The National Law Journal presents its second annual Intellectual Property Hot List. Among this year’s group you’ll find 20 law firms that have demonstrated creative, formidable talent in litigation, patent prosecution and deal-making. Some of the top teams operate within giant, full-service law firms with offices throughout the world; others practice at small shops that focus solely on intellectual property matters. Whatever their size these firms’ cases often have billions at stake, and patents involving impressive advancements in science and technology including ground-breaking pharmaceuticals; the contents of the food we put on our tables; and the ways we communicate with each other.