Arnold & Porter provides integrated and comprehensive counsel to global biopharma, biotech and medical device/diagnostic companies. It has a strong presence in regulatory and compliance areas relating to FDA legislative strategies and pharmaceutical, biologics and medical device companies, with experts such as Dan Kracov, Mahnu Davar and Allison Shuren. Howard Sklamberg’s expertise in global inspections and biomedical supply chains also contributes to the practice’s international reach. Demonstrating the practice’s tangible influence in government, Jeffrey Handwerker led the firm’s representation of PhRMA’s response to the Inflation Reduction Act as well as its constitutional challenges. The practice also leveraged its extensive expertise to advise life sciences businesses in novel challenges stemming from the development of Covid-19 vaccines, drugs, medical devices, and diagnostics. Additionally, the team’s activity branches to transactional matters, investigations and dispute resolutions, and IP and litigation strategies. Its successful representation of Sanofi and Regeneron in its case against Amgen is exemplary evidence of the latter. Key figures in the practice include Abeba Habtemariam, advising on regulatory, compliance, and legislative matters, and Kristin Hicks, who focuses on counseling and litigation. Giselle Joffre, Brian Dunphy and Todd Boudreau joined the life sciences and healthcare-focused Boston office in 2024, with Eva Temkin joining Washington DC’s regulatory practice.

Cooley LLP is a leader across life sciences and healthcare transactions, with significant work in research, licensing and collaboration agreements, M&A, financing, and IPOs. The practice also works on IP strategic counseling and litigation, with San Diego’s Chad Shear leading the firm’s efforts on the latter in 2024. The firm has also led cross-border M&A, demonstrating its ability to work collaboratively across its global offices. The team is headed by Reston-based Christian Plaza and Boston’s Marc Recht, both vastly experienced in public and private transactions, including M&A, securities, and strategic partnerships and collaborations. Showcasing the firm’s strength in supporting partnering transactions, Palo Alto’s Kate Hillier and Lila Hope led the firm’s representation of SystImmune on the license and collaboration agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb, with a potential value of $8.4bn. Another key member of the team is Ken Krisko, based in Reston, who advises on a range of commercial and corporate finance matters. James Schneider returned to the Boston office in 2024, focusing on emerging companies and venture capital in the life science market.

Hogan Lovells US LLP’s substantial life sciences and healthcare industry sector is headed by Philadelphia-based Steve Abrams, experienced in capital markets and securities regulation, and regulatory expert Lynn Mehler, in Washington DC. With significant activity on the regulatory side, the firm counts on experts such as David Fox and Jodi Scott, who support clients on FDA matters from DC and Denver, respectively. Also in DC, Randy Prebula focuses on medical devices and technology regulatory work, while Komal Karnik Nigam is experienced in the intersection of complex regulatory and scientific issues. The team also counsels on capital market transactions, such as FPOs, and supports companies’ funding by facilitating strategic transactions and equity financing, with Houston’s Andrew Strong concentrating on emerging companies. On the other hand, Baltimore-based Lauren Colton is one of the firm’s experts in product liability. The firm is also active in IP, including patent litigation, with Cullen Taylor and Anishiya Abrol in Northern Virginia and DC, respectively, focusing on licensing and commercial transactions. In 2024, the Boston team expanded with the arrival of Brian Carey from Foley Hoag LLP, adding to the firm’s regulatory and legislative expertise; similarly, New York saw the arrival of capital markets expert Rupa Briggs from Cooley LLP.

