Led by Christian Harmsen, Bird & Bird's practice covers the entire spectrum of trade mark matters and also provides expertise in copyright, design and competition issues if necessary. Frederik Thiering and Richard Dissmann are other key contacts and both experienced in litigation and strategic advice.

Grünecker assists with the entire life cycle of trade marks, from registration over portfolio management to disputes. The practice's client base includes numerous global corporations that seek advice on market entries and proceedings at German and international level. Anja Franke is a key contact for Asian companies and issues related to Asia, while Holger Gauss focuses on the pharmaceutical, media and fashion sectors. Maximilian Kinkeldey provides comprehensive advice on trade mark, design and competition law and Cornelia Schmitt, who made associate partner in January 2023, is an experienced advisor to US companies. Other key members of the team are Philipp Strommer (dispute resolution) and Nicolás Schmitz (luxury goods, fashion and medical devices).

Hamburg-based IP boutique Harmsen Utescher not only impresses with its comprehensive trade mark management, but is also one of the leading firms for litigation. With further expertise in ancillary areas such as patent law and unfair competition and an entire team experienced in both litigation and prosecution, the group is well equipped for complex and cross-border issues. Subsequently, team members regularly act before the Federal Court of Justice and the EUIPO and cover numerous industries thanks to their expertise in advising both trade mark holders and retailers. Karin Sandberg, Till Lampel and Martin Kefferpütz are among the key partners and, in addition to trade marks, also focus on copyright and competition law.

Hamburg IP boutique Harte-Bavendamm Rechtsanwälte has a proven track record in trade mark litigation and often acts in cross-border proceedings. Other mainstays include trade mark and design portfolio management as well as advice on digital issues, while being instructed by clients from a broad industry spectrum, including food and fashion. Andrea Jaeger-Lenz enjoys an excellent reputation for representing clients before German and EU courts and also assists with trade mark and design portfolio management. In addition to trade marks, Henning Harte-Bavendamm's expertise also covers competition and copyright law. Cathérine Elkemann (trade mark, competition and medicinal product advertising law) is another key contact for both strategic issues and litigation.

Hogan Lovells International LLP's trade mark practice was recently able to further expand its portfolio of high-profile German and international clients, which is not least due to the group's broad positioning and its range of advice encompassing both contentious and non-contentious issues. In addition to classic strategic advice and cross-border proceedings, this also includes trend topics such as ESG and influencer marketing. Litigator Andreas Bothe heads the German IPMT group, which also includes Yvonne Draheim, who specialises in trade mark infringement proceedings. Anthonia Ghalamkarizadeh made partner in January 2023 and primarily advises on digital issues, often in the gaming and e-sports sectors. At counsel level, Patrick Fromlowitz advises clients from the pharmaceutical, construction and fashion industries.

KLAKA Rechtsanwälte is a renowned IP boutique known for its expertise in contentious trade mark and design law proceedings before courts, the DPMA and the EUIPO. Here, its expertise is called upon by a wide spectrum of sectors, ranging from automotive, pharmaceuticals and fashion to energy and luxury goods. The group also assists clients with the management and expansion of international trade mark portfolios. Trade mark, design and competition lawyer Ralf Hackbarth heads the practice and further enjoys an excellent reputation for his expertise in geographical indications of origin and domain law. Designations of origin as well as geographic indications of origin also represent a significant part of Carola Onken's skill set, which she frequently applies in registration and objection proceedings at German and European level. Andreas Schulz impresses with experience in food and drug-related issues, while Stefan Abel often acts for French clients.

Lubberger Lehment is a renowned IP boutique with a focus on trade marks that covers transactional trade mark advice, trade mark and design rights portfolio management as well as anti-piracy; instructions particularly stem from the luxury goods sector. In addition to his frequent handling of landmark trade mark litigation, founding partner Andreas Lubberger also counts competition, antitrust and distribution law among his strengths. Rani Mallick is a frequently chosen contact for parallel imports and product counterfeits, while Eva Maierski assists clients with design law and trade mark disputes. Associate Leonard Pietsch (trade mark, design, copyright and competition law) and senior associate Julian Erfurth (trade mark and competition law) are other core members of the team.

