Pillsbury’s Intellectual Property Practice Earns Top Honors in Managing IP’s 2026 IP Stars Directory

Spanning a broad range of intellectual property practice areas and more than 50 jurisdictions, the Managing IP Awards program is one of the legal industry’s most comprehensive and highly regarded recognition programs. The IP Stars rankings are based on in-depth research that incorporates client and peer feedback, along with information submitted by participating firms.

This year, five Pillsbury attorneys were recognized as IP Stars, an honor that identifies veteran intellectual property practitioners who are widely recommended by clients and peers.

The individually ranked attorneys include:

• Ranjini Acharya – Patent Star, Top 250 Women in IP (California)
• Callie Bjurstrom – Trademark Star (California)
• J. Rick Taché – Patent Star (California)
• Mark Abate – Patent Star (New York)
• Jack Barufka – Patent Star (Virginia)

In addition to its individual honors, the firm achieved multiple practice rankings across key IP categories. Pillsbury was “Recommended” in Trademark Disputes and Trademark Prosecution in California, while the firm was ranked nationally for Trademark Prosecution. The firm was also “Recommended” for Patent Prosecution in California and nationally ranked in the same category. Notably, the firm’s IP practice in Virginia earned a distinction as “Highly Recommended” in Virginia.

Recognized as offering among the most skilled and highly regarded IP practices, Pillsbury has provided comprehensive intellectual property advice and protection to clients worldwide for more than 120 years. The team asserts and defends infringement claims and resolves IP-related disputes before regulatory bodies, in courts and at the negotiating table. To learn more about Pillsbury’s Intellectual Property practice, click here.