Ones to Watch France 2026
This year, three lawyers have made it onto JUVE Patent's Ones to Watch in French patent litigation, all of whom have built their careers by working on major cases. What unites them is their interest in the interplay between technology and law in patent litigation.
9 March 2026 by Christina Schulze
Pierre-Olivier Ally: Across the pond to August Debouzy
Pierre-Olivier Ally is counsel at August Debouzy. ©August Debouzy
The up-and-coming Pierre-Olivier Ally is part of the August Debouzy team led by François Pochart. He has gained visibility in the French patent market in many major pharmaceutical cases. These include, for example, Fresenius vs Biogen over adalimumab/Humira and Teva vs Biogen over dimethylfumarate/Tecfidera.
With his degree in chemistry, the 41-year-old is well-prepared to represent clients in pharmaceutical proceedings. At the beginning of his career, it was not a foregone conclusion that he would one day become a patent litigator in Paris. After studying chemistry in Montréal, the native Canadian realised that he could not imagine a future in the laboratory and he was drawn to the family tradition in law. After being admitted to the Bar in Montréal, he joined the Canadian IP firm Smart & Biggar.
In 2011, at the age of 26, Ally wanted to go out into the world and so he gained admission to the Bars in New York and Paris. He eventually decided to join Marianne Schaffner’s team, with whom he would change law firms several times in the years to come.
In 2018, he then pivoted and helped build up the IP department of the tech company Bitfury. However, during the coronavirus pandemic, he took a break to pursue his passion for travelling. He then subsequently joined August Debouzy’s litigation team. The next development prospects are offered by the growing team itself, especially as pharmaceutical proceedings are increasingly playing out at the UPC.
Adrien Bonnet: Beginning at Hogan Lovells
Adrien Bonnet is a lawyer at Hogan Lovells in Paris. ©Hogan Lovells
In the major cases pending in Hogan Lovells’ pan-European practice in France, one name is constantly present alongside partner Stanislas Roux-Vaillard. Adrien Bonnet has been involved in cases such as Eli Lilly vs Viatris over cancer drug pemetrexed/Alimta, Orange vs Assia over technology for home communication networks, and Astronics vs Lufthansa over aeroplane seats.
After studying law, the 33-year-old discovered his love of patent law during an internship at Véron, at that time a patent litigation boutique. He is fascinated by technical facts, legal knowledge and the possibilities of bringing together a temporary monopoly for an invention in consideration of the public interest.
Bonnet began his career in the Roux-Vaillard team at Hogan Lovells and appreciates the close cooperation within the international team. He has already spent several months in the firm’s Düsseldorf office.
Most recently, he was able to gain early experience in UPC cases for Oppo vs Panasonic. The court is a project of European cooperation that fascinates the lawyer, who enjoys dealing with philosophy in his private life.
Agathe Caillé: Climbing the ladder at Hoyng ROKH Monegier
Agathe Caillé is a partner at Hoyng ROKH Monegier in Paris. ©Hoyng ROKH Monegier
Agathe Caillé is at home in the Hoyng ROKH Monegier team, especially in major cases such as Regeneron vs biosimilar companies concerning Eylea, and Gilead vs Biogaran and Mylan concerning the Truvada SPC. The 41-year-old became a partner in the Paris office at the beginning of the year. In this new role, she sees a fresh challenge in forging even closer relationships with clients and integrating associates into work in such a way that quality remains high.
In her career from young associate to partner, she has experienced all the steps that the French practice led by Sabine Agé and Amandine Métier has taken in recent years. Caillé was already part of this team at the boutique Véron, which then merged with Hoyng ROKH Monegier.
As a result, European cooperation has become second nature to her. Even before the UPC, for example, she also worked on major cases in Belgium.
The passionate runner also had internships at Gide and Orange during her training. She soon learnt that trademarks may initially seem more accessible, but in patent law clients are willing to provide lawyers with sufficient time to explore specific issues and search for new solutions. Caillé is interested in the business behind the cases for innovative companies, which is partly why she switched from history of arts to IP as a student. It is also why she is particularly interested in the coordination aspect of UPC litigation.