IP firm Bardehle Pagenberg covers the entire range of trade mark issues and impresses with both its strategic advice and expertise in enforcing and defending IP rights. The practice is further adept in design law and advises on new types of trade marks such as multimedia and hologram trade marks. Alongside technically oriented industries, the group also has extensive experience in assisting clients from the pharmaceutical and sporting goods industries and supports them in cross-border matters via its offices in Paris and Barcelona. Claus Eckhartt, who focuses on border seizures and licensing agreements, jointly heads the team with Philipe Kutschke, who handles contentious matters as well as strategic advice on trade mark portfolios.

CMS pursues an integrated approach to trade mark, design and competition law, which enables the team to advise its client base, consisting of large international corporations and domestic companies, on both strategic and contentious matters. The practice's mainstays cover cross-border registration and management of trade mark portfolios, domain disputes and licensing agreements, while also being experienced in border confiscation proceedings. Practice head Markus Deck primarily advises in the technical area, while Gordian Hasselblatt has an excellent reputation in trade mark clearance as well as trade mark and design portfolio management.

Non-conventional trade marks, such as 3D and colour trade marks, form the core of Gleiss Lutz' practice, although it also possesses deep expertise in IP rights within the digital space; here, the group advises media companies and consumer goods manufacturers on issues relating to the metaverse and social media. Alongside digital transformation matters, the team is further experienced in classic trade mark issues, portfolio management and strategic advice, including collision monitoring and trade mark registrations. Stefan Weidert is active across the interface to health and competition law and also frequently involved in technology-related transactions; he jointly leads the practice with Stefan Völker, who assists clients with strategic matters and trade mark disputes.

Noerr's German trade mark practice cooperates closely with the firm's office in Alicante, which focuses on prosecution and strategic advice, while the German dependency specialises in trade mark disputes and IP contracts. Practice head Tobias Dolde also divides his time between Munich and Alicante and can therefore provide clients with comprehensive advice on cross-border litigation and intellectual property rights at international level. With a focus on the consumer goods industry, Christoph Rieken's expertise covers transaction-related and strategic issues as well as representing clients before courts and authorities such as the DPMA and EUIPO. Valentina Nieß (pharmaceutical and consumer goods industry) made associated partner in January 2023.

NORDEMANN continues to advise high-profile international corporations, particularly from the consumer goods and pharmaceutical sectors, along the entire life cycle of trade marks. Anti-piracy issues and portfolio management as well as objection and cancellation procedures form part of its expertise, as do copyright- and competition law-related issues. Axel Nordemann and Anke Nordemann-Schiffel excel in international trade mark portfolio management and cross-border disputes; they jointly lead the practice with Michael Maier, who primarily represents clients before the EGC and the CJEU and joined the team in April 2023 from Boult Wade Tennant LLP. Start-ups often rely on Christian Czychowski, especially in relation to transactional IP matters.

SKW Schwarz' trade mark practice mirrors the firm's innovative orientation, handling topics such as influencer marketing, e-sports and digital health within several focus groups. Here, the group assists with registration and objection proceedings before German and European offices, international litigation as well as with strategic issues and trade mark management. Oliver Stöckel, who has special expertise in the life sciences and health sectors, took over the IP practice management from Sascha Pres in 2023. The latter remains with the team and assists clients with disputes and licensing agreements. In July 2023, Rembert Niebel (strategic and licensing advice, portfolio management, litigation), previously at Baker McKenzie, joined the team.

Taylor Wessing manages a considerable trade mark portfolio across a wide range of sectors, which is not least due to the firm's international network. The practice further acts in disputes before various courts and authorities  such as the BGH and EUIPO. In addition to the firm's international offices, the German trade mark team also benefits from its network with IP agency Beijing Tailun, which allows for a strong foothold in the Chinese market. Contentious matters and strategic advice are among the core competencies of practice head Olaf Gillert, who combines his trade mark skills with expertise in design, copyright and competition law.

ADVANT Beiten advises medium-sized companies and large international corporations on trade mark matters, focusing on the sports, retail and automotive sectors. The group is particularly dedicated to portfolio development, management and enforcement and further impresses clients in the digital industries, such as gaming, with IT law expertise; this interface also mirrors practice head Andreas Lober's expertise, which includes electronic entertainment and digitalisation. Christina Hackbarth and Tanja Hogh Holub both assist with strategic matters as well as with trade mark enforcement and defense.

bock legal Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten focuses on contentious IP proceedings and has a renowned design law practice, although it also handles portfolio management; its trade mark practice receives instructions both nationally and internationally. The team is led by experienced litigator and founding partner Andreas Bock and assists German medium-sized companies and large international corporations, particularly from the fashion and luxury goods industry. Jan Müller-Broich impresses with expertise in trade mark and design law matters and recently acted in disputes before the EUIPO. Advising on unconventional trade marks is a focus for Benedikt Frank, who made partner in January 2023.

