Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.

One of the most reputable firms in Boston, Wolf Greenfield has made a name for itself as an IP powerhouse. With over 100 attorneys, Wolf Greenfield is known for its work in patent litigation on technology matters. The firm has kept to the East Coast with an office in Beantown, one in the Big Apple, and one in DC.

IP Roots

Wolf Greenfield was founded in 1927 by patent attorney Ezekiel Wolf in Boston. In its first decades, clients included famed electrical engineer Andrew Alford and radio pioneer Reginald Fessenden. The firm is no stranger to making history, and over the years, has had its hand in some of the most important IP developments. In 1961, the firm successfully argued Aro Manufacturing Co. v. Convertible Top, now known as the seminal Supreme Court case covering the doctrine of permissible repair. A few decades later, in the much different technological era of 1998, the firm’s lawyers crafted the winning argument in the landmark State Street case, which set the stage for software patents and the patentability of business methods. 

Got Science?

Wolf Greenfield focuses on eight main practice areas: biotechnology, chemical and material technologies, electrical and computer technologies, litigation, mechanical technologies, pharmaceutical, post-grant, and trademark and copyright. The firm files thousands of patent and trademark applications each year. And its bench has deep experience—more than 90% of the firm’s professionals have backgrounds in engineering or science, and more than 50% of attorneys previously worked as engineers or scientists.

The firm represents clients large and small in patent litigation in district courts around the country and on appeal before the Federal Circuit. Its lawyers are frequently called upon to represent technology companies in high-stakes patent litigation before the International Trade Commission, where Wolf Greenfield has an outstanding track record. Wolf Greenfield also has a long and successful history in post-grant matters before the Patent Office and is regularly engaged by clients when the stakes are high.

Technology Specialists

Wolf Greenfield isn’t the only firm with technology specialists—but it was the first to do it in Boston. In 1988, the firm launched its technology specialist program, which continues at the firm today. The firm’s technology specialists assist in making the scientific data and work relating to patents understandable. Among their tasks include client interviews and research, as well as drafting patent applications and communications to the USPTO and reviewing patents. Specialists follow one of two tracks at the firm, either attending law school part time or developing a career as a patent agent.

Wolf Greenfield obtained an affirmance of its 2023 victory on behalf of Thom Browne, Inc. this week in a trademark infringement lawsuit brought by adidas. Following the January 2023 win in which a Manhattan federal jury unanimously found Thom Browne, Inc., a luxury fashion brand based in New York City, did not infringe or dilute adidas’s alleged “Three-Stripe Mark,” adidas filed an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit requesting a new trial. Rob Maldonado argued the appeal on behalf of Thom Browne. On May 3, 2024, a three-judge panel for the appeals court affirmed the judgment of the district court in favor of Thom Browne.

“We are ecstatic to achieve another victory on behalf of the Thom Browne team,” said Rob Maldonado, Counsel in the Trademark & Copyright Practice at Wolf Greenfield, “This win further solidifies what we knew all along and what the unanimous jury knew back in 2023 – that adidas does not own stripes.”

• Emma Frank has been selected as a finalist in the “Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year” category at the Chambers USA Awards 2024. Emma is one of only 10 attorneys in the country recognized in this category.

• Wolf Greenfield has been named to the 2024 US News Best Companies to Work For. 

• Saad Alam and Flora Luo have been selected as members of the 2024 class of Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Pathfinders

• Forty-eight WGS attorneys were included in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024. Members of every practice group at the firm were represented. Thirty-two were named Best Lawyers and 16 were named Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.