Vern Norviel

Vern Norviel

Partner Emeritus

Substantial Patent Counseling and IP Strategy Experience

Vern retired in 2025 with over three decades of experience counseling innovative life sciences companies and working closely with them to develop successful patent and IP strategies.
Broad Range of Clients

Vern represented a wide variety of companies, as well as venture capital firms, in areas such as therapeutics, diagnostics, nanotechnology, genomics, proteomics, and personalized medicine.
A Leader in His Field

During his legal career, he was annually recognized among the country's top life sciences attorneys in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. Additionally, he was named among California's top IP attorneys by the Daily Journal.
A Special Interest in Medicine

Interest in the field of personalized medicine prompted Vern to become the first attorney to have had his or her entire genome sequenced and made available in a public database.

Vern Norviel retired as a partner and senior practitioner in the patents and innovations practice at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. He retired with over three decades of experience formulating successful strategies for life science companies and helping them develop IP programs. He represented a wide variety of companies, as well as venture capital firms, in areas such as therapeutics, diagnostics, nanotechnology, genomics, proteomics, and personalized medicine. Vern's special interest in the field of personalized medicine prompted him to become the first attorney to have had his or her entire genome sequenced and made available in a public database.

Before joining the firm in 2003, Vern was the general counsel and corporate secretary of Perlegen Sciences, Inc., a start-up biotechnology company that scans the entire human genome for important therapeutic and diagnostic products. Prior to that, as senior vice president and general counsel, he was an early employee of Affymetrix, the biotechnology company that pioneered and developed DNA chip technology. He also had been a partner at Townsend and Townsend and Crew in Palo Alto.

During his career, Vern authored or prosecuted dozens of patents that have been litigated in the U.S. and abroad, and oversaw intellectual property lawsuits throughout the world.

Vern previously served as a member of Wilson Sonsini's board of directors and on the board of the Wilson Sonsini Foundation. In addition, he has been a lecturer in biotechnology law at UC Berkeley School of Law and a member of the faculty for the Global Life Sciences/Healthcare Entrepreneurship Course at the University of California, San Francisco.

Experience

During his career, Vern authored or prosecuted dozens of patents that have been litigated in the U.S. and abroad, and oversaw intellectual property lawsuits throughout the world.

Education

J.D., University of San Francisco School of LawWith Honors
Master's degree, University of Santa Clara
Undergraduate degree, University of Colorado, BoulderWith Honors

Associations and Memberships

Faculty, “Global Life Sciences/Healthcare Entrepreneurship Course,” Fall 2023, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Lecturer, "Biotechnology Law," UC Berkeley School of Law
Board Member, Morris Animal Foundation
Board Member, The Parkinson's Institute
Present Advisory Board Member, Center of Science, Technology, and Society, Santa Clara University
Past Advisory Board Member, The Whitaker Biomedical Engineering Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Member Emeritus, Advisory Committee, School of Engineering, University of Colorado
Inaugural Member, Public Advisory Committee, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association
Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Member, American Bar Association

Honors

Recognized as a 2023 “Emerging Therapies and Life Sciences Trailblazer” by The National Law Journal
Recognized among the Daily Journal's "Top Intellectual Property Lawyers" in California for 2017 and 2023
Honored with the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services by the State Bar of California, 2018
Named among the country's top life sciences attorneys in the 2011-2024 editions of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
Named in the 2013-2018 editions of Northern California Super Lawyers
Honored among the "Top 25 Intellectual Property Portfolio Managers" in California for 2012, 2013, and 2014 by the Daily Journal
Recognized as a "Life Science Star" in the intellectual property section of LMG Life Sciences since 2012
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
Recognized as a "Top Rated Lawyer in Intellectual Property" for 2013 by Martindale-Hubbell and American Lawyer Media
Selected for inclusion in the life sciences category of The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers 2011
Selected for inclusion in the 2007 edition of The Legal 500 US
Named to the 2006 Lawdragon 500 "New Stars, New Worlds" list

