Award Wall

Awards & Recognition

We love what we do, and it shows - from winning results for our clients and top-tier IP law rankings, to being voted by our employees as a great place to work.

We have unbridled passion for exploring the bounds of technology and the law to help our clients succeed. We like what happens, every day, when 400 IP professionals — including attorneys, technical specialists, patent agents and a dynamic staff — come together to collaborate on overcoming our clients' challenges. And it shows. Sterne Kessler has been recognized by industry-leading publications for excellence in IP, while The Washington Post has named the firm a "top workplace" based on votes by our exemplary attorneys and staff.

In short, enjoying what we do as a team is a key element of our success.

Featured Recognition

Chambers logo 2023
Chambers USA Exclusively Awards Firm the Band 1 Patent Prosecution Ranking in DC
Chambers USA
Director Eldora Ellison Ranked Among Managing IP’s 2023 “Top 250 Women in IP"
Managing IP
Director Josephine Kim Recognized Among 2023 Emerging Women Leaders in Law
DCA Live
JD Supra Recognizes Director Ivy Clarice Estoesta as a “Top Author"
JD Supra
Firm and Directors Talley, Durkin, and Nowak Recognized in 2023 WTR 1000
World Trademark Review
Three Directors Recognized as 2023 IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders
IAM
Four Firm Directors Ranked Among Top Patent Attorneys in 2023 IAM Global Leaders
IAM
Sterne Kessler and Its Attorneys Ranked Highly in 2022 CAFC Intelligence Report
Patexia
Director Monica Riva Talley Wins 2022 Lexology Client Choice Award
Lexology
Sterne Kessler Earns Recognized in 2023 Edition of "Best Law Firms"
U.S. News - Best Lawyers
Sterne Kessler Notches Top Rankings in 2022 IPR Intelligence Report
Patexia
Sterne Kessler and Seven Directors Recognized in 2022 LMG Life Sciences Rankings
LMG Life Sciences
Bodenstein, Durkin & Sterne Ranked in 2022 IAM Strategy 300
IAM Strategy 300
Sterne Kessler Wins 2022 Hatch-Waxman Impact Case of the Year Award
LMG Life Sciences
Seven Sterne Kessler Attorneys Recognized in 2023 Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch
Best Lawyers
Sterne Kessler Ranked Among Top Firms in Law360’s 2022 Diversity Snapshot
Law360
Five Sterne Kessler Directors Named in 2022 Who’s Who Legal Guides
Who's Who Legal
Firm and 17 Directors Distinguished for Excellence in 2022 IAM Patent 1000
IAM
Firm and 14 Directors Earn Top Rankings for IP Litigation and Prosecution
Managing IP
Sterne Kessler Earns "Top Workplace" Recognition for Ninth Consecutive Year
The Washington Post
Firm Earns High Marks from Associates and Top Rankings in Chambers Associate
Chambers Associate
Sterne Kessler Recognized as “Top Tier” Patent Prosecution Firm by The Legal 500
The Legal 500
Firm Receives Sole Band 1 Ranking in DC Patent Prosecution From Chambers USA
Chambers USA
Four Sterne Kessler Directors Named “WIPR Leaders”
World Intellectual Property Review
Sterne Kessler Earns Gold Award at Leaders League’s 13th ILASA Event
International Legal Alliance Summit & Awards
Managing IP Names Director Monica Riva Talley Among the “Top 250 Women in IP”
Managing Intellectual Property
Director Monica Riva Talley Named Trademark Prosecution Practitioner of the Year
Managing Intellectual Property
Directors Sterling and Holoubek Named to Top 50 Women in PTAB Trials List
PTAB Bar Association
Directors Monica Riva Talley and Tracy-Gene G. Durkin Lauded in 2022 WTR 1000
World Trademark Review
Sterne Kessler Nominated for Four 2022 Managing IP Americas Awards
Managing Intellectual Property
Four Directors Featured in IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders 2022 Guide