IP boutique Boehmert & Boehmert offers comprehensive advice on ​​trade marks, including portfolio management as well as IP right enforcement and defense. The firm is active in the consumer goods, food, media and pharmaceutical sectors, among others, and acts from its national locations as well as its offices in Alicante, Paris and Shanghai, which the practice involves in cross-border matters. Carl-Richard Haarmann's IP expertise extends to trade mark, patent and licensing law, while Rudolf Böckenholt covers design law as well as trade marks.

CBH Rechtsanwälte  focuses on the automotive, life sciences and beauty sectors as well as fashion and luxury goods. Here, the group advises both German medium-sized companies and international corporations on portfolio management, IP infringement and licensing matters, as well as newer forms of trade marks such as the certification mark. The team also maintains a close relationships with the firm's procurement practice and advises on the protection of high-profile trade marks and quality marks. Strategic brand management and portfolio development are among the main focuses of Nadja Siebertz, who jointly leads the practice with Ingo Jung, who advises on design and copyright law as well as on trade marks.

DLA Piper focuses on the media, gaming and technology sectors, but also acts for clients in the consumer goods, hospitality and automotive industries. The practice comprehensively advises on trade mark, design and competition law, assists with both portfolio management as well as with strategic matters and litigation, and clients further benefit from the firm's international network in cross-border matters. Stefan Engels leads the group and, alongside trade mark advice, also handles competition, copyright and press issues. Companies from the technology, life sciences and sports sectors regularly rely on IP lawyer Burkhard Führmeyer. Counsel Gabriele Engels (trade mark management, digital issues) joined D Young & Co LLP in April 2023.

Hoffmann Eitle is known for its soft IP practice, which is experienced in both litigation and prosecution. Its international orientation also enables the team to coordinate and support cross-border matters as well as assist clients in markets such as China. In addition to trade mark matters, the group further handles IP transactions and can draw on its expertise in copyright and competition law if necessary. Michaela Ring is active in design as well as trade mark and competition law and jointly heads the practice with Wedig von der Osten-Sacken, who advises on unconventional trade marks such as 3D and put-on trade marks.

IP boutique HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER provides comprehensive trade mark advice, with all team members being active across both prosecution and litigation. By collaborating with the firm's European offices, the practice is further well equipped to handle international trade mark portfolios and disputes. Christina Tenbrock heads the soft IP practice and, in addition to trade mark and design law, also advises on medicinal product advertising, pharmaceutical and medical device law. Mathis Breuer and Thomas Schmitz are particularly experienced in assisting with trade mark litigation, although both also advise on contractual and strategic issues. Counsel Sandra Stolzenburg-Wiemer (competition, design and trade mark law, advertising measures) acts in both an advisory capacity and in litigation.

Lorenz Seidler Gossel is experienced in trade mark disputes, which frequently entail cross-border aspects and are mainly handled for international corporations and German medium-sized companies. The group has further expertise in portfolio management and strategic consulting, which extends to trade mark, design and copyright law. Philipp Neuwald and Christian Rassmann regularly act in complex disputes across various industries, including fashion and technology. Reinhard Ingerl and Siegfried Jackermeier recently retired.

Preu Bohlig & Partner's wide-ranging IP advice includes representation before courts and authorities as well as strategic advice on registrations and portfolio management. Companies from the consumer goods and software sectors instruct the practice particularly often. Christian Donle acts across the whole IP spectrum and focuses on litigation, for which Andreas Haberl is another key contact. Health advertising and cosmetics law issues form part of Jan Peter Heidenreich's repertoire, while Astrid Gérard acts for clients in contentious trade mark, design and competition matters.

IP boutique rospatt has offices in Düsseldorf and Mannheim and is best known for its strong trade mark and design law litigation practice. The group frequently assists industry clients with matters pertaining to gray and parallel imports as well as unused branded goods, among other issues. Rüdiger Pansch is one of the key contacts for contentious proceedings related to parallel imports and licenses, while André Sabellek focuses on design enforcement. Stephan von Petersdorff-Campen's expertise includes trade marks as well as patent and competition law.