Credentials

Education

J.D., University of San Francisco School of LawWith Honors
Master's degree, University of Santa Clara
Undergraduate degree, University of Colorado, BoulderWith Honors

Associations and Memberships

Faculty, “Global Life Sciences/Healthcare Entrepreneurship Course,” Fall 2023, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Lecturer, "Biotechnology Law," UC Berkeley School of Law
Board Member, Morris Animal Foundation
Board Member, The Parkinson's Institute
Present Advisory Board Member, Center of Science, Technology, and Society, Santa Clara University
Past Advisory Board Member, The Whitaker Biomedical Engineering Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Member Emeritus, Advisory Committee, School of Engineering, University of Colorado
Inaugural Member, Public Advisory Committee, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Member, American Intellectual Property Law Association
Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Member, American Bar Association

Honors

Recognized as a 2023 “Emerging Therapies and Life Sciences Trailblazer” by The National Law Journal
Recognized among the Daily Journal's "Top Intellectual Property Lawyers" in California for 2017 and 2023
Honored with the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services by the State Bar of California, 2018
Named among the country's top life sciences attorneys in the 2011-2024 editions of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
Named in the 2013-2018 editions of Northern California Super Lawyers
Honored among the "Top 25 Intellectual Property Portfolio Managers" in California for 2012, 2013, and 2014 by the Daily Journal
Recognized as a "Life Science Star" in the intellectual property section of LMG Life Sciences since 2012
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
Recognized as a "Top Rated Lawyer in Intellectual Property" for 2013 by Martindale-Hubbell and American Lawyer Media
Selected for inclusion in the life sciences category of The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers 2011
Selected for inclusion in the 2007 edition of The Legal 500 US
Named to the 2006 Lawdragon 500 "New Stars, New Worlds" list

Select Recent Matters

Served as a patent expert for Brigham Young University in connection with the school's settlement of a long-running, multibillion-dollar lawsuit with Pfizer involving the drug Celebrex
Developed and oversaw the patent portfolios of Cirina, Delinia, Guardant, and Genia Technologies

Matters

Select Recent Matters

Served as a patent expert for Brigham Young University in connection with the school's settlement of a long-running, multibillion-dollar lawsuit with Pfizer involving the drug Celebrex
Developed and oversaw the patent portfolios of Cirina, Delinia, Guardant, and Genia Technologies

