Winston & Strawn

Winston & Strawn's IP group is highly recommended in general patent and Hatch-Waxman litigation. The firm is most notable for being one of the most active generic practices in the Hatch-Waxman domain, and for its recent involvement acting for biosimilars clients in BPCIA disputes.

Litigation group co-chair George Lombardi is considered one of the foremost trial lawyers in the ANDA litigation area, a reputation bolstered by a significant year of patent work in the life sciences area. He currently represents Sandoz against Amgen entity Immunex in a biosimilars litigation related to marketed drug Enbrel. "I'd say the best of generic lawyers has got to be George Lombardi," a peer says. "He's been a frequent opponent over the years."

IP co-chair Charles Klein is another standout litigator in the firm's life sciences group, offering significant experience in Hatch-Waxman and biosimilars suits. About partner Maureen Rurka, a competitor says: "without a doubt I would [refer] something to Maureen and the group over at Winston." Another peer adds Rurka is a "highly competent, intuitive pharma patent litigator."

First-chair trial lawyer Michael Nutter focuses his practice full-time on life sciences matters. He acts as litigation counsel for the firm's many high-level generic clients, and is also involved in the growing area of BPCIA suits. Stephen Smerek has more than 20 years of practice in litigation, including significant Hatch-Waxman experience.

An up-and-comer in this space is Nimalka Wickramasekera, who was shortlisted by LMG Life Sciences for the Intellectual Property Rising Star award in 2019.