Gassauer-Fleissner makes headway with generational change

Law firm Gassauer-Fleissner is particularly well-known in IP law, with a strong focus on patent litigation in the life sciences sector. It is traditionally active in national pharmaceutical litigation for originators such as Novartis or Eli Lilly.

The pharma and life sciences sector is also one of the focal points of new partner Michaela Petsche. The 44-year-old joins from Baker McKenzie’s highly regarded IP/IT team, where she has worked since 2021. The firm appointed her as counsel in 2023.

Petsche will support the two partners Dominik Göbel and Manuel Wegrostek in patent law, but will primarily focus on advising pharmaceutical and medical technology companies as well as conducting IP litigation.

Further boost in procurement

In addition, Gassauer-Fleissner has hired Robert Ertl from public procurement boutique Breitenfeld. The 46-year-old advises on public procurement procedures on both the awarding and contracting side and also has extensive experience in the IT sector, including usage rights and hardware procurement. As Gassauer-Fleissner regularly advises IT companies on licence agreements and outsourcing, the interface to public procurement law fits into the firm’s portfolio.

The new arrivals lend a new depth to Gassauer-Fleissner’s advice to pharmaceutical clients, adding regulatory issues, reimbursement law and market access to advice on enforcing patents and protection certificates.

Gassauer-Fleissner now of counsel

The partner additions are a further step in the firm’s ongoing generational change. The highly recognised name partner Christian Gassauer-Fleissner moved to an of counsel role at the beginning of the year, but is still highly active.

Thanks to the firm implementing the generational change at an early stage, the younger partners Wegrostek and Göbel have already established a profile in the market. The team now consists of five partners, one lawyer and Gassauer-Fleissner as of counsel. It also includes a trainee lawyer.

The outfit is regarded as a leader in Austria, particularly in patent litigation. It recently saw its first UPC case when it represented Chainzone Technology (Foshan) at the Vienna local division. The Chinese manufacturer of LED display panels was a co-litigant in a dispute between Swarco Futurit and Strabag Infrastructure & Safety Solutions.

Last week, the court found Strabag and Chainzone Technology had infringed Swarco Futurit’s patent. Strabag may no longer sell certain Chainzone Technology LED display boards in ten European countries, including Germany, France, and Austria.

Baker & McKenzie maintains IP practice

Baker & McKenzie maintains its soft IP and IT law practice in Vienna. Led by Lukas Feiler, the practice covers all facets of IP with two lawyers and two trainee lawyers. However, outside of patent law, there is a clear focus on contentious soft IP proceedings, as well as life sciences, entertainment law, e-commerce and unfair competition law. A further focus lies on advice and litigation in IT and data protection law.

Procurement lawyer Ertl’s former law firm continues in a smaller constellation following his departure. Two remaining partners now share an office with another Viennese public procurement firm. (Co-author: Annette Kamps)

Image Michaela Petsche ©Mark Pock