Why everyone's talking about Finnegan

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 4 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AX

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Why everyone's talking about Finnegan

It was a notable day for the US law firm Finnegan yesterday. Veteran litigator Don Dunner made his debut at the US Supreme Court at almost exactly the same time as the firm marked the opening of its London office with a seminar and reception

finnegan-london-400.jpg

Dunner was representing Allcare in one of two cases concerning attorneys fees heard by the Court yesterday (see our preview for more details). I haven’t seen any reviews of his performance yet, though he’s to be congratulated on generating some laughter in the Court, thanks to banter with Chief Justice Roberts over – ironically – legal fees (see transcript, page 30).

Meanwhile, many of the firm’s top names had flown over from Washington DC to the UK for its seminar. Christine Lehman gave us a useful guide to the International Trade Commission, including the controversy surrounding the Federal Circuit’s recent Suprema decision, while Gregory Gramenopoulos provided some fascinating figures on IPR and CBM cases at the USPTO. He revealed that over 1,000 have been filed, of which 70% are in the electrical/computing area; so far, only one patent has been partially upheld. As he said, the best advice to patent owners is “try not to get into one of these proceedings!”

Interesting as these presentations were, I think many in the audience more curious about why Finnegan has chosen to move its Brussels office to London (right) now. Is it to be closer to clients? Is it more about being well-positioned for the pharmaceutical branch of the UPC central division when it launches? Will the firm compete directly for UK and European work with solicitors and/or patent attorneys? If so, how will that affect its relationships with London-based firms (many of whom were represented at the opening yesterday)? Will it open more offices in Europe (Paris and Munich are the most likely locations)? Above all, will it fare better than other US-based firms that have entered the UK market?

James Monroe

The UK practitioners looking nervously around the room would not have got many answers to these questions – though managing partner James Monroe (left) did note in his opening remarks that “it’s a good time to be a patent lawyer in general” thanks to ever more complex and convoluted laws. The firm says it is hiring to boost its London team (which consists of three fee earners, according to its website), so its intentions should become clearer soon.

With US rival Quinn Emanuel also making an impact on IP work in Europe (though not yet in the UK), European practitioners will be closely watching further developments. The only thing you could safely say after last night is that ‑ with canapés including fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, toad-in-the-hole, scones and strawberries ‑ Finnegan was doing everything it could to make its British guests feel at home.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

While business has been tough, foreign law firms with IP practices that have decided to stay put in China reveal why they are optimistic
Managing IP will host a ceremony in London on April 10 to reveal the winners of the EMEA Awards 2025
The Intellectual Property Judges' Association wrote to the European Commission just days before the proposals were shelved, it can be revealed
Karla Hughes and Adrian Dykes also join the former global IP head as partners in London, while another partner has left for Clifford Chance
A law firm restricting its employees’ use of AI, a leadership change at Siemens, and ‘probably’ the best trademark news Carlsberg could hope for, were among the top talking points
Former USPTO director Vidal, who rejoined Winston & Strawn after leaving the agency, explains why she got involved in an amicus brief related to jury instructions and Section 101
The judgment clarifies that being employed by a company does not necessarily undermine someone’s independence and ability to appear in court
The EU scrapping a controversial FRAND regulation gives the bloc a chance to properly engage with stakeholders to determine an appropriate way forward
Judd Lauter, who helped his client get a copyright registration for a creative work comprising of AI-generated parts, explains how his team obtained the registration
Ali Razai explains why he and his team joined the firm from Knobbe Martens and why he hopes to do ‘even more’ life sciences work
Gift this article