Rt. 128 Elite: The Go-To Law Firms of Boston

Earlier this year, a leader in the field of litigation finance, our friends at Lake Whillans, provided a look at the “White Sandal” firms of Silicon Valley — an indisputable tech hub where all manner of innovation is thriving. Lake Whillans supports innovative entrepreneurs and businesses across the country, including those in other vital epicenters of tech innovation. Over the coming months, we will explore the legal markets in these hubs, each unique in its own right.

Today, we look to Boston, which is home to a flurry of startup activity, fueled by a robust level of venture capital funding and a high concentration of sheer talent, exemplified by world-class universities, notably Harvard and MIT.

Of course, the Boston legal market — like that of Silicon Valley — extends well beyond the cadre of long-established Biglaw titans (e.g., WilmerHale, Ropes & Gray) to include a complex ecosystem of specialist boutiques and smaller firms with deep local roots and thriving practices in areas ranging from estate planning to restructuring to white collar defense. And in these hotbed cities of tech and startup activity, there’s also plenty of cutting-edge patent, IPO, and M&A work.

In our series of White Sandal round-ups, Lake Whillans presents this handy primer on The Go-To Law Firms of Boston. These firms not only can handle every transactional need, but they do anything from taxes to setting up HR review processes. Engaging these firms can help the tech startups, unicorns, and venture capitalists of the new economy avoid or contain problems down the road. Should legal issues arise, Lake Whillans can step in and help resolve them.

1. Best Firm for One-Horned Horsey Creatures: Choate Hall & Stewart LLP

When it comes to finding investors for your latest pipe dream, there’s no one better to have in your corner than the folks at Choate. Headquartered and firmly rooted in Boston since 1899, the firm is consistently ranked among the best shops in the country for venture capital and private equity. With an emphasis on emerging companies, this transaction powerhouse has assisted clients in all sectors with more than $20 billion in public company security offerings since 2000 alone. When you’re ready to turn that crazy idea into a reality, these are the folks you want to call.

2. Best Firm for Patenting Your Algorithm or Application: Fish & Richardson

Founded in Boston in 1878, Fish & Richardson has risen to global prominence as one of the world’s premier intellectual property firms. For more than a century, the firm has been universally recognized as a patent law powerhouse. Assisting clients in every sector, from nanotechnology to alternative fuels to healthcare, the firm’s attorneys are dedicated to protecting innovation in all its forms. Not only can they help you apply for your patent, they have the litigation chops to protect your patent rights from infringers. This is unquestionably your go-to firm for all things patent-related.

3. Best Firm for Trademarking the Logo You Think Is So Cool: Sunstein Kann Murphy & Timbers LLP

This boutique IP firm provides a depth of trademark law expertise that belies the practice’s small size. Dedicated to trademark protection worldwide, the firm’s attorneys are adept at procuring and enforcing trademarks in every corner of the globe. With a roster of clients spanning every industry — from pharmaceuticals to the arts — this is the firm you need when your trademark rights are on the line. Beyond securing trademark rights, they have a proven track record of enforcing and defending those rights in tribunals and courts around the world.

4. Best Firm for Suing the Bigger Company That Stole Your Intellectual Property: Goodwin Procter LLP

Native to Beantown, Goodwin has spent the past century making a name for itself in all aspects of business law and litigation. Of particular note, the firm’s commitment to innovation has earned it wide renown as a leader in IP litigation, and the firm’s attorneys have rightly received accolades as one of the top IP practices in the country. With a dedication to serving Boston’s growing technology sector, they are prepared to handle all facets of trademark and patent litigation. If your intellectual property rights are in jeopardy, these are the folks you want to call.

5. Best Firm for When You Actually Find Yourself in a Courtroom: WilmerHale

With a team of nearly 500 litigators across the globe, WilmerHale has firmly cemented a spot among the elite litigation firms in the country. The Boston team is certainly no exception to the firm’s dispute-resolution greatness. Having made a name for itself in securities and white-collar work, Wilmer’s attorneys have more recently come to be known as the go-to people for intellectual property litigation. You will find the firm’s name on the dockets of many of the world’s biggest cases, spanning nearly every industry. Well versed in all aspects of litigation, there is one thing you can be sure of: These lawyers are not afraid of the courtroom.

