Bardehle Pagenberg continues to be considered one of the leading addresses for patent law advice and impresses with a wide-ranging sector expertise that includes the automotive, life sciences, electrical engineering and medical technology industries. Based on its set-up as a mixed law and patent law firm, the group is able to assist clients with matters ranging from portfolio building to nullity actions and infringement proceedings. In addition to computer and electrical engineering, Johannes Lang  focuses on semiconductor technology and medical technology, while Christof Karl frequently assists companies in the hardware and software sectors with non-contentious and contentious matters. Other key contacts include Joachim Mader (mechanical engineering, electrical and process engineering), Tobias Kaufmann (telecommunications and mobile communications) and Georg Anetsberger (patent and design law).

Traditionally experienced in the prosecution sector, Eisenführ Speiser also has a good reputation in contentious matters, which include the management and coordination of proceedings before German and European authorities as well as high-profile opposition proceedings. On prosecution level, day-to-day matters span license negotiations, IP applications and innovation processes among other matters. Both forensic and advisory work focus on civil engineering, chemistry and electrical engineering, while the team also assists with issues related to mechanical engineering, life sciences and IT. Key contacts include Ludger Eckey, who predominantly advises technology companies on the whole array of technical intellectual property rights, Fabian Fegers, who assists German and US corporations, and the life sciences-experienced Manuel Söldenwagner.

Grünecker has one of the most active filing practices in the market and further acts in numerous opposition and complaint proceedings; this combination makes the practice one of the leading mixed patent law firms. The group assists a client base consisting of medium-sized companies, international corporations and start-ups with portfolio development and management and acts in opposition and appeal proceedings before the EPO. Reinhard Knauer, who is experienced in electrical engineering and IT, frequently advises on SEPs, while Martin Dropmann's expertise includes patent as well as trade mark and design law. Thomas Schuster (physics) retired in January 2023.

As one of the largest practices on the market, Hoffmann Eitle is well equipped to manage patent portfolios and assist with litigation before European and German authorities, with a particularly good reputation in the chemistry and biotechnology sectors. With offices in London, Barcelona, Amsterdam and several others, the team can rely on its internal cross-border network as well as on close contacts with other international IP specialists, for example in China and the US. Matthias Kindler, Peter Klusmann and Klemens Stratmann focus on the chemistry field, while Leo Polz and Joseph Taormino primarily act in biotechnology matters. Key contacts also include electrical engineering specialist Georg Siegert and Christopher Furlong, who is experienced in mechanics.

As one of the most active practices in the patent filing and administration sphere, Boehmert & Boehmert has developed a reputation as a leading IP entity that covers an extremely broad range of technologies and sectors, ranging from robotics and publishing to physics and environmental technology. In addition, thanks to an extensive Best Friends network and its offices in Alicante, Paris and Shanghai, the group is an attractive choice for globally active clients. Markus Engelhard, who focuses on life sciences, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, regularly acts in nullity and opposition proceedings and is particularly well versed in matters pertaining to active pharmaceutical ingredients and therapeutic biomolecules, while Daniel Herrmann primarily assists with establishing and defending patent portfolios in the technology sector. In September 2022, mechanical engineering specialists Nils Schmid, Florian Malescha and Paul Schieler as well as David Kuttenkeuler and Jan Krauss, who both specialise in biotechnology and life sciences, left the team to found IP boutique SKM-IP. Furthermore, Dennis Kretschmann was appointed judge of the UPC in June 2023.

At Prinz & Partner, domestic and European clients benefit from its broad expertise in patent applications, which includes areas such as telecommunications and mechanical engineering. The practice is further experienced in defending and enforcing intellectual property rights, including opposition and nullity proceedings, as well as in freedom-to-operate research and due diligence. Jochen Sties and Thomas Kitzhofer, who both specialise in materials science and mechanics, jointly head the practice.

Gulde & Partner focuses on advising clients in the Asian region; the group is known for their expertise in digital communication, while forensic assistance and advice is also rendered on matters in the medical technology and automotive sectors among others. With the opening of an office in Düsseldorf in March 2023 and its two locations in Munich and Hamburg, the team further expanded its presence in UPC cities. The practice is jointly spearheaded by Diane Reinstädler, who leads the mechanical engineering and automotive group, head of electrical engineering and telecommunications Sönke Lorenz and Jens Glienke, who is responsible for the life sciences area.

Munich-based IP boutique Lorenz Seidler Gossel assists large corporations, medium-sized companies and start-ups with patent litigation and prosecution and demonstrates special technical expertise in the automotive, medical technology, process engineering and mechanical engineering sectors, among others. Wolfgang Behr, who is primarily active in opposition proceedings before the EPO, is considered a key contact, as is chemical sector expert Robert Frick.

From its offices in Düsseldorf, Essen, Munich and Frankfurt, Michalski - Hüttermann & Partner Patentanwälte assists German and international clients with patent applications, portfolio management and forensic matters. Nullity and infringement proceedings represent additional strengths. Life sciences, particularly in relation to therapeutic antibodies, are a focus for Ulrich Storz, while Stefan Michalski offers experience in chemistry, pharmacy and materials science.

Not least due to the firm's global reach, Simmons & Simmons is considered a popular address for large international corporations seeking advice on patent prosecution, although it also has experience in proceedings before German and European offices. Stephanie Nottrott's expertise reflects the practice's internal focus on pharmaceuticals and life sciences; she jointly leads the practice with Fritz Lahrtz, who focuses on biotechnology, chemistry and pharmaceuticals and frequently advises on matters relating to antibody technology.

Weickmann & Weickmann, one of the oldest patent law firms in Germany, specialises in patent advice related to mechanics, electrical engineering, IT and life sciences. In addition to traditional proceedings and registrations, the practice also assists with protection certificates and utility models. Markus Herzog, who is experienced in the field of mechanical engineering, jointly leads the team with Wolfgang Weiß, who frequently acts in opposition proceedings and patent grant procedures before the DPMA and the EPO.

Zimmermann & Partner Patentanwälte mbB particularly impresses with its forensic expertise, but also offers competencies in portfolio management and registration procedures. The group is regularly instructed by large international corporations and German medium-sized companies; central members of the team include Frank Steinbach (medical devices, energy technology, materials science), Jan Hornung (semiconductor technology, automotive technology, electronics) and Gerd Zimmermann and Dominique Gobert, who both specialise in physics.

Bals & Vogel's patent advice strongly focuses on engineering sciences, while the team also houses expertise in other fields such as medical technology, IT and life sciences. Key contacts include patent lawyers Andreas Vogel, Rüdiger Bals and Kai Kuhlmann, who all specialise in mechanical engineering, chemistry and biotechnology expert Katharina Klasen and Kai Klein, who is adept in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and software.

HGF Europe LLP manages and defends patent portfolios, particularly within the electrical engineering, materials and life sciences and software sectors, for a client portfolio consisting of medium-sized and international companies. Markus Zoller is primarily active in the life sciences sphere, while Jan Robert Naefe focuses on materials science and Bernhard Ganahl on physics and engineering.

In addition to extensive support of German and European clients, Karo IP has a strong geographical focus on Japan and China. Matters relating to mechanical engineering as well as automotive and vehicle technology are some of the main areas of expertise of Matthias Rößler and Justus Kreuels, both of whom advise on portfolio management as well as on IP enforcement and defense.

WBH Wachenhausen demonstrates expertise in the development and defense of portfolios and places a particular focus on engineering patents. The practice is headed by a trio of experts: Marc Wachenhausen and Thorsten Haslinde are primarily experienced in medical technology and mechanical engineering, while Benjamin Bubendorfer mainly advises on information and communication technology.