In January 2020, Bird & Bird LLP expanded its Hamburg office with the arrival of Frederik Thiering and senior counsel Marion Jacob, who both joined from Harte-Bavendamm Rechtsanwälte, thereby strengthening both litigation as well as portfolio advice capacities of the firm's trade mark and design practice. The team behind Düsseldorf-based practice head Christian Harmsen offers the entire spectrum of trade mark and design law advice, ranging from portfolio development to highly complex, often international disputes. Here, the firm utilises brand monitoring tool Talisman for infringement protection in relation to product piracy and counterfeiting. The practice's sector focuses lie in the automotive, retail, consumer goods and media industries, even though the team covers a broad sector spectrum and also assists clients from the luxury goods, pharmaceutical, technology and fashion sectors among others. Litigator Richard Dissmann in Munich is one of the leading trade mark lawyers in Germany. Senior counsel Sebastian Fischoeder (particular expertise in unconventional trade marks) joined Taylor Wessing in September 2019.

CMS fields a strong trade mark and design portfolio practice that, alongside strategic advice on portfolio development and management, also includes the representation in counterfeiting, border seizure, parallel import and other infringement procedures. The practice's sector focus lies in the life sciences and consumer goods industries where the group also utilises its cross-practice competence in competition and pharmaceutical-advertising law. The team predominantly advises on cross-border matters and frequently on instructions that concern several foreign jurisdictions, for which the firm is particularly well equipped due to its broad geographical presence in Europe and beyond. The practice is led by Thomas Manderla in Düsseldorf (in and out-of-court representation in IP matters) and Jörn Witt in Hamburg (focus on life sciences). The renowned Gordian Hasselblatt in Cologne is a key figure and considered a main contact for trade mark clearance as well as strategic advice on large trade mark and design portfolios. Ilse Rohr retired in January 2020.

Long-established Hamburg boutique offering Harmsen Utescher remains one of the most successful and experienced teams for complex disputes, both nationally as well as internationally, and further assists with a high number of international trade mark portfolios. Clients are therefore provided with a one-stop IP service that also includes copyright, pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics as well as antitrust, competition and data protection issues. The team's sector expertise is broad, while recent larger matters included representation in proceedings for clients from the food, automotive and cosmetics industries. The team's key figures include  Martin Kefferpütz, Till Lampel, Karin Sandberg, Jan Peter Heidenreich and Christoph Schumann, all of whom cover German and international trade mark law including neighbouring issues comprehensively.

Due to its extraordinary team size, Hogan Lovells International LLP is able to offer one-stop advice on complex and extensive matters. The team's particular strengths include cross-border disputes and the assistance with large international trade mark and design portfolios; here, the firm's international set-up can be beneficially utilised and especially the firm's Alicante office generates a clear market advantage for the prosecution practice. Since 2020, the firm has been offering a modern analytical system with the globally uniform trade mark management software Anaqua, which complements other legal tech tools (including Total Brand Care as a research, monitoring and dispute management tool). Sector focuses in the life sciences, automotive, telecoms and consumer goods industries enable tailored solutions that take into account the commercial framework conditions of its clients. IP advice on transactions is another part of the service spectrum. The practice is led by Burkhart Goebel as head of the global IPMT group in Hamburg, Miriam Gundt in Düsseldorf as European practice head and the Hamburg-based Andreas Bothe as the head of the IPMT group in Germany. Patrick Fromlowitz in Hamburg, whose core expertise is advice to companies from the pharmaceutical, construction, fashion and oil industries, and Marion Fischer in Munich, who specialises in the life sciences and automotive sectors among others, both made partner in January 2020. Counsel Mareike Hunfeld is particularly known as a colour mark expert.

KLAKA Rechtsanwälte particularly stands out for its longstanding experience in advising on significant and complex infringement matters. The group has especially deep knowledge of the automotive, pharmaceutical, fashion and sports as well as luxury goods, banking and insurance sectors. Its strong trade mark practice, which recently assisted with several high-profile matters in the colour mark space including related court proceedings, is backed by a powerful design practice, particularly in the automotive sector. In addition, the team benefits from its cooperation with the competition practice. The group is headed by the renowned, Munich-based Ralf Hackbarth who is well versed in trade mark, design and competition law. The firm's second office is located in Düsseldorf. Carola Onken, also in Munich, possesses deep expertise at the interface between trade mark and food law as well as in protected designation of origin matters.

Taylor Wessing visibly strengthened its practice with the arrival of salary partner Sebastian Fischoeder, who joined from Bird & Bird LLP in September 2019 and focuses on unconventional trade marks, and the salary partner promotion of Katharina Reuer (prosecution and disputes) in Hamburg and Christian Tenkhoff (focus on unconventional trade mark disputes among other matters) in Munich. Due to various projects in 2019, the already highly international practice moved even closer towards its international firm colleagues to defend its position as a firm that is competent across borders, with the German practice regularly occupying a central role. In addition to its traditional strengths in trade mark and design portfolio development and management as well as in infringement proceedings, the firm has been offering an interdisciplinary, international expert team advising on trade secrets since autumn 2019. Its advice offering to agencies was deepened with regards to contractual matters and social media advertising. Düsseldorf-based practice head Olaf Gillert has experience in strategic advice as well as in litigation. 

Bardehle Pagenberg focuses on strategic advice to clients on the development and vindication of trade mark and design portfolios. Hereby, the group represents both large international corporations as well as startups within a national and international context, while the team's sector expertise is particularly apparent in the healthcare, hospitality, sports goods and fashion as well as cosmetics industries. The practice is regularly entrusted with complex instructions, such as issues pertaining to trade mark, design and domain law as well as competition law, including simultaneous proceedings concerning various protection rights. The firm also offers an internal language service and graphic designer to complement its IP offering. Claus Eckhartt in Munich heads the team and focuses on acquisition and legal enforcement of protection rights in the trade mark, industrial design and copyright areas.

Lubberger Lehment has continued to expand its transactional practice while its forensic practice has maintained its prestige and momentum. The firm is renowned for its successful and comprehensive advice to luxury goods companies, but is also frequently involved in landmark proceedings beyond this sector, thereby coining Germany's legal landscape since its inception in 2004. The client base predominantly includes large German and international companies which the team also advises on product piracy issues and trade mark and design portfolio development. Key contacts include founder Andreas Lubberger (trade mark, design and competition law) in Berlin and Cornelis Lehment (competition and trade mark law) in Hamburg as well as the Berlin-based Kai Schmidt-Hern (particularly media and luxury good sectors as well as startup advice), Martin Fiebig (particularly product piracy, commerce platforms, border seizures, IP advice on transactions) and Rani Mallick (influencer marketing, product counterfeiting, parallel imports among other matters). Benjamin Koch (IP advice on transactions, trade mark and design law) is the main contact in Munich.

In addition to numerous large international corporations, BEITEN BURKHARDT also advises a broad client base of medium-sized companies both on national as well as cross-border matters. The team acts particularly often for sports and computer games companies, but also possesses distinct expertise in the commerce, publishing and media, especially radio broadcasting, industries. Led by Matthias Stecher and Andreas Lober, who are both experienced in litigious and arbitral proceedings, the team focuses both on portfolio development and management as well as on enforcement and is well regarded for its interdisciplinarity. Particularly in the computer gaming sector, clients benefit from the team's ability to cover the interface to IT and competition law. Trade mark and competition lawyer Angelica von der Decken changed into of counsel status in June 2019.

