Wolf Greenfield & Sacks

Boston-based IP boutique Wolf Greenfield & Sacks earns top ranking for its expertise in patent prosecution and strategy for life sciences clients. “Their level of service and expertise is not easily matched,” says a client, while another adds: “They are very responsive and have worked hard to give us excellent service – and we are not an easy client.” The firm is notable for its significant number of attorneys with advanced scientific degrees, showcased by its biotech group, which is made up of more than 80% PhD or MD holders. Wolf Greenfield also offers a substantial practice focused on post-grant proceedings.

Timothy Oyer is firm president and managing partner, focusing his personal practice on patent prosecution, counseling and matters related to transactions. Biotechnology group chair Helen Lockhart specializes in patent prosecution and portfolio development for a variety of clients, including universities and research institutions, startups and midsize companies. She is currently advising a biotech startup in patent portfolio strategy. Edward Gates, deemed a "brilliant attorney" by a peer, has extensive experience counseling clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology areas on licensing and patent matters. Gates acted for Epizyme in two IPRs seeking to challenge patents owned by GlaxoSmithKline. The IPRs were recently instituted by the PTAB.

Maryanne Trevisan provides clients with deep prosecution expertise in a number of advanced scientific areas, including cell biology and cancer therapies. Biotech partner Patrick RH Waller currently advises Oxford Nanopore in patent portfolio strategy and Prevail Therapeutics with respect to patent prosecution and IP diligence. Hunter Baker is chair of the pharmaceuticals practice group and a specialist in patent prosecution, strategic counseling and technology transactions. He was recently active for academic clients in life sciences technology licensing.