Corporate legal decision makers are increasingly turning to specialized IP litigation partners who combine deep technical expertise with strategic courtroom acumen to navigate complex disputes. Emily Rapalino, a partner at Goodwin, has been named a 2026 BTI Client Service All-Star, joining fewer than 300 lawyers nationwide selected by corporate counsel for their exceptional ability to deliver results in high-stakes legal matters.

What Do Corporate Counsel Look for in IP Litigation Partners?

The BTI Client Service All-Stars recognition is based on more than 350 in-depth interviews with top legal decision makers at large organizations with $700 million or more in revenue. This means the lawyers on the list have been directly vetted by the executives and general counsels who actually hire them for the most critical disputes. Client feedback on Rapalino described her as "attentive and creative, with deep experience," qualities that corporate leaders consistently cite as essential when handling complex litigation matters.

What distinguishes these elite IP litigators from their peers? The answer lies in a combination of specialized knowledge, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into compelling legal arguments. Rapalino exemplifies this approach. As a partner in Goodwin's IP Litigation practice and a member of the firm's Life Sciences Disputes team, she draws on advanced degrees in biology to navigate the scientific and technical complexities at the heart of pharmaceutical and biotechnology litigation.

How Do Technical Credentials Shape Litigation Outcomes?

Rapalino's background demonstrates why corporations increasingly seek counsel with deep domain expertise. Her track record includes a key role in securing a trial win for Cephalon involving Treanda, an oncology drug with annual sales reaching up to $800 million, where the court found in Cephalon's favor on all asserted infringement claims. More recently, she secured key victories for Sandoz in its Esbriet patent dispute both at the district court and on appeal, allowing Sandoz to be first to market with its generic product.

These outcomes illustrate a critical insight: when lawyers understand the science behind the products they are defending, they can identify vulnerabilities in opposing arguments and craft more persuasive narratives for judges and juries. This is particularly valuable in patent litigation, where technical accuracy and credibility can determine the outcome of multi-million-dollar disputes.

What Qualities Define All-Star IP Counsel?

Based on the recognition criteria used by corporate legal decision makers, elite IP litigation partners share several defining characteristics:

• Technical Depth: Advanced knowledge in the scientific, engineering, or technological domain relevant to the dispute, allowing counsel to understand not just the law but the underlying technology and industry context.
• Strategic Foresight: The ability to anticipate legal risks early in product development and advise clients on proactive mitigation strategies rather than reactive courtroom defense.
• Client-Centric Service: A demonstrated commitment to understanding the client's business objectives and tailoring legal advice to achieve outcomes that protect shareholder value and competitive position.
• Courtroom Excellence: A proven track record of securing favorable outcomes at trial and on appeal, demonstrating the ability to persuade judges and juries under pressure.

The BTI Client Service All-Stars recognition reflects a broader shift in how corporations approach complex litigation. Rather than treating disputes as isolated legal problems, leading companies are now engaging specialized counsel who can serve as strategic business advisors. This approach is particularly important in industries where intellectual property is central to competitive advantage, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and technology.

As corporate counsel continue to face increasingly complex disputes involving cutting-edge science and technology, the demand for lawyers who can bridge technical expertise and legal strategy will only grow. The recognition of lawyers like Rapalino underscores that corporate legal decision makers are actively seeking out these specialists and rewarding them for delivering results that matter.