Litigation Boutiques Hot List

With this issue, The National Law Journal ­inaugurates our Litigation Boutiques Hot List, featuring 10 small firms that take second place to no one in courtroom skill. These are the firms important clients turn to for state-of-the-art advocacy in bet-the-company cases. They are carving out specializations in products liability, international trade, intellectual property and other areas of the law. They also represent an avenue to practice high-end law on a more human scale than perhaps is offered by larger firms.

ADDUCI MASTRIANI & SCHAUMBERG 'Skyrocket' is heating up the ITC's docket Washington firm was positioned to take advantage of an emerging front in the patent wars.	BONDURANT MIXSON & ELMORE  Luring top talent Atlanta firm succeeds by fielding small teams of lawyers who know their cases very well.
DURIE TANGRI From classmates to partners in a high-tech firm Splinter group departed a venerable San Francisco firm three years ago and took key clients with them.	GIBBS & BRUNS Texas firm obtains big settlement for investors Gibbs & Bruns' proposed $8.5 billion settlement with BoA put the firm on the national radar.
GOLDMAN ISMAIL TOMASELLI BRENNAN & BAUM At this start-up, the billable hour is anathema Chicago boutique specializes in defending pharmaceutical and medical-device makers.	NICHOLS KASTER Taking the employees' side Whether pizza drives or strippers, the team finds satisfaction in sticking up for the little guy.
PODHURST ORSECK Bucking the trend and finding success U.S. courts' reluctance to hear overseas airline crash cases forced the firm to extend its reach globally.	REILLY POZNER Major wins in Colorado Denver firm successfully represented a pension fund in a challenge to cost-saving legislation.
ROBBINS UMEDA Not resting on laurels A decade after it helped launch a practice area, the firm still fights to keep corporations honest.	YETTER COLEMAN Tragedy took the wind out, but not for long Texas firm suffered a key partner's untimely death, but came back swinging.