IAM
Super Lawyers Recognizes 14 Attorneys as 2022 “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars”
Super Lawyers
IAM Recognizes Four Sterne Kessler Directors as 2022 Global Leaders in IP
IAM
Sterne Kessler Ranked in 2022 Edition of “Best Law Firms”
Best Lawyers
Director Monica Riva Talley Earns Lexology Client Choice Award
Lexology
Sterne Kessler Recognized with Outstanding Culture of Well-Being Award
Cigna
Counsels Estoesta and Justus Ranked as “Rising Stars” by Managing IP
Managing Intellectual Property
Firm and Directors Earn Top-Tier Designations in 2021 LMG Life Sciences Rankings
LMG Life Sciences
Four Sterne Kessler Directors Named in 2021 Who’s Who Legal Guides
Who's Who Legal
Directors Ellison, Rozendaal, and Sterling Win LMG Life Sciences Americas Awards
LMG Life Sciences
Directors Bodenstein, Durkin, Ellison, and Sterne Ranked in IAM Strategy 300
IAM
Sterne Kessler Ranked Among Leading Firms in Law360’s 2021 Diversity Snapshot
Law360
Sterne, Goldstein, and Pelletier Among the 2022 “Best Lawyers in America”
Best Lawyers
Sterne Kessler Earns 13 Awards for Excellence in the First Six Months of 2021
Managing IP Names Director Eldora Ellison Among the “Top 250 Women in IP"
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne Kessler and 16 Directors Recognized for Excellence in "IAM Patent 1000"
IAM
Sterne Kessler Earns Acclaim from Associates in 2021 Chambers Associate Guide
Chambers Associate
Directors Gillentine and Nannenga-Combs Deemed “Women Worth Watching® in STEM”
Profiles in Diversity Journal
Sterne Kessler Earns “Top Workplace” Recognition for Eighth Consecutive Year
The Washington Post
Sterne Kessler and 13 Directors Earn Top Rankings in 2021 "IP Stars" Guide
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne Kessler Named a Top Patent Prosecution Firm by The Legal 500
The Legal 500
Sterne Kessler Recognized in BTI Client Survey
BTI Consulting Group
Chambers USA Gives Firm Sole Band 1 Ranking in Patent Prosecution
Chambers USA
Director Eldora L. Ellison, Ph.D. Ranked Again in "WIPR Leaders 2021" Guide
WIPR
Super Lawyers Recognizes 17 Attorneys as 2021 "Super Lawyers" and "Rising Stars"
Super Lawyers
Director Monica Riva Talley Recognized as “Top Author” by JD Supra
JD Supra
Sterne Kessler Nominated for Five 2021 Managing IP Awards
Managing Intellectual Property
WTR 1000 Recognizes Sterne Kessler's Trademark & Brand Protection Practice
World Trademark Review
Directors Sterne and Durkin Featured In IAM Strategy 300 Global Leader Guide
IAM
Director Ellison Recognized as 2020 “Black Leader Worth Watching”
Profiles in Diversity Journal
Directors Sterne, Goldstein, Durkin and Lee Named 2021 "IAM Global Leaders"
IAM
Two Firm Attorneys Again Named 2020 “Rising Stars” by Managing IP
Managing Intellectual Property
Firm and Seven Directors Recognized in 2020 LMG Life Sciences Rankings
LMG Life Sciences
Sterne Kessler Wins Two 2020 LMG Life Sciences Americas Awards
LMG Life Sciences
Sterne Kessler Among Top-Ranked Firms in Law360’s 2020 Diversity Snapshot
Law360
Sterne, Goldstein, and Pelletier Among the 2021 “Best Lawyers in America”
Best Lawyers in America
Sterne Kessler Named a “Best Place to Work” by the Washington Business Journal
Washington Business Journal
Directors Sterne and Durkin Recognized Again in "IAM Strategy 300"
IAM
Sterne Kessler Named Among 2021 "Best Law Firms"
Best Lawyers
Two Sterne Kessler Directors Named “Women Worth Watching® in STEM”
Profiles in Diversity Journal
Sterne Kessler and 15 Directors Earn Top Rankings in "IAM Patent 1000"
IAM
Sterne Kessler Named a “Top Workplace” for Seventh Consecutive Year
The Washington Post
Durkin, Ellison, and Talley Again Named Among “Top 250 Women in IP” by MIP