McDermott Will & Emery LLP advises on IP, regulatory, transactional, and litigation matters relating to life sciences at a national and international level. Its client base includes internationally recognized life sciences companies in healthcare, life sciences, pharma, and biotech. The team advises clients on matters across all phases of product development, with vast experience acting as regulatory counsel in legislative compliance and strategies. The practice stands out for its strong IP experience, including patent building, maintenance, enforcement, and prosecution. It currently represents Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in infringement lawsuits against Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech regarding their COVID-19 vaccines, with Sarah Chapin Columbia being one of the lead partners. Silicon Valley’s Judy Mohr also serves as IP counsel to QuidelOrtho Corporation regarding corporate transactions and its patent estate. The practice is co-headed by Douglas Carsten and James Ravitz, who focus on intellectual property and FDA regulations, respectively. Kristian Werling, transactions specialist, and Byron Kalogerou, who founded the firm’s life sciences practice, are the firm’s key corporate matters experts. First chair litigator Michael Sitzman joined the practice in November 2024 from DLA Piper LLP (US).

Ropes & Gray LLP supports key life sciences businesses on transactional, regulatory, litigation, and enforcement matters at every stage of the product development cycle. The firm has a strong corporate and commercial practice, with work across licensing and agreement collaborations, capital markets transactions, and M&A, among others; the latter is evidenced by its representation of ImmunoGen in its $10.1bn sale to AbbVie, completed in February 2024. The team is experienced in IP matters, including Hatch-Waxman litigation and due diligence of patent portfolios, while also supporting emerging companies and working on novel digital health issues. The practice is headed by Washington DC’s Kellie Combs, who specializes in FDA regulatory matters as well as the Public Health Service Act, and commercial transactions and strategic investments expert Michael Beauvais, based in Boston. Other key individuals in the team include DC’s Gregory Levine, who advises clients on FDA regulation of pharmaceuticals, biotech, and medical devices, supporting the company’s regulatory expertise. Marc Rubenstein retired from the practice in early 2025.

Dechert LLP’s global team advises leading life sciences companies in both contentious and non-contentious matters. The practice is particularly strong in IP, with figures such as New York-based first-chair attorney Katherine Helm leading in patent litigation. The team is also involved in antitrust and product liability matters, an example of the latter being its role as lead national counsel for GlaxoSmithKline in the multi-district and state-court mass tort litigation concerning allegations that Zantac causes cancer. It has also advised in matters at the increasingly significant intersection of healthcare data privacy and tech. The practice is headed by Boston-based Andrea Reid, an IP counseling and prosecution expert, and New York’s David Rosenthal, who focuses on the team’s corporate and financial transactions work. Jennifer Csik Hutchens joined the Charlotte office from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in January 2025, expanding the team’s regulatory expertise.

Goodwin’s global practice advises biotech, pharma, and healthcare companies, along with life science venture capital and investment firms. The growing practice supports clients in matters as wide-ranging as regulatory compliance, IP and M&A. The team’s representation of Prime Medicine in its $3.5bn deal with Bristol Myers Squibb evidences its excellence in research collaboration and license agreement matters. The practice is headed by Kingsley Taft, vastly experienced in commercial, financing and capital market transactions, and Mitchell Bloom, who specializes in emerging companies and life sciences investors. Both in Boston, transactional lawyer Robert Puopolo and Marishka DeToy, who focuses on capital markets and corporate matters, are key figures in the practice. In DC, Steven Tjoe focuses on product development strategies and FDA regulatory counseling. Arriving on the Boston-based team from Cooley LLP are Joshua Rottner, venture capital and growth equity funds specialist, and Michael McGrail, focused on medical devices and life sciences. Other key hires include litigation expert Michael Siekman, arriving in Boston from McDermott Will & Emery LLP, M&A specialist Amanda Gill, from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, and IP lawyer Carl Morales, from Fenwick & West LLP; the latter two are based in New York.

