What Makes a Tech Law Firm Stand Out?
Tech law firms are unique in their focus on technology-based industries and the legal issues that arise in the information technology sector. They not only have the lawyers with significant backgrounds in technical fields, but they also have lawyers who are highly trained in intellectual property issues, privacy and data security, and international issues that companies typically face in the ever-globalized digital world . These specialties, combined with a deep understanding of the commercial and business issues facing startups to huge tech industry clients, set them apart from your run-of-the-mill mainstream law firm, and make them highly respected advisers in this field.
Tech Law Firm Selection Criteria
Before you can determine the best tech law firms for your needs, it’s imperative to know the criteria by which you are making that selection. While certainly not exhaustive, there are a number of key factors to take into consideration in helping you to narrow your shortlist of candidates. They include:
Experience While every business must start somewhere, experience in the tech industry can set the best tech law firms apart from the rest. In addition to experience with casework in the industry, you also want to know that the firm has experience working with corporations of a similar size and complexity of business to your own.
Insights that come only from experience often reveal important nuances that can benefit your company. This experience may be in the form of a specialized service such as computer or software law, copyright, patent law or other specific practice areas.
Successful Case History While past performance may not necessarily predict future performance, a successful case history offers insights into the type of relationship you may have with a law firm and more importantly, whether or not it’s a healthy one.
Having a means through which to handle disputes is an important aspect of the attorney-client relationship. If the firm has handled cases in the past in which it has defended or prosecuted clients in cases involving significant damages (either their own or others), that reflects favorably on the firm’s conduct (if not the outcome).
Client Testimonials It’s one thing to have a flawless record. It’s another entirely to be able to prove those claims through client testimonials. Scanning reviews can offer insight into both the quality of the law and the client experience of working with a specific firm.
Look for comments that indicate the firm is responsive, collaborative, cost effective and above all, receptive to the needs of the client. None of these characteristics are groundbreaking, but they are important when it comes to risk management.
Benchmarked Leading Tech Law Firms
Best Tech Law Firms Around the World
While many law firm rankings are based on subjective factors, we at BestLawFirmsForITLaw.com use only objective criteria to determine top technology firms. We do not accept any compensation from any law firm that appears in our lists.
Below are the top law firms in 2015 in the United State with an office location (or the firm’s headquarters) located in a foreign country, and our evaluation of the firm.
Top-Ranked International Technology Law Firms
Bird & Bird
UK-based Bird & Bird has more than 1,200 lawyers in offices across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and America. The firm was founded in 1845 and is highly respected for its expertise in IT and telecoms law. The firm has over 30 full partners specializing in IT law. It has handled many important and innovative EU regulatory cases such as the implementation of the Telecommunications Act 1984 and the Data Protection Act 1998. It is well known for its patents and IP law practice, resulting in its ninth place ranking in the 2013 MIP400.
CMS Cameron McKinna
CMS is an international network of independent law firms with 29 member firms active in 54 countries. The firm employs approximately 3,800 lawyers, including 780 partners and has a significant focus on anti-trust law, corporate law, and intellectual property, among its other practices. It was founded in 1899.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper has offices in 30 countries on six continents. The firm employs 4,400 lawyers, including more than 1,000 partners. In 2012, it reported $3.1 billion in revenue. It specializes in corporate law, employment law, IP, antitrust, and other areas. The firm was formed in 2005 as a result of the merger of three different law firms: DLA LLP, Piper Rudnick, and Gray Cary.
Up-and-Coming Tech Law Firms
In the fast-evolving realm of technology and IP law, new firms are emerging as future leaders, bringing with them innovative ideas and a fresh approach to their practice. These pioneers have carved out their niches, whether it be in fintech, health tech, or another specific industry focus. One such firm is the intellectual property boutique, which has rapidly gained attention and client loyalty by offering niche expertise that is invaluable for startups and re-emerging tech companies. They have a strong reputation for representing a diverse range of clients, including startups, established tech companies, and global brands. Their unique understanding of the industry allows them to provide tailored solutions that address the specific needs of their clients.
Another up-and-coming firm is, with its dynamic team of attorneys specializing in emerging technologies, has quickly made a name for itself in the legal landscape. They have demonstrated a deep understanding of complex issues in areas such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality to name a few. The firm is known for its innovative thinking and creative strategies, positioning itself as a go-to firm for clients at the cutting-edge of technology.
Emerging firms often differentiate themselves through the utilization of advanced technology in their practice. They leverage digital tools and platforms to streamline their operations, reduce costs, and improve communication with clients, asset tracking, and analysis. This not only enhances the overall client experience but also demonstrates their commitment to innovation.
Recognizing these emerging firms is important, as they often provide unique services and insights into niche markets. They have the potential to shape the future of the industry and lead the way in the development and implementation of new technologies. As the tech law landscape continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how these emerging firms expand their influence and impact the broader tech ecosystem.
Leading Tech Law Firms Services
Companies in the technology space often seek counsel familiar with the unique legal issues inherent in their particular field of business. Top technology law firms tend to provide services in three major areas: intellectual property, data privacy/cybersecurity, and commercial transactions/services. A law firm that specializes in one of these areas can help build its reputation in the technology community, thereby attracting more clients that may need other tech-related services. Some of the more popular specialized services offered by leading technology law firms are discussed below.
