Finnegan Receives Tier 1 Rankings from Managing IP; More than 30 Attorneys Named 2026 IP Stars

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC—Managing Intellectual Property released the Americas edition of its annual IP Stars guide, which recognizes leading intellectual property law firms and practitioners nationwide. Finnegan earned Tier 1 rankings in six practice areas: International Trade Commission (ITC) Litigation, Federal Circuit Litigation, Life Sciences IP, Patent Disputes, Patent Prosecution, and PTAB Litigation. The firm was also recognized for Trademark Prosecution, Trademark Disputes, and Copyright. Finnegan also boasts the second-most Tier 1 appearances across all jurisdictions.

IP Stars also honors practitioners who are highly regarded by peers and clients and who play key roles in their firms’ success and reputation. Finnegan’s 2026 U.S.-based IP Stars are as follows:

• Erika Harmon Arner - Patent Star; Top 250 Women in IP (National, Virginia)
• Danny M. Awdeh - Trademark Star (National, District of Columbia)
• James R. Barney - Patent Star (National, District of Columbia)
• Jeffrey A. Berkowitz - Patent Star (National, Virginia)
• Paul W. Browning, Ph.D. - Notable Practitioner (National, District of Columbia)
• Virginia L. Carron – Patent Star; Trademark Star (Georgia)
• Pier D. DeRoo - Notable Practitioner (National)
• Bryan C. Diner - Patent Star (National, District of Columbia)
• Danielle A. Duszczyszyn, Ph.D. – Patent Star (District of Columbia)
• Elizabeth D. Ferrill - Patent Star (National, District of Columbia)
• B. Brett Heavner - Trademark Star (National, District of Columbia)
• Cora R. Holt - Notable Practitioner (National)
• Gerald F. Ivey - Patent Star (National, District of Columbia)
• Jeffrey M. Jacobstein – Rising Star (Massachusetts)
• J. Michael Jakes - Patent Star (National, District of Columbia)
• Naresh Kilaru - Trademark Star (National, District of Columbia)
• Lionel M. Lavenue - Patent Star (National, Virginia)
• John Livingstone – Patent Star (Georgia)
• Laura P. Masurovsky - Patent Star (National, District of Columbia)
• J. Derek McCorquindale - Notable Practitioner (National)
• James B. Monroe - Patent Star (National, District of Columbia)
• John C. Paul – Transactions Star (District of Columbia)
• Erik R. Puknys - Patent Star (National, California)
• Richard B. Racine - Notable Practitioner (National, District of Columbia)  
• William B. Raich, Ph. D. – Patent Star (District of Columbia)
• Cara E. Regan – Rising Star (National, District of Columbia)
• Douglas A. Rettew - Trademark Star (National, District of Columbia)
• Morgan Smith – Notable Practitioner (California)
• Mark Sommers - Trademark Star (National, District of Columbia)
• Anthony C Tridico, Ph.D. - Patent Star (National, District of Columbia)
• Daniel C. Tucker - Notable Practitioner (National)
• M. David Weingarten – Patent Star (National, Georgia)
• Ming-Tao Yang - Patent Star (National, California)

Contacts
 
Terra Liddell, Chief Marketing Officer
terra.liddell@finnegan.com

Angela Robinson, Director of Branding and Communications
angela.robinson@finnegan.com

About Finnegan
When your most valuable assets are ideas, innovation, and brand—you need the best to protect them. Finnegan, a premier intellectual property law firm, is trusted by global leaders to protect and advance what sets them apart. With 11 offices across the globe, we bring local insight and global reach to every IP challenge. From high-stakes litigation to cutting-edge patent strategy and innovative brand management, we deliver unmatched depth, agility, and results. If it’s IP, it’s Finnegan. Please visit us at www.finnegan.com or follow us on LinkedIn to see how we’re shaping the future of IP, one breakthrough at a time.