Overview
(February 18, 2026, Washington, DC) – Steptoe has been recognized as a "Highly Recommended" firm in World IP Review's (WIPR) USA Patent Rankings 2025. In addition to the firmwide honor, partner Jay Nuttall received a "Highly Recommended" individual ranking, while Boyd Cloern and John Caracappa were each named "Recommended" individuals for 2025.
The WIPR USA Patent Rankings highlight the leading US firms advising on patent strategy, portfolio development, and high-stakes disputes. Steptoe's recognition reflects the strength of its full-scope patent practice, which develops and enforces patent portfolios in the United States and coordinates global strategies across core technical disciplines including electronics, software, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, mechanical systems, and business methods.
Grounded in deep technical fluency, Steptoe's team protects clients' intellectual property and advises them through all phases of patent and technology litigation. The practice offers strategic counseling; US and international patent portfolio building; due diligence; freedom-to-operate analyses; patent audits; litigation; post-grant review proceedings including inter partes review and Covered Business Method (CBM) review; and comprehensive validity and infringement opinions. The group also works closely with clients to build an IP asset-driven culture within their organizations by educating internal teams on identifying patentable innovations and strengthening long-term protection.
Steptoe's patent team has guided clients through a wide array of complex and significant matters, including multimillion-dollar jury verdicts, successful Federal Circuit appeals, patent eligibility victories, high-stakes ITC proceedings, and favorable resolutions of long-running multi-patent disputes. The practice also supports clients with worldwide patent prosecution, portfolio management, IP due diligence, and strategic analysis across various technology sectors.
Learn more about Steptoe's rankings at WIPR and the firm's profile here.
About Steptoe
In more than 110 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