Boutique offering UNIT4 IP, which specialises in trade mark, design and patent law, offers wide-ranging advice on IP defense and enforcement, contracts and portfolio management; instructions stem from German companies as well as global corporations. Ekkehard Stolz is one of the key contacts for contentious matters, while Ursula Stelzenmüller focuses on registration strategies and IP proceedings before the DPMA and EUIPO. Jan Weiser has expertise in trade marks as well as in competition and design law.

Vossius & Partner's broad trade mark practice assists with both registration strategies and portfolio management as well as official proceedings before German and European authorities. It is also one of the leading addresses for design law and covers numerous sectors, including life sciences, automotive and luxury goods. In addition to trade mark and design law, practice head Mathias Kleespies also has expertise in food law and assists clients with non-contentious and contentious issues. With longstanding experience in the soft IP area, Simone Schäfer is adept in opposition and nullity proceedings before the EUIPO as well as in international portfolio management.

Arnold Ruess Rechtsanwälte PartmbB is a renowned Düsseldorf-based IP boutique that, in addition to prosecution and litigation, also covers license agreements and the development of advertising strategies. Based on the cooperation with international partner firms, the group is well equipped to assist with cross-border proceedings. Founding partner and practice head Peter Ruess is well versed in trade marks as well as competition law.

Baker McKenzie's comprehensive trade mark practice particularly focuses on the consumer goods and technology sectors and, alongside its transactional IP support and portfolio management, also offers expertise in trade mark disputes, where clients further benefit from the firm's international network. Since Rembert Niebel's (trade mark, competition and copyright law) departure to SKW Schwarz in July 2023, Michael Fammler (prosecution and litigation) is the sole practice head.

Dentons' trade mark expertise ranges from the development of protection strategies and transactional IP support to border seizure procedures and the prosecution of organised IP crime, while also having experience in future-oriented areas such as trade marks in the digital space. Constantin Rehaag, who is adept in trade marks, competition, copyright and patent law, jointly leads the practice with digitalisation and technology expert Stefan Dittmer.

In addition to its traditionally strong administration and filing practice, Eisenführ Speiser has an active litigation practice that acts at European and German levels before courts and authorities such as the EUIPO. The group further coordinates cross-border license negotiations and campaigns for a client base consisting of medium-sized companies and global corporations. One of Harald Förster's mainstays are infringement disputes, while also assisting with trade marks, design, patent and competition law.

FPS assists with trade mark disputes and prosecution and houses a specifically established product piracy task force. Alongside German and international companies, the client base also includes prominent individuals. Christoph Holzbach heads the practice and provides wide-ranging IP advice, which includes trade marks as well as competition and copyright law. Thomas Stein is one of the key contacts for border seizures, parallel imports and anti-counterfeiting.

Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner's practice spans trade mark registration and litigation. In close cooperation with its corporate practice, the group frequently assists with transactional IP issues. David Kipping focuses on product piracy and product counterfeiting, while Morton Douglas regularly assists with portfolios and infringement proceedings. Both jointly lead the team with copyright and media lawyer Stephan Dittl and Norbert Hebeis (international filing strategies and registrations, community trade marks).

Heuking impresses with a diverse advice portfolio that extends to contentious and non-contentious trade mark matters and also includes design and competition law-related issues. Dominik Eickemeier (media and entertainment, IT) and Markus Lennartz (public sector, IT) jointly lead the practice.

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH  focuses its trade mark advice on a client base predominantly comprised of companies from the mobility and logistics as well as consumer goods sectors and acts in both a litigious and strategic capacity. It further covers interfaces to design, competition and copyright law and is frequently involved in cross-border proceedings and global portfolio management. Geert Johann Seelig, whose expertise spans the entire spectrum of intellectual property protection, including transactional IP support, jointly leads the practice with competition and trade mark lawyer Detlef Mäder.

Infringement disputes represent a central pillar of Osborne Clarke's trade mark advice; it represent clients before the ECJ and the EUIPO and can further draw on cross-location expertise of its international network. Practice head Marcus Sacré focuses on the automotive and consumer goods sectors, while Matthias Kloth often acts for clients in infringement and nullity proceedings at German and European level. Robert Briske, who is experienced in trade mark, copyright and competition disputes as well as in IT-related matters, made partner in January 2024.

IP boutique Teworte-Vey Simon Schumacher & Partner covers the entire life cycle of trade marks and also advises clients in related areas such as food and medicinal advertising law. The practice's broad approach is also reflected in Jan Schumacher's skill set, who is just as experienced in litigation as he is in out-of-court advice to German and international companies. Registration strategies, collision checks and trade mark disputes are mainstays for Marie Teworte-Vey's, while Gesa Simon assists with portfolio management, among other matters. Founding partner Christian Schmitt (licensing contracts) joined THS.IP in April 2023.