King & Spalding LLP advises industry-leading and start-up clients on a range of life sciences matters, including regulatory work – namely counsel, compliance, investigations, and enforcement – and complex disputes and transactions. Also active in litigation, the firm represents manufacturers in matters related to price control provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act as well as the 340B program. The practice is led by Nikki Reeves, Mark Brown, and Seth Lundy, all FDA regulatory experts based in Washington DC. Also in DC, Brian Bohnenkamp supports clients in fraud and abuse investigations and Lisa Dwyer develops creative FDA regulatory strategies. The team saw significant expansion in 2024, with 11 new partners joining the firm. Among these are Austin-based Kim Bueno and Christopher Cowan as well as Amy Pepke and Tara Blake, both in Houston; all joined from Butler Snow LLP and are experienced in product liability and mass tort trials. Another noteworthy addition to the team is Robert Hur, who returned to the firm’s Washington DC office after serving in several leadership positions at the US Department of Justice.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP advises biotech, medical devices, and pharma clients, with notable strength in transactional matters, including M&A, collaboration, and financing. The firm also handles regulatory matters and IP, including due diligence and litigation. The practice is led by Washington DC’s Michele Buenafe, experienced in medical devices and digital health regulations, compliance, and enforcement. Also in DC, Kathleen Sanzo is a regulatory and compliance issues expert, with Princeton’s Alan Leeds negotiating transactions and complex collaborations. Both Chicago-based, Michael Abernathy focuses on patent, trade secret, and antitrust litigation, whereas Christopher Betti concentrates on IP prosecution and portfolio management. Both in Chicago and San Francisco is Benjamin Pensak, working on collaborations such as acquisitions, licensing, and joint ventures. Litigator Brian Shaffer and corporate ethics and compliance expert Amy Schuh are both in Philadelphia. Stephen Forster joined the DC office from an in-house role, focusing on compliance counseling and transactions related to drug pricing. Arriving from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is Boston-based Stephen Hall, a trial lawyer and litigator focused on commercial disputes and product liability.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP advises leading life sciences and private equity companies on corporate transactions and complex and large-scale litigation. The practice also counsels on the regulatory aspects of transactions, as well as regulatory compliance and enforcement. The practice is co-chaired by six lawyers, including New York-based Andrew Bab, Jennifer Chu, and Kevin Rinker, all advising on corporate transactions such as M&A and joint ventures, with the latter also working on private equity. Also in New York are Mark Goodman, experienced in civil litigation, white-collar defense, and internal investigations, and Maura Monaghan, who works in criminal investigations, arbitration, and commercial litigation – including product liability and mass tort. On the regulatory side is Paul Rubin, in Washington DC, who counsels on FDA strategy, compliance, and enforcement.

Morrison Foerster counsels clients at the intersection of life sciences, healthcare, and technology across their business lifecycles. With a ‘very strong scientific foundation’, the firm has a strong IP practice, proficient in litigation, counsel strategy, prosecution, and licensing and commercialization agreements. The firm is also active in the regulatory, corporate transactions, and emerging companies and venture capital spaces. Michael Ward, an expert in agricultural IP prosecution and portfolios, leads the team with co-head and patent litigator Daralyn Durie; both are based in San Francisco. Brigid Bondoc leads the FDA team from Washington DC, whereas Palo Alto’s Catherine Polizzi and San Diego-based Karen Potter are patent specialists. New additions to the team include IP litigators Todd Krause, Bindu Donovan, and Alyssa Monsen – all joining the New York office from Desmarais LLP.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has notable expertise at the intersection of life sciences and tech. The firm’s vast work comprises capital raising, M&A, IP counseling and litigation, licensing agreements, and product liability litigation. It is led by Los Angeles-based David Gindler, focusing on IP litigation and licensing, alongside co-heads Thora Johnson in Washington DC, concentrating on data privacy and health tech regulations, and Stephen Thau, a transactional matters specialist in New York. The team welcomed new partners, including New York patent litigator Irena Royzman, joining from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, and Boston’s David Sharrow from Gunderson Dettmer LLP, experienced in commercial transactions. The FDA and regulatory team grew with the addition of Georgia Ravitz, joining the DC team from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Amy Joseph, and Jeremy Sherer; the latter two joined the Boston team from Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, PC.

