JUVE Comment

This recommended firm in patents is vigorously building a hard-hitting litigation team in Germany. The Munich team around Adam, which was set up three years ago, is now firmly established. In Düsseldorf, Meyer and team are serious rivals to the top firms, also thanks to vom Feld, who joined in 2014 from Bird & Bird and strengthened the practice’s already strong specialty in work for drugs manufacturers. Work for Bayer has long been public knowledge, and S&S has now added Boehringer Ingelheim and other pharmaceuticals manufacturers to the list. The German team was far less active in litigation related to mobile communications patents and did not grow any further at associate level.

Strengths

Litigation related to pharmaceuticals. Cross-border cooperation with Amsterdam and London.

Development potential

S&S is getting set to become a major litigation team across Europe. But visibility in Paris is still weak. The German team will also need to grow at associate level, to play a greater role in mobile communications suits – esp. given the complex proceedings the UPC is expected to see.

Recommended individuals

Dr. Peter Meyer, Dr. Thomas Adam, Dr. Ina vom Feld.

Team

3 partners, 1 counsel, 2 associates

Practice

Clear focus on advice and litigation. Advice on the interface with antitrust. Focus on the pharmaceuticals, electronics, medical products and telecoms sectors.

Clients

Bayer Pharma in injunction proceedings regarding drospirenone and other Bayer subsidiaries (public knowledge); Fontem Ventures regarding e-cigarette; litigation for Boehringer Ingelheim; opposition suits for defense corporate; chip manufacturer regarding NFC technology.