Ranking tables

Life Sciences | USA

Massachusetts

Life sciences focuses on the commercialisation of life sciences products (pharmaceuticals, medical devices and biotechnology programs etc). IP issues dominate as large pharmaceuticals seek to obtain innovative, impending blockbuster drugs from biotechs and other pharmaceutical companies. Also includes the licensing and acquisition of new products from other sources (often smaller biotechs to larger suppliers). This chapter includes advice on FDA issues and the increased focus on drug and device safety, which also appears in Healthcare.

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Cooley LLP
    1
    Cooley LLP
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 1 | 5 Years Ranked

    Cooley LLP has a well-equipped team in the Boston market able to support the full range of life sciences and biotechnology companies. The team is especially strong at handling transactional and commercial matters such as IPOs, private equity investments, SPAC mergers and licensing agreements. Cooley has further strength in IP, particularly in assisting clients with patent prosecution and portfolio management.

  2. Goodwin Procter LLP
    1
    Goodwin Procter LLP
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 1 | 5 Years Ranked

    Goodwin has broad experience advising early-stage life sciences companies on venture capital financings. strategic partnerships and IPOs. The group also houses significant patent prosecution and enforcement capability.

  3. Latham & Watkins LLP
    1
    Latham & Watkins LLP
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 1 | 5 Years Ranked

    Latham & Watkins offers significant depth of expertise in transactional life sciences matters. The team boasts strength in handling complex mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and SPAC deals, and has notable experience litigating high value patent infringement matters.

  4. Ropes & Gray LLP
    1
    Ropes & Gray LLP
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 1 | 5 Years Ranked

    Ropes & Gray's Boston-based office is well known for its transactional life sciences practice. The team has notable experience in handling complex collaboration and licensing agreements as well as private equity financing deals. The group is complemented by the firm's significant IP expertise.

  5. WilmerHale
    1
    WilmerHale
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 1 | 5 Years Ranked

    The WilmerHale life sciences team in Boston has a wide-ranging practice in the space. The team has robust expertise in both transactional and contentious matters. WilmerHale is well regarded for its ability to support clients throughout the venture capital financing cycle, as well as its adept negotiation of licensing agreements. The firm is also lauded for the depth of its IP group, regularly supporting clients with ANDA applications, Hatch-Waxman disputes and patent enforcement litigation.

2

Band 2

  1. Covington & Burling LLP
    2
    Covington & Burling LLP
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 2 | 2 Years Ranked

    Covington & Burling is widely respected for its life sciences regulatory expertise, as well as its capabilities in the negotiation of collaboration and licensing agreements. This is supplemented by impressive experience in capital markets and white-collar work.

  2. Greenberg Traurig, LLP
    2
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 2 | 5 Years Ranked
    Greenberg Traurig houses broad life sciences capabilities. The team is noted for its deep experience advising early-stage companies on patent prosecution and IP strategy and management, with further capabilities in complex IP litigation and regulatory matters.
  3. Mintz
    2
    Mintz
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 2 | 5 Years Ranked

    Mintz's Boston team has broad and deep experience advising life sciences sector clients. The team is particularly adept representing and counseling clients on transactional matters, including licensing and collaboration agreements, M&A, IPOs and venture capital financing. The group fields additional expertise in patent portfolio management and related litigation.

  4. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
    2
    Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 2 | 5 Years Ranked

    Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati offers broad life sciences expertise. The firm is regularly called upon to advise early and late-stage biotechnology companies on private equity financing and IPO matters. The group has further experience advising on patent portfolio management and enforcement, as well as an impressive transactional team advising on cross-border licensing and collaborations.

3

Band 3

  1. Choate Hall & Stewart LLP
    3
    Choate Hall & Stewart LLP
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    Boston-based Choate Hall & Stewart has the ability to adeptly handle a broad range of matters for life sciences companies. The team is highly regarded for its offering providing support on a range of transactional matters including M&A and venture capital investment. The team has further strength in advising on patent prosecution and intellectual property strategy for emerging and established life sciences companies.
  2. Foley & Lardner LLP
    3
    Foley & Lardner LLP
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked

    Foley & Lardner advises life sciences clients on a full spectrum of regulatory, corporate and transactional matters. The group has experience of working with companies at all stages of their life cycles, from startups to established global players.

  3. Foley Hoag LLP
    3
    Foley Hoag LLP
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked

    Foley Hoag LLP's Massachusetts-based team provides extensive support to clients in the life sciences sector. The group has a wealth of experience advising early-stage companies on matters including IPOs, venture capital financing and patent management and prosecution.

  4. K&L Gates
    3
    K&L Gates
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked

    K&L Gates is highlighted for its strong IP work in the life sciences industry. The team fields expertise in global patent portfolio management and IP litigation, which it leverages for a broad client base of biotech and pharma companies.

  5. Lathrop GPM
    3
    Lathrop GPM
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked

    Lathrop GPM is able to offer clients deep and extensive services related to IP management. The Boston-based team is noted for its patent prosecution, due diligence, licensing and IP enforcement expertise within the life sciences industry.

  6. McDermott Will & Schulte
    3
    McDermott Will & Schulte
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked

    McDermott Will & Schulte stands out for its patent prosecution and litigation expertise, as well as its broader IP services. The group regularly represents significant clients in the life sciences space, often working for both multinationals and startups.

  7. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
    3
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 3 | 4 Years Ranked
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius is regularly called upon to advise emerging and established life sciences companies on a wide range of transactional matters, including major financings, joint venture agreements and M&A. The firm offers additional strength in IP-related matters, including prosecution and portfolio management, as well as high-stakes litigation.
  8. Morrison Foerster
    3
    Morrison Foerster
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked

    Morrison Foerster regularly represent life sciences and healthcare clients in a breadth of patent work, including portfolio management and strategy. The group fields additional expertise in the negotiation of significant collaboration and licensing agreements.

  9. Sidley Austin LLP
    3
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Life Sciences
    2026 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked

    Sidley Austin LLP houses a sophisticated life sciences practice, recognized for its IP and transactional work. The group routinely advises significant clients on financings, M&A and commercial agreements, and fields additional expertise in IP portfolio management and patent litigation. The team also offers notable regulatory expertise, assisting with FDA and healthcare compliance.