The Managing IP Awards programme is the most comprehensive and widely respected IP law firm awards event in the legal industry. The programme covers several IP practice areas and more than 50 jurisdictions. Read about the practice areas and award categories here.

Each year our research analysts obtain information from thousands of firms, IP practitioners and their clients through interviews, email and online surveys. We ask firms and in-house teams to complete their respective research forms here.

Before compiling the shortlists, our researchers evaluate work data supplied by firms and, where applicable, reviewed publicly available information such as court and IP office records. They focus on work done or concluded in the previous year, particularly looking for case studies that were of great significance to clients and/or IP law and practice. Firms, companies and individuals can also win an award or be shortlisted based on our independent research findings. If appropriate and necessary, we can consider IP community work and corporate social responsibility initiatives when deciding the Firm of the Year and Practitioner of the Year award categories.

The research for the IP STARS rankings and the Managing IP Awards programme is rigorous and impartial. There is no fee to pay to participate in our research, but participation does not guarantee recognition. The awards are not influenced by any commercial relationship with Managing IP, and no firm or individual pay to influence the results. Any firm, regardless of its ranking in IP STARS, can win the Managing IP award.

The Managing IP Awards programme is distinct and separate from any other legal industry awards programmes organised and produced by a different research team within the Delinian group (see Associated Awards below).

Managing IP launched its awards programme in 2006. The programme has expanded and evolved over the years. In 2018, the event format changed to three regional ceremonies instead of a global IP awards event in the UK and a North America event in the US.

The ceremonies attract hundreds of guests, including in-house counsel and prominent public officials in the IP industry. See all the previous awards and winners since 2006 here.

For more information on the research process and submission for the Managing IP Awards, please email our research team here or contact Kingsley Egbuonu and Chris Adams.