We got there by truly believing in our clients and then protecting, advocating, and leveraging their ideas. The world’s leading corporations and innovators have entrusted us with their most valuable assets for more than 55 years. They rely on our legal, technical, and scientific experience. And they understand we not only speak their language—but we know how to listen, too. That’s the first fact you need to know about Finnegan. And there are many more.
We got there by truly believing in our clients and then protecting, advocating, and leveraging their ideas. The world’s leading corporations and innovators have entrusted us with their most valuable assets for more than 55 years. They rely on our legal, technical, and scientific experience. And they understand we not only speak their language—but we know how to listen, too. That’s the first fact you need to know about Finnegan. And there are many more.
"Finnegan provides the best in class service in terms of professionalism, the communication with their client and customer service. Their reaction time is phenomenal, and their understanding of the client’s needs is very impressive. It is the best firm I’ve worked with by a country mile."
Quoted source, Chambers USA
We offer full-service IP legal and technical experience in virtually every industry and technology—from electrical and computer technology, industrial manufacturing, consumer products, medical devices, and biotechnology to pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and alternative energy. Our practice includes all aspects of patent, trademark, and copyright law, including counseling, prosecution, licensing, and litigation. We also represent clients on IP issues related to advertising, trade secrets, European patents and trade marks, international trade, portfolio management, the Internet, e-commerce, government contracts, antitrust, and unfair competition.
"Finnegan ‘…shines as a premier full-service IP practice…always impressive…deep in every area of intellectual property,’ it is a ‘formidable name with the ability to bring substantial resources to any patent litigation or patent office matter.’"
Intellectual Asset Management Patent 1000
Diversity is so much a part of our culture, we’re consistently identified as one of the nation’s top law firms for minority and overall diversity. In the Vault Guide’s 2023 survey of the leading law firms for women, minorities, and overall diversity, Finnegan is ranked as a leading firm in each of these categories. We are particularly pleased to be identified by Seramount (formerly Working Mother magazine) as a top 100 company for working mothers and one of the top law firms in the United States for women. Our commitment to diversity says a lot about our culture in general. We believe in being inclusive, not exclusive. We value collaboration and working as a team. And most important, we are committed to continuing to expand the diverse face of our firm through recruiting, mentoring, collaborating, and innovative approaches that ensure our lawyers and staff develop both personally and professionally.
"‘One of the finest IP practices out there, Finnegan is full of incredibly fantastic lawyers…its team is world-class, and absolutely solid from its core partners down to its paralegals and administrative staff. There is consistency in the quality of its expertise and client engagement and it’s a joy working with all of its individuals.’"
World Trademark Review WTR 1000
Recognized as “Intellectual Property Firm of the Year,” 2016; “Hatch-Waxman Litigation Firm of the Year—Branded,” 2017; “Inter Partes Review Firm of the Year,” 2018, 2023; Intellectual Property Boutique Firm of the Year,” 2018, 2019, 2023; Patent Strategy Firm of the Year, 2020; and for “Patent Impact Case of the Year: Kaken v. Iancu,” 2020 (LMG Life Sciences Awards)
"Finnegan continues to flourish, racking up wins—for clients large and small at every major litigation venue—that are also helping to shape the future of intellectual property law."
The American Lawyer
March 1, 1965. The firm Finnegan & Henderson is founded on the 12th floor of the Chanin Building at 815 Connecticut Avenue in Washington, DC, by Marcus Finnegan and Douglas Henderson. The mission: to do high-quality legal work focused on intellectual property law.
1968. The firm changes its name to Finnegan, Henderson & Farabow. Art Garrett becomes a partner, and his name is added to the masthead in 1973.
1979. On April 13, 1979 at the age of 53, the firm’s beloved Marc Finnegan passes away. In the fall of 1979, Don Dunner becomes a name partner.
1988. The firm opens our Tokyo, Japan office and becomes one of the first patent firms to have a lawyer actively practicing in Japan as Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi Jimusho (lawyer in foreign law).
1990. The firm’s Washington, DC office moves to 1300 I Street, NW.
1993. Our Brussels, Belgium office opens to support a growing European client base.
1997. We open our Atlanta, GA and Palo Alto, CA offices.
2001. We open our 4th U.S. office in the high-tech market of Boston, MA.
2002. The firm is included for the first time in American Lawyer’s list of the 100 largest U.S. law firms, and our Reston, VA office opens.
