New York based Kenyon & Kenyon to Close

The news marks the latest and largest closure in a shrinking national roster of intellectual property law firms. The firm had employed more than 200 lawyers close to a decade ago but today, they employ 55 lawyers between their New York, Washington D.C. and Palo Alto offices. Their current employees are now joining forces with the 350-strong Andrews Kurth firm that focuses primarily on the energy, finance and technology sectors.

Clients that were known to have consulted with Kenyon & Kenyon include Mattel, Sony and Volkswagen AG. Founded in 1879, Kenyon is the latest in a string of old-line intellectual property law firms to close over the past several years. Like Kenyon, many have been absorbed into full-service firms, largely reflecting the increasing importance companies now place on the protection of patents, trademarks and copyrights.

The combination with Andrews Kurth won’t these the Kenyon name disappear completely. In New York, Washington D.C. and California, where they still have offices and in the branding of the intellectual property practice, the firm will now be known as Andrews Kurth Kenyon.