The past year was remarkable for the intellectual property world not only because of the developments noted in this issue of our Information Letter, but also for developments within the intellectual property law profession itself, given the departure of a number of intellectual property boutique firms from the scene.

Traditionally intellectual property law has for the most part been practiced in boutique firms. In recent years, some of this work has shifted to in-house departments or to general practice law firms. However, solid boutique firms continue to play a vital role by providing flexibility and cost-benefits that alternatives cannot easily offer.

Recent surveys by Legal Media Group of the world's leading experts in trademark and patent law show that a substantial number work in boutique firms. A high quality boutique firm working with an in-house department provides the right expertise, enables costs to be kept under control by paying for legal services only when needed, and maintains proper objectivity in solving legal problems.

Boutique firms fit the right person to a particular task while maintaining effective contact at the partnership level. Boutique firms also tend to offer more flexible billing practices than larger general practice firms.

Ladas & Parry prides itself on being a superior intellectual property boutique firm. Managing Intellectual Property magazine rated us No. 2 in the U.S. for non-contentious trademark matters; No.3 in the U.S.for non-contentious patent matters; top 10 in the U.S. for contentious trademark matters; and top 25 in the U.S. for contentious patent matters. We know and practice intellectual property law in the United States and around the globe, working through our own offices in Munich and London for matters before the European Patent Office, the European Community trademarks and designs office and the U.K. Patent Office and through counsel we know well throughout the world.

A current advertisement by one large general practice law firm claims that the solution to patent problems in Detroit starts in Dusseldorf. We could not agree more. Our founding partner's first business trip was to Germany to address patent problems relating to automobile starter motors. That was in 1912. We have been solving similar problems for our clients ever since.

For over 90 years Ladas & Parry has played an important role in world intellectual property practice and we look forward to continuing that role into the future.