When Google faced Oracle over the Java code inside Android, a jury in San Francisco’s federal courthouse heard the copyright fight twice. Years later, in 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with Google on fair use. The trial lawyer who first pitched that fair use defense to jurors worked from an office on Battery Street, less than a mile from the courthouse.
That’s San Francisco in a sentence. Software, biotech, gaming, and consumer brands all generate IP worth fighting over here, and the city’s lawyers often set national precedent. Choosing the right intellectual property lawyer in San Francisco can decide whether your patent, trademark, or source code stays yours. These five firms stand out in 2026.
San Francisco IP Law Firms Compared
| Law Firm | Key Attorney(s) | Address | Phone | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP | Robert Van Nest, Christa Anderson | 633 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 | (415) 391-5400 | Google v. Oracle fair use win, Law360 2024 Trials Group of the Year |
| Morrison & Foerster LLP | IP Litigation Group (incl. former Durie Tangri team) | 425 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 | (415) 268-7000 | Headquartered in SF, absorbed IP boutique Durie Tangri in 2023 |
| Kwun Bhansali Lazarus LLP | Michael Kwun, Asim Bhansali | 555 Montgomery Street, Suite 750, San Francisco, CA 94111 | (415) 630-2350 | Founded 2018, 2026 Tier 1 SF rankings in IP and patent litigation |
| Farella Braun + Martel LLP | Jeffrey Fisher | 235 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104 | (415) 954-4400 | Founded 1962, patent and trademark disputes, wine industry brands |
| Tyz Law Group PC | Ryan Tyz | 4 Embarcadero Center, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111 | (415) 849-3578 | 2026 Tier 1 SF IP litigation ranking, video game industry clients |
1. Keker, Van Nest & Peters: The Trial Specialists
Bob Van Nest told San Francisco jurors in 2012, and again in a 2016 retrial, that Google’s use of Java code was fair use. The Supreme Court ultimately agreed in a 6-2 decision. The firm also won a major copyright defense verdict for Arista Networks against Cisco.
Its client list has included Google, Netflix, Qualcomm, and Arista. Law360 named it a 2024 Trials Group of the Year.
- Choose them for: Bet-the-company patent and copyright trials
2. Morrison & Foerster: Global Reach, SF Roots
MoFo has been headquartered in San Francisco for decades. Here’s a fun detail: the “mofo” nickname started in the 1970s as the firm’s teletype address and later became its web domain.
On January 3, 2023, MoFo completed its combination with Durie Tangri, a San Francisco IP boutique co-founded in 2009. Thirty-six lawyers joined, including founders Daralyn Durie and Ragesh Tangri, whose clients had included Amazon, Meta, and Zoom.
- Choose them for: Global patent portfolios, life sciences, large tech disputes
3. Kwun Bhansali Lazarus: A Keker Family Tree
Michael Kwun launched this boutique in 2018 after years at Keker & Van Nest, a stint as litigation counsel at Google, and time as an attorney in the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s IP group. Interestingly, Durie Tangri’s Daralyn Durie was also a Keker partner before founding her own firm, so Battery Street has seeded more than one top IP boutique.
KBL earned 2026 Tier 1 San Francisco rankings in IP litigation and patent litigation, plus National Tier 2 rankings. It’s also certified as a minority- and women-owned firm.
- Choose them for: Internet and software disputes, cost-conscious patent litigation
4. Farella Braun + Martel: Brands, Patents, and Wine
Founded in 1962, Farella has worked from the Russ Building on Montgomery Street since 1970. It also runs a Napa Valley office focused on the wine industry, where trademark disputes over labels and vineyard names are common.
IP partner Jeffrey Fisher was named both a “Patent Star” and “Trademark Star” by Managing IP.
- Choose them for: Trademark enforcement, consumer brands, wine and beverage IP
Note: One directory lists One Bush Street, Suite 900. The firm describes the Russ Building at 235 Montgomery Street as its home.
5. Tyz Law Group: Built for Gamers
Ryan Tyz founded his IP litigation firm around a simple idea: treat litigation as a competitive game. Fittingly, many of its clients are video game companies, a practice led by Jennifer Kelly.
The firm holds a 2026 Tier 1 San Francisco ranking in IP litigation. It also operates as a fully remote firm, headquartered in San Francisco but drawing lawyers from across the country.
- Choose them for: Video game IP, licensing disputes, copyright litigation
Note: One State Bar listing shows 1 Embarcadero Center, Suite 1200. Confirm the current office before visiting.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Firm selection reflects independent editorial research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do I need a patent attorney or an IP litigator?
A: It depends on your goal. Registered patent attorneys draft and file applications with the USPTO. IP litigators handle lawsuits. Many San Francisco firms offer both, but top litigation boutiques focus mainly on courtroom disputes.
Q2. How long does a patent last in the United States?
A: A utility patent generally lasts 20 years from its earliest filing date, if maintenance fees are paid. Design patents filed today last 15 years from the date they’re granted.
Q3. Can my employer stop me from working for a competitor in California?
A: Usually not through a noncompete, since California generally voids them. However, you can still be sued for taking or using your former employer’s trade secrets, such as source code or customer data.
Q4. Where are IP lawsuits filed in San Francisco?
A: Most patent and copyright cases go to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California at 450 Golden Gate Avenue, which follows its own patent local rules.
