Next patent attorney joins Hoyng ROKH Monegier in Germany

German and European patent attorney Thomas Becher will join patent boutique Hoyng ROKH Monegier in January. Currently Becher works as a partner in Hoffmann Eitle’s Düsseldorf office, which he co-founded in 2012 and of which he remains a co-manager. The Düsseldorf office of Hoffmann Eitle grew significantly in early 2025.

Prior to his time at Hoffmann Eitle, Becher studied mechanical engineering at RWTH Aachen University and MIT. He is qualified as a German and European patent attorney .

Thomas Becher

Becher is the first patent attorney outside the pharma and biotech field at Hoyng ROKH Monegier’s German practice, but he has a focus on medical devices, especially implants. Other areas of expertise include 3D printing, textile technology, watches, automotive technology such as tyres and exhaust gas purification systems, as well as as mobile phones.

His focus lies on patent prosecution and opposition proceedings. He has experience in litigating before the German and European Patent Offices, and in 2016 he also qualified as a solicitor for the Higher Courts in England and Wales. Becher is also registered as a UPC representative.

Strategic moves at Hoyng ROKH

At Hoyng ROKH Monegier Becher will reinforce the fields of life sciences and medical devices, with a particular focus on EPO oppositions and UPC litigation. He will collaborate closely with other European patent teams. Even though the firm now employs patent attorneys at various locations, the main focus of the patent attorney practice remains in Amsterdam.

Two years ago Hoyng ROKH Monegier began taking on patent attorneys focusing exclusively on patent litigation. At the beginning of 2025, pharmaceutical and biotech expert Claudia Hertzsch moved to its Düsseldorf office, initally as counsel.

Claudia Hertzsch

As a salary partner at her previous firm König Szynka Tillmann von Renesse, Hertzsch worked on numerous high-profile cases in the life sciences sector. Three years ago, her work landed her a place on JUVE Patent’s Ones to Watch 2022.

In Germany Hoyng ROKH now has four patent attorneys, currently focusing on life sciences litigation.

Benoit Strowel, managing partner of Hoyng ROKH Monegier, says, “Expanding our litigation expertise in opposition and litigation proceedings in Europe remains a strategic priority for the firm. Thomas Becher will play an important role in further developing our integrated European opposition platform and supporting our work before the UPC.”

Partner Christine Kanz adds, “Our pharmaceutical and life sciences litigation team is already equipped to meet the highest demands with its outstanding lawyers and patent attorneys. With Thomas Becher, we are now gaining an outstanding asset, particularly for EPO litigation.”

Hoffmann Eitle expands

Becher’s previous firm Hoffmann Eitle specialises in pharmaceutical and biotech patents and the related litigation. The firm is one of Europe’s most high-profile patent attorney firms in prosecution and litigation for companies in the life sciences industry and boasts a large team in this space, including a notable lawyer team.

Earlier this year, Hoffmann Eitle bolstered its Düsseldorf team with twelve fee earners from now-dissolved firm König Szynka Tilmann von Renesse. The new arrivals included Gregor König, Dorothea von Renesse and Carla Roth as equity partners, who are among the best known advisors for patent prosecution and litigation in the life sciences sector.

But in late summer 2025, a bitter setback followed when the firm’s best-known litigator to date, Nils Hölder, and junior partner Mike Gruber announced their move to arch-rival Carpmaels & Ransford.

Nevertheless, Hoffmann Eitle responded quickly and announced it was strengthening its Munich practice with renowned lawyer Thomas Gniadek from Simmons & Simmons. He will bring expertise in mobile communications. (Co-author: Laura King)