BigLaw’s brightest minds can be found at this DC hotshot, which has trademarked excellence in all things IP.
Sterne Kessler Lateral Profile 2025
“Sterne Kessler’s reputation for IP is unmatched, they do everything!” raved one interviewee. “Some firms offer just prosecution but I wanted every aspect so I can discover what I enjoy the most.” According to the firm’s managing partner Mike Ray, this balanced approach is intentional: “Our goal is to have 50% of our hours on litigation and 50% in strategy and counseling work, and this allows us to do neat things.” And it’s working, as over at Chambers USA, the firm tops the pile for patent prosecution work in Columbia for the fifth consecutive year. In fact, they are the only firm holding that title! Not to mention their intellectual property litigation work too.
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Why did you join your firm? Associates say…
“It was less hierarchical than other firms. The firm encourages people to speak up during meetings and participate. Younger attorneys get more opportunities to take depositions and speak at hearings.”“I was initially attracted to the diversity of IP work available at the firm. I wanted to, and have, work in PTAB litigation and district court cases. After interviewing with the firm, I realized that they have a unique group of people who really enjoy technology and like to learn and solve problems.”
“Sterne Kessler has the perfect blend of high-caliber clientele, high-stakes litigation, elite personnel, and a collaborative environment that fosters growth.”
“It seemed like a great place to do IP work, and people seemed like a pleasure to work. There is also a strong culture of mentoring young attorneys and developing young attorneys for future partnership.”
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2025
Biotechnology & chemical (patent preparation & prosecution) careers
The view from the firm: Our Biotechnology & Chemistry practice group works on the cutting edge of innovation in the life sciences, industrial biotechnology, specialty chemicals, and materials science. Our team represents award-winning technologies such as Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (the first immunotherapy approved for cancer treatment), AbbVie’s Humira, the University of California’s CRISPR gene-editing technology, and many other game-changing technologies. Most importantly, we have the best team in biotechology and chemical IP – a team deep with scientific training (>40 Ph.D.s and many more advanced technical degrees) and legal acumen.
Biotechnology & chemical clients: Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (the first immunotherapy approved for cancer treatment), AbbVie’s Humira, the University of California’s CRISPR gene-editing technology, and many other game-changing technologies.
Recent work highlight: Representing some of the largest generic drug companies in the world, helping them navigate a pathway to offering lower-cost, lifesaving drugs in the US market.
Electronics (patent preparation & prosecution) careers
The view from the firm: We are among the first to see the newest developments in a number of technology areas (wireless, semiconductors, nanotech, optics, lasers and LEDs, software and apps, etc.). Our work is overwhelmingly done directly with and for inventors – not U.S. applications originated by foreign law firms. Associates work directly with the most inventive minds in the US.
Our commitment to patent prep/pros ensures that our people and teams have a deep understanding of patents (the real cornerstone of IP). We have an integrated litigation practice that puts a high value on technical expertise and patent knowledge – you don’t have to be a litigator to play an integral role in IP litigation at Sterne Kessler.
We have a long-established training program of one-on-one, group, and external training courses that help to build, maintain, and fine tune fundamental knowledge and writing skills needed to be a fully rounded attorney.
Mechanical & design (patent preparation & prosecution) careers
The view from the firm: Our Mechanical & Design practice represents some of the most well-known brand name companies in the world. Sterne Kessler associates work on innovations for companies that are household names. Our design patent team is regularly lauded as among the most productive and best in the the world.
Our Mechanical patent team works on diverse, cutting-edge technologies across a wide range of industries including medical devices, laboratory equipment, sports equipment, wearable electronics, automotive parts and systems, and many others.
The practice has a diverse body of client work including a robust patent prosecution practice (both design patents and utility patents in the mechanical arts), a leading PTAB litigation practice, and active engagement in district court and ITC litigation.
Mechanical & design clients: Apple, Pepsi, adidas, TaylorMade Golf, Oakley.
Recent work highlight: Secured the design patents that were at the center of Apple v. Samsung, creating a judgment and final settlement in excess of a half billion dollars.
Trial & appellate careers
The view from the firm: Our Trial & Appellate practice provides an opportunity to work across diverse technologies and venues – ensuring that as an associate’s career advances, their knowledge, experience, and skills will grow as well. Our practice at the US International Trade Commission is in the top 5% of the most active practices at the ITC year after year. We represent both complainants and respondents at the ITC across technologies as diverse as LED lighting, biotechnology (anti-venom), road milling machinery, e-cigarettes, RFID sensors, and many others. Likewise, our district court litigation practice represents a diverse cross-section of technologies –pharmaceuticals, flat panel displays, state-of-the-art golf clubs, telecommunications systems, network security software, and many more. Our district court practice includes one of the finest ANDA litigation practices in the US, representing some of the largest and most sophisticated drug companies in the world.
