JUVE Patent

About Us

Wallinger Ricker Schlotter Tostmann is a globally recognized and highly regarded intellectual property (IP) law firm, consistently ranked among the top-tier firms in its field. Based in Munich, the heart of Europe’s IP landscape, the firm is strategically located near the headquarters of the European Patent Office (EPO), the German Patent and Trademark Office, the Federal Patent Court, as well as key IP litigation courts, including the Unified Patent Court.

The firm’s European and German patent attorneys, alongside its attorneys-at-law, represent a diverse client base from around the world, spanning a wide array of industries. Wallinger Ricker Schlotter Tostmann provides comprehensive legal services in all areas of intellectual property, including:

• prosecution, enforcement, defence and licensing of patents, trademarks and design rights;
• copyright, in particular related to A.I. and unfair competition matters;
• IP-related transactions;
• freedom-to-operate analyses;
• intellectual property in mergers and acquisitions, including IP due diligence and IP agreements;
• alternative dispute resolution.

The firm is particularly active in contentious matters, specializing in patent and trademark litigation before German courts, including the Federal Court of Justice. It also handles opposition and appeal proceedings before the EPO, as well as nullity cases before the German Federal Patent Court and the Federal Court of Justice.

Founded in 2007 through the merger of two prominent IP practices—the automotive and mechanical engineering firm Wallinger and Partners, established by Michael Wallinger in 1989, and the chemistry and pharmaceutical IP group from a U.S.-based law firm, led by Mathias Ricker—Wallinger Ricker Schlotter Tostmann has continued to expand its reach and expertise.

Since its founding, the firm has grown to include more than 20 attorneys and technical experts. The firm’s team consists of highly experienced patent attorneys and attorneys-at-law, many of whom bring strong industry backgrounds from research, development, and management roles. Additionally, Wallinger Ricker Schlotter Tostmann has cultivated a successful patent attorney trainee program, which consistently contributes homegrown talent to its workforce.

Wallinger Ricker Schlotter Tostmann provides expert IP counsel across a broad spectrum of technology sectors. When necessary, specialized teams of patent attorneys or technical experts are assembled, often combining expertise from various disciplines to ensure the highest level of service. The firm is committed to delivering strategic, comprehensive solutions that align with its clients’ corporate objectives, rather than simply managing individual cases.

With a strong global network, Wallinger Ricker Schlotter Tostmann fosters long-term, quality-based relationships with trusted partner firms across all key jurisdictions, ensuring that clients are fully supported worldwide.

The firm serves a diverse client base, ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to large international corporations, as well as start-ups and academic institutions. This broad client spectrum spans all the technical areas the firm serves. Wallinger Ricker Schlotter Tostmann offers tailored support for in-house legal teams while also acting as the IP department for numerous clients, including one with a patent portfolio exceeding 400 patent families and over 1,500 active trademarks.

11 Practice Areas

• Mechanical engineering
• Chemistry
• Electrical engineering, electronics, and semiconductors
• Physics
• Green technologies
• Medical engineering
• New digital technologies
• Automation and robotics
• Materials science
• Life Sciences
• Pharma

Awards

• IP STARS PATENT RECOMMENDED 2024
• JUVE PATENT RECOMMENDED
• IAM RECOMMENDED FIRM 2024