IP Stars 2025: BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT once again recognized as a Top Tier law firm

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Tier 1 rating for the firm in the category “Trademark – patent & trade mark attorney firms” as well as in “Patent prosecution”.

As in the previous year, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT is once again ranked among an exclusive group in the current edition of the IP guide Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars. Alongside only three other renowned firms, the jury has once again placed the Boehmert team at the top of all “Patent & Trade mark Attorney Firms” in the field of Trademark law. The firm is also delighted to receive a Tier 1 ranking—the highest possible distinction—in the area of “Patent prosecution”.

In the category “Patent disputes – patent and trade mark attorney firms”, the jury has placed the mixed IP firm in Tier 3.

In addition to the firm-wide recognition, the following individuals have been honored:

The ranking for the category “Copyright & related rights” is still pending.

The results published so far this year can be accessed here.

IP STARS is – according to its own statement – the leading guide for IP law firms and practitioners worldwide. The first directory was published back in 1994. The IP STARS rankings are based on information from thousands of firms, IP professionals and their clients, interviews, online surveys and independent research. Expertise, workload, market reputation, track record, results achieved for clients, and unique strengths in each area of law are evaluated. The analysis is impartial, and IP STARS’ team of experts compiles its rankings purely on the basis of performance.

Financial Times: BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT listed as “Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firm 2025”

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Ongoing award since introduction of the ranking in 2019. Law firm receives recommendations for five sectors.

The British business magazine has been listing Europe’s leading patent law firms every year since 2019. The BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT team has been delighted to be ranked right from the start, and this year is no exception.

Thanks to their broad industry knowledge and outstanding expertise, the IP law firm’s attorneys are recommended for five industry sectors – Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, Electrical Engineering & Physics, IT & Software, Materials & Nanotechnology and Mechanical Engineering.

This year’s ranking is the result of an online survey of more than 10,000 patent attorneys in law firms or patent departments of companies in February and March 2025. Recommendations from over 3,300 clients and peers were taken into account. The results of last year’s survey were used with a slight weighting. Self-recommendations and attempts at multiple participation were prevented.

The current list of Europe’s leading patent law firms is available online here.

Leaders League 2025: BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT named “Best IP Law Firm” for two areas of law

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“Leading” award for patent prosecution and trademark prosecution. Top marks and recommendations in six other categories. 21 attorneys highlighted several times.

“Best IP Law Firm” and “Leading” is the jury’s verdict this year for the BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT team in two areas of law – “Patent Prosecution” and “Trademark Prosecution”.
The patent attorneys Christoph Angerhausen, Christian W. Appelt, Dr. Markus Engelhard, Dr. Steffen Schmidt, Dr. Volker Scholz and Dr. Jakob Valvoda as well as the attorneys at law Peter Gross, Dr. Florian Schwab and Dr. Martin Wirtz have thus received the highest possible recognition from the rating agency.

The jury awarded the rating “Excellent” to Dr. Rudolf Böckenholt, Dr. Andreas Dustmann, Silke Freund, Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann and Dr. Eckhard Ratjen for their work in the field of “Trademark Litigation”.

The following BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT attorneys are rated “highly recommended” in three categories:
– Patent Litigation – Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann, Dr. Michael Rüberg
– Media, Sports & Entertainment – Dr. Rudolf Böckenholt, Silke Freund, Dr. Martin Schaefer
– Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals & Biotech – Dr. Markus Engelhard, Dr. Martin Erbacher, Dr. Ute Kilger, Dr. Volker Scholz

In addition, the Leaders League jury makes recommendations for Dr. Andreas Dustmann, Dr. Sebastian Engels, Dr. Matthias Hofmann, Dr. Eckhard Ratjen and Dr. Jakob Valvoda in the field of “IT & Outsourcing” and for Dr. Sebastian Engels, Dr. Eckhard Ratjen, Dr. Michael Rüberg and Dr. Alexander Thamer for their work in the field of “Data Protection”.

With the guiding principle “Excellence in Leadership and Management”, Leaders League sees itself as a media and rating agency for top executives on an international level and provides up-to-date news and analyses as well as directories on companies, rankings, specialist events and digital products.

brand eins recognizes BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT as one of the best commercial law firms of 2025

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Five stars for the law firm and awards for the areas of “Trademarks, Designs”, “Patent Law” and “Copyright Law”.

In the current issue of the industry report brand eins /thema „Die besten Wirtschaftskanzleien des Jahres 2025“ (The best commercial law firms of 2025), BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT is honored with five stars and thus with the highest possible award. The areas of law “Trademarks, Design Patents”, “Patent Law” and “Copyright Law” are highlighted.