We are able to leverage and gain synergy with one of the top PTAB litigation practices in the US. Our litigators are quite adept at working across venues – including across jurisdictions beyond the US. We integrate effectively with Sterne Kessler’s technology and patent practices. This enables us to tap deep into the technical expertise of our 50+ Ph.D.s and the patent knowledge of our industry leading prosecution practice, arming our courtroom litigators with a tremendous advantage. Our appellate practice is staffed by a team of former Supreme Court, Federal Circuit, and other appellate clerks. Our appellate practice is among the most active at the Federal Circuit. Some of our litigation clients include Volkswagen Group of America, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, and Roku.
Trial and appellate clients: Volkswagen Group of America, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Roku.
Intellectual property - patent trial and appeals board litigation careers
The view from the firm: Sterne Kessler has industry-leading experience in all proceedings before the USPTO's Patent Trial and Appeal Board, including interferences, inter partes review (IPR), post grant review (PGR), covered business methods reviews (CBM), derivation proceedings, reexamination and opposition. We were named the first "PTAB Firm of the Year", given that we literally wrote the book on PTO litigation! We have litigated over 1,000 PTAB proceedings—more than nearly any other firm. Having the leading PTAB practice has a number of benefits. Associates will become a better IP lawyer by seeing the strengths and weaknesses in our own and others’ patents as well as getting a diverse experience working on a healthy balance of both Patent Owner and Petitioner sides of cases.
Trial and appellate clients: Volkswagen Group of America, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Roku.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
5 |
0.7 : 1 |
83% |
||
|
partners made in 2024 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
72% |
73% |
69% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with childcare/caregiver responsibilities | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
Hours & Compensation
|
no requirement |
13 |
45.8 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
62% |
54% |
48% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
felt like they could take vacation/annual leave on their own terms |
found the firm's claims around bonus allocation to be authentic |
Salaries
*The firm did not disclose salaries.
The view from the firm: Sterne Kessler is committed to ensuring that all our attorneys have the opportunity to balance their work and life commitments by participating in our Flexible Hours Program. All attorneys have the opportunity to select their billable hour goal, which can range from 1,400 hours to 2,000 hours. Bonus amounts are determined based on objective factors (e.g. billable hours) and subjective factors (e.g. doing high quality and creative legal work, assisting with client management and client development, assisting with marketing and branding of the firm, training/mentoring other timekeepers, working on behalf of firm committees, participating in organizations that enhance the firm’s visibility and stature, as well as other contributions to the firm).
Sterne Kessler has an active pro bono practice, which aims to help empower disenfranchised and impoverished communities seeking to promote and protect their intellectual property assets by integrating legal concepts from the areas of IP law with economic, social, and cultural human rights. Hours worked for our pro bono clients are counted toward billable hours goals, exactly the same as hours worked for our commercial clients.
Is Sterne Kessler the right firm for you?
|
77% |
88% |
77% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work they received was of the right quality |
felt that they chose the right firm |
The view from the firm: Sterne Kessler practitioners include patent and trademark prosecutors, litigators and appellate attorneys, as well as scientists and engineers working as patent agents and technical specialists in a diverse and vibrant culture unlike any other. We combine our technical minds and legal muscle with the goal of having the right individuals around the table — those that have the most relevant experience and background related to the technology and the legal issues in play.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“My team's personality matches and complements mine. I feel valued and receive constructive criticism which I greatly appreciate for improvement.”
“The firm is established and inclusive. I also enjoy the camaraderie amongst employees. The firm has great benefits, and the work is cutting-edge and involves important technology.”
“I enjoy the people I work with and the things I work on. I feel that the firm is supportive of you trying out things so you can find what works for you.”
Pro Bono
|
6 |
90% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm puts effort towards its commitment to pro bono and social impact activity |
Pro bono highlights: Ecoflora Cares (IP and human rights); Karen Howell (criminal law – post-conviction); Military-Veterans Advocacy (veterans law); DC Bar Association Small Business IP Legal Clinic; Cardozo Patent Diversity Project (patent prosecution and IP counseling).
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Cassandra Kowal
ckowal@sternekessler.com
202-772-8830