Bird & Bird‘s patent team has wide-ranging expertise in contentious patent proceedings on the national and international stage, skilfully navigating the interface between IP and antitrust law, as well as in proceedings relating to standard-essential patents. Companies in the life sciences, technology and telecommunications sectors particularly often turn to the practice headed by Christian Harmsen, who is especially active in international technology patent disputes. The consumer goods and automotive industry represent other focuses for the team. Oliver Jan Jüngst primarily handles patent cases before all German courts and the European Patent Office, Matthias Meyer has experience in medical device patents, while Felix Rödiger assists with patent law issues in the pharmaceutical, automotive and software industries. Furthermore, Boris Kreye primarily coordinates international disputes relating to technology and pharmaceuticals, and Daniela Kinkeldey is a highly regarded contact for clients from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Sebastian Höpfner left the practice in June 2022 and joined ZSP Patentanwälte.

Hogan Lovells International LLPs multifaceted, globally integrated team advises on the full spectrum of litigious patent matters, including opposition and nullity proceedings and representation before arbitration panels, while its sector focus primarily encompasses technology and telecommunications, life sciences, consumer goods and automotive; in the latter segment, the practice is particularly involved in FRAND-related matters, which is not least due to its close cooperation with other practices such as antitrust and competition law. Furthermore, the practice, consisting of lawyers and patent attorneys, also assists with questions relating to patent portfolios and licensing and associated contract drafting. The practice is jointly led by a trio consisting of Burkhart Goebel (IP and regulatory interface), the head of the German IPMT practice Andreas Bothe (trade mark and competition law) and the head of the European practice Miriam Gundt (focus on technology); at the turn of the year 2022/23, Gundt also replaced Goebel as head of the global Intellectual Property, Media and Technology (IPMT) practice group. Other key contacts are Andreas von Falck (focus on pharmaceuticals, medical technology and high-tech sectors), Clemens Plassmann (focus on technology), patent lawyer and counsel Felipe Zilly (infringement and validity proceedings), Alexander Klicznik (mobile phone patents), who has dual qualifications as a patent lawyer and attorney-at-law, and Henrik Lehment, whose expertise in the automotive and mobile communications industry is in high demand, especially with regards to connected car issues. Steffen Steininger (telecommunications, life sciences and automotive industry) and FRAND expert Benjamin Schröer are key contacts at the Munich location. Anna-Katharina Friese-Okoro (patent litigation in the telecoms, pharmaceuticals, medical products and mechanical engineering sectors) made partner in January 2022.

As part of their patent law advice, HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER‘s IP specialists particularly focus on the electronics and telecommunications, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, automotive and optics sectors, but are also instructed by mechanical, electronics and chemical companies; the practice especially impresses with its expertise in representing clients before all European courts and authorities as well as in arbitration proceedings. International capacities are also demonstrated with reference to the US, where the team assists with an increasing number of parallel proceedings. The team is headed by Martin Köhler, who specializes in patent infringement proceedings and, in addition to contentious aspects, also advises on license agreements and employee invention law. Klaus Haft, who is dual-qualified as a lawyer and graduate physicist and also advises on the protection of trade secrets, has a similar focus, while Christine Kanz, who is experienced in the life sciences, often acts in cross-border matters. Ivan Dimitrov (sector focus life sciences, consumer electronics and consumer goods) made partner in January 2022 while Carina Höfer (telecommunications and information technology as well as semiconductor technology) was appointed counsel at the same time. Tobias Hessel, Stefan Richter and Thomas Misgaiski, three experienced wireless patent practitioners, joined Clifford Chance‘s patent practice in late 2022.

Bardehle Pagenberg assists with contentious patent matters from Munich and Düsseldorf and cooperates with its offices in Paris and Barcelona if necessary, but also draws on various networks for cross-jurisdictional issues. The practice operates with an industry focus on electronics, software, automotive, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals, and recently saw a strong increase in instructions in the last three sectors in particular. This was also reflected in team expansions at equity partner level: Tobias Wuttke (mobile telecommunications) joined from Meissner Bolte Patentanwälte Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft mbB in January 2023, while Volkmar Henke (patent infringement cases and license agreements) and Tilman Müller (patent infringement proceedings and parallel nullity proceedings), both previously at Eisenführ Speiser, have been acting from the newly opened Hamburg office since the beginning of 2023; all three are particularly well versed in mobile phone patent matters. Internally, Jan Bösing also made partner and focuses on patents related to automotive and telecommunications among others. In addition to contentious issues, the team also advises on settlement and license negotiations, including associated contract drafting, as well as on R&D agreements, FRAND and SEP, whereby clients benefit from the cooperation with the firm's antitrust practice. Johannes Heselberger and Tilman Müller-Stoy, who are experienced in the telecommunications, automotive and medical device sectors, lead the team; former co-head Peter Chrocziel (technology, automotive and pharmaceuticals) left to found VINDELICI LEGAL in March 2022.

