Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.

Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C. is an IP firm based in Washington, DC, with additional offices in Boston, MA and Ossining, NY. With a staff of about 45 attorneys, the firm is small but mighty and is best known for its IP litigation work.

Keeping Focused

Founded in 1982, Rothwell Figg has a history of sticking to what it knows best: IP law and Washington, DC. The firm operated out of one office for 37 years before opening its first satellite office in Boston in 2019. The firm’s laser focus on IP work has been consistent throughout the firm’s history, with the intent of training lawyers to be subject-matter experts in their field and providing clients with every IP service they could need.

Serving All Kinds

Rothwell Figg focuses on all aspects of IP law—from patent, trademark, and copyright to unfair competition, trade secrets, and cybersecurity, any many more. Biotech and life sciences companies make up a fair portion of the firm’s clients, but clients also include media companies, pharmaceutical companies, and many other clients with sophisticated IP needs. The firm’s specialties position it well to take on interesting or niche cases within the field, as well as standard patent prosecutions and copyright infringement cases.

Rothwell Figg has been recognized for its work in IP litigation—according to the firm, more than half of its work focuses on this area. The firm's litigation experience is expansive, including issues relating to copyright, Hatch-Waxman litigation, licensing, patent, trade identity, trademarks, unfair competition, and more.

Wide-Ranging Pro Bono

Rothwell Figg has a robust pro bono practice, and despite the firm’s strict IP focus when it comes to billable hours, the firm’s pro bono work ranges from First Amendment issues to veterans’ benefits and legal challenges faced by religious communities. In a recent landmark case, the firm achieved a settlement for former New York Times journalist Kurt Eichenwald.

COVID-19 Update

We participate in virtual and in-person OCIs and job fairs that are offered to 2L students through their respective law schools. Candidates will have the opportunity to choose their callback interview to be conducted in-person or virtually. Our summer associate program will be in-person, and the summer associates will have the opportunity to work in-office and remotely. We require all new employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

• Pro Bono Lawsuit Filed by Rothwell Figg Ends with Historic Victory Halting Sale of Burial Ground for Former Slaves and Descendants and Ensuring Compliance with Maryland State Law (October 2021)
• Rothwell Figg Client Dentsply Sirona Obtains Favorable Settlement of District Court Litigation, Including Consent Judgment and Permanent Injunction Against Direct Competitor (June 2021)
• Rothwell Figg Client Valentino S.p.A. Obtains U.S. Trademark Registrations for the Iconic Rockstud Shoe Designs (January 2021)
• Five Rothwell Figg Practices Ranked Nationally and Regionally in 2022 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers ® “Best Law Firms” (November 2021)