JUVE Comment

Quinn Emanuel continues to maintain a visible presence at the UPC, thanks to the German patent litigation team’s extensive network of US clients such as Netflix and Google, as well as the excellent reputation of lead partner Marcus Grosch. However, the firm has not yet gained ground on market-leading UPC firms such as Bardehle Pagenberg.

The landmark battles of the first two years for Dexcom over glucose-monitoring devices and Tesla over automotive chips have recently concluded through settlements. Nevertheless, the team continues to litigate intensively for Netflix (including national litigation and EPO proceedings) and Google over streaming and mobile communications patents. The past year has also seen a shift towards new technologies. The team recently commenced a significant UPC case for Corning over chemicals for safety glasses and is active for new client SK Nexilis concerning copper foils for batteries. This demonstrates the team’s litigation capabilities across a range of technologies. However, pharma and biotech cases still do not play a major role in the firm’s portfolio.

Quinn Emanuel’s influence remains largely confined to Germany. The firm could play an even stronger European role but has struggled for years to establish comparable teams in London, Paris or elsewhere on the continent, partly due to its high partner profitability requirements. Some leading international law firms with which Quinn Emanuel competes have a much broader base and attract more cases, even if these are not always as economically attractive as those of the US firm.

Nevertheless, Quinn Emanuel has been the most successful US law firm at the UPC to date. Since UK firms such as Powell Gilbert, which draw their strengths from coordinating litigation work for Asian and US clients, have entered the German market, Quinn Emanuel has faced new competition on the continent. Unlike many German competitors, Quinn Emanuel would be well-positioned to respond appropriately with a strong offering in London.

Strengths

Litigation related to telecoms, chips and medical devices. Strong US practice.

Recommended individuals

Johannes Bukow, Marcus Grosch (“always knows every move in the proceedings and keeps his eye on the goal”, client; “excellent litigator, great experience in coordinating lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions”, competitor), Jérôme Kommer (“I have the greatest respect for his coordination and strategic planning of cases”, client; “extensive experience across a wide range of technologies”, competitor), Jesko Preuß

Team

35 lawyers

Clients

Google against Ona Patents over location-positioning technology in smartphones involving wireless networks; Netflix against DivX over streaming technologies; Corning against Hisense, TCL, and LG Electronics over LCD glass displays; Scandit against Hand Held Products over handheld scanners; Stäubli Tec Sysems against Hellmuth Konrad over mechanical engineering patent; SK Nexilis against Volta Energy Solutions over copper foils for batteries; Dexcom against Abbott over glucose-monitoring patents (settled 2025); Tesla against Broadcom/Avago over chips for automotive application (settled 2025); Vizgen against 10x Genomics over diagnostic devices (ended 2025).