Patent litigation options Forum

[Anonymous User]

Which option is best?

[Anonymous User]

Which option is best?

I am in patent litigation at another top lit firm. We work across from Kirkland and Quinn a lot. Never seen WH in this space. That said, Kirkland picks a lot of unnecessary fights with us over stupid things. They seem like unpleasant people; I would not like to be a junior in that group. Quinn works hard but I don't see them as that sleazy.

[Anonymous User]

All are peer firms, but as to NY, WilmerHale is the best option. Had it been Chicago, it would have been Kirkland. Had it been California, it would have been Quinn.

[Anonymous User]

Also work in patent lit, based in CA but have been opposite from NY laywers at Kirkland and Quinn. Seconded the above poster who said Kirkland will pick fights over trivial things. Quinn has some real assholes too who I wouldn’t want to work for.

[Anonymous User]

Which option is best?

I am in patent litigation at another top lit firm. We work across from Kirkland and Quinn a lot. Never seen WH in this space. That said, Kirkland picks a lot of unnecessary fights with us over stupid things. They seem like unpleasant people; I would not like to be a junior in that group. Quinn works hard but I don't see them as that sleazy.

Do you think there are any substantive differences, or at this level just pick based on who seems more enjoyable to work with?

[Anonymous User]

Which option is best?

I am in patent litigation at another top lit firm. We work across from Kirkland and Quinn a lot. Never seen WH in this space. That said, Kirkland picks a lot of unnecessary fights with us over stupid things. They seem like unpleasant people; I would not like to be a junior in that group. Quinn works hard but I don't see them as that sleazy.

Do you think there are any substantive differences, or at this level just pick based on who seems more enjoyable to work with?

[Anonymous User]

Best for what? Best to work for as a 1L? Best to hire as a small/medium/large company that's been sued? Best for a mid-level? They each have strengths on different axes.

[Anonymous User]

Which option is best?

I am in patent litigation at another top lit firm. We work across from Kirkland and Quinn a lot. Never seen WH in this space. That said, Kirkland picks a lot of unnecessary fights with us over stupid things. They seem like unpleasant people; I would not like to be a junior in that group. Quinn works hard but I don't see them as that sleazy.

Do you think there are any substantive differences, or at this level just pick based on who seems more enjoyable to work with?

Kirkland if you want excellent training and great lateral opportunities a couple years in if you don't like it (with the understanding those years will be grueling). Some of the best attorneys I've met started at Kirkland.

Quinn if you absolutely, 100% know that's where you want to go and will fit in. Seriously, do not go to Quinn because of its reputation or its bonuses. Go ONLY if you like the culture. Other firms can offer you the same work.

Honestly don't know enough about Wilmer NYC, but wouldn't actively discourage someone from going to Wilmer for patent lit generally. If possible, figure out who will folks think will be the face of the group after Bill Lee.

[Anonymous User]

Best for what? Best to work for as a 1L? Best to hire as a small/medium/large company that's been sued? Best for a mid-level? They each have strengths on different axes.

Best to start off as an associate interested in IP lit in the high tech space

[ExpOriental]

Best for what? Best to work for as a 1L? Best to hire as a small/medium/large company that's been sued? Best for a mid-level? They each have strengths on different axes.

Wow great point. It's definitely not clear whether the OP is:

1. A prospective junior associate wondering which group to join, or

2. The GC of a F500 wondering which group to hire for a patent dispute.

Given that we're on a forum for law students, in the middle of OCI, it's basically impossible to say. It mystifies me that you would make such valuable contributions anonymously.

[ksm6969]

Has WH suffered at all from the termination of all the Apple Samsung suits? I know those suits provided unlimited hours to a lot of juniors, and just wondering if the firm feels it at all when something that huge goes away. Can’t imagine it’s easy to replace that workload.

[Anonymous User]

Which option is best?

I am in patent litigation at another top lit firm. We work across from Kirkland and Quinn a lot. Never seen WH in this space. That said, Kirkland picks a lot of unnecessary fights with us over stupid things. They seem like unpleasant people; I would not like to be a junior in that group. Quinn works hard but I don't see them as that sleazy.

Do you think there are any substantive differences, or at this level just pick based on who seems more enjoyable to work with?

Assuming you are a 1L looking for the best firm to join as a junior, I would say the most important things are lifestyle/day to day/like who you work with; opportunities for growth for juniors; prestige. If you want to go in house down the line and don't love your firm's client base, you can always lateral. If your firm isn't the right place to be a midlevel/senior, you can also lateral for that reason.

[Anonymous User]

Wilmer, absolutely Wilmer. I summered at Wilmer and chose it specifically for their IP/patent lit group, over an offer from Quinn who I had a very bad experience with. Wilmer has fantastic patent lit work, a fantastic group of people doing it, and great culture. Admittedly don't have much to say about Kirkland though.

[Anonymous User]

Wilmer, absolutely Wilmer. I summered at Wilmer and chose it specifically for their IP/patent lit group, over an offer from Quinn who I had a very bad experience with. Wilmer has fantastic patent lit work, a fantastic group of people doing it, and great culture. Admittedly don't have much to say about Kirkland though.

Is the 2 billion dollar verdict in VLSI v. Intel concerning at all? That seems like it would be a huge hit.

[Anonymous User]

Wilmer, absolutely Wilmer. I summered at Wilmer and chose it specifically for their IP/patent lit group, over an offer from Quinn who I had a very bad experience with. Wilmer has fantastic patent lit work, a fantastic group of people doing it, and great culture. Admittedly don't have much to say about Kirkland though.

Is the 2 billion dollar verdict in VLSI v. Intel concerning at all? That seems like it would be a huge hit.

Why would it be concerning? It's not like WilmerHale is responsible for the judgment, and Bill Lee's reputation isn't going to be tarnished by an adverse result in one of the largest, most closely watched patent trials of the last decade. That kind of thing only helps in the long run.

[Anonymous User]

Wilmer, absolutely Wilmer. I summered at Wilmer and chose it specifically for their IP/patent lit group, over an offer from Quinn who I had a very bad experience with. Wilmer has fantastic patent lit work, a fantastic group of people doing it, and great culture. Admittedly don't have much to say about Kirkland though.

Is the 2 billion dollar verdict in VLSI v. Intel concerning at all? That seems like it would be a huge hit.

Why would it be concerning? It's not like WilmerHale is responsible for the judgment, and Bill Lee's reputation isn't going to be tarnished by an adverse result in one of the largest, most closely watched patent trials of the last decade. That kind of thing only helps in the long run.

Not to mention its Morgan Chu on the other side and its tied at 1-1 with a tiebreaker in the pipeline

[Anonymous User]

duplicate

[Anonymous User]

All are peer firms, but as to NY, WilmerHale is the best option. Had it been Chicago, it would have been Kirkland. Had it been California, it would have been Quinn.

I am also interested in some of these firms IP lit. Curious as to why Kirkland is not in the lead here? Seems they have a bigger presence in NY. Also, importantly, does a focus on tech change the stakes at all? Are lateral opportunities the same?