Alston & Bird LLP

Intellectual property is the lifeblood of many businesses in today’s competitive markets. Since the dawn of intellectual property as a specialty legal practice, Alston & Bird has been there to assist clients with identifying, protecting, managing and defending a myriad of intellectual property assets. From patent, trademark and copyright assets to trade secret, data privacy and domain name issues, our lawyers are versed in all nuances of intellectual property law today.

With a national practice of over 170 expert attorneys dedicated solely to the practice of IP law, our breadth and depth of expertise have earned us global acclaim for many years. Our attorneys are leaders in their specialties, keeping abreast of new developments and market trends and frequently writing for publications and speaking at industry events worldwide. Alston & Bird’s IP practice is recognized as a leader in providing exceptional client value and client service.

Intellectual Property Services

Advertising
Global Sourcing
Intellectual Property Litigation
Intellectual Property Due Diligence
ITC Section 337
Intellectual Property Licensing Transactions
Patent Prosecution, Counseling & Review
Patent Litigation
Privacy & Data Security
Trademark & Copyright
Trade Secrets
Technology Transactions

Accolades

Corporate Counsel recognized the intellectual property practice at Alston & Bird as a leader in corporate IP law. The firm tied for fourth on this prestigious list for its top-notch IP representation of some of America’s biggest companies (September 2011).

U.S. News & World Report recognized Alston & Bird’s intellectual property practice on their list of Best Lawyers for 2011-2012. The firm ranked in the prestigious Tier 1 in Litigation – Intellectual Property; Litigation – Patent; Patent Law; and Trademark Law. The publication ranked nearly 10,000 firms in 177 metropolitan areas (November 2011).

IP Law & Business has again recognized Alston & Bird’s intellectual property practice in their list of “Who Protects Innovation in America.” The list is based on companies ranked in the BusinessWeek-Boston Consulting Group list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Alston & Bird received multiple mentions in the patent prosecution and patent litigation categories, and we were among the firms with the most overall mentions (December 2009/January 2010).

Alston & Bird's approach to diversity has been one of commitment and action to establishing diversity as a basic element of the firm's culture. The pursuit of diversity is important to the firm -- not because it has become a criterion for those who hire law firms -- but rather because the firm fully embraces the value each individual brings to the firm. A diverse culture and a willingness to recognize and appreciate that diversity strengthen the firm every day. We are proud of the activities we support and the results we have achieved.

Initiatives  

• Alston & Bird has designated a senior partner with responsibility for supporting and enhancing diversity -- not just monitoring it. John Latham ([email protected] 404.881.7915) reports directly to the firm's managing partner and chairs a diversity committee comprised of attorneys and staff from all offices. The committee is responsible for implementing the firm's policy for diversity enhancement in all hiring decisions and for overseeing a work environment that embraces diversity.
• Each of our practice group leaders is held accountable by the firm's management for the diversity efforts of her or his practice group. The success or failure of these efforts directly impacts the evaluation and compensation of our practice group leaders.
• We work with Roosevelt Thomas Consulting & Training, experts in the diversity and diversity management field, to develop education programs for our attorneys and staff.
• We offer domestic partnership insurance benefits and have a longstanding policy against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
• Alston & Bird is a founding member and active in the Atlanta Large Firm Diversity Alliance and the Atlanta Legal Diversity Consortium.
• We proudly sponsor the Hispanic and Asian Bar Associations.

Awards and Commendations  

• Our workplace environment has been praised as one of the most open and receptive in the United States, not only among law firms, but also among all businesses. For the 14th consecutive year, Alston & Bird has been named to the list of FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For,"® including placement in the top 25 for seven consecutive years, four of which were in the top 10. 
• In 2013, Vault Inc. ranked Alston & Bird ninth in the United States in diversity issues with respect to minorities.
• Alston & Bird has received a top rating of 100 percent from the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 2012 Corporate Equality Index.  This is the eighth year in a row that Alston & Bird has received HRC’s perfect rating.
• Ben Johnson, the firm's former managing partner, received the Metro Atlanta YMCA Joseph C. Bransby Leadership Award, the highest award presented for outstanding volunteer service and recognition of exceptional leadership. Ben is also the recipient of the American Jewish Committee's Institute of Human Relations Award in recognition of his community activism and leadership in the battle against all forms of bigotry and discrimination and for his lifelong effort to promote human rights.
• The Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia has honored Alston & Bird with its "Outstanding Service to the G&L Community" award.