Paul Hastings LLP advises clients across the life sciences industry on national and international matters throughout the product lifecycle. It handles regulatory and compliance matters, as well as investigations and enforcement actions. The practice is headed by New York-based Gary Giampetruzzi and Houston’s Joy Dowdle, both advising on regulatory and compliance matters in addition to high-stakes internal and governmental investigations. DC-based Peter Lindsay is another key figure in the practice, leading the regulatory and enforcement practice, as well as advising on FDA aspects of transactions and M&A. Morgan Miller, Jonathan Steves, and Jane Yoon are experienced in compliance and cross-border investigations, with focus areas including fraud, corruption, and financial issues; they are based in Washington DC, Orange County, and New York, respectively.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP advises life sciences clients on major M&A, with notable strength in acquisitions and dispositions, corporate restructurings, and joint ventures. The firm also handles litigation related to Medicaid, Medicare and insurance fraud, the False Claims Act,  mass torts, and securities, as well as Congressional investigations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. On the regulatory side, it provides FDA regulatory diligence in connection with acquisitions, divestitures, financing, and investments, along with guidance on compliance and corporate governance. Also in Boston, Laura Knoll focuses on M&A and general corporate matters, including shareholder activism defense and securities compliance. Graham Robinson has left the firm.

WilmerHale’s client base encompasses biotech, pharma, diagnostic, and medical device companies, along with investors and academic institutions. The firm supports client growth by counseling on corporate and commercial transactions, with strong work in strategic collaborations and license agreements, as well as financing and M&A. With longstanding expertise in IP, the firm also serves as lead counsel on patent litigation cases. The practice is co-headed by Judith Hasko, who joined the Palo Alto office from Latham & Watkins LLP and advises on commercial transactions such as strategic alliances, joint ventures, and manufacturing and distribution agreements, and Boston-based Stuart Falber, who specializes in financing, M&A, and collaborations and licensing transactions. Jekkie Kim, also joining the Palo Alto team from Latham & Watkins LLP, focuses on joint ventures, strategic licensing and collaborations, and other complex commercial transactions.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP’s life sciences practice represents biotech, pharma, and medical device companies in IP and corporate and commercial transactions. The firm has a strong transactional team advising both issuers and financial institutions in deals across M&A, venture financing, stock and asset acquisitions, and private and public securities offerings. Its patent litigation expertise includes cases under the Hatch-Waxman Act, as well as the enforcement of second- and third-generation, combination drug, and formulation patents. The practice is co-chaired by San Francisco’s Ryan Murr, who is vastly experienced in capital markets transactions, M&A, royalty financing, and corporate governance. Also co-chair, New York-based Jane Love handles high-value patent litigation, patent prosecution, and diligence advice connected to transactions.

Greenberg Traurig LLP counsels innovative life sciences companies in the biotech, pharma, medical devices, and healthcare sectors. It handles regulatory and transactional matters, while being particularly strong in IP. The team advises on IP portfolio management and diligence, litigation, and sale internationally, with ‘excellent knowledge’ across jurisdictions. The practice is co-headed by Boston-based patent attorney David Dykeman, focused on securing worldwide IP protection, and Atlanta’s Wayne Elowe, who concentrates on worldwide corporate counseling and complex commercial transactions, such as M&A and joint ventures. Melissa Hunter-Ensor, in Boston, experienced in IP portfolio management, strategic alliances, and litigation strategy, is a key figure in the practice. Chia-Feng Lu, based in Washington DC and Tokyo, applies his ‘strategic thinking’ to regulatory and transactional law.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP advises established global and developing companies, as well as private equity and venture capital investors, on litigation and corporate matters. Renowned for its deep litigation bench, the firm represents clients in product liability, antitrust, patent and commercial matters. Key figures include trial and appellate lawyer New York-based Jay Lefkowitz and Chicago’s James Hurst, a trial lawyer focused on IP and commercial litigation. Both in New York, Devora Allon specializes in product liability, antitrust, and commercial litigation in NY, whereas Jeanna Wacker concentrates on IP. On the corporate side, the practice has experience structuring deals and navigating transaction-related regulatory matters, with New York-based Dennis Williams bringing valuable expertise in regulatory on the latter. Boston-based Graham Robinson  joined the firm in mid-2025, bringing significant transactional and governance expertise.

