Leveraging its position as an international law firm, A&O Shearman handles the full gamut of patent issues for multinational corporations across a wide variety of industries. The team is led by an erudite Paris-trio consisting of Laëtitia Bénard, David Por, and Charles Tuffreau. Bénard advises on litigation and patent portfolios, patent validity, and freedom to operate issues, and specialises in advising clients within the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and high-technology industries. Por handles pan-European, high-profile litigation for telecommunications and electronics clients, while Tuffreau is a representative before the European Patent Office handling cross-border litigations, preliminary injunction proceedings, and infringement seizures, and leverages his prior qualification in engineering. Cyril Riffaud is also a key name at the firm supporting the team.

With an impressive record for handling complex multi-jurisdictional patent litigation before foreign courts, French courts, European IP offices, and the UPC, Bird & Bird is a well-respected industry player who caters to some of the world’s most emblematic conglomerates in industries not limited to software development, life-sciences, healthcare, electronics, food and beverage, and automotives. The team is led by Anne-Charlotte Le-Bihan, who in addition to being an erudite litigator, is also a soft IP expert and prolific negotiator. Co-head and Lyon-based Géraldine Arbant handles regional work. Described by one client as a ‘one-stop shop’, the team is supported by Thierry Lautier, who leverages his previous experience as an engineer to additionally advise on IP contracts and the IP-related aspects of corporate deals, including M&A. The ‘dynamic and inventive’ Alexandra Schellino is another noted name in the team.

Spearheaded by dual English-French qualified Denis Schertenleib, who has a background in physics and molecular neurobiology, the team at Schertenleib has a wealth of experience handling complex litigation before the EPO, French courts, and the UPC. The firm has a specific penchant for advising large multinational pharmaceutical companies on their medical patent infringement, validity, and enforcement issues, and the group also handles filings. Marc Lauzeral is also a key name in the team, as well as Ombeline Degrèze-Péchade; both are seasoned litigators with significant pharmaceutical expertise.

Leveraging its position as a global law firm, the erudite team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is noted for having excellent capabilities managing both contentious and non-contentious matters for a roster of clients which includes large multi-billion pharmaceutical and medical companies. Noted for handling parallel proceedings across many jurisdictions, the team is led by Alexandra Neri and Frédéric Chevallier, who has gained a wealth of experience in life sciences and technology patent litigation, including the related regulatory aspects of pharmaceuticals. Recent work to highlight includes representing a major French multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company in complex patent infringement litigation before the UPC.

HOYNG ROKH MONÉGIER rightfully holds its place in the upper echelons of patent litigation given that it frequently handles complex parallel litigation proceedings dealing with patent infringement, unfair competition, and parasitism across both Europe and the USA. The firm is spearheaded by Paris-duo Benoît Strowel and Sabine Agé. Strowel is a member of both the Paris and Brussels bar and is qualified to practice in England and Wales, making him an expert multi-jurisdictional litigator, while Agé is a patents expert for clients in electronics and telecoms. Denis Monégier du Sorbier is a key name at the firm, while Amandine Métier advises clients on standard-essential patents and FRAND licenses, as well as on disputes relating to supplementary protection certificates and biosimilars. Sophie Micallef is a seasoned litigator and Florence Jacquand displays versatility at the firm, advising on patent validity and infringement, employees’ inventions, and contractual disputes. Caroline Levesque and Marta Mendes handle trade secrets and infringement litigation respectively.

Leveraging its status as an international law firm, Linklaters services some of the world’s leading companies in technology, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. The firm regularly handles litigation, infringement proceedings, acquisitions, and IP-related agreements. Lauded by clients for being an expert litigator and outstanding team leader, practice head Pauline Debré is noted for handling complex patent litigation for clients in the healthcare, mobility, and telecommunications sectors. Under her helm is Gaëlle Bourout, who is noted for her in-depth expertise and outstanding drafting skills and is qualified for both the Paris bar and for the European Patent Office. Jean-François Merdignac and Laetitia Nicolazzi are stanchions of the firm’s practice with the ‘dynamic’ Nicolazzi leading on many litigation matters and Merdrignac handling the IP issues that come alongside M&A transactions.