2003. Our Taipei, Taiwan office opens.
2005. The DC office relocates to 901 New York Avenue, NW, where we are the anchor tenant in an award-winning building at the center of a downtown redevelopment project.
2008. Our 4th international office opens in Shanghai, China. The firm changes its logo and officially recognizes Finnegan as its short name.
2013. Our European office relocates to London, and Finnegan Europe LLP is licensed to practice law in the UK.
2015. We celebrate our 50th anniversary as one of the world's leading intellectual property law firms, and we open a Seoul, Korea office—our 4th Asia location.
2022. Our European practice expands with the opening of our Munich, Germany office.
"Hugely well-respected boutique, providing comprehensive guidance on the full spectrum of IP issues. Remains a go-to for the most complex and significant trials across the USA, often representing high-profile clients in the pharmaceutical, consumer goods and electronics industries, among others. Extensive experience handling cross-border matters means it is capable of managing and defending clients' portfolios on a global scale."
Chambers USA
Our pro bono work is as varied and diverse as the professionals at our firm. We let our professionals tell us what is important to them and where they feel they can best put their passion and expertise to good use. We credit 100 hours a year toward a lawyer’s billable hours goal. For those who choose more involved pro bono work such as litigation, the additional hours are rewarded and credited toward bonuses. Our lawyers sharpen their skills and help others by litigating criminal and civil cases, negotiating agreements and settlements, and working hand-in-hand with community nonprofit organizations to address their constituencies’ legal issues. We provide counsel to artists, children, the elderly, veterans, the homeless, and other groups in need that might not be heard without our assistance.
"Finnegan has exhibited an extraordinary commitment to DAV and the veterans we serve by giving generously of its time, talent and treasure to a cause that we all cherish."
Disabled American Veterans
Our litigation practice covers all aspects of IP disputes, from complex patent litigation and appeals to high-profile trademark disputes. Our 230+ experienced IP litigators have handled hundreds of cases at all stages of litigation before courts and government agencies across the United States and in Germany. We have more than a dozen former district court or trial judge law clerks and over 40 former appellate law clerks. In the last five years alone, Finnegan has represented clients in more than 200 appeals at the Federal Circuit. Whether enforcing IP rights or defending against infringement or misappropriation accusations, our professionals know the procedural intricacies and calculated risks to consider in disputes involving everything IP-related: patents, trademarks, copyrights, advertising, and trade secrets.
"Sources say: ‘They understand what bet-the-company means and are very comfortable with those situations and major conglomerate firms. You want somebody who cares and is passionate, and wants to help the client - they are that type of people.’"
Chambers USA
"Formidable boutique Finnegan needs little introduction; deep domain expertise across the patent spectrum distinguishes it as one of the country’s pre-eminent IP service providers."
Intellectual Asset Management Patent 1000
"‘Among the top of the food chain for trademark work’ and ‘a strong national presence in the field,’ Finnegan hosts ‘a deep bench of tremendously capable practitioners who offer a consistently excellent level of service…its reputable branding practice always turns out high quality work…especially famed for their litigation capabilities…’"
World Trademark Review WTR 1000
Our clients’ businesses and IP assets are global, and protection of these assets is increasingly challenging. With offices around the world and decades of experience assisting multinational companies, Finnegan has the resources and expertise to formulate and execute global strategies. We’re located in research and technology centers such as Atlanta, Boston, Palo Alto, and Reston. We regularly appear on behalf of our clients in courts throughout the U.S. and before regulatory and administrative agencies in Washington, DC. We also have offices in the key global markets of London, Munich, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, and Tokyo. Our professionals are multilingual and multicultural, and they work with clients in real time around the clock and around the world.
"Standout boutique offering expert advice on the full range of IP matters with particular expertise in the electronics, biotechnology and consumer products arenas. Robust patent group which excels at bet-the-company cases before the USPTO, ITC and domestic courts. Also recognized for its capabilities before the PTAB. Regularly retained to protect the trademarks and copyrights of some of the world's most recognized brands."
Chambers USA
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Finnegan is thrilled to announce the launch of our new blog, Ad Law Buzz, devoted solely to breaking news, developments, trends, and analysis in advertising law.