JUVE Comment

The French team of this well-positioned patent litigation practice is a challenger to the market leaders. The young team around the well-established Stanislas Roux-Vaillard has made a name for itself with success for Eli Lilly and Astronics against Lufthansa. These are also prime examples of major clients from across the firm putting their faith in the French team.

Moreover, the team has built up strong contacts of its own to companies originating from France or the local branches of international companies. These are not yet as visible as the international instructions, but they do harbour a certain potential, which could advance the long-term growth of the French team.

Strengths

Integrated cross-border patent litigation.

European set-up

Hogan Lovells is truly cross-border in litigation. Internationally, it is highly visible in pharmaceuticals, mobile communications and electronics cases, for instance for Apple, Eli Lilly and Vodafone. The French team has recently achieved success for some of its regular clients, for example Astronics. Acting together with the larger teams in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands, the firm stands out for its integrated international teamwork as well as its excellent connections in the French market.

For UPC suits, the smaller size of the French team and its lack of patent attorneys are not necessarily a disadvantage, if it can cleverly bring into play the successful cooperation with teams in other countries, especially the patent attorneys in Germany.

Recommended individuals

Stanislas Roux-Vaillard (“successful litigator”, competitor)

Team

5 lawyers

Specialties

Strong in both pharmaceutical and telecommunication disputes for industry clients. Large, international client base. Very active in cross-border litigation.

Clients

Litigation: Eli Lilly (defendant) against Fresenius Kabi over cancer drug pemetrexed (settled in 2021); Eli Lilly (claimant) against Zentiva and Mylan over cancer drug pemetrexed (public knowledge); Icos (defendant) against Actelion over urology dose; Astronics (defendant) against Lufthansa over aeroplane seats (public knowledge); Vegro (defendant) against Vestergaard Frandsen on insecticidal net (settled in 2021).