Sterne Kessler Earns Tier 1 National Rankings and 17 Individual Honors in Managing IP’s 2026 IP Stars Guide

Washington, D.C. (August 4, 2026) – Sterne Kessler and 17 attorneys were ranked among the leading IP firms and practitioners in Managing IP’s 2026 “IP Stars” guide. The rankings are based on a comprehensive research process that evaluates submissions, representative matters, client feedback, and overall practice strength to determine the leading IP firms.

Sterne Kessler was once again nationally ranked “Tier 1” for Patent Prosecution, PTAB Litigation, and Life Sciences IP and “Tier 3” for ITC Litigation. The firm also earned a “Tier 3” ranking in the newly added nationwide category for Federal Circuit and received “Notable” recognition for Patent Disputes. In the District of Columbia rankings, Sterne Kessler was “Highly Recommended” for patent prosecution and patent disputes and “Recommended” for trademark prosecution.

The following Sterne Kessler attorneys earned individual rankings in the “IP Stars” guide:

Patent Stars:

• Tracy-Gene Durkin, director and chair of the Mechanical & Design Practice Group
• Eldora Ellison, Ph.D. (Top 250 Women in IP), director in the Biotechnology & Chemical and Trial & Appellate Practice Groups, co-chair of the PTAB Trials Practice
• Jorge Goldstein, Ph.D., director in the Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group
• Michael Joffre, Ph.D., director in the Trial & Appellate Practice Group and co-chair of the Appellate Practice
• Carla Ji-Eun Kim, director in the Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group and co-chair of the Patent Prosecution Practice
• Michael Lee, director in the Electronics Practice Group
• Michael Ray, chair of Sterne Kessler and director in the Electronics Practice Group
• John Christopher “J.C.” Rozendaal, director and chair of Sterne Kessler’s Trial & Appellate Practice Group
• Eric Steffe, director in the Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group
• Deborah Sterling, Ph.D., director in the Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group
• Robert Green Sterne, director in the Electronics Practice Group
• Dennies Varughese, Pharm.D., director in Sterne Kessler’s Trial & Appellate Practice Group
• Daniel Yonan, director in the Trial & Appellate Practice Group and chair of the U.S. ITC Practice Group

Trademark Stars:

• Monica Riva Talley, director and chair of the Trademark & Brand Protection Practice

Notable Practitioner:

• Ivy Estoesta, director in Sterne Kessler’s Mechanical & Design Practice Group and Trademark & Brand Protection Practice

Rising Stars:

• Hojung Cho, Ph.D., counsel in Sterne Kessler’s Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group
• Dana Justus, counsel in Sterne Kessler’s Trademark & Brand Protection Practice

Learn more about Managing IP’s “IP Stars” guide and view the full National rankings and District of Columbia rankings.

About Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Based in Washington, D.C., Sterne Kessler is a leading intellectual property law firm providing strategic IP services to clients worldwide. With more than 170 attorneys, the firm offers integrated capabilities across patent and trademark prosecution, strategic counseling, post grant proceedings, and litigation before federal district and appellate courts and the International Trade Commission. Since 1978, Sterne Kessler has served as a trusted partner to innovative companies, startups, inventors, universities, and investors, helping them protect, enforce, and maximize the value of intellectual property. The firm is committed to delivering practical, business driven solutions that support innovation and long term strategic objectives.