The Legal 500

Allen & Overy LLP’s 19-lawyer practice is headed by the ‘very impressive’ Laëtitia Bénard, an ‘outstanding savvy and very creative’ lawyer who ‘broke new ground’ in the field of pharmaceuticals patent litigation. Pierre Lenoir is also highly experienced in this area. The practice represents originator companies in headline cases in the healthcare sector and is increasingly advising on the implementation of IP and patent strategy. The team recently represented Merck Sharp & Dohme in launching infringement proceedings against generic manufacturers Mylan and Qualimed concerning a blockbuster drug. It also has great experience in strategic global patent disputes and recently represented Samsung on the French aspects of its worldwide battle against Apple Inc. The practice also spans trade marks, copyrights and the establishment of anti-counterfeiting programmes.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.’s ‘excellent practice’ fields 21 lawyers, which is one of the largest teams in the market. The firm is highly regarded for its patent litigation practice, where it acts for new market entrants in product disputes with leading pharmaceuticals multinationals. The practice was recently retained by Samsung to advise it on some of the French law aspects of its litigation against Apple Inc. The firm also shows ‘outstanding quality’ in trade mark law, where it assists major groups such as Adidas and Levi Strauss. For patent matters, Grégoire Triet ‘always hits the nail on the head’ and produces ‘very polished work’, and Emmanuel Larere and Raphaëlle Dequiré-Portier are knowledgeable trade mark lawyers. ‘Very solution-driven and insightful’ partner Arnaud Michel also has a strong trade mark focus.

Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP is regularly instructed to handle sensitive multi-jurisdictional matters as part of the firm’s global practice. The 23-lawyer practice in Paris provides comprehensive expertise and ‘full-time support’. It recently represented Solvay in a patent dispute with Daikin Chemicals, and acted for PMU in a highly strategic trade mark case. It also acted for key clients Eli Lilly and Lego in major cases recently. Dominique Ménard heads the excellent patent litigation team, which acts in high-profile cases in the pharmaceuticals and technology sectors. Marie-Aimée de Dampierre is a highly respected trade mark expert, and the ‘considerate and thorough’ Xavier Buffet Delmas is renowned for his broad expertise. David Taylor is recommended for his leading domain name practice.

Bird & Bird’s Paris team handles key IP matters in the pharmaceuticals, defence and household products sectors, and resides within the firm’s excellent global practice. Expert patent litigator Yves Bizollon gives ‘clear and proactive advice based on legal knowledge and sound business understanding’. The team also includes Jean-Christophe Troussel and a number of new additions including Marc Schuler, who joined from Nixon Peabody LLP, and Rebecca Delorey and Nathalie Ruffin, who both joined from Gilbey Delorey. The newcomers added to the firm’s trade mark and other soft IP expertise, as well as experience in customs seizures. Patent expert Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan joined from Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. in 2013.

Dentons’ trade marks expertise is sought by many famous consumer products companies and is acting for L’Oréal in a trade mark case against eBay. The team also handles patent litigation for several technology companies and institutions. The 12-lawyer practice is headed by David Masson, who is ‘a real pleasure to work with’, Gérard Delile and Isabelle Leroux, whose rigour and ‘perfect knowledge of law’ are key assets.

Reed Smith’s Marina Cousté and François Jonquères are market-leading figures for patent litigation, especially in the healthcare sector. The firm handles landmark cases, including French law aspects of global patent challenges, and also handles trade mark management. The four-lawyer practice also handles matters in the chemicals and electronics sectors.

At August & Debouzy, the ‘excellent’ patent litigators Grégoire Desrousseaux and François Pochart handle key cases in the pharmaceuticals sector. The firm also advises on customs seizure, soft IP and IT-related issues. Clients include Dassault Systèmes, Nokia and Teva.

Baker & McKenzie SCP is particularly good at devising global IP protection strategies and is also retained by major clients such as LVMH and Auchan to advise on IP rights acquisitions, portfolio management and licensing, as well as anti-counterfeiting measures. The 13-lawyer team also handles trade mark and copyright litigation. Virginie Ulmann is ‘extremely responsive and practical’, and Jean-François Bretonnière is also recommended.

DLA Piper’s comprehensive IP practice includes 15 lawyers. It has strong patent litigation expertise, particularly through Jean-Christophe Tristant, who handles cases in the healthcare and industrial sectors. Laurence Julien-Raes is a trade mark portfolio management expert, and Patrick Boiron advises clients such as Discovery International on audiovisual IP.

De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés’ full-service practice has great experience in pharmaceuticals patent litigation, and also advises on trade mark, copyright and IP matters relating to the internet. The firm’s media and technology clients include Microsoft and 20th Century Fox. Louis de Gaulle and Frank Valentin are the key contacts along with Julien Horn, ‘a very approachable adviser who always gives the impression of being under control’.

Dechert added strong trade mark and patent litigation expertise after hiring the ‘excellent and responsive’ Marianne Schaffner from Linklaters LLP.

Under the strong leadership of Alexandra Néri, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP’s seven-lawyer team has positioned itself as a go-to option for groundbreaking internet-related IP matters. It has won important cases for internet giants and large internet corporations are increasingly turning to the firm for advice on IP, press law and e-reputation matters. Of counsels Céline Bey and Sébastien Proust are also recommended.

Jones Day’s four-lawyer practice has expertise in contentious and non-contentious patent and trade mark law. Highly regarded practice head Emmanuel Baud is recommended for his ‘business sense’ and ‘real love for IP law’. The team’s patent litigators represented Daikin in a pan-European patent dispute with Solvay. The firm advises various key clients in the liquor and fashion sectors, and acted for Europcar in a dispute with the City of Paris.