Rankings:

• Litigation: Lawyers

JUVE Comment

This leading German litigation firm is exceptionally influential in Düsseldorf, one of Europe’s main court venues, as it is among the firms conducting the most proceedings. This guarantees Krieger Mes a strong position across Europe. The firm conducted extensive litigation for regular clients like Classen, Benteler and the two industry-oriented NPEs France Brevets and MPEG-Pool. The firm is involved in extremely large mobile communications proceedings for these two clients, but rarely appears in the sector’s other battles for manufacturers. The firm could also raise its visibility in pharmaceuticals proceedings. It does, however, impress the market for its excellent ties among the German Mittelstand and patent attorneys. With this setup, Krieger Mes can view the UPC impasse relatively calmly. It could use this time to develop additional lawyers with outstanding reputations. After all, as a firm that rules out a European merger and maintains a partner-centric approach, it will only be able to compete for large, complex proceedings before the UPC with partners of Verhauwen’s and Bühling’s caliber as drawing cards.

Strengths

Infringement proceedings, esp. in Düsseldorf and related to telecoms and software. Litigation for NPEs. Employee invention law.

Recommended individuals

Axel Verhauwen, Dr. Jochen Bühling, Gereon Rother, Dr. Michael Bergermann.

Team

8 partners, 5 associates

Practice

All-round IP activity with a clear focus on patent litigation. Employee invention law. Trademarks and unfair competition.

Clients

France Brevets concerning NFT patents; arbitration for Ansaldo regarding plant construction; Medtronic concerning stents; Burgwächter regarding lock technology; Saint-Gobain concerning adhesive; frequent litigation for Benteler, Classen, Melitta/Swirl, MPEG-Pool, ITW.