JUVE Comment

The DLA Piper team has enjoyed an excellent reputation for litigation in mobile communications, mechanical engineering and consumer goods. Regular clients such as HP, Nike, Microsoft, and Dyson ensure the German practice remains engaged in numerous complex cases. Recent highlights include work before the UPC, representing Alpinestars in a dispute over motorcycle clothing in collaboration with the Milan office, and acting for Dyson against Dreame in a case concerning hair stylers.

Internally, however, the team faces a period of significant change. Constanze Krenz will move to rival firm A&O Shearman in November 2027. In spring 2025, the head of life sciences in the Cologne team Philipp Cepl moved to Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer. This series of partner departures began in spring 2024 with the unexpected retirement of long-standing senior partner Markus Gampp. As a result, by the end of 2026, DLA Piper will find itself without an established patent litigation partner in the German market.

This represents a notable gap in the international firm’s line-up that sits at odds with its growth ambitions. The team had recently gained recognition at the UPC through its defence of Microsoft against Eyesmatch and Toyota against Neo Wireless. Collaboration with the firm’s patent lawers in Milan and Amsterdam has also proved valuable for UPC cases. Further development opportunities may arise through closer work with the firm’s life sciences specialists.

Strengths

Mobile communications litigation for implementers, including FRAND. Revocation cases without external patent attorneys.

Recommended individuals

Constanze Krenz

Partner moves

Constanze Krenz (to A&O Shearman), Philipp Cepl (to Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer)

Team

7 lawyers

Clients

Litigation: HP against NPE over wi-fi; Extreme Networks against Orckit (settled 2025); Belkin against Philips over SEP for wireless chargers; Harman in nullity suit against Broadcom/Avago over audio patents for car; regular litigation for Amazon, Dyson, and Nike.