Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP

What Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP does

Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP is a Chicago-headquartered intellectual property boutique law firm founded in 1955, operating as a limited liability partnership with offices in Chicago and Raleigh, North Carolina. The firm delivers full-spectrum IP legal services across nine core practice areas: Copyrights, Design Patents, IP Litigation, IP Transactions, ITC 337 Investigations, Patent Prosecution, Post-Grant Patent Proceedings, Trade Secrets, and Trademarks. It serves the world's most innovative businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs across more than 25 industry sectors including biotechnology and life sciences, pharmaceuticals, electrical and computer technologies, medical devices, cleantech, and automotive. With more than 90 (and according to firm sources, more than 100) IP attorneys, patent agents, and technical specialists — nearly 90% of whom hold science or engineering degrees and almost half of whom hold Ph.D.s — the firm combines deep technical expertise with legal counsel across prosecution, litigation, and transactional IP matters. Its geographic reach extends across six continents and more than 150 countries via a network of foreign agents, though physical offices remain limited to two U.S. locations.

The firm generates revenue through professional legal service fees, including hourly billing for litigation and prosecution matters, fixed fees for certain services, and contingency or success fees for significant IP disputes. Its go-to-market is sales-led, driven by industry recognition (IAM Patent 1000, Chambers USA, Legal 500, Managing IP Stars), peer referrals, and marquee case outcomes — notably a $740 million global settlement secured for CureVac against Pfizer/BioNTech and an $80 million judgment secured for Amgen in a biosimilar patent infringement case. Channel strategy emphasizes thought leadership (PTABWatch and PatentNext blogs, regular industry insights), active participation in BIO, INTA, AIPLA, and LES events, and a strong diversity and pro bono profile that supports brand equity. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, reflecting the bespoke nature of complex IP engagements and the firm's enterprise client base.

Name

Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP

Legal name

Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP

Website

https://marshallip.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP is a Chicago-headquartered intellectual property boutique law firm delivering full-spectrum IP services — patent prosecution, litigation, transactions, and trademarks — to innovative businesses, research institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs across more than 150 countries, with 100+ attorneys and technical specialists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intellectual Property Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Management (BPAHAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trademark Prosecution & Brand Protection (BPAHAMAB), IP Due Diligence & Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) Analysis (BPAHAMAG)

Keywords

• Intellectual property law
• Patent prosecution
• IP litigation
• Trademark registration
• Patent transactions

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Services - Professional Fees: Marshall Gerstein generates revenue through professional legal service fees, which typically include hourly billing for litigation and prosecution matters, fixed fees for certain services, and potentially contingency or success fees for significant IP disputes and transactions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP is an intellectual property boutique law firm providing full-spectrum IP legal services across nine practice areas: Copyrights, Design Patents, IP Litigation, IP Transactions, ITC 337 Investigations, Patent Prosecution, Post-Grant Patent Proceedings, Trade Secrets, and Trademarks. The firm delivers these services through offices in Chicago, IL and Raleigh, NC, with more than 90 intellectual property attorneys, patent agents, and technical specialists serving clients across more than 25 industry sectors and more than 150 countries.

Product overview

Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP is an intellectual property boutique law firm providing full-spectrum IP legal services. The firm's service portfolio includes nine core legal practice areas: Copyrights, Design Patents, IP Litigation, IP Transactions, ITC 337 Investigations, Patent Prosecution, Post-Grant Patent Proceedings, Trade Secrets, and Trademarks. The firm serves clients across more than 25 industry sectors including Biotechnology & Life Sciences, Electrical & Computer Technologies, Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Cleantech & Renewables, and Automotive & Transportation. The firm also maintains two informational blogs (PTABWatch and PatentNext) as thought leadership resources. Services are delivered through offices in Chicago, IL (headquarters) and Raleigh, NC, by more than 90 intellectual property attorneys, patent agents, and technical specialists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Marshall IP: The firm's trademarked brand identity for its intellectual property services.

