General Information

Year founded: 2010
This is the year the firm (or its earliest predecessor entity) was founded.
Logo for Desmarais LLP

Overview

Content is provided by the firm.

FIRM OVERVIEW:

Desmarais LLP is a trial boutique focused on the litigation of complex, often technology-driven disputes. Its lawyers have successfully tried some of the most important intellectual property disputes in recent times, for some of the largest companies in the world. The firm also handles significant appellate matters, having argued the appeal of numerous cases that have shaped the substantive direction and development of intellectual property law.

Clients

Desmarais LLP represents a diverse set of clients in a wide variety of technology areas. Its clients include Fortune 100 companies who rely on the firm to protect their most important intellectual property assets, and also to defend them against claims that jeopardize their critical business interests. In addition, Desmarais LLP represents smaller entities, including individuals, who seek to enforce the exclusive rights in their inventions or technology.

Intellectual Property Litigation

Desmarais LLP handles all stages of litigation, and the firm’s attorneys have significant trial experience in every major forum for technology disputes in the United States. Desmarais LLP’s attorneys have successfully tried cases before juries and judges throughout the country, as well as before administrative bodies (including the International Trade Commission) and arbitration panels. At the appellate level, Desmarais LLP’s attorneys have successfully briefed and argued cases before numerous appellate courts, including the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Desmarais LLP and its lawyers consistently have been recognized in industry publications as leaders in its areas of practice, and virtually all are technically trained, with degrees in engineering or the sciences. In addition, the firm boasts an unusually deep bench of lawyers with actual, real-world jury trial experience, particularly in the nation’s busiest districts for patent litigation. Whether for jury trial, bench trial, or appellate argument, in whatever jurisdiction, Desmarais LLP’s focused approach will bring a lean team of experienced and creative professionals dedicated to achieving their client’s business goals.

Although the firm’s cases span a wide range of subjects, Desmarais LLP’s practice centers on technology-related disputes. Its lawyers have achieved successful trial results for firm clients in dozens of patent infringement cases, concerning technologies as diverse as semiconductors, telecommunications and networking, computer software, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology, chemicals, and transportation. On appeal, Desmarais LLP has preserved both offensive and defensive victories for its clients in various subject matter areas, obtained reversal of adverse results, and steered the development of substantive law in its clients’ interests.

Desmarais LLP’s technology litigation expertise extends well beyond patent infringement cases. The firm’s attorneys have also successfully litigated, for both plaintiffs and defendants, a wide variety of other types of technology-driven disputes, such as those involving antitrust, unfair competition, trade secret, fraud, and contract claims. Further, even beyond technology matters, the firm’s attorneys have also built a strong track record of litigation success in other intellectual property areas. For example, its attorneys have successfully conducted trials and appeals in high profile trademark, trade dress, and counterfeiting matters.

Innovative Fee Structures

In addition to Desmarais LLP’s record of success, its flexible and innovative approach to fee arrangements sets it apart from other top-tier firms that handle the same types of large, complex litigations. The firm has abandoned the traditional (and frequently inefficient) billable-hour approach in favor of fee arrangements more nearly tailored to its clients’ interests. For clients who want predictability, the firm’s fee structures will accommodate a flat fee negotiated at the outset. For those interested in a shared-risk approach, Desmarais LLP is open to contingent fee arrangements and hybrid fee structures tailored to meet the needs of its clients and the case.

Rankings

Desmarais LLP is nationally ranked in 3 practice areas and metro ranked in 3 practice areas. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.

Read how Best Law Firms ranks firms

National Rankings

Tier 1
Tier 1 for Litigation - Patent
Tier 1 for Patent Law
Tier 2
Tier 2 for Litigation - Intellectual Property

Metro Rankings

New York City
Tier 1 for Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier 1 for Litigation - Patent
Tier 1 for Patent Law
Washington, D.C.
Tier 1 for Litigation - Patent
Tier 3 for Patent Law

Select Clients

  • Acelity
  • Amazon
  • Apple
  • Avanos
  • Cisco
  • Enzo
  • Gigamon
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • Google
  • IBM
  • Intel
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • KeyGene
  • Microsoft
  • Nokia
  • Sound View Innovations
  • Verizon

