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Goodwin

United States 2025
National flag for United States 44 National Rankings
94 Regional Rankings
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Overview

We are in the business of building authentic, long-term relationships with our clients, who are some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. Our immersive understanding of these industries – combined with our expertise across high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions – sets us apart.

Founded:
1912
Size:
2001
Magnifying glass with star icon
Practice Areas:
47
Person outline with Best Lawyers logo
Best Lawyers Recognized:
151

Rankings

"Law Firm of the Year" Awards

Star inside a segmented circle
2025 "Law Firm of the Year"
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Appellate Practice
Tier
1
National Ranking
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Tier
1
National Ranking
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
National Ranking
Construction Law

Regional

Boston

Tier
1
Boston
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
Boston
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier
1
Boston
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Tier
1
Boston
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Boston
Construction Law
Tier
1
Boston
Copyright Law

Firm Leadership

Robert S. Insolia
Chairman
Mark T. Bettencourt
Managing Partner

Highlighted Client Comments

These featured testimonials reflect a sampling of client experiences. As every legal matter is unique—comments are personal opinions, not guarantees of future results.
Venture Capital Law
Highly experienced, practical, and reasonable.
 
Litigation - ERISA
Goodwin has an excellent ERISA litigation team with the expertise to handle complex issues and efficiently and effectively manage all aspects of class action litigation from the pleading stage through trial and appeal. The Goodwin team always does a great job of keeping the bigger picture in mind to achieve successful outcomes without incurring unnecessary expenses. I spend a lot of my time focusing on ERISA-related issues, and Goodwin has been, and will continue to be, one of my go-to firms in the ERISA litigation space. There is a short list of firms that I truly trust in the ERISA space, and Goodwin is on that list.
Richard Nowak
Fidelity
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Goodwin's mergers and acquisitions team is exceptional. It is important for me to emphasize that what separates Goodwin from the rest is their pragmatism. They are very good at assessing risk and opportunities through the lens of the business and understanding our unique issues.
Jennifer Salinas
Cerence Inc.
Corporate Law
Drawing on a wealth of experience, depth of talent and sharp business acumen, Goodwin is the firm to have on your side in any corporate transaction.
Stephen Harvey
BitSight Technologies, Inc.
Patent Law
All the patent attorneys and agents I work with at Goodwin are excellent. They are all very responsive and provide detailed and thoughtful responses to my questions. They really know the law and the science relevant to our business, and they can execute on the strategy we put in place together. All round, great to work with.
John McKeague
Dragonfly Therapeutics
Corporate Law
Goodwin consistently delivers reliable, actionable advice even in situations of exceptional complexity and uncertainty.
Jonathan Bryant
J&J
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Goodwin has one of the top rated biotechnology and life sciences practices in the market. From its deep licensing bench to its capital markets team, Goodwin offers its clients complete coverage.
Julie Constable
Blackstone Life Sciences
Litigation - Securities
Goodwin has an effective senior partner team approach, bringing each area of expertise to bear as needed. They are always available for consultation on short notice if required, meet all timelines and are fully communicative throughout the process. Their litigation partners are very experienced with court personnel and their styles. Goodwin is candid and flexible about the cost of long-running litigation. They understand the financial strain such cases can bring and are committed to maintaining the highest level of integrity throughout. I recommend Goodwin for virtually any legal matter.
Stephen Kasnet
Two Harbors Investment Corp.
Corporate Law
The Goodwin team is an integral part of how we run our biotechnology business. Our successful business has operated privately for 15 years and has returned over $4 billion in dividends to our investors who contributed $400 million, a 10x return. That success required combining cutting edge medical sciences with innovative corporate structuring and extensive deal making. Goodwin has advised Nimbus on all general counsel matters, and acts in that role pro tem. From corporate governance, structuring, business development collaborations, investing, risk and people management, tax law advice, litigation matters, and general operations, Goodwin has been Nimbus' key advisor on the successful running of our business. This success stems from the incomparable talents at Goodwin and their incredible approach to teamwork: both inside the firm and with us as a client. They get my highest regards and most sincere thanks.
Jeb Keiper
Nimbus Discovery, Inc.
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
The team at Goodwin has done a brilliant job for our fund on 23 acquisitions and counting. They are not only skilled at structuring the deal documents, but they have proven outstanding working with seller’s counsel to sell our important deal points in a commercial manner to make sure the deal moves forward.
Timothy Bovard
SFA, LLC
Appellate Practice
Goodwin has a truly outstanding appellate practice. They are extraordinarily knowledgeable, timely and cost-effective.
Karin Hessler
Association for Accessible Medicines
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
I find Goodwin to be excellent, exceptional partners on transactions.
Philip Yates
Bregal Sagemount
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
The Goodwin team is excellent counsel in the area of emerging venture funds. They are very responsive, have a deep understanding of issues and highly recommend them!
Ingrid Chen
Basis Set Ventures
Banking and Finance Law
Goodwin is a trusted advisor to our organization. They have advised our firm on ten platform transactions and numerous add-on acquisitions over the past five years. Their team is made up of natural dealmakers who consistently propose creative and innovative solutions to bridge disagreements between buyers and sellers. The Goodwin team has strong commercial instincts that enable them to identify and solve critical issues and expeditiously close transactions. The Goodwin team has a natural ability to provide simple explanations for complex legal topics. They clearly articulate their views to clients and counterparties. The Goodwin team approaches negotiations with a calm and patient demeanor that often de-escalates disagreements with counterparties. Their unique style and approach have helped our firm close multiple transactions on accelerated timelines.
Kyle Guinivan
Nonantum Capital Partners, LLC
Financial Services Regulation Law
I have been with Goodwin since our early stages. They have assisted me with complex consumer lending documents, contracts and much more. I recently retained the investment/ financial services department to assist me with an investor round of funding and they again, have done an amazing job negotiating, drafting documents, and also communicating with opposing counsel. I highly recommend Goodwin, and when I tell people they are my counsel of record, I instantly am looked at as a serious entity.
Russell Bryant
TGUC Financial
Patent Law
Advice from Goodwin is rooted in case law and business trends. It is as thorough as we ask for, tailored for the length and audience of a meeting. Meetings are always pre-planned, with agendas, to keep everything on target and on time. Goodwin also assists in planning ahead, working with our department heads to develop schedules that will minimize costs and redundant work.
Bradley Harris
Envisagenics, Inc.
Employment Law - Management
Goodwin's employment law team is one of the best. In addition to their broad spectrum of expertise, they deliver practical solutions to both the highly complex issues and the day-to-day routine matters. My Human Resource executives value the Goodwin lawyers' advice and counsel.
 