6. Best Firm for Keeping That Glass Ceiling Off: Seyfarth Shaw LLP

A recognized leader in the field, this firm was one of the first to specialize in labor and employment law. Launched in 1999, the firm’s Boston office has carried on the practice of being innovators in this area of the law. The firm’s attorneys offer expertise in a range of employment matters, with an exclusive team devoted to pay-equity issues. With the fight for equal pay taking center stage in recent months, no company can afford to fall short or risk running afoul of the law when it comes to employee compensation. Seyfarth’s lawyers will not only help you avoid the risk of litigation, they’ll help you adopt practices that will allow you to maintain a competitive advantage.

7. Best Firm for Helping You Get Office Space: Hinckley Allen

Home to one of the Northeast’s largest real estate practices, Hinckley Allen is renowned for being one of the country’s top real estate law firms. Representing parties on all sides of transactions — from developers to tenants — this firm has cornered the market. No matter how small or complex your transaction may be, the firm’s lawyers have a proven track record of getting the job done right, on time and within budget. Whether you’re looking for a simple office lease or want to undertake a massive commercial redevelopment, these lawyers will deliver the personal service you need.

8. Best Firm to Keep You Out Of Prison: J. W. Carney, Jr. & Associates

From F. Lee Bailey to Alan Dershowitz, Boston has given us some of our country’s most famous criminal attorneys. With the members of O.J.’s dream team no longer practicing, the biggest player in the Boston criminal defense game these days is none other than J.W. Carney, Jr. Carney cemented his status as one of the legends of the criminal defense world with his defense of some of Boston’s most notorious figures, including mobster “Whitey” Bulger, accused terrorist Tarek Mehanna, and Planned Parenthood shooter John C. Salvi. On regular days, his practice routinely represents everyday criminals in all stages of the criminal justice process. If you’re facing heat from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Carney is the guy you want to call.

9. Best Firm to Win the Trial Over Your Intellectual Property: Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.

Founded in Prohibition-era Boston, this firm has risen to prominence as one of the premier intellectual property shops in the Northeast. The firm has played a seminal role in some of the country’s most historically important IP cases, and it has secured the largest jury verdict for trade secret infringement in Massachusetts history. Among the firm’s impressive roster of clients are Fortune 500 companies, cutting-edge startups and Nobel prize winners. No matter your IP issue, the lawyers at Wolf Greenfield have the technical know-how to handle it. When it comes to protecting your innovations, this firm will give you the advantage you need in the courtroom.

10. Best Firm for When You Need Estate Planning After Your IPO: Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP

For more than a century, the attorneys at Nutter have been providing unrivaled estate planning advice to high-net-worth individuals. Their services aren’t limited to just traditional legal advice; this firm does it all in the estate planning arena, often serving as fiduciaries, trustees and even guardians. With a focus on long-term planning and big-picture solutions, no aspect of your personal finances will be ignored. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of your company taking off. With these lawyers on your side, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your personal and family interests are covered as you focus on growing your business.

11. Best Firm to Advise Minority Shareholders: Rudolph Friedmann LLP

Rivaling the big firms in business law acumen, this small group of lawyers is your one-stop shop for all your corporate needs. With an entire practice devoted to shareholder and stockholder disputes, the firm has extensive experience advising both majority and minority stockholders about their rights. They’ve seen all the tricks that majority owners use to freeze out minority shareholders, and they’re prepared to defeat them. The firm’s attorneys will fight vigorously to protect your interests while trying to avoid a costly court battle. When the chips are down, though, the firm has the chops to fight for your rights via litigation or alternative-dispute resolution.

12. Best Firm to Independently Advise the Board of Directors: Duane Morris LLP

This multi-faceted firm has long been advising New England companies in all aspects of business law. With a heavy emphasis on corporate responsibility, the firm’s lawyers offer vast experience in establishing corporate compliance programs and advising on questions of corporate governance. Whether you have questions on reporting obligations or concerns about corporate accountability, this is the firm you want on your side. If you’re staring down criminal liability or regulatory sanctions, Duane Morris is your go-to firm for assessing your situation and mitigating the fallout.

13. Best Firm to Help You Make Sure You Have Capital to Keep the Lights On Until Daybreak: Gunderson Dettmer

Touting itself as the leading firm for entrepreneurs, emerging growth companies and venture capitalists, Gunderson sets itself apart from the field of all-purpose firms by focusing solely on the global venture capital and emerging technology marketplace. Their expertise is representing high-growth companies from all industries in all stages of development. Frequently praised for being the most active fund formation and transaction firm in the country, these are the people you want to talk to when you’re worried about having enough capital to keep your emerging company up and running.