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne Kessler Ranked as a Top Tier Patent Prosecution Firm by The Legal 500
The Legal 500
Firm Ranked and 13 Directors Named “IP Stars” by Managing Intellectual Property
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne Kessler Attorneys Named 2020 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Super Lawyers
WTR 1000 Recognizes Sterne Kessler's Trademark & Brand Protection Practice
WTR 1000
Two Sterne Kessler Directors Recognized as “Top Authors” by JD Supra
JD Supra
Sterne Kessler Directors Named to 2020 Who’s Who Legal: Patents
Who's Who Legal
Sterne Kessler Receives Band 1 Chambers Ranking for Patent Prosecution
Chambers & Partners USA
Sterne Kessler Named “PTAB Firm of the Year” by Managing IP for Third Time
Managing Intellectual Property
Four Sterne Kessler Directors Named "WIPR Leaders"
WIPR
Sterne Kessler Receives Gold Award at Innovation & IP Forum and Awards
Leaders League
Directors Goldstein, Durkin, and Lee Named to “IAM Global Leaders” Rankings
Intellectual Asset Management
Three Sterne Kessler Attorneys Named IP “Rising Stars”
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne Kessler and Directors Garner Highest Rankings in Annual LMG Life Sciences
LMG Life Sciences
Longsworth and Sterling Distinguished as Women Worth Watching
Profiles in Diversity Journal
Ellison named “Post-Grant Proceedings Attorney of the Year"
LMG Life Sciences
Sterne and Goldstein Recognized in the 2020 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
U.S. News - Best Lawyers
Sterne Kessler Earns Excellent Reviews in 2019 Chambers Associate Guide
Chambers Associate
ILASA Awards Sterne Kessler for Best Patent Prosecution & Patent Litigation Firm
International Legal Alliance Summit and Awards
Sterne Kessler Distinguished Among Law360’s “Best Firms for Minority Attorneys”
Law360
Sterne Kessler Named Washington Post “Top Workplace” for Sixth Consecutive Year
The Washington Post
Sterne and Durkin Recognized as “Leading IP Strategists” by IAM
Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)
Firm Highly Recommended in Litigation, Prosecution and Transactions in 2019
Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)
Sterne Kessler Recognized as a “Top Tier” Firm by Legal 500 for Excellence in IP
Legal 500
Three Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Directors Named Among Top 250 Women in IP
Managing Intellectual Property
MIP Recognizes Sterne Kessler as A Top IP Firm and Eleven Directors as IP Stars
Managing Intellectual Property
Among the "Best Places to Work" in Washington, DC in 2019
Washington Business Journal
Sterne Kessler Ranks Among Top IP Firms for 17th Consecutive Year in Chambers
Chambers & Partners USA
Sterne Kessler Attorneys Named 2019 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Super Lawyers
Sterne Kessler Wins Impact Litigation & Patent Prosecution at 2019 MIP Awards
Managing Intellectual Property
Radiant Reviews Bestowed to Sterne Kessler in Vault’s "Top 150 Under 150"
Vault
Sterne Kessler Directors and Trademark & Brand Practice Recognized by WTR 1000
World Trademark Review
Monica Riva Talley and Dana Justus Recognized as "Top Authors"
JD Supra
Tracy Durkin Named Among Top 10 Legal Innovators in North America
Financial Times
Sterne Kessler Recognized as One of 2018's Most Innovative Law Firms
Financial Times
Sterne Kessler Recognized Among Top U.S. Firms & Attorneys by LMG Life Sciences
LMG Life Sciences
Founding Directors Recognized in the 25th Edition of Best Lawyers in America
U.S. News - Best Lawyers
Sterne Kessler Ranks Among Top IP Firms for 16th Consecutive Year in Chambers
Chambers & Partners USA