Brand eins /thema is a joint project of brand eins and Statista. This year, 435 commercial law firms are listed in 24 areas of law. The complete ranking can be viewed online in German here.

Best Lawyers 2026/Handelsblatt 2025: 21 BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT attorneys honoured

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“Best Lawyers in Germany 2026” title for 20 patent attorneys and attorneys at law. Jury once again highlights Dr. Alexander Thamer as “Ones to Watch in Germany 2026”.

The US specialist publisher “Best Lawyers” is once again honouring numerous BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT patent attorneys and attorneys at law with the title “Best Lawyers in Germany” this year.

With the title “Ones to Watch in Germany”, the jury awards attorney at law Dr. Alexander Thamer for the second time in a row.
Dr. Alexander Thamer works in trade mark, competition and copyright law at the Berlin office. His work includes the registration and defence of intellectual property rights in official proceedings as well as representation in and out of court in infringement proceedings, both on the assets and liabilities side. A particular focus of his advisory practice is in the field of copyright law.

Our “Best Lawyers in Germany 2026” at a glance

Christoph Angerhausen, Dusseldorf, Intellectual Property Law
Christian W. Appelt, Munich, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Thomas Bittner, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Rudolf Böckenholt, Bremen, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Andreas Dustmann, Berlin, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Markus Engelhard, Munich, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Sebastian Engels, Berlin, Intellectual Property Law
Silke Freund, Munich, Intellectual Property Law, Media and Copyright Law
Prof. Dr. Heinz Goddar, Munich, Intellectual Property Law and Patent Law
Peter Gross, Munich, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann, Munich, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Ute Kilger, Berlin, Biotechnology Law
Dr. Ludwig Kouker, Bremen, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Karl-Heinz Metten, Frankfurt, Intellectual Property Law
Malte Nentwig, Bremen, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Eckhard Ratjen, Bremen, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Michael Rüberg, Dusseldorf, Munich, Paris, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Martin Schaefer, Berlin, Media and Entertainment, Intellectual Property Law, Media and Copyright Law
Dr. Sebastian Schlegel, Berlin, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Alexander Thamer, Berlin, Intellectual Property Law (Ones to Watch in Germany 2026)
Dr. Martin Wirtz, Berlin, Intellectual Property Law

According to its own information, Best Lawyers is the oldest and most renowned ranking service for lawyers worldwide. The peer review process is used to select the award-winning lawyers. The ratings are based on survey results from leading lawyers in a geographical area and a defined legal practice area. The ranking by the US specialist publisher is also published annually in Handelsblatt, albeit with the current year’s number.

The list of “Best Lawyers 2026” of BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT is available here on the website of the US specialist magazine and online in the Handelsblatt (in German).

IAM Patent 1000 – Gold Standard and Multiple Accolades for BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT

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“Gold” for the German jurisdiction, “Silver” for the European Patent Office (EPO), and “Recommendation” for the Unified Patent Court (UPC).

The IP law firm BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT has once again received an extremely positive evaluation in the current IAM Patent 1000 ranking. For the German jurisdiction, which was awarded the highest rating of “Gold,” three subcategories are specifically highlighted. The area “Firms: Prosecution and Nullity” also received Gold, while “Firms: Infringement” was awarded Bronze. In the “Firms: Transactions” category, the partnership was recommended. The firm is described as a “trusted, reliable and highly skilled partner for all your IP needs” and is praised for its “wealth of experience and business-oriented advice.”

In the field of patent litigation, three attorneys at law from BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT are specifically highlighted: Dr. Michael Rüberg, Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann, and Dr. Sebastian Engels. Dr. Michael Rüberg is described as “very knowledgeable, thorough in his approach, and great at moving matters forward.” With almost three decades of experience, Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann “develops savvy strategies for national and cross-border infringement proceedings.” Dr. Sebastian Engels is considered a “clever problem solver and confident advocate who always strives for the best for his clients.”

In the area of patent prosecution and defense, three partners are also highlighted. Working with patent attorney Christoph Angerhausen is described as outstanding. “His deep technical knowledge, strategic foresight, and reliability make him a valued partner in building and maintaining patent portfolios.” Life sciences expert and patent attorney Dr. Markus Engelhard is described as “very reliable, practical, and efficient,” while patent attorney Christian W. Appelt is praised for his “extensive experience in opposition and appeal proceedings” and is highly valued by clients for his “professional and genuine advice.”

