Interactive Age Names Top 30 Game Law Firms

According to a national survey conducted by Interactive Age, the number of lawyers specializing in the video game and interactive entrainment industry is on the rise. The survey showed that there are 530 attorneys in the United States practicing law related to video games, new media and interactive entertainment. The survey selected the top 30 law firms in the country.

The top five law firms, according to the survey, were (in order) Perkins Coie LLP, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Jones Day LLP, and Kenyon & Kenyon LLP.

"The results of our recent survey show there are 530 attorneys practicing law in the area of video games, new media and interactive entertainment," said N. Evan Van Zelfden, editorial director for Interactive Age. "The appeal for these big firms is that this sector lets them leverage all of their expertise across the board for a single client."

"This phenomenon is much like the history and development of Sports Law," added Dr. Peter Raad, founder and executive director of The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University. "Legal issues that were sports-related went from being handled by individual attorneys and small firms to now being part of large firms. Today, the Sports Law Association has more than a 1,000 members."

The top 30 firms are:

1. Perkins Coie LLP
2. Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
3. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
4. Jones Day LLP
5. Kenyon & Kenyon LLP
6. Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
7. Thompson & Knight LLP
8. SNR Denton LLP
9. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
10. Loeb & Loeb LLP
11. Irell & Manella LLP
12. Bryan Cave LLP
13. Fish & Richardson P.C.
14. Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
15. Fenwick & West LLP
16. Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP
17. Davis & Gilbert LLP
18. Baker & McKenzie SCP
19. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
20. Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP
21. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
22. Winston & Strawn LLP
23. Harbottle & Lewis LLP
24. Nixon Peabody LLP
25. Davis LLP
26. Morrison & Foerster, LLP
27. Munck Carter, LLP
28. Haynes and Boone, LLP
29. Howrey LLP
30. Jenner & Block LLP

The survey was conducted in advance of the annual Game::Business::Law Summit, hosted by SMU's Dedman School of Law, The Guildhall at SMU, and the Center for American and International Law. The event takes place Wednesday, Jan. 26 – Thursday, Jan. 27, in Dallas, TX. Conference details, scheduled speakers and additional information can be found at: www.game-business-law.com.