JUVE Comment

The German patent practice of this US law firm has established itself in the market by advising and representing companies from various industries. Contacts to the automotive supply industry are particularly intensive, thanks to Düsseldorf partner Henrik Holzapfel, who was recently active in various proceedings for regular client Harman.

Holzapfel also has extensive experience in the enforcement of pharmaceutical and medical device patents. This expertise has recently convinced new clients, including well-known companies such as Stada and Merck, which have sought his advice on licensing and infringement issues. In addition, the team’s good contacts to US clients such as Dell ensure a steady stream of work. The team also advises these on employee invention law, FTO, licensing and IP issues in M&A transactions.

The team has recently grown somewhat at associate level and is of a good size to handle larger infringement proceedings, including at the UPC. However, Holzapfel is still the firm’s only really visible litigator.

European set-up

The German practice offers the firm’s US clients a bridge to the UPC. It is therefore not surprising that McDermott filed nine revocation claims for the US based e-cigarette producer NJOY against Juul and VRM. This large series of proceedings is being handled by the German team around Holzapfel together with the patent attorneys from Cohausz & Florack. The good contacts to medical device manufacturers are likely to result in more proceedings at the UPC. However, further growth is still necessary to be able to handle more of these cases.

Strengths

Litigation for SMEs and advice to automotive suppliers and medical device companies.

Recommended individuals

Henrik Holzapfel (“keeps an overview of all the cases”, “strong presence”, “good cooperation”, competitors)

Team

8 lawyers

Clients

Litigation: Wilfried Hüser against Silimed over breast implants; regular litigation for Elokon, K-fee, Harman International, MB Automation, Neofacture Furniture, Wüsthof. Advice: Berylls on FTO; Merck on questions regarding infringement; Stada on licences and transaction; Samsung on transaction and R&D cooperations; Dell and Vestel on licences.