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. advises on financing transactions, licensing collaborations, M&A, and public offerings, representing both entrepreneurs and venture-backed businesses as well as investors and underwriters. With a strong IP practice, it also handles patent prosecution, strategy, and litigation matters. The team is led by patent litigator and counselor Siegmund Gutman, who joined the Los Angeles office from Proskauer Rose LLP in May 2024, also bringing experience in Hatch-Waxman litigation and inter partes disputes. Also joining the LA office from Proskauer Rose LLP is David Hanna, an IP lawyer with expertise in patent prosecution, advice and litigation. Practice co-chair William Hicks, based in Boston, has extensive national and cross-border transactional experience.

Norton Rose Fulbright advises start-ups and established life sciences clients on product liability, antitrust, and IP matters. On the product liability side, the firm has experience defending and coordinating individual cases and MDLs. Its antitrust practice handles litigations, mergers, government investigations, and enforcement, while its IP work spans enforcement, prosecution, and litigation. The practice is co-led from Dallas by D’Lesli Davis, a lead trial counsel in mass tort cases who also represents corporate clients in product liability litigation, and Jonathan Skidmore, vastly experienced in mass torts and product liability. Strengthening the IP team, counselor Rhiannon D’Agostin joined the Denver office, while Adam Rehm, who focuses on IP prosecution, licensing, and litigation, joined the Dallas team; both arrived from Polsinelli PC.

Proskauer Rose LLP advises on IP litigations, prosecution, and transactions, with a focus on biotech, pharma, and medical device clients. The firm is also active in FDA regulatory and product liability litigation matters. The practice is led by Boston-based Fangli Chen, who specializes in litigation, strategic IP portfolio development, and IP matters in connection with commercial transactions, along with New York’s Daryn Grossman, who focuses on tech and IP transactions, including strategic alliances. The team saw significant expansion in 2024, welcoming litigator Craig Whitney from Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC in New York and antitrust litigator Mark Rosman from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Washington DC. Joining the DC and New York teams from Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, Kevin Abikoff is experienced in securities and white-collar criminal litigation, investigations, enforcement, regulation, and counseling.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP supports biotech, pharma, and medical device clients in protecting their assets, with strong work in IP advice and litigation. The firm is also active in corporate matters such as cross-border M&A, strategic alliances, and licensing and collaboration agreements. Additionally, the team handles a broad range of litigation cases, including product liability, securities, commercial disputes, and antitrust. The practice is headed by IP litigator Edward Reines in Silicon Valley, together with New York-based practice head Charan Sandhu focuses on IP and complex commercial and technical matters, including tech transactions. Another key figure in the practice is Silicon Valley’s Derek Walter, an IP litigator with both trial and scientific expertise. Jeffrey Osterman departed the team to Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in March 2025.

Winston & Strawn LLP advises biotech and pharma clients on a range of matters, including patent litigation, complex ‘bet-the-company’ product liability, and white collar and investigations. Washington DC’s Reed Stephens – a go-to regulatory lawyer for medical device and pharma manufacturers on False Claims Act, drug pricing, and voluntary disclosure matters – co-leads the practice with New York-based Justin Levy, a private equity specialist contributing to the firm’s transactional work. Banee Pachuca joined the Houston team from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, with Chicago-based Meredith Heim arriving from Ice Miller; both focus on transactional and regulatory matters. Commercial, tort, and regulatory disputes and investigations specialist Alexandra Chopin joined the Washington DC office from Squire Patton Boggs.