FDA Law
Goodwin has been a valued and trusted partner in our most critical projects and litigations, and I have also felt that I can have frank and open conversations where the Goodwin team is focused on providing the most efficient and cost-effective, value-add service and advice. I have appreciated their patience and persistence, especially when it's been overwhelming.
 
Banking and Finance Law
I have worked with the attorneys at Goodwin for over the past 30 years as a bank General Counsel of both a top ten bank and a community bank. I have also been a personal client. The attorneys at the firm have an in-depth command of the law coupled with a keen business sense. This results in having a collaborative partner who helps navigate through legal issues to provide answers and find practical solutions that support me and the business teams. The attorneys’ understanding of business and finance law and regulation have earned the trust of the banks’ leadership. Their efficient use of their time has consistently kept the costs of their services down, thereby contributing to the bottom line. I highly recommend Goodwin.
 

Rankings

154 United States Rankings
17 Germany Rankings

"Law Firm of the Year" Awards

Star inside a segmented circle
2025 "Law Firm of the Year"
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Appellate Practice
Tier
1
National Ranking
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Tier
1
National Ranking
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
National Ranking
Construction Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Corporate Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
National Ranking
Employment Law - Management
Tier
1
National Ranking
International Trade and Finance Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Environmental
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - ERISA
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Patent
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Real Estate
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Tier
1
National Ranking
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
1
National Ranking
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Patent Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Technology Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Venture Capital Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Copyright Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Energy Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Environmental Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Financial Services Regulation Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Health Care Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Information Technology Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Litigation - Antitrust
Tier
2
National Ranking
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier
2
National Ranking
Litigation - Securities
Tier
2
National Ranking
Mining Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Mutual Funds Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Tax Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Trademark Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Trusts and Estates
Tier
3
National Ranking
FDA Law
Tier
3
National Ranking
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs

Regional

Boston

Tier
1
Boston
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
Boston
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier
1
Boston
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Tier
1
Boston
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Boston
Construction Law
Tier
1
Boston
Copyright Law
Tier
1
Boston
Corporate Governance Law
Tier
1
Boston
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Boston
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
Boston
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
1
Boston
Employment Law - Individuals
Tier
1
Boston
Employment Law - Management
Tier
1
Boston
Energy Law
Tier
1
Boston
Environmental Law
Tier
1
Boston
Information Technology Law
Tier
1
Boston
International Trade and Finance Law
Tier
1
Boston
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier
1
Boston
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier
1
Boston
Litigation - Antitrust
Tier
1
Boston
Litigation - Environmental
Tier
1
Boston
Litigation - ERISA
Tier
1
Boston
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
Boston
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
1
Boston
Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Tier
1
Boston
Litigation - Patent
Tier
1
Boston
Litigation - Real Estate
Tier
1
Boston
Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Tier
1
Boston
Litigation - Securities
Tier
1
Boston
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
1
Boston
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
Boston
Nonprofit / Charities Law
Tier
1
Boston
Patent Law
Tier
1
Boston
Privacy and Data Security Law
Tier
1
Boston
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier
1
Boston
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Tier
1
Boston
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
Boston
Tax Law
Tier
1
Boston
Technology Law
Tier
1
Boston
Trademark Law
Tier
1
Boston
Trusts and Estates
Tier
1
Boston
Venture Capital Law
Tier
2
Boston
Arbitration
Tier
2
Boston
Insurance Law
Tier
2
Boston
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Tier
3
Boston
Immigration Law