For the European Patent Office (EPO) jurisdiction, Dr. Daniel Herrmann is highlighted by name, along with Christian W. Appelt and Dr. Markus Engelhard once again.

The IAM Patent 1000 ranking is published annually and presents the world’s leading law firms in the field of patent law. The results are based on comprehensive research conducted by IAM Patent 1000 Analytics, which analyzes the global IP industry using robust data, customizable tools, and expert insight. This creates a detailed picture of law firm performance in the areas of patent prosecution, litigation, and transactions.

BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT’s 2025 ranking can be viewed freely on the IAM Patent 1000 website.

 

The Legal 500 – EMEA 2025: Outstanding client judgments, 17 attorneys praised for the first time

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Special recognition for achievements in the legal field of “Patent prosecution”. Awards in four other categories.

“The team is excellent. They are genuinely interested in knowing the industry and the client’s needs.” “The range of skills is not only broad but also deep.” “Boehmert & Boehmert represents a gold standard in Germany […].”
These are the judgments of clients and peers about the law firm, which were determined by The Legal 500 research team and published for the first time in the current edition of “The Legal 500- EMEA 2025”.

By The Legal 500 jury, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT is recognized in the categories “Patent prosecution”, “Patent litigation: patent lawyers”, “Patent litigation: solicitors”, “Trade marks” and “Entertainment”. The law firm receives with rank 2 the best rating for the legal field “Patent prosecution”.

Recognition of 17 attorneys for outstanding achievements

For the first time, the jury has singled out 17 patent attorneys and attorneys at law for praise:

Dr. Markus Engelhard, Dr. Daniel Herrmann, Dr. Karl-Heinz Metten, Prof. Dr. Heinz Goddar, Dr. Dennis Kretschmann, Christoph Angerhausen und Felix Hermann (all „Patent Prosecution“);
Christian W. Appelt, Dr. Dennis Kretschmann, Felix Hermann sowie Christoph Angerhausen (all „Patent litigation: patent lawyers);
Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann und Dr. Michael Rüberg (beide „Patent litigation: solicitors“);
Dr. Rudolf Böckenholt, Dr. Andreas Dustmann, Silke Freund, Dr. Sebastian Engels, Dr. Carl-Richard-Haarmann und Dr. Eckhard Ratjen (all „Trade marks“) as well as Dr. Martin Schaefer, Silke Freund, Dr. Andreas Dustmann for „Entertainment“).

Active filing practice and broad expertise

In the field of “Patent Prosecution”, the jury praised the firm’s active filing practice, which occupies a strong position both geographically and professionally. The attorneys’ broad expertise covers sectors such as electronics, robotics, biotechnology and telecommunications and is complemented by knowledge in related soft IP areas such as design law. In addition to patent applications, the team also supports clients in portfolio development and represents them in litigation proceedings, usually in cooperation with the firm’s attorneys at law.

Comprehensive expertise in nullity, infringement, opposition and appeal proceedings

BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT has comprehensive expertise in nullity, infringement, opposition and appeal proceedings and can handle these seamlessly from a single source thanks to the internal cooperation between patent attorneys and attorneys at law, according to the jury’s verdict for the legal field “Patent litigation: patent lawyers”. The team is particularly adept in the medical technology, electronics and mechanical engineering sectors, including for clients in the USA and Japan.

A sought-after address for contentious patent proceedings for medium-sized companies and large corporations

According to The Legal 500, the law firm has now established itself in the German market for contentious patent proceedings („Patent litigation: solicitors“) and is a sought-after address for both medium-sized companies and large international corporations. Not least because clients benefit from the close cooperation between the attorneys at law and the in-house team of patent attorneys.

Support throughout the entire life cycle of trademarks

In the “Trade mark” area, the jury praised BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT for supporting its clients from the trade mark application to enforcement. The focus is on managing global trade mark portfolios, advising on strategic expansions, representing clients in cross-border disputes, including before the EUIPO, and providing support in the areas of anti-counterfeiting, licensing agreements and M&A transactions.

Music industry and US film studios as clients in the entertainment sector

According to The Legal 500, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT’s clients in the entertainment sector are primarily in the music industry and among film studios based in the U.S. The clients are advised and represented primarily in copyright disputes, the strategic protection of copyrights, data protection issues and the defense against infringement claims.

About The Legal 500

The Legal 500 analyzes and ranks law firms around the world in more than 150 jurisdictions. The annual rankings are based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms, interviews with leading attorneys and experts with extensive knowledge of the legal market.

