Mountain View, CA (February 6, 2017) – Fenwick & West is pleased to announce that the firm and each of its partners who focus on trademark and trademark litigation received top rankings from World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR 1000) in 2017. WTR 1000 has recognized the firm for the seventh year in a row, honoring Fenwick both nationally and regionally for outstanding trademark work. Notably, the publication ranks trademark group chair Sally Abel among the United States’ top seven trademark lawyers and partner Andrew Bridges among the country’s top 11 trademark litigators.
In the recent guide, WTR 1000 ranked Fenwick among the best firms nationally for trademark work, uniquely recognizing Fenwick as one of only two firms with partners ranked first-tier nationally for both prosecution and litigation.
In California, the firm as a whole ranks first-tier for both prosecution and litigation; just one other firm earned this honor in 2017. Fenwick is also the only California firm to have individual partners ranked first-tier for both prosecution and litigation, and to have multiple partners ranked first-tier in both categories as well.
“Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, technology and life science leader Fenwick & West remains ‘fully deserving of its gold ranking,’ according to peers,” WTR 1000 writes in its profile of the firm. “With a track record for successfully shepherding modest startups along the path to global recognition, the ‘invaluable’ trademark team brings a ‘creative approach in handling significant and complex matters.’ Both ‘diligent and very responsive,’ it ‘goes above and beyond to make sure your rights are protected.’”
In addition to the team, WTR 1000 also recognized the following Fenwick partners individually:
Sally Abel: The publication lists trademark group chair Sally Abel among the top seven trademark attorneys in the United States. She again receives two first-tier rankings for prosecution: nationally and in California. WTR 1000 has honored her among the nation’s top trademark lawyers for seven consecutive years, each year since the guide’s inception. Abel is “‘always at the top of the list of practitioners for prosecution,’” WTR 1000 writes. “Her contentious background informs the sage, ‘spot-on advice’ that she hands down; she also possesses 'great insight into the USPTO,’” the profile continues, quoting client and peer feedback. Last year, WTR 1000 also gave Abel high praise, writing that, “this ‘terrific’ adviser garners ‘tremendous respect’ in the industry for her ‘timely and useful advice.’” “’[She] can slug it out in court with the best of them, her prosecution and counseling practice is second to none,’” the profile added, citing peer and client feedback.
Eric Ball: Promoted to partner in 2015, rising star Eric Ball debuts on WTR 1000’s list this year. “The representation of technology players is a specialty and he has ‘won cases consistently without loss,’ making him an instrumental addition to the distinguished partnership,” according to WTR 1000.
Andrew Bridges: WTR 1000 ranks partner Andrew Bridges among the United States’ 11 best trademark litigators, again recognizing his enforcement and litigation work in the top tier nationally. He also continues to receive top recognition in California where he is one of just four lawyers recognized as first-tier for enforcement and litigation, along with Fenwick trademark litigation chair Jedediah Wakefield. Clients and peers praise Bridges as a “passionate legal adviser” who can “push novel theories,” also noting his “keen intellect” and “tremendous command of trademark law.”
Connie Ellerbach: For the seventh year in a row, WTR 1000 recognizes partner Connie Ellerbach among California’s top lawyers for prosecution and strategy work. She “shines brightest when managing global portfolios and assisting brand owners should disputes arise,” the publication notes. “‘Incredibly client focused,’ she provides ‘practical, efficient advice’ and is ‘decisive about when to be aggressive in the protection or expansion of portfolios,’” WTR 1000 continues, quoting client and peer comments.
Jedediah Wakefield: The publication also continues to rank Fenwick trademark litigation group chair Jedediah Wakefield in the top tier for enforcement and litigation in California, one of only four lawyers to earn this honor in 2017. He can “capture technology concepts and marketing positions with ease” according to peer feedback shared with WTR 1000. Like Abel and Ellerbach, Wakefield enjoys seven consecutive years of recognition in the guide.
Karen Webb: WTR 1000 again honors partner Karen Webb as a leading California lawyer for prosecution and strategy as well as enforcement and litigation. Clients and peers praised her as a “one-stop shop for prosecution and global dispute resolution” and “prompt and very detail oriented with respect to nuanced trademark issues,” WTR 1000 reports. The publication also highlighted her skill in handling issues at the intersection of intellectual property law and social media.
World Trademark Review 1000– The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals is an annual guide published by World Trademark Review honoring the top law firms and lawyers working on trademark prosecution and enforcement matters. In compiling the rankings, WTR 1000 researchers consider information provided from law firms on their work over the past year, insight from other legal professionals and client input.
About Fenwick & West
Fenwick & West LLP provides comprehensive legal services to ground-breaking technology and life sciences companies – at every stage of their lifecycle – and the investors that partner with them. We craft innovative, cost-effective and practical solutions on issues ranging from venture capital, public offerings, joint ventures, M&A and strategic relationships, to intellectual property, litigation and dispute resolution, taxation, antitrust, and employment and labor law. For more than four decades, Fenwick has helped some of the world's most recognized companies become and remain market leaders. For more information, visit fenwick.com.