Sterne Kessler Highly Recommended in Litigation, Prosecution and Transactions
Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)
MIP Recognizes Sterne Kessler as A Top IP Firm and Eight Directors as IP Stars
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne Kessler Ranked Among Vault’s ‘Top 150 Under 150’
Vault
LMG Life Sciences Honors Director Eric Steffe And Recognizes Firm
LMG Life Sciences
Legal 500 Highlights Sterne Kessler as a “Top Tier” Firm & Recognizes Directors
Legal 500
Sterne Kessler Attorneys Named 2018 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Super Lawyers
Sterne Kessler Director and Firm Earn Recognition at 2018 MIP Awards
Managing Intellectual Property
Directors Recognized Among the World’s Leading IP Practitioners
World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR)
Washington Post names Sterne Kessler a “Top Workplace”
The Washington Post
Among the "Best Places to Work" in Washington, DC
Washington Business Journal
Sterne Kessler Awarded for Excellence in Patent Litigation & Prosecution
Leader's League
Sterne Kessler Recognized among "Best Firms for Minority Attorneys"
Law360
Sterne Kessler Ranked in Chambers Associate Guide
Chambers Associate
Three Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Directors Named Among Top 250 Women in IP
Managing Intellectual Property (MIP)
Talley & Durkin Recognized As World-Leading Trademark Lawyers
World Trademark Review
Sterne Kessler Ranked Among Top U.S. Firms and Attorneys by LMG Life Sciences
LMG Life Sciences
Goldstein Inducted to "Hall of Fame" Ellison & Longsworth Recognized
LMG Life Sciences
ILASA Awards Sterne Kessler for Best Patent Prosecution & Patent Litigation Firm
International Legal Alliance Summit and Awards
Sterne Kessler Directors Recognized Among the World's Leading IP Practitioners
World Intellectual Property Review
MIP Ranks Sterne Kessler Among Top Firms and Recognizes Directors as ʺIP Starsʺ
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne Kessler Named "2017 PTAB Firm of the Year" By MIP
Managing Intellectual Property
WTR 1000 Recognized Sterne Kessler Directors as Leading Trademark Professionals
World Trademark Review 1000
Sterne Kessler A Washington Post “Top Workplace” for Four Consecutive Years
The Washington Post
Sterne Kessler Ranked Among Top U.S. Firms and Attorneys by LMG Life Sciences
LMG Life Sciences
Sterne Kessler and Directors Named Among "Best Law Firms" and "Best Lawyers"
U.S. News - Best Lawyers
WTR 1000 Recognized Sterne Kessler Directors as Leading Trademark Professionals
World Trademark Review 1000
Sterne Kessler Named "IPR Firm of the Year" by LMG Life Sciences
LMG Life Sciences
FT Recognized Sterne Kessler as One of 2016's Most Innovative Law Firms
Financial Times
Four Sterne Kessler Directors Named Among Top 250 Women in IP
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne Kessler Named Among 2017 "Best law Firms" by U.S. News Best Lawyers
U.S. News Best Lawyers
Sterne Kessler Named a "Best Law Firm"
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers
Monica Riva Talley and Paul Calvo, Ph.D. Recognized as 'Top Authors'
JD Supra
Sterne Kessler Remains Among the Top Firms at the PTAB
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne Kessler Directors Named to IAM Patent 1000
Intellectual Asset Management Magazine
Sterne Kessler Ranked Among Best IP Firms In The U.S. By The Legal 500
The Legal 500
Sterne Kessler Ranks Among Top IP Firms in DC for 15th Year
Chambers & Partners USA
Four Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Directors Named Among Top 250 Women in IP
Managing Intellectual Property
Firm Recognized at PepsiCo's 2017 Outside Counsel Diversity Recognition Day
PepsiCo Inc.
