JUVE Comment

This well-positioned patent practice of the international law firm is particularly active in life science disputes but also in licensing deals and transactions. As in most large international teams, the London Jones Day patent litigators work closely with the other European teams. But compared to Allen & Overy or Hogan Lovells, the Jones Day team is much less involved in mobile communication disputes. Moreover, it is considerably smaller than the market-leading teams. However, it has direct access to their strong US practice – only WilmerHale and Kirkland & Ellis have a similar setup. Accordingly, the team’s coordination work in cross-border proceedings is an important part of the practice. The massive US practice remains an advantage: in comparison to Jones Day, the large European patent teams are still looking for a way to export their patent expertise from Europe to the US in order to secure their position against US firms.

Strengths

Life science and tech disputes. Integrated approach with patent attorneys in Europe. Strong US practice.

European strategy

The patents practice is present at the key UPC locations Düsseldorf, Munich and London. In addition, Jones Day is very strongly positioned in Paris with Thomas Bouvet’s team (joined in 2017 from Véron & Associés). Internationally, close cooperation with the strong US teams is an asset, as is the integrated work with patent attorneys mainly located in the German offices.

Team

2 partners, 5 associates

Specialties

Full service in IP. In patents, focus on life science disputes. Also experienced in other fields of technology. Transactions as well as licensing deals.

Clients

Litigation: Lufthansa Technik (claimant) against Astronics and Safran over energy supply in airseats; Celgene against various generic drug companies over different drugs, e.g. Revlimid; Idenix against Gilead over Sovaldi (all public knowledge). Transactions: Qualcomm on licensing deal with Apple over mobile communication patents.