D Young & Co LLP's Munich-based trade mark team is predestined for cross-border matters thanks to its intra-European positioning, although it also houses a strong, independent German practice. This is led by soft IP specialist Jana Bogatz, who assists with trade mark and design portfolio registration, optimisation and enforcement.

JONAS Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH's extensive trade mark advice includes trade mark management as well as opposition and border seizure proceedings. Companies from the consumer goods, food, publishing and sports sectors frequently call upon the expertise of trade mark, design and competition lawyers Karl Hamacher and Martin Viefhues. Nils Weber complements the practice with expertise in patent law, while Markus Robak has in-depth knowledge of the media sector.

Norton Rose Fulbright is a renowned address for product piracy and border seizure advice and also assists with trade mark and domain portfolio management. Practice head Daniel Marschollek represents clients from the fashion and sporting goods, luxury goods and telecommunications sectors in contentious proceedings, where he applies his trade mark as well as design and copyright expertise.

Boutique offering Notos, which specialises in IP and IT, offers extensive advice on non-contentious and contentious matters and is instructed by German medium-sized companies and global corporations. Key areas of expertise include trade mark and design portfolio management as well as border seizures and product piracy; the group is further experienced in the international coordination of registrations and proceedings. Julia Voegeli-Wenzl leads the team and has expertise in strategic trade mark and design issues and court proceedings.

Uexküll & Stolberg advises clients from various sectors on contentious proceedings as well as on availability research, strategic issues and product piracy. Practice head Frank Dettmann is a key contact for companies in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors.

Addleshaw Goddard advises along the entire life cycle of trade marks and, thanks to its global presence, counts several international corporations among its client base. Under the leadership of Manuela Finger, who is experienced in IP, IT and contractual matters, the practice assists companies with trade mark and design portfolio management as well as with national and international disputes.

With a focus on infringement proceedings, boesling IP Rechtsanwälte PartG mbB advises clients from numerous sectors and is particularly active for rights holders. The practice has further expertise in licensing agreements and trade mark portfolio management. Thies Bösling regularly represents companies before German and European courts and authorities, while Inga George is experienced in protection strategies, IP contracts and trade mark disputes.

Dörries Frank-Molnia & Pohlman's trade mark practice was recently increasingly active in contentious matters, which frequently pertained to the cross-border enforcement of its client's intellectual property rights. Under the leadership of trade mark, design and competition lawyer Ortrun Günzel, the group also advises on global portfolio management and transactional IP matters.

Lexton Rechtsanwälte's trade mark expertise ranges from portfolio management to enforcement. Its sectoral focuses include advertising, e-commerce, consumer goods and the manufacturing industry. Tilmann Luhrig leads the team and combines his expertise in trade mark and design law with experience in IT and competition law. He is supported, among others, by associate Sina Kalenberger (trade mark, design and competition law).

Mayer Brown LLP's trade mark law ranges from managing and expanding trade mark portfolios to representing clients in litigation. Under the leadership of Ulrich Worm, who primarily specialises in technology-related issues, the client portfolio includes numerous global corporations from the cosmetics, food and e-commerce sectors, among others.

Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB focuses on innovative topics such as digital assets and NFTs, although it also assists with classic trade mark matters, including parallel imports and transactional IP support. Nils Rauer, who specialises in digitalisation and data-based business models, jointly heads the practice with life sciences expert Marc Holtorf.

Raue has in-depth expertise in the energy, healthcare and start-up sectors, while also providing trade mark support to companies in the e-commerce and telecommunications industries. Markus Plesser and Robert Heine, who both assist with strategic matters and litigation, jointly lead the team.

Under the leadership of Thomas Sambuc, who focuses on trade mark and company law as well as copyright, competition and design law issues, Schalast Law | Tax's team is a popular address for trade mark disputes and strategic issues alike. Judicial and extrajudicial enforcement represents one of Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle and Alexander Huhn's mainstays.

With a strong international orientation, Taliens has particular expertise in assisting with cross-border matters, particularly with regard to Italy and France. The practice covers a wide range of trade mark issues, ranging from the development of registration strategies to domain disputes. Federica Togo and Tobias Malte Müller, who are both admitted in Germany and Italy, jointly lead the team.