Ask anyone who’s the best trial lawyer or the best IP litigator in California, and you’ll probably hear the names of well-known, $700-per-hour senior rainmakers at California’s largest law firms.

But there are a great many superb lawyers practicing outside the headlines at smaller firms all over the state or in more junior positions at the megafirms. They may not have the same name recognition — but they also don’t usually come with the same price tag.