JUVE Comment

This highly recommended litigation team once best known for its work in pharmaceuticals proceedings is branching out across sectors, incl. strong visibility in auto industry disputes. Litigation for a German auto manufacturer in some of the first proceedings by an NPE before the German courts stood out. At the same time, team management was transferred seamlessly from Bopp to Sonntag. The young partner is driving the diversification of sector expertise forward. GL achieved the associate level growth urgently needed to handle several major proceedings at once. The firm remains an established player in the Düsseldorf patents market.

Strengths

Litigation for pharmaceuticals and telecoms patents.

Development potential

For complex, high-end proceedings (e.g. before the UPC), GL will have to raise its headcount still further as German competitors are much larger.

Recommended individuals

Dr. Thomas Bopp, Dr. Matthias Sonntag, Dr. Herwig Lux.

Team

2 partners, 2 counsel, 1 of counsel, 6 associates

Practice

All-round in IP, esp. trademarks and unfair competition and patent litigation. Employee invention law, R&D cooperations, licenses and M&A transactions

Clients

Frequent litigation for Actavis, Kärcher, Robert Bosch, Procter & Gamble, TomTom, Viewsonic. German auto manufacturer against NPE regarding emergency call system; supplier regarding car seats; cigarette manufacturer concerning e-cigarettes; Japanese electronics corporate against NPE concerning mobile communications.