Products and services

• Copyrights Practice Legal services for copyright registration, protection, and enforcement for creative works and intellectual property, serving clients across the firm's industry sectors.
• Design Patents Practice Intellectual property protection for ornamental designs and aesthetic aspects of products, serving manufacturers and product designers.
• IP Litigation Complex intellectual property litigation in federal district and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, representing clients in patent infringement, trademark disputes, and other IP matters.
• IP Transactions Transactional counsel for IP licensing, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic transactions involving intellectual property assets.
• ITC 337 Investigations Representation in Section 337 investigations before the U.S. International Trade Commission, addressing unfair import practices involving intellectual property.
• Patent Prosecution Patent application preparation, filing, and prosecution before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, serving clients across multiple technology sectors.
• Post-Grant Patent Proceedings Inter partes review, covered business method reviews, and other post-grant proceedings at the USPTO, representing petitioners and patent owners.
• Trade Secrets Protection and litigation of trade secret misappropriation and non-compete matters for businesses holding confidential information and competitive know-how.
• Trademarks Trademark registration, monitoring, enforcement, and portfolio management services for brands and brand owners across industries.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Cabrini Green Legal Aid SocietyminorOthersThe firm has relationships with Cabrini Green Legal Aid Society as part of its pro bono service program, providing legal services to persons and organizations in need.
• Chicago Volunteer Legal ServicesminorOthersThe firm partners with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services for pro bono legal services, supporting individuals and organizations in need.
• Domestic Violence Legal ClinicminorOthersThe firm collaborates with Domestic Violence Legal Clinic to provide pro bono legal assistance to domestic violence survivors.
• Lawyers for the Creative ArtsminorOthersThe firm works with Lawyers for the Creative Arts for artist counseling and contacts as part of its pro bono service initiatives.
• Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan ChicagominorOthersThe firm partners with the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago for pro bono legal services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sidley Austin LLP: Chicago-headquartered global full-service firm with a substantial IP practice. Competes with Marshall Gerstein for enterprise IP mandates in the Midwest and serves many of the same life sciences and technology clients.
• Jones Day: Global full-service law firm with one of the largest IP practices worldwide. Overlaps with Marshall Gerstein on patent litigation, prosecution, and licensing, serving similar enterprise and life sciences clients.
• WilmerHale: Major full-service firm renowned for IP and appellate litigation. Frequently retained for the same Supreme Court-level IP matters where Marshall Gerstein has appeared (Blonder-Tongue, Walker Process).
• Kirkland & Ellis LLP: Global AmLaw 5 firm headquartered in Chicago with a strong IP litigation practice. Competes with Marshall Gerstein for high-stakes patent and technology litigation, particularly for Fortune 500 clients who prefer a full-service platform.
• Goodwin Procter LLP: AmLaw 100 firm with a robust IP litigation and life sciences patent practice. Competes for biotech, pharma, and technology clients that Marshall Gerstein serves, particularly on bet-the-company litigation.

Direct peers

• Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP: One of the largest dedicated IP boutique law firms in the U.S., headquartered in DC with offices in Atlanta, Palo Alto, and internationally. Directly comparable to Marshall Gerstein in patent prosecution, litigation, and ITC 337 work, with a similar technically deep bench and marquee client roster.
• Fish & Richardson: A leading IP and technology litigation boutique with offices across the U.S. and in Europe and Asia. Competes head-to-head with Marshall Gerstein for complex patent prosecution, post-grant proceedings, and high-stakes IP litigation in life sciences and high-tech.
• McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP (MBHB): Chicago-based IP boutique law firm with a comparable size, technical depth, and prosecution/litigation portfolio. Direct local and competitive peer for Marshall Gerstein in the Midwest IP market.
• Oblon, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, LLP: Alexandria, VA-based IP boutique focused on patent prosecution and litigation with deep technical bench. Comparable in size and specialty, competing for the same biotech, electrical, and chemical patent work.
• Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. Washington, DC-based IP boutique specializing in patent prosecution, litigation, and post-grant proceedings, with strong technical and life sciences focus. Closely comparable to Marshall Gerstein in scientific depth, USPTO focus, and client profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/marshallip

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP