JUVE Comment

The strong German litigation team of this US firm is extremely visible thanks to its very close ties to Google, and is thus one of the leading litigation practices in Germany. QE benefits from the fact that Google is involved in virtually all mobile communication proceedings at present, either as defendant or intervener, e.g. the Marathon and Unwired Planet suits. The team’s visibility in pharmaceuticals proceedings remains underdeveloped, but its second internal partner appointment since entering the German market in 2011 lays the foundation for closing this gap. This should also make it easier for QE to maintain a high level of quality in advice. There was criticism from competitors last year because of the huge growth in headcount, but these have now fallen silent.

Strengths

Litigation related to telecoms and on the interface with antitrust. Strong US practice.

Development potential

With the UPC approaching, QE will not be able to do without an office in Paris and more patent experts in London, as the fact that the German team is very experienced in dealing with internationally manned courts, and can thus serve the other UPC locations from its German offices, will only help during the transitional period. Unlike many litigation firms, besides infringement proceedings the lawyers conduct many cancellation and appeal proceedings before the internationally staffed EPO boards of appeal.

Recommended individuals

Dr. Marcus Grosch, Dr. Nadine Herrmann, Dr. Johannes Bukow.

Team

3 partners, 2 counsel, 14 associates

Practice

In the US, exclusively litigation activity with a strong focus on IP. In Germany, IP activity centers on patent litigation. In Hamburg, soft IP and antitrust on the interface with patents.

Clients

Google, Samsung and IPCom in various mobile communications suits; Eurofilters regarding vacuum cleaner bag; frequent litigation for Sanyo, Saint-Gobain, Sisvel, Carl Freudenberg.