2025 Chambers Associate Guide Highlights Positive Reviews of Sterne Kessler

Washington, D.C. (July 23, 2025) – Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox has once again been highly regarded by its associates in the 2025 Chambers Associate guide. The guide highlighted multiple areas of the firm including everyday work, career development and culture, and the firm’s strategy and future.

Chambers Associate editors remarked on Sterne Kessler’s reputation by noting, “When you hear ‘IP’, you probably think of intellectual property: patents, copyright and trademarks. Here at Chambers Associate, we think of Sterne Kessler, where this kind of work is the name of the game.”

Also mentioned is Sterne Kessler’s status as the only firm in Washington, D.C. to receive a Band 1 ranking in patent prosecution in the 2025 Chambers USA rankings for the seventh consecutive year. In addition, the firm received “Strong Performer” recognition for associate retention in its annual Associate Satisfaction Survey.

The following are highlights from Sterne Kessler’s profile, including direct quotes from anonymous surveys and interviews conducted by the Chambers Associate research team:

The Work

• One junior associate praised the firm’s approach to allocating work, “This set up allows you to try everything and get a feel for what you enjoy. I have built skills set in different areas!” and because of the firm’s size, “you naturally build relationships and workflows with directors, which shows their commitment to our development.”
• The firm’s broad market strength is a perk for associates in the Trial & Appellate Practice Group, as an associate explains, “My friends at other firms who have specialties have fewer cases, whereas here we have a nice variety because of the breadth of work,” and another junior associate noted, “I feel like I am doing real work above my level, which is so rewarding.”

Career Development

• Sterne Kessler’s recognition as a Strong Performer for associate retention is a product of the firm’s focus on career development. Associates have a professional development advisor and a mentor to help guide their career path from day one. Advisors are typically a director in their practice, which associates loved because “they really make sure to introduce you to networking opportunities and client[s].”

Strategy and Future

• Associates were eager to praise Sterne Kessler for its involvement and focus on the future of AI in the IP industry, “There’s a lot of movement in AI across the industry, and here in our electronics team, we are looking into things like patent AI inventions and how the use of AI is going to be used in technology in the future and what that means for our clients.”

General Comments:

• With many at the firm possessing a Masters or Ph.D. in specialty fields, one associate boasted, “Most people have industry experience or PhDs in relevant fields here. So, it seemed more engaging than other firms because people seemed to care about the work more.”
• Another associate recognizes Sterne Kessler’s prominence in IP, “Sterne Kessler’s reputation for IP is unmatched, they do everything!”

Chambers Associates also interviewed Managing Director Michael Ray, who spoke to Sterne Kessler’s expertise and future, “We are going to stay focused on IP as it is our domain expertise.” Ray adds, “if you need brain surgery, you go to a specialist, and that is what we are for our clients’ IP needs. So, we will continue to balance our prosecution and litigation practices.”

About Chambers Associate
The annual Chambers Associate guide provides an in-depth, firsthand view into the working lives of associates based on thousands of anonymous interviews. Read more about Chambers Associate here and view Sterne Kessler’s complete profile here.

About Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Based in Washington, D.C. and renowned for more than four decades for dedication to the protection, enhancement, and enforcement of intellectual property rights, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is one of the most highly regarded intellectual property specialty law firms in the world. Its team of attorneys, registered patent agents, technical specialists, specialized trademark paralegals, and law clerks include some of the country’s most respected practitioners of IP law, tackling innovations across a broad spectrum of industries. The firm’s practitioners represent Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, start-ups, inventors, venture capital firms, and universities in a client service driven environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating. Visit the firm online at sternekessler.com.