The team at Kather Augenstein Rechtsanwälte in Düsseldorf is one of the most sizeable IP boutiques in Germany, while their broad patent advisory portfolio is reflected in individual focal points of its key team members: litigator Christof Augenstein predominantly advises in the electronics, telecommunications, medicine and automotive sectors, while Peter Kather has a strong focus on cross-border proceedings. Miriam Kiefer, who is experienced in medical technology, heads the team, which also includes Christopher Weber (software, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemistry, mechanics and plastics processing) and Sören Dahm, who is well versed in technology-related and often cross-border issues. Benjamin Pesch (computer-implemented inventions) made counsel in July 2022.

Renowned IP boutique Rospatt Osten Pross advises players from the life sciences, telecommunications, automotive and electronics sectors from its offices in Düsseldorf and Mannheim. Max von Rospatt is often involved in cross-border life sciences and technology litigation, while Henrik Timmann handles nullity proceedings before all German civil courts, including the Federal Patent Court and the Federal Court of Justice; Thomas Musmann counts medium-sized companies from the mechanical engineering and medical technology sectors among his clients; Hetti Hilge's main areas of expertise are infringement proceedings before German patent litigation chambers and in connection with SEP license agreements; and another key contact is Rüdiger Pansch, who is experienced in patent vindication proceedings and damages claims. Tech expert André Sabellek made partner in January 2022, while Bernward Zollner retired in December 2021.

Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek works for a primarily medium-sized client base, with the team increasingly assisting companies from the mechanical engineering, medical products and automotive sectors. The patent practice is active in Germany and also internationally through various networks and most recently handled a contentious matter on lighting technologies via its India desk. Anton Horn (focus automotive) heads the unit which also includes Sabine Dethof (mechanical engineering and medical devices), senior associate Cécile Corbet (technology and media), who frequently deals with issues related to France, as well as Philipp Schröler, who made salary partner in January 2022 and focuses on the pharmaceutical and life sciences areas.

Hoffmann Eitle's advice is particularly focused on life sciences (including medical devices and pharmaceuticals) as well as automotive, telecommunications and technology and, in addition to expertise in contentious matters, also encompasses know-how on license agreements. Internationally, the practice primarily handles contentious proceedings within Europe but can also show for a particularly strong client portfolio from Japan due to corresponding language skills of several team members. Holger Stratmann, who acts in the electronics and automotive sectors, and Dirk Schüßler-Langeheine, who is particularly well versed in patent infringement disputes against generic drug companies in the pharmaceutical sector, jointly head the practice. Niels Hölder, who is experienced in patent infringement proceedings, often advises pharmaceutical companies.

The dual focus of Jones Day's patent practice is evident in the specializations of its management duo: Gerd Jaekel, who has dual qualifications as a lawyer and graduate physicist, is primarily instructed by companies in the technology sector, while Christian Paul, with his dual qualifications as a lawyer and chemist signs responsible for the pharmaceutical and chemical sector. The combined expertise, as well as its cooperation with the patent lawyer team, is increasingly applied in biotechnology, medical devices and mobile communications-related litigation. In addition to contentious matters, the team also advises on IP portfolio strategies, risk management and know-how protection.

KLAKA Rechtsanwälte fields an experienced team that represents its clients before German courts and the Federal Patent Office: in addition to experience in infringement and nullity proceedings, the practice also advises on employee invention law and the drafting of license and development agreements. Recently, the team has been increasingly instructed by players from mobile communications, automotive, chemicals, plastics technology and mechanics sectors. Olaf Giebe (chemicals and pharmaceuticals) heads the practice, which also includes Stefan Eck, who specializes in infringement disputes and vindication proceedings, Wolfgang Götz (telecommunications, automotive and plant engineering) and Constantin Kurtz, who is experienced in defending smartphone manufacturers in SEP cases. Michael Nieder (food and pharmaceutical law) joined Meissner Bolte Patentanwälte Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft mbB in 2022.

Maiwald Intellectual Property operates from its Düsseldorf and Munich locations and places a strong focus on chemistry and life sciences, while the practice is primarily known across the German market for its activities in the pharmaceutical sector; the team further focuses on medical products, engineering and the technology sector. Practice head Marco Stief focuses not only on life sciences-related matters but also on patent disputes in the IT and technology transfer sectors. Annelie Wunsch (biochemistry, biotechnology and pharma) made partner in summer 2021 and Ulrike Herr, who is well-versed in the pharma and chemistry industries, joined the team in January 2022 from Isenbruck Bösl Hörschler LLP. Elke Wurster left the firm at the end of 2021 for a position at TÜV Süd GmbH, while Stephan Schneller entered self-employment shortly before.