Select Publications

Co-author, "How Therapeutic Formulations Affect Medical Device Patents," Law360, July 6, 2020
Co-author, "Why FDA's Proposed Food Standard Principles Are Important," Law360, June 30, 2020
Co-author, "Bill Would Bring Drugs That Treat Serious Conditions to Market Faster," Daily Journal, June 16, 2020
Co-author, "FDA, FTC Issue Joint Statements on Efforts to Support Market for Biologics," Daily Journal, February 24, 2020
Co-author with L. Lieto, D. Hoffmeister, G. Ravitz, J. Ravitz, C. Andres, and R. Watkins, "Citizen Petitions are Crucial in Managing A Drug’s Life Cycle," Law360, November 8, 2019
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, J. Galvin, C. Andres, D. Rowe, and D. Knapp, "Cures Revolution May Reshape Pharmaceutical Landscape," Law360, June 14, 2018
Co-author with C. Andres and S. Yu, "All Patents Are Not Created Equal," Landslide, January/February 2018
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, M. Skubatch, and C. Andres, "Complying with Expanded Access Policy Drug Laws," Law360, February 28, 2017
Co-author, "The Serious and Immense Impact of a Medical Device Hack," Law360, January 12, 2017
Co-author, Brief for amici curiae Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc., Exo Incubator, Inc., and Michael Heltzen in support of petitioner, Sequenom, Inc. v. Ariosa Diagnostics, Inc., et al., On Petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, No. 15-1182
Co-author, Brief for amici curiae Population Diagnostics, Inc., Avant Diagnostics, Inc., Personalis, Inc., Linda Bruzzone, and Erin Marie Mading in support of petitioner, Sequenom, Inc. v. Ariosa Diagnostics, Inc., et al., On Petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, No. 15-1182
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, P. Girinath, C. McAndrew, and C. Andres, "FDA Developments in 2015 and What's to Come in 2016," Law360, January 11, 2016
Brief for amicus curiae Eric S. Lander, The Association for Molecular Pathology, et al., v. Myriad Genetics, Inc., et al., On Writ of Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, No. 12-398
Brief for amicus curiae Lynch Syndrome International in support of respondents, The Association for Molecular Pathology et al., v. Myriad Genetics, Inc., et al., On Writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, No. 12-398
Brief for amici curiae Caris Diagnostics, Inc. in support of petitioners, Bernard L. Bilski and Rand A. Warsaw v. John J. Doll, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Acting Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, On Writ of Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, No. 08-964
Brief for amici curiae Perlegen Sciences, Inc. and Mohr, Davidow Ventures in support of respondents, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings v. Metabolite Laboratories, Inc. and Competitive Technologies, Inc., On Writ of Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, No. 04-607
"Brief of Amicus Curiae, Biotechnology Industry Organization in Support of Plaintiffs' Motions for Summary Judgment, Triantafyllos Tafas and SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Dudas," 27(1) Biotechnology Law Report 36-43, 2008
Co-author with P. McGarrigle, "Laws of Nature and the Business of Biotechnology," 24 Santa Clara Computer and High Technology Law Journal 275-334, 2008
Co-author with R. Feldman, "Dolly the Sheep: A Cautionary Tale," Yale Journal of Law and Technology, January 2016
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, C. Aronin, D. Rowe, and C. Andres, "The Retrospective Approach to Companion Diagnostics," Law360, October 8, 2015
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, S. Silber, E. Yin, and C. Andres, "A Look at the Legality Behind Daraprim's Price Spike," Law360, September 30, 2015
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, M. Hostetler, P. Girinath, D. Van Goor, and C. Andres, "Overcoming Restriction Requirements On Pharma Patents," Law360, August 4, 2015
Co-author, "Federal Circuit Amgen Case Clarifies Important Aspects of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act," Generic Pharma 2.0, July 22, 2015
Co-author, "FDA's Proposed Rules to Address Inaccurate Orange Book Use Codes May Shorten Approval Timelines for Select 505(b)(2) and Generic Drugs," Generic Pharma 2.0, July 15, 2015
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, D. Carsten, and C. Andres, "Amarin Decision Opens Door to Longer Exclusivity Periods," Law360, June 12, 2015
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, D. Rowe, and C. Andres, "The Rise Of Companion Diagnostics In Personalized Medicine," Law360, June 5, 2015
Co-author with D.M. Hoffmeister and C. Andres, "FDA Regulation in Clinical Labs," Clinical Lab Products, Vol. 45, No. 3, March 2015
Co-author with D.M. Hoffmeister, S. Liu, P. Girinath, and C. Andres, "There's a Lot to Like About Hamburg's Legacy at the FDA," Law360, February 9, 2015
Co-author with D.M. Hoffmeister, L. Lieto, T.J. Noh, M.C. Easterday, P. Girinath, and C. Andres, "Reflections on the Remarkable Rise of Orphan Drugs," Law360, January 28, 2015
Co-author with D.M. Hoffmeister, J. Guise, P. Munson, D. Carsten, S. Williams, R. Torczon, P. Girinath, and C. Andres, "A Good Opinion Is Worth Its Weight in Gold: Take-Home Lessons for Generic Pharmaceutical Companies to Minimize the Risk of Fee Shifting and Sanctions in the Wake of Highmark and Octane Fitness," Generic Pharma Litigator, January 28, 2015
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister and C. Andres, "FDA Takes Another Step Toward Regulating LDTs," Law360, October 9, 2014
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, J. Guise, P. Munson, S. Williams, D. Carsten, R. Torczon, C. Andres, and P. Girinath, "Takeaways for Generics After Octane and Highmark," Law360, September 15, 2014
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, R. Torczon, P. Girinath, and C. Andres, "Despite GAIN Act, Antibiotic Patents Face Setbacks," Daily Journal, August 27, 2014
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, P. Girinath, and C. Andres, "USPTO Rules Will Set Back Antibiotic Drug Development," Law360, May 23, 2014
Co-author with D.M. Hoffmeister, S. Elamrani, P.R. Munson, and C. Andres, "New Exclusivity for Fixed-Dose Drugs Will Help Small Firms," Law360, April 28, 2014
Co-author with L.D. Lieto, "Fast or Slow? Strategies to Speed Up the Patent Process Among Worldwide Patent Offices," The Intellectual Property Strategist, Vol. 17, No. 4, January 2011
Co-author with R. Akhavan and A.R. Alemozafar, "Role of intellectual property in investment-backed personalized medicine," 7(1) Personalized Medicine 95-102, January 2010
"Invalid! The Supreme Court Questions the Basis for Diagnostic Patents," Start-Up,
February 2006
Co-author with A. Roche, "Are Method Patents Still Valuable?" Corporate Dealmaker, December 13, 2004