Pinsent Masons LLP regularly handles complex patent disputes for clients and has accrued impressive experience and knowledge regarding UPC litigation and rules. The team is led by Jules Fabre, who has a strong specialism in life sciences and pharmaceuticals and also handles SPC litigations and coordination of pan-European patent litigation. Marina Jonon is key to the firm and leverages her previous experience in national firms; in addition to supporting with litigation, she advises on regulatory issues in the healthcare sector. Emmanuel Gougé left the firm in 2024.

The patents team at Simmons & Simmons regularly handles patent infringement litigation both before the UPC, European, and French courts for international clients in the health and life sciences industry, as well as the telecoms sector. The group was bolstered by the arrival of electronics specialist Abdelaziz Khatab, who is also noted by clients for his FRAND knowledge, and he co-heads the team alongside Sarah Bailey, who has expertise in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Frédérique Potin is lauded by clients for her clear and pragmatic advice. François Jonquères departed the firm in June of 2024.

Having recently acquired impressive experience at the UPC, the team at Armengaud Guerlain regularly handles complex litigation for blue chip corporations, multinational companies, and SMEs. Noted for also having an Ibero-American desk, this boutique IP firm is managed by Paris litigation heavyweight-duo Stéphane Guerlain and Catherine Mateu, who between the two of them handle clients in English, French, and Spanish on matters pertaining to employee inventions, trade secrets, and patent applications and licensing agreements.

The team at Dentons has a particular strength for advising its clients, which include some of the largest technology companies in the world, on their patent issues involving employee inventions, pre-litigation, and nullity actions, as well as infringement action. Noted by clients for its impressive responsiveness, the team is led by Loïc Lemercier, who in addition to being an IP litigation expert, boasts significant experience with FRAND and SPC issues for clients in the pharmaceutical, telecommunications, luxury, food and beverage, internet, and technology sectors. He is assisted by a trifecta of high-achieving associates, namely Isabelle Leroux, Tom Blanchet, and Chen Gu, who all have gained a wealth of experience with regards to complex patent litigation.

Noted for being a litigation heavyweight, the team at Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP frequently advises clients across a variety of industries, including telecoms, renewable energy, life sciences, healthcare, aerospace pharmaceuticals, and defence. Stanislas Roux-Vaillard leads the team and is a seasoned litigator; he leads on the firm’s plethora of cases pertaining to litigation before EU courts, French courts, and patent offices. Key to the team is Adrien Bonnet, who in addition to handling complex litigation, is noted for handling FRAND matters and co-ordinating with the London and German offices of the firm to advise clients.

Noted by clients for their depth of expertise in the market, the team at DTMV & Associés handles matters for pharmaceutical companies and large and medium-sized French and foreign companies across a variety of industries, including automotive and mechanical equipment and telecommunications. Thierry Mollet-Viéville co-heads the team alongside Pascal Lefort, who has particular expertise in unfair competition and advertising, Eleonore Gaspar, who advises clients in the film, entertainment, fashion, e-commerce, energy, and travel industries. and Thomas Cuche and Grimaud Valat.

The ‘remarkable’ team at Osborne Clarke has a comprehensive patent law offering advising clients on the full spectrum of patent issues, including patent prosecution, litigation, licensing, contracts, and portfolio management. The team caters to an impressive roster of clients, who are market leaders in the transport, life sciences, and energy and utilities sectors. The team is led by Paris-duo Claire Bouchenard and technology expert Xavier Pican, who leverages his prior experience working in-house. The team is also assisted by Laurène Zaggia and Christophe Arfan, who are IT and trade secrets specialists respectively.

Harnessing the firm’s extensive global network to advise its clients on patent issues, the team at DLA Piper regularly undertakes patent infringement litigation, cancellation action litigation, patent aspects of acquisitions, and trade secret matters on a cross-border stage. The firm advises clients that are active across a variety of industries, including life sciences, consumer goods, and technology. The firm is headed up by Frank Valentin, who is a TMT IP litigation specialist, and also acts as global co-chair for the firm’s media, sport and entertainment team.

Lavoix is noted for handling patent litigation in France and across the EU for clients in the luxury goods, life sciences, oil, energy, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. The team is led by the ‘well known and respected’ Camille Pecnard, who is an infringement seizure specialist and is assisted by Pierre Emmanuel Meynard, an expert concerning the drafting of contractual agreements, pharmaceutical law and litigation, and the launch and marketing of medicinal products and medical devices. Martin Simonnet is also a key name to note in the team as a litigation expert.