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Attorneys Named 2017 Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers
Durkin and Talley Recognized as 'Top Authors' by JD Supra
JD Supra
Sterne Kessler Directors Recognized as Women Worth Watching
Profiles in Diversity Journal
Goldstein and Sterne Recognized in the 23rd Edition of Best Lawyers in America
Best Lawyers in America
Sterne Kessler is #1 at the PTAB with 500+ AIA Proceedings
Docket Navigator
Sterne Kessler Director Named "Icon of IP" by Law360
Law360
Sterne Kessler Named A 2016 "Top Workplace" by The Washington Post
The Washington Post
Legal 500 Ranks Sterne Kessler Among Best IP Firms in the United States
The Legal 500
Firm Receives International Distinction for Patent Prosecution and Litigation
International Legal Alliance
Sterne Kessler Director Named Top Lawyer Under 40
Bisnow
Robert G. Sterne and Michael Q. Lee Named “Top IP Strategists”
Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)
Sterne Kessler Named to National Law Journal 2016 “IP Hot List”
The National Law Journal
Sterne Kessler Directors Named ‘Trailblazers’ By The National Law Journal
The National Law Journal
Sterne Kessler Ranked Among Top Firms and Directors Recognized as "IP Stars"
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Ranks Among Top IP Firms in DC
Chambers & Partners USA
12 Sterne Kessler Directors Named to IAM Patent 1000
Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)
Sterne Kessler One of Best Law Firms for Minority Attorneys and Equity Partners
Law360
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Attorneys Named 2016 Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers
Four Sterne Kessler Attorneys Receive Lawyer Monthly Women in Law Award
Lawyer Monthly
Sterne Kessler Directors Recognized Among the World's Leading Trademark Lawyers
World Trademark Review 1000
Law360 Names Sterne Kessler's Dr. Eldora Ellison "Life Sciences' MVP
Law360
Sterne Kessler Recognized by FT as One of 2015's Most Innovative Law Firms
Financial Times
Robert G. Sterne Named by FT among Top 10 Legal Innovators in North America
Financial Times
Sterne Kessler Director Named Law360 MVP in "Life Sciences"
Law360
Sterne Kessler Named 2016 "Best Law Firm"
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers
Sterne Kessler Named 2015 LMG Life Sciences' Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year
LMG Life Sciences
Founding Directors Named in 2016 Edition of "The Best Lawyers in America"
The Best Lawyers in America
MIP Ranks Sterne Kessler Among Top Firms and Recognizes Directors as "IP Stars"
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne Kessler Named A 2015 "Top Workplace" by The Washington Post
The Washington Post
Byron L. Pickard Named Top Lawyer Under 40
Bisnow Ventures
Sterne Kessler Directors Named to 2015 Who's Who Legal: Patents
Who's Who Legal
Sterne Kessler Directors Named "Top IP Strategists" by IAM Magazine
Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Highlighted in The Legal 500 United States 2015
The Legal 500
Sterne Kessler Named to National Law Journal's 2015 "IP Hot List"
National Law Journal
Sterne Kessler Ranked Among Top 10 Best U.S. Law Firms for Racial Minority Attys
Law360
Firm Directors Named to Intellectual Asset Management's 2015 "IAM 1000"
Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)
Sterne Kessler Ranks Among Top IP Firms in DC for 13th Year
Chambers & Partners USA
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Attorneys Named 2015 Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers
Sterne Kessler Named Among Vault’s Inaugural “Top 150 Under 150" List
Vault
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Named First-Ever PTAB "Firm of the Year"
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne Kessler Ranked "Tier One" in 2015 MIP Patent Survey
Managing Intellectual Property
Talley and Durkin Named to 2015 World Trademark Review 1000
World Trademark Review 1000
Sterne Kessler Named Among "Best" by U.S. News and World Report and Best Lawyers
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers
Sterne Kessler Attorneys Named 2014 "IP Stars" by Managing IP Magazine
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne Kessler Attorneys Named 2015 "Best Lawyers in America"
The Best Lawyers in America
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Named to the Legal Times 150
Legal Times 150
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Highlighted in The Legal 500 United States 2014
The Legal 500
Sterne Kessler Named A 2014 "Top Workplace" by The Washington Post
The Washington Post
Ten Sterne Kessler Directors Named IP Stars By MIP Magazine
Managing Intellectual Property
Sterne Kessler Directors Named to IAM 1000 By IAM Magazine
Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)
Sterne Kessler Named to the 2014 "NLJ 350"
The National Law Journal
Sterne Kessler Named to 2014 "Intellectual Property Hot List"
The National Law Journal
Sterne Kessler Ranked Among America's Leading Law Firms for 12th Year
Chambers & Partners USA
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Lawyers Named 2014 Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers
Firm Directors named "Top IP Strategists" by IAM Magazine
Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)
Sterne Kessler Named "Best Place to Work" for 2014
Washington Business Journal
Sterne Kessler Recognized in IP Law360's List of Largest IP Boutiques in US
Law360
Sterne Kessler Patent Prosecution Capabilities Ranked "Tier One"
Managing Intellectual Property
Monica Riva Talley and Tracy-Gene Durkin Named to World Trademark Review 1000
World Trademark Review 1000
Sterne Kessler Named the 2014 IP & Licensing Law Firm of the Year
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