Highlighted Client Comments

All client comments represent the opinions of the people who provided them. All potential clients are urged to remember that no two cases are ever completely alike and that the result in one case does not guarantee a similar result in another case.
Litigation - Patent
Desmarais is a top tier trial law firm. They are practical and get stellar results.
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Desmarais is a great firm to work with. They have some of the top litigators that I've ever worked with. They also listen to feedback and incorporate client feedback into their work product.
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Desmarais had experience, creativity and expert lawyering. We expected that and Desmarais delivered. The team handled multiple ITC proceedings incredibly, resulting in wins on every substantive issue.
Litigation - Intellectual Property
We use Desmarais for our toughest cases because they win. They are strategic from the beginning, creative, very hard workers, and provide excellent client service. They are very responsive and anticipate our needs and concerns. We trust no team more than the Desmarais team.
Litigation - Patent
John Desmarias is the top patent trial lawyer in the US. Justin Wilcox is a tremendous litigator and excellent client counselor. Lindsey Miller has both top notch trial and legal skills and technical expertise.
Mark Rachlin – GlaxoSmithKline
Litigation - Patent
Desmarais is one of our leading go to firms for big ticket patent litigation. They are among the best of the best.
Bryan Sinclair – Cisco Systems, Inc.
Litigation - Intellectual Property
This was the most effective firm I have used for IP Litigation in the entirety of my practice across two decades and four in-house legal positions. The team was diverse, responsive and had exceptional ability to effectuate a positive resolution for my client.
Karen Borrelli – UCB, Inc.
Litigation - Patent
The Desmarais team is sharp, creative, and responsive. Partners Paul Bondor and Laurie Stempler are particularly effective, not to mention easy to work with, and benefit from a deep talent pool of junior partners and associates. This is the team to call when you need the Special Forces.
Litigation - Patent
The Desmarais firm is one of Cisco's go to firms for significant matters.
Bryan Sinclair – Cisco Systems, Inc.
Litigation - Patent
I have worked with John Desmarais and his partners for several years on several different patent litigation matters. Their collective patent litigation expertise is unrivaled. They are also sophisticated about, and appreciative, of the complex business issues and objectives that underlie a given litigation.
Melissa Finocchio – Intellectual Ventures
Litigation - Patent
Desmarais is an excellent law firm. They are extremely experienced and knowledgeable and have practical solutions and are available 24/7 to assist in emergency situations.
Litigation - Patent
IP Trial teams led by John Desmarais are among the best in the world. John and his teams are a pleasure to work with on a day-to-day basis, whether strategizing on issues, handling pre-trial discovery, or engaging in other activities.
Eric Lamison, Vice President, IP Litigation – Cisco Systems, Inc.
Litigation - Patent
I have worked with the Desmarais team for six years on numerous patent litigation matters. Their substantive expertise and strategic thinking are consistently outstanding. The written work product and the manner in which they manage and drive complex litigation are unfailingly excellent. While each of the partners with whom I've work is a great talent, in terms of work product and courtroom skills, that level of talent extends to and includes the associates that work for the Desmarais firm. The Desmarais partners are loyal to their clients and are genuinely committed to seeing that the clients' legal and business objectives are achieved. Desmarais LLP has long been a go-to firm for my company and will continue to be.
Melissa Finocchio, VP, Chief Litigation Counsel – Intellectual Ventures
Litigation - Patent
John Desmarais is a top flight trial lawyer, and he has surrounded himself with sharp, strategic attorneys who dig into the facts.
Litigation - Patent
Desmarais is outstanding, and for the right matters 100% cost-effective.
Litigation - Patent
The Desmarais lawyers display exceptional expertise, judgment, and responsiveness and are a pleasure to work with.
Litigation - Patent
Desmarais is an industry leading IP litigation firm. They are consistently strong, responsive, and we use them in many of our most significant IP cases.
Bryan Sinclair – Cisco Systems, Inc.
Litigation - Patent
Desmarais is an IP powerhouse with great skill and precision. Highly recommendable!
Daniel Papst – Papst Licensinig
Litigation - Patent
The Desmarais firm represents the best of the best for IP litigation. They are usually my first (and often only) call for high stakes IP litigation.
Bridi Nadeem – Acelity
Litigation - Patent
Desmarais' attorney, John Desmarais, is the one of the top patent trial lawyers in the US . John is tremendously knowledgeable, skilled and experienced. Desmarais' lawyers are top flight, easy to work with and technically excellent.
Litigation - Patent
John Desmarais is the single best patent litigator in the U.S., in my opinion. His firm has deep expertise and technical knowledge, combined with genuine trial skills and a practical understanding and approach to business. There is no firm like them.
Litigation - Patent
My company has used Desmarais for several litigations. All but one have been resolved. Each resolved matter has resulted in a favorable settlement. We have one pending matter, and thus far we have had great success in our motion practice.
Gerard deBlasi – Sound View Innovations LLC

Rankings

National Rankings

Tier 1
Tier 1 for Litigation - Patent
Tier 1 for Patent Law
Tier 2
Tier 2 for Litigation - Intellectual Property

Regional Rankings

New York City
Tier 1 for Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier 1 for Litigation - Patent
Tier 1 for Patent Law
Washington, D.C.
Tier 1 for Litigation - Patent
Tier 3 for Patent Law

Practice Areas

The below are areas of legal specialty volunteered by the firm and do not designate a specialty in which a Best Law Firms ranking is held.
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Patent Law

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Desmarais LLP has 8 lawyers recognized for individual performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. By receiving this Best Lawyers recognition from their peers for their professional excellence, these lawyers made Desmarais LLP eligible for evaluation for Best Law Firms rankings. For almost two decades, Best Lawyers has awarded these singular accolades, making them the foundation of our Best Law Firms awards. Read more about our Best Lawyers process here.
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Client Comments

All client comments represent the opinions of the people who provided them. All potential clients are urged to remember that no two cases are ever completely alike and that the result in one case does not guarantee a similar result in another case.
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Main Location

Office Locations

San Francisco, CA
101 California Street, Suite 3000
San Francisco, CA 94111
United States
415-573-1900 Call our San Francisco, CA location at 415-573-1900 Get Directions Get directions to our San Francisco, CA location
Washington, DC
1899 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006
United States
202-451-4900 Call our Washington, DC location at 202-451-4900 Get Directions Get directions to our Washington, DC location

Management and Personnel

Associate
Asim Zaidi
Associate
William Yau
Associate
Joze Welsh
Associate
Vi T. Tran
Associate
Jun H. Tong
Of Counsel
Adam Steinmetz
Associate
Atifah Safi
Associate
Ido Sadeh
Associate
Benjamin Rodd
Associate
Jordan Owens
Associate
Karl Mullen
Associate
Gillian Moore
Associate
Lee Matalon
Associate
Ada Locke
Associate
Delon Lier
Associate
Kyle Curry
Associate
Ha Huynh
Associate
Kevin Gu
Associate
Kevin Goon
Of Counsel
Michael Furrow
Associate
Sumeet Dang
Associate
David J. Cho
Partner
Betty Chen
Associate
Allan Carlsen
Associate
Molly Brown
Associate
Corey Brown
Technical Advisor
Bridget Belcher
Associate
Eli Balsam
Patent Agent
Laura Avena
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