Overview
Founded in 1919, Patterson Belknap is a law firm of nearly 200 lawyers committed to maintaining its independence, its diversity, and its focus of providing high quality legal advice and service to clients. We make our clients’ business issues our own. At the same time, we care about our attorneys and our staff and the community we are privileged to serve.
Patterson Belknap delivers a full range of services across more than 20 practice groups in both commercial law and litigation. Our clients include a diverse group of institutions and individuals: from pharmaceutical and medical device companies to major media and publishing empires; from cultural landmarks to famous entertainers; from consumer products to sophisticated financial products; from foreign companies seeking to transact business on U.S. stock exchanges to U.S. companies doing business abroad. And our renowned tax-exempt practice represents more than 200 foundations and non-profit organizations, many themselves nationally and internationally renowned.
Public service is, and always has been, a top priority of the firm. In 2008, for the fifth consecutive year, 100% of our attorneys participated in
pro bono projects, perhaps a first for a law firm of our size. In 2005, MFY Legal Services, Inc. established a "Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler Fellowship" in honor of our
pro bono contributions in New York City. Patterson Belknap is proud to be part of a unique partnership between law firms and the medical and social work professions. In Volunteers of Legal Services'
pro bono program, the Children's Project, six law firms are matched with hospitals in New York City, and Patterson Belknap has been matched with Metropolitan Hospital. This innovative program allows the firm to assist poor families with sick children who are especially vulnerable to unhealthy housing conditions, terminated public benefits and inappropriate special education placements, providing a dedicated team of lawyers and support staff to work on a continuing flow of cases.
A hallmark of the firm is our independence of thought. Patterson Belknap is a magnet for independent thinkers. We were founded by attorneys who believed they could create a more congenial atmosphere on their own, away from the lockstep anonymity of larger firms. Patterson Belknap carefully manages growth and purposefully operates with a single office in New York City. As a result, we can exercise concentrated quality control, and our attorneys can draw freely on each other’s skills in an atmosphere that has been described as “collegial to the extreme.” The
National Law Journal has included Patterson Belknap on a list of firms which it considers to have "the nimbleness and adaptability that come from lean operations and strong client ties." This environment promotes the responsiveness, efficiency and personal attention we believe clients seek. The reward for Patterson Belknap has been the loyalty of our clients, many of which have remained with the firm for decades.
Notable Accomplishments
Placed first in associate satisfaction among New York City-based firms and fifth overall in The American Lawyer's 2008 ranking (based on the 2008 mid-level associate survey).
Ranked in the top 10 of The American Lawyer's 2009 pro bono survey, we have been in the top 10 since 1999. In 2008, for the fifth consecutive year, 100% of the firm’s attorneys participated in pro bono projects, perhaps a first for a firm of our size.
Honored by MFY Legal Services, Inc. for our pro bono contributions in New York City, through the establishment of a “Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler Fellowship.”
One of the first major firms in New York City to elect a woman as managing partner. In addition to our Diversity Committee, a group of our attorneys formed PAC — Patterson Attorneys of Color — to assist with the enhancement of workplace diversity and the recruitment, retention and promotion of attorneys of color. Another group, Out at Patterson, focuses on issues relevant to the firm’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered, and Woman Lawyers at Patterson (WLAP) focuses on women's issues.
The firm’s litigation department has enjoyed a long string of successful jury victories, ranging from patent and trademark infringement/false advertising to antitrust to professional malpractice cases.
Our top-tier white collar defense and investigations practice includes former government officials.
Our internationally recognized cross-border group is a major participant in the structuring and establishment of American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programs.
The firm’s renowned tax-exempt organizations group represents approximately 200 nonprofit entities. These clients range from museums and universities to wildlife conservation groups and charitable foundations.
Patterson Belknap was among the first law firms approved by the New York State CLE board as an accredited provider of continuing legal education courses.
By the Numbers
191 attorneys, including: