Baker McKenzie practice combines trade mark, copyright and unfair competition expertise with a strong transactional focus. The team is active in portfolio management, brand enforcement and litigation, while also advising on licensing and IP-heavy M&A and carve-outs. Eva-Maria Strobel joined the firm in July 2025 and, together with Patrick Wilkening, has taken over leadership of the team following the departure of Michael Fammler. Strobel focuses on soft IP and portfolio management mandates, while Wilkening leads on IP transactions, with Markus Hecht and Anela Winzig providing additional support in litigation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Baker McKenzie has been our primary outside counsel for trade mark matters for about 14 years now. They handle all aspects of our global portfolio, both in terms of portfolio administration and enforcement matters. They assist in search and clearance, registration, opposition work, cease and desist, and complex trade mark-related negotiations.’
- ‘All big firms have people who know their stuff. But the level of commitment stands out, combined with high commercial awareness/understanding and the ability to quickly think through very complex structures. This, combined with reasonable cost.’
- ‘What sets this team apart is their deep understanding of the legal needs of innovative tech companies. In the fast-moving world of automotive software and testing automation, we need counsel who can keep pace — and this team does exactly that.'
- ‘Patrick Wilkening has been a trusted advisor to me for many years, and I can say without hesitation: he is one of the rare lawyers who combines razor-sharp legal intellect with genuine commercial intuition.'
- ‘Very competent and reliable team.’
Key clients
- SAP
- proFagus GmbH
- BAT (British American Tobacco / Batmark)
- Columbia Sportswear
- CLS Behring
- Unilever
- Lyft
Work highlights
Advising SAP on all aspects of its trade mark portfolio, including strategy, clearing, registration, portfolio management, enforcement, and major disputes, including an impending global trade mark dispute.
Advising a German automobile manufacturer on large-scale IP transactions, including corporate restructuring and complex trade mark license agreements, with a long-standing mandate spanning several years.
Advised Lyft on trademark and other IP matters in connection with its acquisition of FREENOW, a transaction highlighting our strength in brand-focused deals involving large-scale recognition.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Eva-Maria Strobel; Patrick Wilkening
Other key lawyers
Anela Winzig; Markus Hecht