Select Speaking Engagements

Panelist, "Start Your Start-Up: Resources for Energy Entrepreneurs," Silicon Valley Energy Summit 2015, Palo Alto, CA, June 25, 2015
Panelist, "The Supreme Court and DNA Patents: A Myriad of Ramifications," Palo Alto, CA, July 1, 2013
Panelist, "Patent Pending: Corporations, the Constitution, and the Human Gene," UC Hastings College of the Law, February 20, 2013
Moderator, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Biotech Startup & Walking the Line Between the University and the Venture Investor," Wharton San Francisco and QB3 panel discussion, April 25, 2012
Speaker, "Back to School: The New Patent Law Explained," Berkeley Center for Law and Technology, October 21, 2011
White House participant, Transparency Task Force of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), August 11, 2009
Participant, Federal Trade Commission hearings on the evolving IP marketplace, May 4-5, 2009
"From Drug Discovery to Drug Approval: Working with the FDA," Yale University
"Building a Life Science Enterprise in Current Market Conditions," The Johns Hopkins University
"Real Life Case Studies Where The Due Diligence Went Terribly Wrong," 3rd National Conference on Life Sciences IP Due Diligence
"Bio MEMS: Opportunities and Barriers," MIT Symposium
"More Way to Market With Your BioPharma Technology," Larta Venture Forum – BioPharma
Participant, President's Counsel on Personalized Medicine Panel
Moderator, Algae Biomass Summit