Intellectual Property
Many technology related businesses rely on intellectual property protection as key assets in their business. These companies frequently seek guidance from law firms that have large intellectual property practices, offering both litigation and registration services. A law firm that specializes in intellectual property registration and litigation can help to avoid the long and costly process of preparing, filing, and defending against third-party claims of invalidity, infringement and/or enforceability of that intellectual property. In addition, companies increasingly are developing new regulatory compliance policies and procedures in-house, thus requiring more sophisticated and nuanced guidance in regard to compliance with evolving industry standards.
Data Privacy/Cybersecurity
Technology companies are often subject to any number of privacy and data security requirements and obligations, including those imposed by federal, state, local or foreign laws and regulations . Companies must understand how to implement and manage compliance programs to comply with the various standards and regulations, which are subject to change. Leading specialties for law firms include risk management, breach preparation and response, international/foreign compliance, data protection directives, consent notices, regulatory compliance checklists, employee training programs and risk assessments/audits. In addition, preparing and distributing privacy policies and websites disclosures. Law firms that are experienced in the data privacy/cybersecurity field can help clients adopt and maintain compliant privacy and security practices by assisting with internal reviews and assessments of existing practices, policies, and training programs.
Commercial Transactions/Services
Leading technology firms should perform traditional commercial law services, such as M&A, joint ventures, industry-specific tax planning, corporate finance, employment law, and securities law. Technology companies should look for law firms that offer labor and employment law counseling regarding technology industry rules and regulations, especially in California, which has laws named after innovative tech companies. Other services provided by top tier technology law firms range from patent prosecution to antitrust and competition counseling and litigation, and industry-specific environmental counseling and litigation. Overall, these firms will want to be full service in all aspects of the business, covering a variety of corporate needs.
Client Portfolio Successes
Success in the tech field comes in all kinds of ways. The same thing is true for law firms. Some firms make their names through landmark cases for world-famous clients. Others find success by taking a chance on international clients or lesser-known startups.
Fenwick & West can count tech luminaries among its roster of clients. Among them are Yelp, which offers user-generated reviews and recommendations about local businesses, and Pinterest, the photo-sharing website that features collections of images called "boards." PitchBook, a provider of financial research and firm data for the private equity and venture capital sector, also counts Fenwick as its outside counsel. Fenwick helped launch Skype Technologies when it was still in its infancy, when the ambitious startup was seeking funding from the Skype Group. Fenwick continues to act as Skype’s outside counsel, and Skype is now the biggest Internet phone service around.
A new player on the tech block, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, has earned a reputation for its personal approach to problem solving, as well as its efficacy in corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, antitrust, environmental law, and tax law. The firm has 16 offices around the world and boasts more than 800 lawyers on its staff. Among its clients are startups like DreamHost and Miradia, alongside an impressive lineup of Fortune 500 companies, including Nike and Qualcomm.
An international law firm specializing in patent litigation, Quinn Emanuel is quite possibly one of the coolest law firms around. The firm boasts more than 600 lawyers in its 18 offices around the world. The firm has partnered with major players in the digital world and beyond, including Apple, for whom it has managed a significant number of patent cases over the past 10 years. Quinn Emanuel has faced off against some of its adversaries in patent disputes, including Microsoft, HP, and RIM, so the firm knows all too well what its clients face on the other side.
Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman specializes in high-stakes, high-pressure litigation. When the firm took on the The Authors’ Guild and the Scott Turow vs. Google, it was all about protecting the legal rights of authors and guaranteeing consumers free access to information. The firm, which also has international clients, specializes in antitrust law, intellectual property, real estate, bank fraud, class actions, and securities fraud. With hundreds of attorneys, Kasowitz Law represents many of the world’s most important clients and stands as a formidable opponent for anyone in its path. Quinn Emanuel and Kasowitz both have recent successes under their belts. ربحي, a company offering lottery services to folks around the world, was sued by the state of Kentucky for breaking Kentucky’s gaming law. After the state won a $400,000 judgment against the company, Kasowitz took on the appeal and reversed the lower court’s judgment. Meanwhile, the team at Quinn Emanuel have had great success for Google, Marvell Technology Group, Genentech, Broadcom, and many other tech and tech-related ventures.
Upcoming Trends in Tech Law
The landscape of technology law continues to evolve as emerging technologies demand new legal considerations and regulatory frameworks. One of the key trends in recent years has been the introduction of more stringent data protection regulations. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has set a new benchmark for data privacy, and businesses around the world are now required to comply with its rules on data collection, processing, and security.
Additionally, cybersecurity has become a focal point for tech law firms. With the rise of high-profile data breaches, there is an increased demand for legal advice on cybersecurity measures, incident response plans, and liability issues . Tech law firms are leveraging their expertise in cybersecurity to help clients navigate these challenges and protect their sensitive information.
Furthermore, the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is presenting both opportunities and challenges for tech law firms. As businesses integrate AI into their operations, issues such as intellectual property rights, accountability for AI-generated decisions, and ethical implications must be addressed. Tech law firms are establishing themselves as leaders in this emerging area by offering guidance on the legal and ethical aspects of AI technology.
As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, so too will the legal issues associated with it. It is imperative for tech law firms to stay abreast of these developments and offer comprehensive solutions to their clients.