As we head into 2025, the intellectual property (IP) industry faces an exciting yet challenging landscape. Filing trends are shifting, client priorities are evolving, and competitive pressures are mounting. For IP law firms—whether large, boutique, or somewhere in between—the question isn’t just how to adapt, but how to grow and develop your business as the landscape evolves.

The data experts here at IP Pilot have put together some invaluable insights into how filing data can help you to shape winning strategies for growth. Whether you’re a managing partner, associate, attorney, or business development professional looking to make a meaningful contribution to your firm’s growth, here’s your ultimate guide to identifying and turning these trends into actionable steps – because what else would you do if you had a glimpse into the future!

Zooming Out: Global Filing Trends and Macro Influences

Before diving into internal changes in your internal team and structure, it’s crucial to understand the macro, or prominent trends, driving filing behavior. Filing trends at the country and industry levels provide a wealth of information about client interests, emerging markets, and evolving technical demands.

Take South Korea as an example. According to IP Pilot data, IP filings from U.S.-based applicants have seen steady growth in recent years (see table below), signaling increased interest in this jurisdiction. Meanwhile, Japanese applicants remain key players, providing a stable source of work for many Korean IP firms.

Another crucial insight is the identification of specific technical fields that are driving filing growth. For example, electrical engineering and chemistry are two areas seeing consistent increases in filings in South Korea, particularly from foreign applicants. Firms that can identify these trends early and pivot their focus to match market demands will gain a significant advantage. By investing in attorneys with expertise in these high-growth fields or upskilling current teams, firms can capture emerging opportunities while strengthening their client offerings.

Actionable Insights for Firms:

• Focus on Growth Jurisdictions: If you’re based in Korea, the increasing activity from U.S. applicants should prompt you to evaluate your U.S. relationships. Are you fostering partnerships with key law firms and corporate clients in the U.S.? You might also consider establishing a dedicated U.S. desk or hiring professionals who understand the nuances of that market.
• Prepare for Industry Shifts: Filing trends show that certain technical fields—such as electrical engineering—are driving a significant portion of the growth in patent applications. This trend offers you a chance to align your technical expertise within your firm with market demand. For instance, hiring specialists in high-demand fields or investing in training programs to upskill your team can provide a competitive advantage.
• Use Data to Drive Strategy: Platforms like IP Pilot allows you to track macro trends, such as the influx of filings from specific countries or industries. By analyzing multi-year filing data, you can predict where future opportunities lie and plan accordingly.

Zooming In: Local Dynamics and Competitive Positioning

However, understanding global trends is only one lever firms can pull. To compete effectively, firms must also evaluate their position within the local market. Who are your key competitors? What strategies are the leading firms adopting? And where does your firm stand in the rankings?

For example, leading Korean firms like Kim & Chang and Lee International have built strong relationships with U.S. and Japanese firms, often directly partnering with corporate IP departments like Bosch and Bristol-Myers. This gives them a consistent pipeline of work while reducing dependency on intermediary firms.

How to Apply This Insight:

• Benchmark Against Your Local Market: Identify who is around you. Use tools to compare your firm’s performance against top competitors. Identify who their key clients and sending associates are, and evaluate how your client portfolio compares to your competition.
• Not up against the big fish? Target Mid-Sized Firms: If you’re not competing with the biggest firms in the league, you can focus on mid-sized firms that operate in the same volume range as you. For example, adding constraints to analyze firms receiving 100–500 cases over a five-year period can help you identify like-for-like firms and refine your strategy to give you an edge.
• Find Market Holes and Diversify Your Network: Firms that rely solely on one or two jurisdictions for work are at greater risk of losing their place in the market. By analyzing filing data, you can identify underexplored markets and form relationships with associates and applicants in those regions.

Where to Start?

We’ve put together a series of recommendations to help your firm turn insights into actions. Here’s how to get started:

• Find Friends and Expand Your Relationships: Filing trends indicate increasing activity from certain countries and sectors. Focus on building relationships in these areas—whether through attending jurisdiction-specific conferences, hosting client events, or leveraging your firm’s existing network.
• Invest in Your Team and Strengthen Your Technical Bench: Consider hiring or training attorneys with expertise in high-growth fields like electrical engineering. This not only allows you to capture more market share but also strengthens your value proposition to potential clients.
• Evaluate Your Networking Strategy: The right conferences can be game-changers for business development. IP Pilot’s curated list of global events for 2025 is a great starting point for identifying opportunities to meet key associates and applicants.
• Be Bold and Explore Direct Client Relationships: Some firms have successfully cultivated direct relationships with applicants, bypassing intermediary firms. This model allows for greater flexibility, higher margins, and a closer understanding of client needs.
• Gain a Competitive Advantage and Invest in Technology: Data-driven decision-making for business development is no longer optional. Tools like IP Pilot provide insights into filing trends, client behaviors, and competitive dynamics, allowing your firm to make smarter, faster decisions.

What is Your Future?

In today’s rapidly evolving IP landscape, firms that seek out and utilise filing trends and align their strategies accordingly are the ones who gain an edge and are set up for growth. By analyzing macro influences, understanding local market dynamics, and optimizing internal resources, your firm can stay ahead of the competition.

As you finalize your strategy, remember: the future belongs to firms that are proactive, data-driven, and adaptable. Whether it’s deepening relationships in emerging markets, hiring specialists in high-demand fields, or leveraging cutting-edge tools, the opportunities are there for those willing to seize them.