Sterne Kessler Recognized by Financial Times as One of 2015’s Most Innovative Law Firms for Helping Underserved Indigenous Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 8, 2015) – Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. is pleased to announce that the firm’s Intellectual Property and Human Rights Pro Bono practice has been recognized as the winner of the Financial Times’ Most Innovative North American Lawyers 2015 award in the category of “Innovation in a Social Responsibility Project,” with special commendation to director and pro bono practice leader Jorge Goldstein.

Reporting on Sterne Kessler’s pro bono practice that was ranked first out of 13 recognized firms in the “Social Responsibility-Projects” category, the editors noted, “The firm helps underserved communities secure intellectual property rights to their cultural knowledge, agricultural inventions, medicines, and folklore.”

Since its inception and founding by Director Jorge Goldstein in 2011, the firm’s pro bono practice has integrated legal concepts from the areas of intellectual property law and of economic, social, and cultural human rights to empower disenfranchised and impoverished communities promote their economic and social development. Goldstein’s interest in creating opportunities for Sterne Kessler’s lawyers to help disadvantaged groups was sparked after becoming a member of the Public Interest Intellectual Property Advisors (PIIPA), an international nonprofit organization that refers pro bono IP legal counsel to clients in developing countries that typically do not have ready access to IP legal services.

“As a firm that is solely dedicated to IP law, having an IP and human rights pro bono practice means a lot to us because our attorneys have the opportunity to use their specific skills to help disadvantaged communities in a significant way,” said Goldstein.” Our very gratifying work in this field includes representing indigenous groups and individuals both inside the U.S. and at an international level. It is a tremendous honor to be recognized for our unique pro bono practice.”

The annual Financial Times “Innovative Layers” program, including a FT special report supplement and an awards gala, recognizes law firms for innovation in a variety of practice areas based on the originality of legal work, the rationale behind strategy, and the impact of the work on clients’ business. Telephone interviews and feedback from clients and independent references are used to assess each nominee. The report is compiled in partnership with RSG Consulting and is the only legal industry ranking of lawyers by innovation. To view the Financial Times’ “Innovative Lawyers North America 2015” report, click here, navigate to “Social responsibility – projects,” and link to or download the full ranking.

About Sterne Kessler
Founded in 1978 and based in Washington, DC, Sterne Kessler is dedicated exclusively to the protection, transfer and enforcement of intellectual property rights. Our team of attorneys, registered patent agents, students and technical specialists include some of the country’s most respected practitioners of intellectual property law. Most of our professionals hold an advanced level degree, including 55 masters degrees and more than 60 with a doctorate in science or engineering — credentials wide and deep enough to fill the faculty of a science-oriented university.

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