Frankfurt-based boutique offering bock legal Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten impresses with a fully comprehensive advice spectrum in the IP arena. In trade mark law, the team focuses on fighting against product piracy, where its cooperation with investigators in Germany and abroad as well as its experience in border seizure proceedings substantially contributes to the practice's success. Design law is the second mainstay in its soft IP practice. Notable companies in the automotive industry, fashion and luxury goods companies as well as clock and jewellery manufacturers represent the core of its client base. Firm founder Andreas Bock heads the team and is renowned for his expertise in patent, trade mark and competition law, which he also regularly utilises in litigation proceedings.

Rospatt Osten Pross focuses on assisting with complex trade mark, competition and design law disputes, not only in Germany, but also before European courts. The firm's strong set-up in the soft and hard IP area is an often utilised advantage for clients, particularly for the practice's numerous industry clients. IP advice on grey imports of electronics goods as well as the defence against grey and parallel imports of pharmaceuticals remains a particular active part of its practice. In design law, the group is particularly experienced in the automotive and furniture industries. Key contacts are Rüdiger Pansch (patent, trade mark and design rights) and litigator Max von Rospatt as well as Hetti Hilge and Stephan von Petersdorff-Campen, who both cover all areas of IP and competition law. Markus Lenßen made partner in January 2020 and focuses on technical protection rights.

With the partner promotion of Sascha Pres in January 2020, SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte underlined the importance of its dispute resolution practice as a central pillar of its soft IP advice. The firm has earned a reputation as one of the most forward-thinking addresses in the market, which is not least due to the further development of its IT and data protection-related IP advice, the specialist expertise in the e-sports space as well as in branded content, advertising and influencer marketing and its experience in advising on medical cannabis as part of its growing life sciences and pharmaceutical practice. With five offices in Germany, the group is always close to its clients and provides a broad team set-up. Munich-based Margret Knitter, who comprehensively advises on IP and competition law, heads the team that also includes Berlin-based trade mark lawyer Ulrich Hildebrandt.

DLA Piper boasts a broad advice spectrum in the trade mark, design and competition law sphere. In contentious matters, the team is particularly known for its active summary proceedings practice, its experience in cross-border disputes and its assistance with conflicts related to digital issues. The team also provides sound knowledge and longstanding experience with regards to portfolio management and strategic protection law advice, including in relation to due diligence and product labelling issues; here, it can rely on the expertise of its corporate and regulatory colleagues. Media and entertainment, technology, consumer goods and fashion industry clients represent the core of its client base, although it is increasingly complemented by companies from the life sciences, hotel and hospitality sectors. Stefan Engels in Hamburg heads the practice and acts in advisory capacity as well as particularly in contentious matters. Ulrike Grübler joined ERLBURG Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH in February 2020.

Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek has embedded its soft IP practice within the IP, media and technology practice group and particularly stands out for its team's stability. Dominik Eickemeier (trade mark, competition and copyright law, also particularly software copyright law) in Cologne and Michael Schmittmann (media) in Düsseldorf head the team, which also includes soft IP specialist Thorsten Wieland in Frankfurt, who is also experienced in fashion law, and Georg Jacobs in Düsseldorf as well as trade mark and design specialists Christian Spintig and Søren Pietzcker in Hamburg. Cologne-based soft IP lawyer and reputation management specialist Ruben Hofmann and the Stuttgart-based Andreas Schabenberger, who is experienced in trade mark and competition law as well as in medical products law, also form part of the core team. Rudolf du Mesnil retired in the summer of 2019.

At HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER, the partner promotion of Christina Tenbrock in January 2020 has gained its soft IP practice more clout in the market. Tenbrock and practice head Thomas Schmitz jointly advise on strategically important and complex matters, both in a purely advisory capacity as well as of contentious nature. The team's experience in assisting with advertising campaigns and product launches on national and international level is sought after by large German and international companies which also entrust the group with licence agreement matters. Transactional support is another strength.

