Michalski Hüttermann sets up China desk with Dompatent lawyer
Patent attorney firm Michalski Hüttermann is strengthening its Düsseldorf office with a team from Cologne-based IP law firm Dompatent von Kreisler Selting Werner. Lawyer Wanze Zhang, who joins as a partner in April, will expand Michalski Hüttermann's activities in China.
28 March 2024 by Konstanze Richter
Wanze Zhang (42) is no stranger to Michalski Hüttermann, having gained her first experience in IP at the patent attorney firm after completing her law studies in Cologne. She then moved to the Cologne law firm Maxton & Langmaack in 2013.
When the latter firm disbanded a year later in 2014, Zhang joined IP law firm Dompatent von Kreisler Selting Werner, where she was promoted to partner in 2019. As a German lawyer with Chinese roots, she was instrumental in setting up the China desk at the Cologne-based outfit.
IP specialty
In addition to advising on filing and cancellation proceedings for trademarks and patents, Zhang’s work also included advising Asian clients such as Xiaomi, Great Wall Motor, Opple Lighting and Svolt Energy on all IP issues. She specialised in defending and enforcing IP rights at trade fairs.
In addition, she regularly acted as a contact person for Chinese companies in patent infringement proceedings in Germany.
Wanze Zhang
Zhang worked closely with Dompatent’s patent attorneys as well as external lawyers, for exampl for Kingfa against BASF over polymer patents. Alongside Taylor Wessing, she was also recently involved in the UPC proceedings for Hanshow against SES Imagotag.
In addition to Zhang, patent attorney candidate Yan Jie Li and two experienced paralegals are also joining the firm. They were already closely involved with the China desk at Dompatent.
New horizons
At Michalski Hüttermann, the three join a 25-strong team of patent attorneys who, through their prosecution work, also maintain close contacts with Asian clients,. These include Hitachi and Japan Aerospace.
Thus, in setting up a new China desk, the firm aims to expand this client base. In addition, the patent attorneys, are regularly involved in national infringement proceedings alongside lawyers.
Following the departure of Zhang, Dompatent’s China desk still has five patent attorneys. Of these, one qualified patent attorney as well as two patent attorney candidates speak Chinese.
