US-Israeli firm Pearl Cohen arrives in Germany

Pearl Cohen focuses on high-tech industry and innovative companies. The firm, which has its roots in Israel and the US, has been expanding internationally for years. After London, Munich becomes its second European location.

Three patent attorneys from Tautz & Schuhmacher have joined the international firm in Munich. European patent attorneys Raphael Tautz and Matthias Schuhmacher join as partners, while US patent attorney and lawyer Michael McCandlish joins as of counsel. The firm now offers German and US IP law advice from Germany, though currently lacks German litigation expertise.

The Munich team specialises in quantum technologies, semiconductors, photonics, optics, and life sciences.

International growth

Pearl Cohen’s history dates back to the 1920s in British Palestine. The firm expanded to the US in the 1990s, opening in New York in 2002, Boston in 2008 and San Francisco in 2018. In Europe, it established a London office in 2012 before the recent Munich launch.

The firm maintains its focus on innovation-driven companies, with IP work forming a significant part of its practice. Its patent attorney work particularly stands out in the market.

The London office, with six fee earners, and the Munich office, with three patent attorneys, work exclusively in IP. The firm’s lawyers also provide M&A, corporate, regulatory, and tax advice, as well as general litigation.

German expansion

The Munich office launch continues the trend of international law firms expanding in Europe. Many firms aim to participate in UPC-related work and litigation, including Pearl Cohen.

A spokesperson said, “The UPC played a role in our decision to expand in Europe beyond London. Our firm is a full-service IP-focused firm so UPC litigation was one aspect of the decision, expanding the work for German clients in the US was a major driver.”

“Germany is one of the world’s leading centres for technological innovation — particularly in quantum technologies, semiconductors, photonics, medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences,” stated a press release.

German partner Raphael Tautz says, “German high-tech innovations have global reach. We help them achieve their potential in the US.”