Insights

Select Publications

Co-author, "How Therapeutic Formulations Affect Medical Device Patents," Law360, July 6, 2020
Co-author, "Why FDA's Proposed Food Standard Principles Are Important," Law360, June 30, 2020
Co-author, "Bill Would Bring Drugs That Treat Serious Conditions to Market Faster," Daily Journal, June 16, 2020
Co-author, "FDA, FTC Issue Joint Statements on Efforts to Support Market for Biologics," Daily Journal, February 24, 2020
Co-author with L. Lieto, D. Hoffmeister, G. Ravitz, J. Ravitz, C. Andres, and R. Watkins, "Citizen Petitions are Crucial in Managing A Drug’s Life Cycle," Law360, November 8, 2019
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, J. Galvin, C. Andres, D. Rowe, and D. Knapp, "Cures Revolution May Reshape Pharmaceutical Landscape," Law360, June 14, 2018
Co-author with C. Andres and S. Yu, "All Patents Are Not Created Equal," Landslide, January/February 2018
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, M. Skubatch, and C. Andres, "Complying with Expanded Access Policy Drug Laws," Law360, February 28, 2017
Co-author, "The Serious and Immense Impact of a Medical Device Hack," Law360, January 12, 2017
Co-author, Brief for amici curiae Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc., Exo Incubator, Inc., and Michael Heltzen in support of petitioner, Sequenom, Inc. v. Ariosa Diagnostics, Inc., et al., On Petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, No. 15-1182
Co-author, Brief for amici curiae Population Diagnostics, Inc., Avant Diagnostics, Inc., Personalis, Inc., Linda Bruzzone, and Erin Marie Mading in support of petitioner, Sequenom, Inc. v. Ariosa Diagnostics, Inc., et al., On Petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, No. 15-1182
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, P. Girinath, C. McAndrew, and C. Andres, "FDA Developments in 2015 and What's to Come in 2016," Law360, January 11, 2016
Brief for amicus curiae Eric S. Lander, The Association for Molecular Pathology, et al., v. Myriad Genetics, Inc., et al., On Writ of Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, No. 12-398
Brief for amicus curiae Lynch Syndrome International in support of respondents, The Association for Molecular Pathology et al., v. Myriad Genetics, Inc., et al., On Writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, No. 12-398
Brief for amici curiae Caris Diagnostics, Inc. in support of petitioners, Bernard L. Bilski and Rand A. Warsaw v. John J. Doll, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Acting Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, On Writ of Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, No. 08-964
Brief for amici curiae Perlegen Sciences, Inc. and Mohr, Davidow Ventures in support of respondents, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings v. Metabolite Laboratories, Inc. and Competitive Technologies, Inc., On Writ of Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, No. 04-607
"Brief of Amicus Curiae, Biotechnology Industry Organization in Support of Plaintiffs' Motions for Summary Judgment, Triantafyllos Tafas and SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Dudas," 27(1) Biotechnology Law Report 36-43, 2008
Co-author with P. McGarrigle, "Laws of Nature and the Business of Biotechnology," 24 Santa Clara Computer and High Technology Law Journal 275-334, 2008
Co-author with R. Feldman, "Dolly the Sheep: A Cautionary Tale," Yale Journal of Law and Technology, January 2016
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, C. Aronin, D. Rowe, and C. Andres, "The Retrospective Approach to Companion Diagnostics," Law360, October 8, 2015
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, S. Silber, E. Yin, and C. Andres, "A Look at the Legality Behind Daraprim's Price Spike," Law360, September 30, 2015
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, M. Hostetler, P. Girinath, D. Van Goor, and C. Andres, "Overcoming Restriction Requirements On Pharma Patents," Law360, August 4, 2015
Co-author, "Federal Circuit Amgen Case Clarifies Important Aspects of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act," Generic Pharma 2.0, July 22, 2015
Co-author, "FDA's Proposed Rules to Address Inaccurate Orange Book Use Codes May Shorten Approval Timelines for Select 505(b)(2) and Generic Drugs," Generic Pharma 2.0, July 15, 2015
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, D. Carsten, and C. Andres, "Amarin Decision Opens Door to Longer Exclusivity Periods," Law360, June 12, 2015
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, D. Rowe, and C. Andres, "The Rise Of Companion Diagnostics In Personalized Medicine," Law360, June 5, 2015
Co-author with D.M. Hoffmeister and C. Andres, "FDA Regulation in Clinical Labs," Clinical Lab Products, Vol. 45, No. 3, March 2015
Co-author with D.M. Hoffmeister, S. Liu, P. Girinath, and C. Andres, "There's a Lot to Like About Hamburg's Legacy at the FDA," Law360, February 9, 2015
Co-author with D.M. Hoffmeister, L. Lieto, T.J. Noh, M.C. Easterday, P. Girinath, and C. Andres, "Reflections on the Remarkable Rise of Orphan Drugs," Law360, January 28, 2015
Co-author with D.M. Hoffmeister, J. Guise, P. Munson, D. Carsten, S. Williams, R. Torczon, P. Girinath, and C. Andres, "A Good Opinion Is Worth Its Weight in Gold: Take-Home Lessons for Generic Pharmaceutical Companies to Minimize the Risk of Fee Shifting and Sanctions in the Wake of Highmark and Octane Fitness," Generic Pharma Litigator, January 28, 2015
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister and C. Andres, "FDA Takes Another Step Toward Regulating LDTs," Law360, October 9, 2014
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, J. Guise, P. Munson, S. Williams, D. Carsten, R. Torczon, C. Andres, and P. Girinath, "Takeaways for Generics After Octane and Highmark," Law360, September 15, 2014
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, R. Torczon, P. Girinath, and C. Andres, "Despite GAIN Act, Antibiotic Patents Face Setbacks," Daily Journal, August 27, 2014
Co-author with D. Hoffmeister, P. Girinath, and C. Andres, "USPTO Rules Will Set Back Antibiotic Drug Development," Law360, May 23, 2014
Co-author with D.M. Hoffmeister, S. Elamrani, P.R. Munson, and C. Andres, "New Exclusivity for Fixed-Dose Drugs Will Help Small Firms," Law360, April 28, 2014
Co-author with L.D. Lieto, "Fast or Slow? Strategies to Speed Up the Patent Process Among Worldwide Patent Offices," The Intellectual Property Strategist, Vol. 17, No. 4, January 2011
Co-author with R. Akhavan and A.R. Alemozafar, "Role of intellectual property in investment-backed personalized medicine," 7(1) Personalized Medicine 95-102, January 2010
"Invalid! The Supreme Court Questions the Basis for Diagnostic Patents," Start-Up,
February 2006
Co-author with A. Roche, "Are Method Patents Still Valuable?" Corporate Dealmaker, December 13, 2004

