JUVE Comment

The litigation practice at this international full-service firm has always delivered impressive work in pharma patents. In recent years, it has diversified its client circle to include other sectors such as telecoms and technology. The patent lawyers played a background role for an auto supplier in the high-profile Broadcom vs. Audi case over connected cars. Despite core clients such as Asus and ZTE, the firm has not yet achieved the same profile in mobile communications as it has in pharma cases. TW is broadening its technical range, advising clients such as the pallet manufacturer Chep and the window specialist. This development is yet to be reflected in the headcount in the team, however. The firm appointed a salary partner in Düsseldorf but was unable to close the gap left by the departure of two partners last year who specialised in mobile communications. The patent team in Munich lost a salary partner specialising in pharma an life sciences who moved in-house, but this loss was able to be absorbed.

Strengths

Litigation related to pharmaceuticals and telecoms. Good contacts in China and Japan.

European strategy

TW has well positioned teams at the important European locations London, Munich and Düsseldorf, as well as a steadily growing presence in Amsterdam and Eindhoven. TW is thus well prepared for the UPC, especially as the firm also has a small team in Brussels. Clients such as Asus have already turned to the firm for European disputes in various countries. Pfizer regularly banks on the Munich team and was also advised by the Amsterdamer team in the dispute with Hoffmann La Roche over bevacizumab. However, the firm still lacks a practice in Paris – a gap TW needs to close soon, not only with regard to the UPC.

Recommended individuals

Christoph de Coster, Christian Lederer, (“good expert, friendly”, competitor), Dietrich Kamlah, Gisbert Hohagen (“very experienced in litigation”, competitor)

Team

7 equity partners, 2 salary partners, 2 counsel, 4 associates, 1 of counsel

Partner moves

Sara Burghart (to Sandoz)

Specialties

All-round activity in IP. In patents, activity focuses on infringement proceedings. Very close cooperation with the European patents team and international life science practice. Also licensing and cooperation contracts. Trademarks and unfair competition.

Clients

Litigation: regularly for Chep, Hormosan Pharma, Mylan, Nichia, Pfizer/Hospira, Valeo, ZTE; Abbot against Medinol over stents; Agfa against DuPont over printing plates; Asus against Philips over mobile communications; Fraunhofer Gesellschaft against Schneider Electric over semiconductors; Hexal/Sandoz against Eli Lilly over pemetrexed and over irbesartan; Klinge Pharma against MSD over ezetimibe/simvastatin; Metatron against VW over gas injection system.