Overview
Introduction
Top-ranked for intellectual property and one of the largest law firms focusing exclusively in the field, Finnegan is well known for its work in patent, trademark, copyright, trade secrets, false advertising, and licensing law—and its professionals have quite an impressive array of tech experience. The firm takes training seriously, with extensive formal programming and an emphasis on mentoring. Those seeking a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere will feel at home here.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2022)
No. of Partners Named (2022)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2022)
No. of Summer Associates (2022)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
If you are interested in domestic and international intellectual property work, you would be hard-pressed to find a better landing spot than Finnegan Henderson. With its pedigree and reputation, hiring is a competitive process—key considerations are grades, journal or moot court experience, work experience, and scientific expertise or a technical background. Attorneys work hard, but do so in a friendly, congenial office environment where people support each other and enjoy spending time together socially. Partners appreciate associates and value their efforts, and provide regular feedback because they care about associates’ professional development. The firm’s structured training program and mentoring program are vibrant, and informal offerings are effective as well. Finnegan impl...
Firm's Response
Finnegan values individuals who are smart, hardworking, self-motivated, mature, intellectually curious, and committed to excelling in intellectual property law. Our firm is committed to promoting and strengthening a diverse workplace. We promote a working environment of teamwork, congeniality, and mutual trust, where all employees are trea...
About the Firm
Finnegan is synonymous with intellectual property—a true full-service IP firm with experts in every industry and technology. Considered one of the world’s top intellectual property law firms, Finnegan employs more than 700 people, including nearly 300 IP professionals, befitting its role as an IP giant.
IP Vision
Marc Finnegan and Douglas Henderson teamed up in 1965 to open a shop in Washington, DC, that practiced only intellectual property law. The firm’s focus has not changed, although its scope has expanded to cover virtually every aspect of patent, trademark, and copyright law, including counseling, prosecution, licensing, portfolio management and litigation. Finnegan also represents clients in IP issues relating to advertising, trade secrets, European patents and trademarks,...
Associate Reviews
- “The day-to-day atmosphere is very friendly and collegial. Attorneys are more than willing to help each other and we frequently hold both formal and impromptu social events.”
- “We are a work hard, play hard firm. The culture involves putting in long hours to get the best result for our client. At the end of the day, however, we like to celebrate our firm. The day-to-day atmosphere is very collegial. When we are in the office, it is not uncommon for partners and associates to drop by my office to catch up, ask about my family, or grab a coffee. The lawyers and staff also have great relationships. Many staff members engage with attorneys outside the firm and participate in social events.”
- “The firm culture at Finnegan is the reason I stay at the firm. I am genuinely friends with people from work. Several associates attended my wedding, and I have been on vacations with friends from the firm and their spouses. There are at least monthly all-office gatherings after work, and smaller groups of friends and teams socialize after work weekly. The relationships between lawyers and staff are also very friendly and supportive.”
Diversity at Finnegan
Getting Hired Here
- “As a boutique firm, Finnegan does not really have particular ‘feeder schools’ like some larger firms have. Instead, Finnegan really values technical and scientific expertise, and willingness to learn and be part of a team. That's one of my favorite aspects of Finnegan—everyone is really down to earth and won't turn a candidate down simply based on the school they went to.”
- “The firm takes a whole package approach. Grades, law school rank, journal/moot court experience, prior work experience, diversity, and most importantly, personality. It's like the firm would prefer to only hire its attorneys straight out of law school and want people to invest in to make partner, so you'd better be a person we would like to have through partnership.”
- “The firm does not have a strict hiring process. There is a wide diversity of schools. The primary factors for hiring are interest in IP and a technical background. There is also some filtering based on personality.”