Los Angeles

Tier
1
Los Angeles
Real Estate Law

New York City

Tier
1
New York City
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
New York City
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
New York City
Corporate Law
Tier
1
New York City
Criminal Defense: General Practice
Tier
1
New York City
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
New York City
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation - Patent
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation - Securities
Tier
1
New York City
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
1
New York City
Patent Law
Tier
1
New York City
Real Estate Law
Tier
2
New York City
Employment Law - Management
Tier
2
New York City
Health Care Law
Tier
2
New York City
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
2
New York City
Litigation - Real Estate
Tier
2
New York City
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier
2
New York City
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Tier
3
New York City
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs

Philadelphia

Tier
1
Philadelphia
Criminal Defense: White-Collar

San Francisco

Tier
1
San Francisco
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Tier
1
San Francisco
Corporate Law
Tier
1
San Francisco
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
San Francisco
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
San Francisco
Patent Law
Tier
1
San Francisco
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier
1
San Francisco
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
San Francisco
Technology Law
Tier
1
San Francisco
Venture Capital Law
Tier
2
San Francisco
Commercial Litigation
Tier
2
San Francisco
Copyright Law
Tier
2
San Francisco
Litigation - Patent
Tier
2
San Francisco
Litigation - Securities
Tier
3
San Francisco
Construction Law
Tier
3
San Francisco
Employment Law - Management

Washington, D.C.

Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Appellate Practice
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
FDA Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Financial Services Regulation Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - ERISA
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Mutual Funds Law
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Health Care Law
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Environmental
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Mining Law
Tier
3
Washington, D.C.
Corporate Governance Law

Practice Areas

Goodwin has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 55 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Admiralty and Maritime Law
  • Antitrust Law
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Copyright Law
  • Corporate Compliance Law
  • Corporate Governance Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
  • Employment Law - Individuals
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Environmental Law
  • FDA Law
  • Financial Services Regulation Law
  • International Trade and Finance Law
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
  • Litigation - Antitrust
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - Environmental
  • Litigation - ERISA
  • Litigation - First Amendment
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
  • Litigation - Patent
  • Litigation - Real Estate
  • Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
  • Litigation - Securities
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Mutual Funds Law
  • Patent Law
  • Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
  • Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Public Finance Law
  • Real Estate Law
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Securities Regulation
  • Tax Law
  • Technology Law
  • Trademark Law
  • Trusts and Estates
  • Venture Capital Law

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Goodwin proudly has 151 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
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Client Comments

A strong relationship between a client and their law firm is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Open communication, trust, and collaboration ensure that attorneys understand each client’s unique goals and needs. Choosing the right firm means finding a team with the experience, knowledge, and dedication to guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Client comments reflect personal opinions and individual experiences. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Past results and testimonials do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. For personalized legal advice, consult directly with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your specific situation and provide tailored guidance.
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Offices & Contacts

Los Angeles, CA
601 South Figueroa Street, Suite 4100
Los Angeles, CA 90017
United States
213-426-2500
Get Directions
Redwood City, CA
601 Marshall Street
Redwood City, CA 94063
United States
650-752-3100
Get Directions
San Francisco, CA
525 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
United States
415-733-6000
Get Directions
Santa Monica, CA
520 Broadway, Suite 500
Santa Monica, CA 90401
United States
424-252-6400
Get Directions
Washington, DC
1900 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States
202-346-4000
Get Directions
Boston, MA
100 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
United States
617-570-1000
Get Directions
New York, NY
The New York Times Building
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
United States
212-813-8800
Get Directions
Philadelphia, PA
3025 John F Kennedy Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
United States
445-207-7800
Get Directions
Luxembourg, LU
Royal Park, 29 Avenue de la Porte-Neuve
Luxembourg L-2227
Luxembourg
352 27 86 67 77
Get Directions
Paris, FR
12 rue d'Astorg
Paris 75008
France
33 1 85 65 71 71
Get Directions
Frankfurt/Main, DE
TaunusTurm
Taunustor 1
Frankfurt/Main 60310
Germany
49 69 6677 38500
Get Directions
Munich, DE
Max-Joseph-Straße 2
Munich 80333
Germany
49 89 2620 24200
Get Directions
Cambridge, GB
50-60 Station Road
Cambridge CB1 2JH
United Kingdom
44 1223 645 000
Get Directions
London, GB
Sancroft, 10-15 Newgate Street
London EC1A 7AZ
United Kingdom
44 20 7447 4200
Get Directions
Mark T. Bettencourt
Managing Partner
Anthony McCusker
Chair
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