JUVE Comment

After last year’s staff turbulence, this IP boutique recommended in patents reorganized itself. In the course of this process, the Hamburg office, which focused on representing generics companies, spun off in 2016 since Maiwald will be concentrating on litigating for originators in the pharma sector from now on. The firm also lost a large team for mechanics and engineering patents. Both teams operate under their own names today. Maiwald quickly responded by rebuilding its engineering practice at partner level with a lawyer who came from his own firm. The mixed outfit also introduced a clear management and business structure. With Stief and others, the lawyers are now represented more strongly in the partnership and management. Maiwald is thus aiming for more litigation work. A further deepening of the mixed approach would be the next logical step. With regard to UPC proceedings, the modernization of the management structure and focusing of activity were already consistent steps. Maiwald is also building on prosecution work, e.g. taking on a large Intel portfolio.

Strengths

Patent prosecution and litigation with technical expertise in biotech, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Excellent US contacts.

Development potential

Unlike other large, mixed practices like Bardehle and Grünecker, Maiwald still lacks international visibility, despite the fact that it represents many US companies. Given the strong pharmaceuticals focus, a London office could make sense, even after Brexit, to compete with the firms there.

Recommended individuals

Marco Stief (“stands out for his expertise”, client); patent attorney: Dr. Regina Neuefeind, Dr. Eva Ehlich.

Team

52 patent attorneys, 9 lawyers

Practice

IP activity with a clear focus on patent prosecution. Broad technical spectrum with a large pharmaceuticals and chemicals practice. Opposition and nullity suits. Infringement proceedings with mixed teams.

Clients

Public knowledge: frequent litigation for Fresenius Kabi; Mundipharma regarding Targin; Kenilworth Funding concerning voicemail patent; Roche regarding prenatal diagnostics; Purdue in constitutional complaint against EPO; prosecution for Bausch & Lomb, Robert Bosch, Borealis, Huawei, Intel, LTS Lohmann, Omega and Purdue.