There is no question that intellectual property in general, and patents in particular, form a critical component of any modern corporation’s value. And these assets have an outsize value when the corporations in question are the Fortune 100—the 100 largest companies, by revenue, in the United States, companies that between them had a total of $6.58 trillion in revenue in 2008.
It’s also safe to say that the law firms that help the biggest corporations obtain, assert, and defend their intellectual property contribute mightily to these companies’ ability to capitalize on those innovative ideas. Who are these legal movers and shakers that have what it takes to earn the trust of such top-tier clients? According to the results of this year’s “Who Protects Innovation in America” survey, the answer to that question ranges from large national firms that mix IP work with significant corporate practices to midsize regional shops with local expertise to IP boutiques heavy on patent prosecution.
