Accolades

Chambers USA ranked the firm and three of its attorneys are ranked in the prestigious 2025 Chambers USA Guide, a leading legal directory that identifies and ranks the most outstanding law firms and lawyers across the United States.

This year’s attorney honorees include:

• Alan Carlson
• Derek Vandenburgh
• Tara C. Norgard

These rankings reflect the firm’s continued excellence in intellectual property law and its reputation for delivering strategic, high-impact legal counsel. Chambers USA rankings are based on in-depth research, including client feedback, peer reviews, and independent market analysis. Maintaining a Chambers ranking is a testament to the firm’s enduring strength and client trust.

Since 1990, Chambers and Partners has identified and ranked the world’s best lawyers and law firms based on -in-depth, objective research.

We’re pleased to be recognized and named a Best Law Firm® 2025:

Metropolitan Tier 1:
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Litigation – Patent
Patent Law

Metropolitan Tier 2:
Trademark Law

The 2025 Best Law Firms® list, released by Best Lawyers, highlights top legal talent across 204 metropolitan areas in 150 practice fields. Recognizing nearly 80,000 lawyers, it includes the “Lawyer of the Year” award for 5,223 distinguished professionals, and the Ones to Watch list for rising legal leaders. This edition underscores trends in growing areas like commercial litigation, labor, employment, and insurance law. This annual ranking serves as a guide for clients seeking reputable legal representation nationwide, and further details are available on the Best Lawyers website​

The Best Lawyers® 2026 Edition is universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence since it was first published in 1983. The firm has been ranked in the Top Tier for Litigation-Intellectual Property and Litigation-Patent Law.

Congratulations to the seventeen Carlson Caspers attorneys recognized in the 2026 Edition of Best Lawyers in America®, and to two attorneys named Ones to Watch®.

Our 2026 Best Lawyers in America®:

• Jennell Bilek
• Dennis C. Bremer
• William F. Bullard
• Alan G. Carlson
• Philip P. Caspers
• Matthew J. Goggin
• Samuel A. Hamer
• Brian W. Hayes
• Peter M. Kohlhepp
• Timothy A. Lindquist
• Samuel T. Lockner
• Iain A. McIntyre
• Tara C. Norgard
• Alexandra J. Olson
• Gary J. Speier
• J. Derek Vandenburgh
• Joseph W. Winkels

Our 2026 Ones to Watch®:

• Seung Sub Kim
• Nathan Louwagie

(July 8, 2025)

Carlson Caspers is proud to announce its recognition as a Vault 2026 Top 150 Under 150 law firm. The award is given to law firms with fewer than 150 attorneys to recognize firms that provide top-notch service and a great work environment. The list is based on surveys and reviews from associates working at these firms, focusing on factors like quality of life, career development, and compensation.

Carlson Caspers has distinguished itself through its innovative legal strategies and a team of highly skilled attorneys who are leaders in their fields. The firm’s collaborative culture and focus on professional development have been instrumental in achieving this recognition.

The 2025 IAM Patent 1000, ranking the “The World’s Leading Patent Professionals” has awarded a Gold ranking to the Carlson Caspers law firm, and eight Carlson Caspers Shareholders are “Recommended Individuals:”

Alan Carlson (Gold), Philip P. Caspers (Silver), Timothy A. Lindquist (Silver), Samuel T. Lockner (Silver), Tara C. Norgard (Silver), J. Derek Vandenburgh (Silver), Joe Winkels (Bronze), and Sam Hamer (Bronze).

The IAM identifies the top patent professionals in key jurisdictions around the globe. “The Patent 1000 focuses exclusively on patent practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive ‘go-to’ resource for those seeking world-class legal patent expertise.”

Named partners Alan G. Carlson, Philip P. Caspers and J. Derek Vandenburgh have been named 2022 “IP Stars” by Managing IP magazine. Vandenburgh also was honored for individual achievement and named Outstanding IP Litigator – Minnesota.

IP Stars identifies the leading intellectual property attorneys in more than 70 jurisdictions around the world by drawing on thousands of interviews and surveys with industry clients and peers.

The 2024 edition of Minnesota Super Lawyers recognizes ten of the firm’s outstanding intellectual property attorneys. Additionally, two lawyers are recognized as Rising Stars.

2024 Carlson Caspers Minnesota Super Lawyers
Read about their experience and cases by clicking on their bio links below.

Jennell Bilek
Alan G. Carlson
Philip P. Caspers
Samuel A. Hamer
Brian W. Hayes
Timothy A. Lindquist
Samuel T. Lockner
Alexandra Olson
Tara C. Norgard
Derek Vandenburgh
Joseph W. Winkels

2024 Carlson Caspers Minnesota Rising Stars
Nathan Louwagie
Caroline L. Marsili

About Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
No more than five percent of lawyers in the state are honored as Super Lawyers, and only 2.5 percent are recognized as Rising Stars. According to superlawyers.com, Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process.