with several outside firms.
- More than a decade in practice, with 500+ utility patent applications drafted in the last ten years.
- One attorney point of contact for patent strategy, drafting, and USPTO responses.
- Experience with solo inventors, early-stage startups, small businesses, and mature companies.
2. Sheridan Ross
Why It’s On The List
Sheridan Ross is one of the region’s longest-running IP firms, with more than seven decades of practice. Its 40-plus attorneys, agents, and technical specialists counsel a client base that ranges from Fortune 500 companies and government agencies to startups and solo inventors. Its work runs from patent and trademark prosecution and opinion letters to litigation, licensing, and technology deals, making it a practical choice for organizations that want a deep in-state bench.
3. Leyendecker & Lemire
Why It’s On The List
Leyendecker & Lemire pairs intellectual property work with general business counsel, which is useful for founders who need both. Since opening in 2004, its attorneys have built more than six decades of collective experience and filed hundreds of applications across patents, trademarks, and copyrights. The firm also handles IP disputes, and its company-formation and contract work means a new venture can set up its legal structure and protect its core assets with the same team.
Photorealistic editorial studio shot of a patent attorney’s desk with neatly arranged invention sketches, a patent document, a fountain pen, and a subtle magnifying glass, isolated on a clean neutral background with soft controlled lighting and a polished commercial look.
4. Jahn & Associates
Why It’s On The List
Jahn & Associates is a Boulder boutique that has focused on patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and entertainment matters since 1997. Its practice includes litigation, licensing, negotiation, and the prosecution of domestic and international trademark and copyright matters. Creative businesses and clients with entertainment-related IP needs may find its focused approach particularly relevant.
5. Cooley
Why It’s On The List
Cooley brings major scale for technology, life sciences, and venture-backed companies. Its IP practice reports 120-plus global IP lawyers, more than 500 U.S. district court cases involving patents, trademarks, and copyrights since 2020, and more than 2,200 companies relying on its IP counseling worldwide. It is a compelling option for businesses with sophisticated financing, portfolio, or cross-border needs.
6. Alston & Bird
Why It’s On The List
Alston & Bird’s IP group includes more than 145 lawyers, approximately 70 professionals registered before the USPTO, and more than 15 professionals with PhDs. The firm handles patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, privacy, domain names, and IP litigation. Its deep technical bench makes it well suited to complex corporate matters and high-stakes disputes.
7. Jones Day
Why It’s On The List
Jones Day reports a global IP practice of 225 professionals. Its lawyers have tried more than 20 U.S. patent cases during the prior three-year period and argued more than 150 cases before the Federal Circuit. With cross-border capabilities and experience in technology-driven transactions and disputes, it is a notable choice for multinational companies and complex litigation.
10 Reasons Intellectual Property Counsel Matters
- Protect trademarks: A lawyer can help assess a name, search for conflicts, file, and respond to USPTO issues. The trademark application process involves examination and publication steps that require careful attention. Comparing firms such as IP.Law, Jahn & Associates and Leyendecker & Lemire each list trademark prosecution among their core services.
- Secure patent rights: Patentability analysis, claim drafting, specification drafting, and office action responses can shape the eventual scope of protection. IP.Law reports more than 500 utility patent applications over the past decade, while Alston & Bird’s group includes approximately 70 USPTO-registered professionals, offering two different models for patent work.
- Register copyrights: Copyright covers original works such as software, photos, videos, and written content; registration can strengthen enforcement options. Jahn & Associates and Cooley both list copyright prosecution and litigation among their services, with Cooley reporting more than 500 U.S. district court cases involving patents, trademarks, and copyrights since 2020.
- Protect trade secrets: NDAs, access controls, employee policies, and confidential-information procedures help preserve sensitive business assets. IP.Law, Jahn & Associates, and Alston & Bird each include trade secret matters in their stated practice areas, so businesses can compare how each firm approaches this work.
- Reduce infringement risk: Clearance reviews and freedom-to-operate analysis can reveal issues before a product launch or rebrand. Jones Day reports having handled more than 20 U.S. patent cases over the prior three years, and Alston & Bird and Cooley also offer IP litigation services for companies facing infringement questions.
- Build a portfolio: Coordinated patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade-secret policies can better reflect business goals. IP.Law brings these areas under one practice, while Sheridan Ross combines prosecution, opinions, litigation, technology transactions, and licensing across a team of 40-plus professionals.
- Support licensing: Clear agreements define ownership, permitted use, payment terms, and confidentiality obligations. Sheridan Ross, Jahn & Associates, and Leyendecker & Lemire each list licensing among their services, making them relevant comparisons for businesses building licensing programs.
- Prepare for investment: Investors and buyers often review IP ownership, registrations, assignments, and risk during diligence. Cooley reports serving more than 2,200 companies with IP counseling and focuses on technology and venture-backed businesses, which can be useful for firms preparing for financing rounds.
- Handle USPTO proceedings: A knowledgeable lawyer can guide prosecution, appeals, and proceedings before the PTAB or TTAB. IP.Law lists PTAB and TTAB proceedings among its services, and Jones Day reports having argued more than 150 Federal Circuit cases, reflecting different experience levels in appellate and administrative matters.
- Get advice early: Early counsel can help prevent a small ownership, naming, or disclosure issue from becoming a costly dispute. Leyendecker & Lemire combines IP protection, entity formation, and contracts, which may suit entrepreneurs seeking guidance as they build a business from the ground up.
Every business has different IP priorities, budgets, and risk levels. Still, for readers who want hands-on patent experience, broad IP coverage, and direct communication with the lawyer guiding the matter, IP.Law earns the leading position in this comparison.