Akin represents pharma, medical device, biotech, and healthcare tech clients in global regulatory and legislative strategies. The ‘client-focused’ team leverages its strong legislative and regulatory knowledge to advise on matters at the intersection of healthcare and emerging technology, including digital health, AI, and related data privacy considerations. Nathan Brown leads the practice from Washington DC, drawing on his governmental experience to advise on regulatory, compliance, and policy matters. He also brings ‘cutting-edge knowledge’ in AI and new technology applied to digital health. Also in DC, regulatory lawyer Kelly Cleary has experience in state and federal fraud abuse laws, as well as marketplace regulations under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Baker Botts L.L.P. advises pharma and medical device companies on IP, corporate matters, and antitrust investigations. Its IP practice covers strategy counselling, prosecution, due diligence, and litigation. The firm also handles corporate transactions such as M&A, financing, joint ventures, and licensing and collaboration agreements, with New York’s Avner Bengera being a prominent figure in this space. The practice is led by New York-based Steve Lendaris, who advises clients on a wide range of biotech-related IP matters. Also in this office, Carolyn Pirraglia – who was promoted to partner in March 2024 – focuses on patent prosecution and counseling.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP boasts a robust transactional practice, advising clients on high-value domestic and international M&A deals and license and collaboration agreements. New York-based Adam Golden leads the practice, advising emerging and established life sciences companies on M&A, licensing and collaborations, venture capital financings, and commercial transactions. Vinita Kailasanath, based in Silicon Valley, is experienced in strategic intellectual property and transactions at the convergence of life sciences and tech. The team saw significant expansion in 2024, with the arrivals of private capital-focused Eva Mak in Silicon Valley, and M&A expert Steven Li in New York from Kirkland & Ellis. On the private equity side, Neal Reenan and Ian Bushner joined the New York office, while capital markets expert Phillip Stroup arrived in Silicon Valley – all from Latham & Watkins LLP.

Jones Day has a strong litigation bench, advising emerging and established pharma and medical devices companies on antitrust, data privacy, and regulatory disputes. On the regulatory side, it also takes on an advisory role, particularly in digital health, while also handling transactions, such as domestic and international M&A and financing. Its IP practice covers portfolio development and litigation, including infringements and challenges, with co-lead Anthony Insogna in San Diego focusing on patent enforcement, portfolio strategy, and due diligence. The practice is also led by Washington DC-based Alexis Gilroy, who advises on complex digital health transactional and regulatory matters, and Chicago’s Heather O’Shea, specializing in enforcement, regulatory, and compliance matters.

Loeb & Loeb LLP advises pharma, biotech, and medical devices companies on IP, transactional, and regulatory matters. The firm helps clients secure and sustain capital for product development and market entry through counsel on financing, M&A, and public offerings, also supporting related regulatory and IP issues. New York-based co-chair Kathleen Gersh, an IP lawyer, specializes in Hatch-Waxman litigation, counseling, and related FDA regulatory strategies. She plays a key role in the firm’s IP offering, which also includes due diligence and collaboration agreements. The team also advises on FDA regulatory strategy and compliance, with Washington DC-based co-chair Jim Czaban providing counsel on these matters, as well as federal and state enforcement actions.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP advises pharma, biotech, medical device, and digital health clients in matters spanning the entire product lifecycle. With notable FDA regulatory expertise, its work includes counseling, compliance, and due diligence matters. On the IP side, it handles strategic portfolio development and licensing, prosecution, and due diligence. The team is led by New York-based Jeffrey Fessler and Scott Liebman, who focus on corporate transactions and FDA regulatory, compliance, and legal matters, respectively. Jaime Choi joined San Diego’s Del Mar office from Snell & Wilmer LLP, bringing complex patent and disputes expertise. Washington DC-based Kwan-Ho Chung, who arrived from Perkins Coie LLP, focuses on patent prosecution, counseling, and litigation.

Sidley Austin LLP advises biotech, biopharma, medical devices, and healthcare companies across the product lifecycle, with remarkable strength in regulatory and transactional matters. Its regulatory practice ensures client compliance across the marketing authorization, manufacturing, supply chain, distribution, and market access phases. On the transactional side, it handles high-value M&A and IPOs, as well as licensing agreements. The practice is led by San Francisco-based Sharon Flanagan, vastly experienced in corporate and capital markets transactions and governance matters. Washington DC’s Torrey Cope is another key member in the practice, specializing in FDA regulatory issues. Transactional lawyer Jon Olsen joined the San Diego team from Goodwin.