Recognitions reflect a first-time honoree, expanded litigation depth, and more than fifteen years of consecutive peer recognition at the technology-focused IP firm
TROY, MI – August 20, 2026 – Young Basile Hanlon & MacFarlane, P.C. announced today that seven of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, with two additional attorneys named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. The recognitions, based entirely on confidential peer-review evaluations, span the firm’s offices in Palo Alto, Chicago, and Troy, and cover Patent Law, Trademark Law, Information Technology Law, Biotechnology and Life Sciences, and Intellectual Property Litigation.
The 2027 recognitions underscore both the firm’s consistency and its momentum. Thomas P. Arden and Jeffrey W. Guise have each been recognized continuously for more than fifteen years. This year, Stacie Farina earns her first Best Lawyers recognition in two categories, Daniel P. Aleksynas expands his recognition to three categories with the addition of both Intellectual Property and Patent Litigation, and Ethan Woelke broadens his Ones to Watch recognition into Intellectual Property Law.
The peer recognitions arrive alongside independent quality data: Patent Bots’ 2026 analysis, an objective measure based on issued-patent error rates, ranks Young Basile #3 among the largest patent firms in the country and #1 in software patent quality.
“These recognitions come directly from the lawyers that our firm practices with and against, which is what makes them meaningful,” said Andrew R. Basile, Jr., Shareholder, President of Young Basile. “A first-time honoree, expanded litigation recognition, and colleagues recognized continuously for more than fifteen years tells the story of a firm that holds itself to a higher quality standard, year after year.”
“What stands out in this year’s list is its breadth – prosecution, litigation, trademark, and life sciences, recognized across three of our markets,” said Francine B. Nesti, Shareholder and leader of the firm’s Patent practice group. “That range is not an accident. It reflects a bench built deliberately, one that gives clients the same standard of counsel whether they come to us in Silicon Valley, Chicago, or Metro Detroit.”
The Best Lawyers in America® (2027 Edition)
Palo Alto, CA: Jeffrey W. Guise – Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Chicago, IL: Thomas P. Arden – Trademark Law
Troy, MI: Daniel P. Aleksynas – Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law; Andrew R. Basile, Jr. – Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law; Stacie Farina – Litigation – Intellectual Property, Patent Law; Molly Basile Markley – Trademark Law; Francine B. Nesti – Patent Law
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America (2027 Edition)
Troy, MI: Bryan Lemanski – Intellectual Property Law, Patent Law; Ethan Woelke – Intellectual Property Law, Patent Law
The firm also recognizes with gratitude three colleagues whose 2027 recognitions cap distinguished tenures: Thomas N. Young, Shareholder Emeritus, honored in Litigation – Intellectual Property and Patent Law since 2008; Denise M. Glassmeyer, honored in Patent Law since 2019, who retired from the firm this year; and Kathryn L. Ossian, honored in Information Technology Law every year since 2007, whose two decades of continuous recognition reflect the standard she helped set.
Best Lawyers® recognitions are based entirely on peer review – Purely Peer Review® – with more than 30 million evaluations analyzed for the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and more than 6 million for Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. Only about 5% of practicing US attorneys receive the recognition, and there is no opportunity for self-nomination or paid placement.
About Young Basile
Young Basile Hanlon & MacFarlane, P.C. is a technology-focused law firm serving the world’s most innovative companies, from venture-backed startups to Fortune 5 enterprises. With approximately 53 attorneys across six offices – Metro Detroit, Silicon Valley, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, and Houston – the firm provides patent, trademark, litigation, corporate, and technology counsel. PATENTS. REINVENTED.®
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HONOREE BLURBS
Stacie Farina | Shareholder, Troy – NEW HONOREE
Stacie Farina earns her first Best Lawyers recognition in 2027, honored in two categories at once: Litigation – Intellectual Property and Patent Law. She leads the firm’s Design Patents practice, and her dual-category debut reflects a practice that spans both protecting innovation and enforcing it.
Daniel P. Aleksynas | Shareholder, Troy – EXPANDED TO THREE CATEGORIES
Recognized since 2017 for Patent Law, Dan Aleksynas triples his recognition in 2027 with the addition of Litigation – Intellectual Property and Litigation – Patent. His prosecution practice spans chemical, electrical, medical device, and mechanical technologies, and he currently serves as Chair-elect of the State Bar of Michigan’s Intellectual Property Section and Co-Chair of Michigan’s Patent Pro Bono Committee steering committee.
Andrew R. Basile, Jr. | Shareholder, President, Troy – Recognized since 2014
Andy Basile is recognized in three categories for 2027: Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, and Patent Law. He concentrates his practice on IP litigation and technology transactions, managing large patent portfolios and advising clients ranging from startups to companies including Nissan, Google, and GoPro.
Francine B. Nesti | Shareholder, Troy – Recognized since 2017
Francine Nesti, leader of the firm’s Patents practice, is recognized in Patent Law for 2027. A Chambers-named key contact for the firm’s IP clients and one of Crain’s Notable Women in Law for 2026, she pairs deep prosecution expertise with leadership of the firm’s largest practice group.
Jeffrey W. Guise, PhD | Shareholder, Palo Alto – Recognized since 2010
From the firm’s Silicon Valley office, Jeff Guise is recognized in Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice, where he has appeared continuously since 2010. A patent strategist with more than 30 years of experience and a doctorate in molecular biology and immunology, he partners with pharmaceutical and life sciences companies from startup through market.
Thomas P. Arden | Shareholder, Chicago – Recognized since 2009
Tom Arden carries the firm’s Best Lawyers presence in Chicago, recognized in Trademark Law continuously since 2009. His practice anchors the firm’s Branding IP capabilities in the Midwest’s largest legal market.
Molly Basile Markley | Shareholder, Troy – Recognized since 2013
Molly Basile Markley is recognized in Trademark Law for 2027, her recognition dating to 2013. As co-lead of the firm’s Branding IP practice, she counsels clients on trademark strategy, prosecution, and portfolio management.
Bryan Lemanski | Ones to Watch, Shareholder, Troy – Recognized since 2023
Bryan Lemanski is named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in both Intellectual Property Law and Patent Law, recognition he has held since 2023. He co-leads the firm’s Sports Technology practice and works extensively with emerging companies and automotive innovators.
Ethan Woelke | Ones to Watch, Shareholder, Troy – EXPANDED IN 2027
Ethan Woelke expands his Ones to Watch recognition in 2027, adding Intellectual Property Law to the Patent Law recognition he first earned in 2026. His trajectory – broader recognition in only his second year on the list – reflects the strength of the firm’s next generation.