A mainstay at the top of the patent contentious rankings, Weil Gotshal & Manges is on the short list of firms the world's largest companies turn to for IP litigation. "It has a deep bench," said a client. "It can really knock a case out of the park." The name Matthew Powers is synonymous with the firm's patent contentious practice, with legal commentators attributing the group's national profile to his successes. "Matt Powers is an unbelievable lawyer," said a rival. Other attorneys did earn nods: Silicon Valley-based Edward Reines, said a peer, is a "fabulous lawyer". Nicholas Groombridge, co-chair of the patent litigation department, and David Ball, of the Washington, DC, office were also recommended by a client.
The firm's trade mark group debuts in the contentious rankings this year, with its successful defence of eBay in an infringement action filed by Tiffany & Co. The case received widespread media attention for the implications an unfavourable decision for eBay would have had for ISPs. In November, the Supreme Court denied Tiffany's petition.