The Legal 500 – Germany 2025: BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT honored in five categories

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Special emphasis on the legal area “Patent prosecution”. Recognition of twelve lawyers for outstanding performance.

In this year’s edition of “The Legal 500 – Germany”, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT has again been recognized in five areas. The legal field of “Patent prosecution” receives the highest distinction. The firm is also received recommended in the categories “Patent litigation: patent lawyers”, “Trade marks”, “Patent litigation: solicitors” and “Entertainment”.

Leading IP law firm and attractive choice for global clients

As one of the most active law firms in the field of patent filing and administration, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT has earned a reputation as a leading law firm covering an extremely wide range of technologies and sectors, according to The Legal 500. In addition, the firm’s extensive best-friends network and offices in Alicante, Paris and Shanghai make it attractive to global clients.

Dr. Markus Engelhard and Dr. Daniel Herrmann were singled out for special mention. Dr. Engelhard is regularly involved in nullity and opposition proceedings and has particular expertise inactive pharmaceutical ingredients and therapeutic biomolecules. Dr. Herrmann’s practice focuses on the development and defense of patent portfolios in the technology sector.

A one-stop shop for patent litigation

As a mixed firm of patent attorneys and attorneys at law, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT is in a position to handle disputes relating to infringement, nullity, opposition and appeal proceedings from a single source, according to the jury.

The main contacts are the patent attorneys Christian W. Appelt (physics, mechanical engineering, electronics, computer technology), Dr. Dennis Kretschmann (physics, electrical engineering, optics, IT) and Felix Hermann (communications technology, audio and video coding, software, digital payment systems).

Comprehensive advice on trademarks, portfolio management and the enforcement and defense of intellectual property rights

In the field of trademark law, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT is active in the consumer goods, food, media and pharmaceutical sectors, among others. The law firm operates from its national and international offices in Alicante, Paris and Shanghai, which it uses for cross-border matters. According to the jury, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT offers comprehensive advice on trademarks, including portfolio management and the enforcement and defense of intellectual property rights.

Special mention goes to Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann for trademark, patent and licensing law and Dr. Rudolf Böckenholt for trademark and design law.

Medium-sized companies and large international groups as clients

The firm’s litigation practice is led by Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann, who is active in both patent and trademark law, and Dr. Michael Rüberg, whose expertise also includes the coordination of cross-border disputes. According to the jury, the team is supported by the firm’s patent attorneys in the event of disputes before German and European institutions. BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT’s clients range from German SMEs to large international corporations.

Advising clients from the music and film industries as well as software companies

According to The Legel 500, the firm’s copyright group advises clients from the music and film industries as well as software companies on all aspects of copyright and data protection law as well as IT and trademark issues.

Dr. Martin Schaefer focuses on anti-piracy and IP protection and regularly represents clients in copyright proceedings. Dr. Sebastian Engels and Dr. Eckhard Ratjen are the contacts for IT and e-commerce matters, while Silke Freund concentrates on trade mark portfolio management.

The Legal 500 analyzes and ranks law firms around the world in more than 150 jurisdictions. The annual rankings are based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms, interviews with leading attorneys and experts with extensive knowledge of the legal market. The current ranking is available online here.

WTR 1000 2025 – two silver rankings and much praise for BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT

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Silver rankings for Germany and “European Union Intellectual Property Office”. Recognition as an excellent law firm and outstanding source of reliable trade mark advice.

In the 2025 edition of “WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals”, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT is awarded the “Silver Level” in the categories “Germany” and “European Union Intellectual Property Office”.

High esteem for BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT in Germany and internationally

BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT is a superb law firm and an great source of reliable trademark advice, according to the jury. A broad range of trade mark practitioners work highly professionally and efficiently and consistently focus on the needs of their clients. The firm enjoys an outstanding reputation both in Germany and internationally, earning enthusiastic praise from clients and peers alike.

Honorable mention for nine lawyers as “Recommended Individuals 2025”

The following BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT attorneys were particularly highlighted by the WTR 1000 jury and honored as “Recommended Individuals 2025”:

