Life sciences leaders recognised at LSPN Awards USA 2025
Wilson Sonsini, Desmarais, and Wolf Greenfield were among the winners at the inaugural LSPN Awards USA 2025 in Boston, which celebrated excellence in life sciences IP across 20 categories.
Life sciences’ top legal professionals and law firms were recognised yesterday at the LSPN Awards USA 2025 held at The Colonnade Hotel in Boston.
The awards ceremony took place following day one of LSIPR's seventh annual LSPN North America–Spring 2025 conference, honouring standout individuals and firms making significant contributions to life sciences IP.
Featuring 20 categories judged by 15 industry experts, the awards recognised achievements from individuals and companies advancing pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech patent protection.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati secured the prestigious Life Sciences IP Firm of the Year award, while Desmarais featured prominently throughout the evening, claiming both Patent Litigator of the Year for founding partner John Desmarais and Case of the Year/Impact Case.
Wolf Greenfield received dual recognition, winning both IP Boutique of the Year and Life Sciences Prosecution Firm of the Year.
In the individual achievement categories, Mercedes Meyer of Banner Witcoff was named Inspiring Woman of the Year, while Kerri-Ann Limbeek of Desmarais earned the Rising Star of the Year award.
Karen Mangasarian of Haley Giuliano was recognised as Patent Prosecutor of the Year.
Jorge Goldstein of Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox received the Lifetime Achievement award for his decades of contributions to the industry.
Dechert walked away with wins in both Excellence in Patent Licensing and Transactions and Best Life Sciences IP Firm-Due Diligence for Life Sciences Transactions.
The full list of winners included:
- Excellence in Patent Licensing and Transactions: Dechert
- IP Boutique of the Year: Wolf Greenfield
- Inspiring Woman of the Year: Mercedes Meyer, Banner Witcoff
- Rising Star of the Year: Kerri-Ann Limbeek, Desmarais
- Best Life Sciences IP Firm-Due Diligence for Life Sciences Transactions: Dechert
- Patent Litigator of the Year: John Desmarais, Desmarais
- Inclusive Firm of the Year: Winston & Strawn
- Best In Patent Portfolio Management: Jones Day
- International Firm of the Year: Powell Gilbert
- In-House Team of the Year: Genentech
- Lifetime Achievement: Jorge Goldstein, Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox
- Case of the Year/Impact Case: Desmarais
- Technology Solution of the Year: Questel
- Emerging Firm/One to Watch: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer Baratz
- Legal Innovator of the Year: Irell & Manella
- Life Sciences Patent Strategy Firm of the Year: Greenberg Traurig
- Life Sciences Prosecution Firm of the Year: Wolf Greenfield
- Patent Prosecutor of the Year: Karen Mangasarian, Haley Giuliano
- Life Sciences IP Litigation Firm of the Year: Paul Hastings
- Life Sciences IP Firm of the Year: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
The winners were evaluated on innovation, legal expertise, and industry impact by a judging panel including Mark Stewart, vice president of global IP litigation at Merck, Karen Martin, senior vice president and chief IP counsel at Ipsen, Cynthia Tianxin Chen, senior counsel, IP and litigation at Amgen, and Ira Finkelstein, patent counsel at Takeda.
LSPN North America 2025 is part of the LSIPR family and runs from 6-7 May in Boston.
For more information on the event and awards, or for sponsorship details, contact:
Events
Hannah Gore, senior conference producer
Email: hgore@newtonmedia.co.uk
Sponsorship
Kirsty Pocock, head of commercial partnerships
Email: kpocock@newtonmedia.co.uk
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