14. Best Firm for Incorporating Your Two-Person Company Because Somebody Told You There Were Tax Benefits: UpCounsel

Offering an alternative to the traditional law firm model, UpCounsel has found success in marketing its services to companies without in-house counsel and providing access to legal services at prices small businesses can afford. The company recruits talent from top law firms and companies, and it allows clients to tap into that talent on a project-by-project basis. With attorneys vetted by specialty, you can choose the lawyer you want for exactly what you need done. With the money you save on legal services, you can grow your company into the empire you’ve always dreamed of.

15. Best Firm for Planning (or Avoiding) the Re-Startup: Foley Hoag LLP

Boston roots don’t get much deeper than Foley Hoag’s. Among an impressive offering of business law services, the firm boasts a strong bankruptcy and creditor-rights practice that will help you get back on your feet when times get tough. The firm’s lawyers have vast experience with federal and state bankruptcy proceedings and a proven track record of guiding clients through the Chapter 11 process. They know the ins and outs of distressed business scenarios, so if your business is struggling, this is the firm you need to get you through it.

16. Best Firm to Keep You Out of E-Discovery Hell: Mintz Levin

Technology has forever changed the landscape of litigation. E-discovery has taken center stage, leading to increased focus on records management — and big headaches for many a corporate legal department. There’s no question that E-discovery is an all-consuming task, and the lawyers with Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. are pros at tackling the job. With vast experience implementing e-discovery and document retention plans for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, this firm adeptly navigates the complicated E-discovery waters by implementing plans that work for your specific business. The firm’s lawyers will help manage your records on the front end so you can avoid a nightmare scenario when litigation comes around.

17. Best Firm for When You Are Ready to Get into the Asian Market: Ropes & Gray LLP

Founded 150 years ago, this venerable Boston institution has expanded far beyond its Boston roots to become a major player in the Asian markets. With offices in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, and Shanghai, the firm’s Asia Pacific practice group has intimate knowledge of Asia’s dynamic markets and a reach that far surpasses its presence on the ground. Representing everyone from investment banks to top tech innovators, the firm’s attorneys have a proven track record of assisting some of the world’s largest corporations with every aspect of business law, including M&A transactions, fund formation, capital markets issues and global IP litigation. Their market knowledge makes them the go-to firm for anyone in Boston hoping to become a player in the Asian arena.

18. Best Firm for Designing Your Employee Stock-Option Plan: Dechert LLP

Since 1987, Dechert’s Boston office has been advising clients on a range of corporate and financial matters. With a specific emphasis on benefit plans and executive compensation, the firm’s lawyers have vast experience designing retirement compensation plans that comply with all the relevant and confusing laws. From tax issues to golden parachutes, no aspect of employee benefits is too complicated for these corporate gurus to handle. For sound advice on stock options, this is your firm.

19. Best Firm for Lobbying Congress in Your Favor: Considine & Furey, LLP

If you’re in Boston and looking for a firm that knows its way around Capitol Hill, look no further than Considine & Furey. With a full roster of registered lobbyists and a large portion of the firm’s resources devoted to government relations, the firm is unrivaled in the city when it comes to lobbying for issues that matter most to your business. From automotive companies to emerging biotech firms, the firm’s attorneys are committed to obtaining the best possible results for their clients. When your livelihood relies on seeing results in Washington, this is the firm you call.

20. Best Jack-of-All-Trades Firm for High-Growth Companies: Skadden

The name Skadden has long been synonymous with greatness, and there’s no doubt this powerhouse firm can handle any legal question that’s thrown its way. Offering nearly every legal specialty imaginable, the firm continues to rise above the rest in the field of M&A. With a client roster that reads like a who’s who of the world’s Fortune 500 companies, the firm’s lawyers in 22 offices around the globe can take your business wherever it wants to go. Venture capitalists, emerging growth companies and entrepreneurs universally recognize this firm as the go-to shop for the most complex issues faced by high-growth companies in today’s market.

                                                                                                                                         

This column is by Lake Whillans Litigation Finance. To learn more about us, and litigation finance generally, visit us at our website at lakewhillans.com, Twitter or LinkedIn.