Select Speaking Engagements

Panelist, "Start Your Start-Up: Resources for Energy Entrepreneurs," Silicon Valley Energy Summit 2015, Palo Alto, CA, June 25, 2015
Panelist, "The Supreme Court and DNA Patents: A Myriad of Ramifications," Palo Alto, CA, July 1, 2013
Panelist, "Patent Pending: Corporations, the Constitution, and the Human Gene," UC Hastings College of the Law, February 20, 2013
Moderator, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Biotech Startup & Walking the Line Between the University and the Venture Investor," Wharton San Francisco and QB3 panel discussion, April 25, 2012
Speaker, "Back to School: The New Patent Law Explained," Berkeley Center for Law and Technology, October 21, 2011
White House participant, Transparency Task Force of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), August 11, 2009
Participant, Federal Trade Commission hearings on the evolving IP marketplace, May 4-5, 2009
"From Drug Discovery to Drug Approval: Working with the FDA," Yale University
"Building a Life Science Enterprise in Current Market Conditions," The Johns Hopkins University
"Real Life Case Studies Where The Due Diligence Went Terribly Wrong," 3rd National Conference on Life Sciences IP Due Diligence
"Bio MEMS: Opportunities and Barriers," MIT Symposium
"More Way to Market With Your BioPharma Technology," Larta Venture Forum – BioPharma
Participant, President's Counsel on Personalized Medicine Panel
Moderator, Algae Biomass Summit

Recent Insights

News Articles

On September 30, 2025, LMG Life Sciences announced the 2025 edition of its guide, which identifies and ranks the leading law firms and individuals in the life sciences industry across the United States. The rankings are the result of firm participation in questionnaires, partner interviews to gather market feedback, client surveys, and independent research. LMG Life Sciences has conducted research and published rankings since 2012. This year, six Wilson Sonsini practices and 18 attorneys have been recognized in the guide.

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News Articles

The 2025 Chambers USA guide has recognized Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati as a leading law firm in 39 geography-specific practice categories and named 86 Wilson Sonsini attorneys among the best in their fields. This year, the firm received three new practice area rankings, including in the Artificial Intelligence category, and four improved practice area rankings.

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Recent Events

Speaking Engagements

On Tuesday, October 15th, partner Vern Norviel will be speaking on the panel, Commercial Translation of Gene Editing, at the 7th International Conference on CRISPR Technologies conference in San Diego, CA. CRISPR has impacted commercial markets in the areas of therapeutics, diagnostics, industrial bio, and agriculture. While there have been a number of successful examples of translation from the lab to the market, many opportunities remain for innovation to address ongoing translational challenges.

Learn More

Speaking Engagements

Join us for a two part program. Vern Norviel, partner at Wilson Sonsini and one of Silicon Valley's top intellectual property attorneys, will highlight mistakes made by entrepreneurs that can destroy a company's future.

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