Securing Attorney Positions at Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett Dunner Law Firm | LawCrossing

Summary

Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP is a full-service, global intellectual property law firm. Established in Washington, DC in 1965, the firm offers a wide range of services in the fields of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret law. The firm's lawyers regularly provide counsel to major companies, universities, and other organizations in the development and protection of their IP assets both in the United States and around the world.


Finnegan Henderson's team of experienced attorneys and technical experts provide a full suite of IP law services, including patent and trademark prosecution, patent post-grant proceedings, licensing, litigation, IP asset management, and client counseling. The firm also works with its foreign associates on IP matters with global implications. As one of the world's leading IP firms, Finnegan Henderson has an impressive track record of successfully resolving complex legal challenges for its clients.

The firm employs the latest technology to successfully handle global IP matters, utilizing resources such as the Global Patent Docketing system (GPD) and the LexisNexis® patent and trademark services. Finnegan Henderson also has a comprehensive portfolio of IP practice resources covering topics from IP law to technology to international trade.

Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP is a global intellectual property law firm based in Washington DC. Founded in 1965, the firm offers a broad range of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret services, including patent and trademark prosecution, post-grant proceedings, licensing, litigation, asset management, and client counseling. Experienced attorneys and technical experts at Finnegan Henderson provide the latest technology and resources to handle global IP matters, such as the Global Patent Docketing system (GPD) and LexisNexis® patent and trademark services. Finnegan Henderson also offers an extensive portfolio of practice resources covering topics from IP law to technology to international trade.
 

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner is a leading global IP law firm. Founded in Washington, DC in 1969, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner has nearly 400 lawyers and patent agents who practice IP law across the globe. The firm represents renowned IP leaders in a wide range of industries, including technology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and other industries. Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner prides itself on its knowledge of the ever-evolving IP environment, and its commitment to helping clients maximize the value of their IP assets.
 

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner's IP Practice Areas

One of the primary practice areas of Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner is patent law. The firm's patent attorneys advise clients on all aspects of patent protection, from patent prosecution and litigation to licensing and monetization. Finnegan attorneys have extensive experience in handling patent matters in a variety of industries, including electrical and computer, chemical, biotechnology, mechanical, and consumer products. In addition, the firm provides patent opinions, opinions of counsel relating to infringement and patent validity, and strategic advice on patent-related issues.
 

IP Litigation Experience

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner also has extensive experience in intellectual property litigation. The firm's attorneys have represented clients in numerous patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret disputes. They have successfully handled cases before the U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, International Trade Commission, Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the Patent Office Trial Board. The firm has successfully handled cases involving a wide range of technologies, from software and cloud computing to medical devices and consumer products.
 

IP Transactions and IP Strategy Consulting Services

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner provides a full range of intellectual property transaction and intellectual property strategy consulting services for their clients. The firm's attorneys work with clients on a wide range of IP transactions, including patent license agreements, technology transfers, and other intellectual property-related agreements. The firm also provides strategic advice on patent portfolio management, IP portfolio optimization, and IP monetization.
 

Global Reach

The firm has offices in eight cities across the United States, and also has offices in Europe and Asia. Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner has the resources and the expertise to handle all types of intellectual property law matters. The firm is well-positioned to meet the needs of its clients, whether it be patent prosecution, IP litigation, IP transactions, or IP strategy consulting.

The old adage, "Do one thing and do it well," might apply particularly well to Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, a 300-attorney law firm known for its world-class intellectual property practice. However, the numerous subdivisions of intellectual property law, which encompass such highly technical fields as nanotechnology, pharmaceutics, and computer software, add a rich complexity to the firm's narrow focus.

Founded in 1965 in Washington, DC, the firm's headquarters reside in convenient approximation to the Patent Trademark Office and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, two of its frequent battlegrounds. The firm has now expanded to include seven other offices in such hubs of technology and medicine as the Silicon Valley, Atlanta, and Tokyo.

Finnegan consistently earns top rankings for intellectual property law, including the #1 spot in the "Intellectual Property" rankings of the 2004 Vault Guide to the Top 100 Law Firms. Fortune 500 companies frequently cite Finnegan as the go-to firm for intellectual property counsel. Although the technical jargon of Finnegan's cases may sound quite foreign to the layperson, many of the firm's clients are such recognizable household names as Boeing, Sony, Toshiba, Yahoo!, and the British Broadcasting Company, to name just a few.

Also reputed for its appellate practice, Finnegan has appeared before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit more times than any other law firm. In fact, Finnegan's relationship with the court dates back to the 1980s, when Finnegan lawyers participated in the drafting of the court's rules and sat on its advisory board for its first 10 years of existence.

As one would expect from a firm dedicated to advocating for clients on highly technical issues, Finnegan provides state-of-the-art equipment for its lawyers and clients. A comprehensive extranet system allows clients to check patent information, pertinent files, or pleadings and memos, all with a standard Internet connection. The firm also boasts video-conferencing facilities and online docketing.

Getting hired at Finnegan requires a unique blend of skills and experience. While a judicial clerkship is not necessary, a strong technical background or trademark/copyright experience is standard criteria for Finnegan candidates. A high percentage of Finnegan lawyers back their J.D.s with Ph.D.s or other graduate degrees in the biological sciences, computer sciences, or engineering. In fact, the firm actively recruits non-J.D.s with technical degrees, who then pursue their law degree through night school. These "student associates" receive tuition reimbursement and reduced hours to accommodate exams.

Associates at Finnegan can expect not only a diverse and stimulating caseload, but also a diverse cultural environment, considerable training, and exciting pro bono opportunities. In the 2004 edition of the Vault Guide to the Top 100 Law Firms, Finnegan ranked in the top five for diversity for women and minorities and in the top 20 for gays and lesbians. The firm's commitment to training and community service is perhaps best exemplified in the Litigation Mentor Program, which allows young attorneys to broaden their trial-advocacy skills while defending underrepresented clients under the direction of a full-time litigation mentor.

In short, Finnegan's unique focus sets it apart from the vast majority of top U.S. law firms. While many lawyers may not have the desire or capability to represent clients in cases that demand an expert knowledge of organic chemistry or quantum physics, those talented few who thrive in the burgeoning field of intellectual property might find the perfect match in Finnegan.
 

• See Top 10 Reasons Most Law Firms Have No Idea How to Hire and Evaluate Patent Attorneys for more information.