With its offices in Germany, particularly in Berlin and Munich, as well as offices in Alicante and Moscow, Noerr is geographically well positioned to advise on national and cross-border trade mark portfolios. Hereby, the focus in Germany lays on contentious proceedings while the team in Alicante predominantly acts in prosecution matters. Transactional matters are also part of the German practice. The team experienced growth particularly with regards to advice on IP aspects of restructuring and insolvency as well as in competition and design law. The group has experience across a broad sector spectrum with a focus on the consumer goods and food industries. Practice head Tobias Dolde divides his time between Munich and Alicante and specialises in European and international trade mark and design law.

Dentons shines in extensive cross-border matters: under the leadership of Constantin Rehaag and Stefan Dittmer, the team regularly leads the advice on these instructions. The dispute resolution practice is continuously gaining profile and expanded through the acquisition of new notable clients, including various from the pharmaceutical sector. Product piracy matters are another strength of the team. On prosecution level, the Frankfurt- and Paris-based management practice represents a good addition for national and international clients. The firm's in-house criminal expertise and experience in advising automotive companies on technology-related issues is also of note. Versatile IP lawyer Pascal Straszewski, whose advice spectrum also includes matters touching on competition law and specific legal regulatory contexts, made counsel in April 2020.

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH distinguishes itself from its competitors through its extraordinarily loyal client base. Under the leadership of Geert Johann Seelig (Hamburg) and Detlef Mäder (Cologne), the team acts in contentious matters - often trade mark infringement proceedings entailing cross-border elements which are also coordinated from the firm's German offices -, but also advises on the establishment and development of German and international trade mark portfolios. Assistance with IP aspects of transactions, which are frequently handled by the firm's corporate team, is another central pillar of the practice.

Norton Rose Fulbright is one of the most powerful firms in border seizure procedures and product piracy matters. Hereby, the IP offering spans trade mark, design, copyright and patents, while the team also assists with the development of application strategies and representation in corresponding authorities proceedings as well as with infringement proceedings, both for interim measures and summary proceedings. Although the luxury goods sector focus particularly stands out, the group generally advises a versatile client base that also includes companies in the pharmaceutical, automotive, electrotechnology and sports goods industries among others. The team's international integration within the firm is a clear strength in cross-border matters. Daniel Marschollek in Frankfurt heads the team.

IP boutique boesling IP specialises in advising copyright holders on infringement proceedings. From its Hamburg office, the team assists with national as well as particularly cross-border disputes. Product piracy matters and border seizures are also part of its service offering. In addition, practice heads Thies Bösling and Inga George's team assists with application procedures and renders strategic advice on the establishment and development of trade mark portfolios as well as licensing issues.

Eversheds Sutherland focuses on assisting medium-sized companies and international corporations with strategic matters. The advice spectrum includes licensing and pharmaceutical-advertising law issues as well as  matters pertaining to IP aspects of advertising materials and the representation in infringement procedures. Its cross-practice expertise in copyright matters is regularly utilised in complex instructions. The leadership duo is composed of the Munich-based Tobias Maier, who also co-heads the firm's international life sciences team, and Axel Zimmermann, who focuses on the media, sports and entertainment sectors. 

IP boutique Meissner Bolte Patentanwälte Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft mbB continues to be particularly active in trade mark applications before the EUIPO and was able to resume the firm's national as well as international growth by expanding its associate teams in Munich and Düsseldorf as well as in London. The practice's international orientation also becomes apparent through the team's Japanese and Chinese native speakers. The practice is headed by Tobias Wuttke (specialisation in IP infringement proceedings) and counsel Oliver Nilgen (comprehensive expertise in media, design and pharmaceutical-advertising law). The firm's patent lawyers are also regularly involved in soft IP matters.

Squire Patton Boggs advises on trade mark and competition law, while the team around Frankfurt-based practice head Reinhart Lange (trade mark and copyright law as well as unfair competition) is frequently involved in cross-border matters, which is not least thanks to the firm's international orientation. The advice portfolio also includes contentious matters as well as the assistance with trade mark and design portfolios. Eva Schalast left the firm at the end of 2019.