The Noerr team mainly acts from its Munich office and has recently been very visible in the mobile communications sector, with additional advice priorities in the semiconductor and electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industries; in cooperation with various networks, the group is also well equipped for cross-border patent disputes. Practice head Ralph Nack is experienced in patent infringement, nullity and opposition proceedings at national and international level and is also an expert in the licensing of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs). Armin Kühne complements the team's patent law capacities with expertise in research and development contracts.

IP boutique Vossius & Partner has a good reputation on the German market and cooperates with a network of other international IP firms in a cross-border context, if necessary; Europe, Asia and North America are particularly important here. The consulting portfolio is mainly geared towards the electronics, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and life sciences sectors, thus leading to advice on contentious matters pertaining to biotech or e-cigarettes. In addition to nullity and infringement actions, the practice is also well versed in antitrust-related matters such as FRAND and SEPs and also has experience in supplementary protection certificates. Thure Schubert in Munich, who is experienced in employee invention law, heads the team which also includes Georg Andreas Rauh (telecommunications, electronics, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical technology) and Christian-Leopold Zapp (engineering, medical technology and life sciences). Key contacts in Düsseldorf are Andreas Kramer and Kai Rüting, who respectively advise on FRAND issues and SEP matters. Zhuomin Wu, who primarily handles bilateral disputes with German and Chinese implications, made partner in 2022.

AMPERSAND Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB. is regularly called upon to assist with patent matters by companies from various technology-based industries such as manufacturing technology, electronics and telecommunications; in the latter the group has also been acting for NPEs. Other mainstays include automotive, pharmaceuticals and textiles, with the majority of clients being German and international medium-sized companies. Practice head and technology specialist Hosea Haag has extensive expertise in patent infringement proceedings on the plaintiff and defendant side. Jonathan Konietz (focus on telecommunications, IT, mechanical engineering, biotechnology, among other matters) made partner in autumn 2022. Philipp Neels departed for Eisenführ Speiser in July 2023.

IP boutique Meissner Bolte Patentanwälte Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft mbB handles infringement and nullity proceedings and acts on the international stage via various IP networks. The clients, which primarily stem from the mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, are advised by a mixed team of patent lawyers and attorneys-at-law, while the team's expertise in computer-implemented inventions, recently also in connection with the telecommunications sector, is particularly noteworthy. Of counsel Hans-Peter Felgenhauer (mechanics and mechanical engineering) and of counsel Rainer Engels (chemistry, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering) are among the key contacts. Michael Nieder, who is well versed in food and pharmaceutical law, joined the team in 2022 from KLAKA Rechtsanwälte, while former practice head Tobias Wuttke joined Bardehle Pagenberg in January 2023.

Headed by technology specialist Claudia Milbradt, Clifford Chance's team not only advises on patent litigation, but also on R&D and licensing agreements and skillfully covers patent law aspects of M&A matters. The IP practice is increasingly active in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, while it also expanded its technical expertise in mobile phone patents with the arrival of new partners Tobias Hessel and Stefan Richter and counsel Thomas Misgaiski from HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER at the turn of the year 2022/23. Counsel Florian Reiling is experienced in drafting contracts in the life sciences industry.

Based on its international orientation, IP boutique EIP in Düsseldorf has extensive experience in the coordination and management of patent infringement proceedings. Complex, cross-border proceedings in the electronics industries are the main focus here, with past activities relating to connected cars among other matters. Key contacts include Florian Schmidt-Bogatzky (electronics) and practice head and FRAND expert Christof Höhne.

McDermott Will & Emery Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP focuses its advice on the electronics, chemistry, healthcare and automotive industries, while the practice recently saw an increase in instructions particularly in the last two areas. Here, the practice can also rely on cooperation with other global locations when advising on international issues. Litigator Henrik Holzapfel in Düsseldorf and Boris Uphoff (automotive, electronics and consumer goods) are in charge of the practice; the latter divides his time between Munich and Düsseldorf.

Norton Rose Fulbright fields a German team that acts in patent disputes on the plaintiff and defendant side before the Federal Patent Court, the Federal Court of Justice and the European Patent Office, while disputes in an international context are handled in cooperation with other offices of the firm. The practice also has expertise in non-contentious IP issues such as freedom-to-operate opinions, due diligence and patent licensing. Practice head Clemens Rübel specializes in patent infringement and legal validity proceedings in technical areas, in particular electronics and telecommunications.