  • Dr. Eckhard Ratjen is a very thorough and diligent trade mark attorney who provides valuable strategic advice on trademark applications.
  • According to WTR 1000, Silke Freund demonstrates exceptional thoroughness and efficiency in managing large trademark portfolios, taking her clients’ needs into account every step of the way. She thinks strategically when applying for new trade marks and defends her clients’ rights effectively against third parties.
  • Dr. Rudolf Böckenholt excels in protecting his clients’ trade marks and provides solid litigation and transactional support based on his extensive expertise in trade mark and design law. He responds to his clients’ needs and develops original solutions to all challenges with creative thinking, according to the WTR 1000 jury.
  • Peter Gross is an extremely qualified and business-oriented attorney who embodies the firm’s high standards.
  • Dr. Florian Schwab is described by the jury as an astute litigator who pursues a practice-oriented approach. He quickly recognizes the key points of a case and formulates them in clear, simple terms.
  • Dr. Volker Schmitz-Fohrmann is an outstanding practitioner with in-depth knowledge of the law. He is incredibly experienced, very responsive and excellent at working with foreign lawyers in multi-jurisdictional litigation.
  • Dr. Carl Richard Haarmann was judged by the jury to be at the forefront of initiatives for clients such as Imtron, for whom he expertly handles infringement and cancellation proceedings.
  • Dr. Andreas Dustmann has been particularly active in court this year, according to WTR 1000, and has represented the sports technology company COROS. He also handled seven preliminary injunction proceedings at various German courts and conducted cancellation proceedings before the EUIPO.
  • Dr. Sebastian Engels brings with him a wealth of experience in dispute resolution. His strong strategic thinking and wealth of experience make him an excellent choice for cross-border disputes, according to the jury.

Every year, WTR 1000 identifies the leading law firms and personalities in trade mark law in 70 countries and, since this year, has also compiled an EUIPO ranking.

JUVE Handbook of German Commercial Law Firms: BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT again recognised in four practice areas in the 2024/25 edition

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Recommendations for “Trademark and Design Law”, “Competition Law”, “Patent Law” and “Media: Contract and Copyright Law”

In the recently published 2024/25 edition of the JUVE Handbook of German Commercial Law Firms, the IP boutique BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT has been recommended in four areas of law. In addition to “Trademark & Design Law” and “Patent Law”, the areas of “Media: Contract and Copyright Law” and “Competition Law” are again highlighted.

BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT scores with strong trademark management practice and international orientation

According to the JUVE jury, the large trademark team has many years of experience and is therefore an established name in the market. The close cooperation with the patent practice offers clients added value. BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT’s broad advisory approach is strengthened by a younger team of lawyers who work intensively with the IT and media practice. The increased activity with start-ups with digital business models is in line with this.
According to JUVE, the firm’s frequently recommended attorneys at law in trade marks, design and competition law are Dr. Volker Schmitz-Fohrmann, Dr. Martin Wirtz, Dr. Rudolf Böckenholt (“very competent, assertive, fair in trademark law”, competitor), Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann, Dr. Eckhard Ratjen (“competent and pragmatic”, competitor), Peter Gross (“committed trademark lawyer with a good feel for the case”, competitor) and Dr. Sebastian Engels.

High expertise in music copyright

According to JUVE, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT impresses with its high level of expertise in music copyrights in the field of “Media: contract and copyright law”. In particular, Berlin-based lawyer and BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT partner Dr. Martin Schaefer is in demand for test cases such as “Stoererhaftung” and is “regularly involved in trend-setting mandates for member companies thanks to his permanent position at the Bundesverband der Musikindustrie”.

Award in the fields of “Patent Applications”, “Litigation” and “Patent Attorneys”: Patent Attorneys” and “Litigation: Attorneys”.

The online magazine JUVE Patent has already highlighted three areas of BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT’s patent practice in a separate ranking. In addition to the successful work in the field of “Patent Applications”, the firm’s experts were also recommended in the categories “Litigation: Patent Attorneys” and “Litigation: Lawyers”.
According to JUVE, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT is particularly well positioned with regard to the young Unified Patent Court (UPC) thanks to its many years of litigation experience and its large, closely cooperating team of patent attorneys and attorneys at law. The jury was also particularly impressed by the high level of activity on the part of patent attorneys in opposition proceedings before the EPO in the fields of computer technology, including semiconductors and software, as well as mobile communications, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
On the legal side, the team was praised for being instructed by well-known corporations as well as active medium-sized companies in infringement proceedings, especially in the fields of mechanical and electronic patents, and for often representing them – together with the patent attorneys – in revocation proceedings.
The jury honoured the patent attorneys Christian W. Appelt, Dr. Thomas Bittner, Dr. Markus Engelhard and Prof. Dr. Heinz Goddar with a special recommendation.

The German JUVE Handbook of German Law Firms is aimed at decision-makers in companies, in-house counsel and attorneys, with a comprehensive print edition and an online service. The ratings are based on research carried out by the editorial team, the evaluation of questionnaires on individual practice areas, interviews with competitors and clients, and the editorial team’s extensive knowledge of the industry.