JUVE Comment

This US firm respected in patents has long been active before the German courts from Munich. But the firm only managed to raise its visibility significantly by bringing on board Holzapfel as a partner from Loschelder. He was at Gleiss Lutz until 2014. Both clients and competitors lavish praise on his work. Holzapfel is mainly known for pharmaceuticals suits, but also litigates for auto suppliers at McDermott. A number of loyal clients already followed him from Gleiss to Loschelder, and now to McDermott – among them a German auto supplier and a chemicals manufacturer.

Strengths

Pharmaceuticals litigation.

European strategy

The US firm has had its eye on the European market, esp. Germany, for some time, but was never able to gain a real footing. A visible European patents team could profit immensely from the renowned US practice’s vast client base. McDermott has a small, young patents team in Paris. In London, it is searching for a starting team. In Germany, hiring Holzapfel can only be the beginning if the firm hopes to profit from UPC suits.

Recommended individuals

Dr. Henrik Holzapfel.

Team

3 partners, 3 associates

Practice

IP practice specializing to an equal degree in soft IP and technical protection rights. Primarily nullity suits and infringement proceedings. Employee invention law.

Clients

International auto supplier against electronics corporate concerning mobile communications module and employee invention law; German auto supplier regarding brakes; US company regarding swimming pool cleaning robots; German chemicals company regarding medical product.