With the recent addition of Daniel Marschollek and Manuel Merling, K&L Gates LLP has notable expertise in handling soft-IP disputes and managing international trade mark portfolios.

Specialising in the full spectrum of soft IP mandates, Grünecker delivers comprehensive trade mark services spanning clearance, prosecution, portfolio management and disputes. The team manages significant volumes of national, EU and international filings, and is highly active in litigation, counterfeiting and parallel import matters across sectors including consumer goods, fashion, luxury, technology, as well as food and beverage. Key figures include Anja Franke, who provides strategic advice on product development, market launches and enforcing rights against imitators and other infringers; Holger Gauss, who focuses on the registration and enforcement of trade marks, designs and copyrights; and Maximilian Kinkeldey, who advises an international client base on the complete range of soft IP matters.

Harte-Bavendamm Rechtsanwälte manages German, European and global trade mark portfolios for major brands, providing advice on filing strategies, collision monitoring and portfolio development, while also maintaining a strong track record in trade mark disputes, including infringement proceedings. Michael Goldmann advises on the application and registration of intellectual property rights, conducts opposition and cancellation proceedings and counsels on licensing agreements and distribution systems. Arne Lambrecht represents clients in trade mark matters before the EUIPO and DPMA, and offers strategic guidance on avoiding disputes, particularly in relation to legally compliant advertising in the healthcare sector, while Andrea Jaeger-Lenz, a litigation specialist with experience before German and European courts, has notable expertise in domain name disputes.

Hogan Lovells International LLP advises on the full spectrum of trade mark matters, from portfolio management and strategic clearance advice to representing clients in proceedings before the German Patent and Trademark Office and the EUIPO. The practice is led by Andreas Bothe, who brings extensive experience in cross-border litigation. Yvonne Draheim supports clients through dispute mandates covering trade marks, unfair competition, copyright, domain names and designs, while Patrick Fromlowitz is particularly active in the pharmaceutical, construction, fashion and oil sectors, with expertise in the international enforcement of trade mark and design rights, as well as strategic brand consulting and the drafting of licence agreements.

Supported by its international presence, Taylor Wessing advises on the full spectrum of trade mark matters, from registration and portfolio management to enforcement, litigation and licensing, with notable expertise in complex filings and cross-border brand protection strategies. Practice head Olaf Gillert is experienced in global disputes and frequently assists clients with brand and product launches, addressing related issues in design, copyright and unfair competition. Wiebke Baars handles German, European and international trade mark applications, including opposition and appeal proceedings, and is also active in drafting and negotiating licensing agreements, while Marcus Hartmann specialises in global trade mark and design filings.

Supported by a pan-European presence, Bardehle Pagenberg advises on all aspects of trade mark law, from strategic portfolio management and brand protection to enforcement in domestic and cross-border disputes. The team has expertise in non-traditional trade marks, including multimedia and hologram registrations, and is well-versed in complex infringement, opposition and nullity proceedings. It also assists with the commercial exploitation of brands, advising on licensing and technology transfer agreements. Practice co-head Claus Eckhartt focuses on the prosecution and enforcement of trade marks and designs, with experience in anti-counterfeiting, parallel imports and brand licensing, while fellow co-head Philipe Kutschke specialises in managing international trade mark portfolios and represents clients in infringement, opposition and cancellation proceedings before the German Patent and Trade Mark Office and the EUIPO.

With a global footprint, CMS is well positioned to support international clients on cross-border trade mark matters, from prosecution and design portfolio management to advising on anti-counterfeiting strategies and representing clients in piracy and border seizure cases. The practice is co-led by Gordian Hasselblatt, who advises consumer product, fashion, food and automotive clients on a range of trade mark and design law issues, offering extensive expertise in strategic portfolio management; Heike Blank, who focuses on the FMCG and healthcare sectors; and Nikolas Gregor, who acts for life sciences companies on trade mark prosecution, litigation, as well as licensing and development agreements.

DLA Piper represents international clients, particularly in the technology and consumer goods sectors, in disputes and administrative proceedings, with additional experience in providing strategic advice on emerging issues such as the customisation and upcycling of branded goods. Practice head Stefan Engels brings extensive knowledge of trade mark and design law across both advisory and contentious mandates, with notable activity in the media sector. Burkhard Führmeyer focuses on national and cross-border litigation, including cases before the Court of Justice of the European Union, as well as advising on all aspects of portfolio management, including clearance, filings, opposition, cancellation proceedings and licensing. Kai Tumbrägel departed the firm in 2024.

Gleiss Lutz‘s IP team oversees the spectrum of contentious and non-contentious trade mark mandates, assisting clients with the day-to-day management of their portfolios and filing of applications, while also defending existing IP before the domestic and European courts. Practice head Stefan Weidert provides strategic brand protection advice alongside his IP litigation work, while Marcel Pemsel is instructed on opposition and cancellation proceedings before the German Patent and Trademark and the EUIPO.

Noerr delivers international advisory services, assisting clients with cross-border litigation, proceedings and international filings. Practice head Tobias Dolde divides his time between Alicante and Munich, with a focus on proceedings before the EUIPO and European courts, as well as trade mark portfolio management and 3D marks. Christoph Rieken advises across the consumer goods, automotive and pharmaceutical industries, while Jessica Loew is recognised for her litigation expertise.

Known for advising on both strategic and contentious mandates, NORDEMANN is regularly instructed by major international clients. The practice is jointly led by Anke Nordemann-Schiffel, who has extensive experience coordinating cross-border disputes and trade mark proceedings; Axel Nordemann, who focuses on managing international trade mark portfolios and has additional expertise representing clients before German and European courts; and Michael Maier, who is particularly active in the beauty and fashion sectors. Andreas Lubberger joined the team from Lubberger Lehment in May 2025.

SKW Schwarz advises across the full spectrum of trade mark, design, and unfair competition law. The team is particularly noted for its work on sustainability and green claims, with healthcare and life sciences being a key sector for the firm—an area in which practice head Oliver Stöckel has extensive experience. Dorothee Altenburg focuses on developing national and international trade mark strategies, while Markus Brock is active in registration and enforcement. Magnus Hirsch contributes a wealth of experience in litigation.

Vossius & Partner offers a full-service soft IP practice, combining portfolio management, strategic filing expertise and comprehensive dispute resolution, covering all stages from cease-and-desist letters and temporary injunctions to main proceedings. Practice head Mathias Kleespies advises on trade mark portfolios and tailored filing strategies, and frequently represents clients in litigation and invalidation proceedings. Simone Schäfer focuses on trade mark prosecution and enforcement, while Paul Kretschmar specialises in protecting brands and designs against imitation and unfair exploitation.

Frequently instructed by international clients, ADVANT Beiten fields a large team with extensive experience in advising on everything from registration and portfolio management to enforcement and defence. Christina Hackbarth is experienced across all areas of trade mark law, with particular strength in contentious mandates, including high-profile cancellation proceedings, while Tanja Hogh Holub leverages her international network to provide strategic cross-border advice. Practice head Andreas Lober also leads a dedicated subgroup focusing on digital matters and computer games.

Bock Legal Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten‘s large Frankfurt-based team is recognised for its expertise in protecting and enforcing non-traditional trade marks, including colour and 3D marks, and has particular strength in design matters, with a strong reputation in the fashion and luxury goods space. Heading up the practice, Andreas Bock is highly reputable and well-versed in handling litigation relating to a wide range of trade mark and unfair competition mandates. Jan Müller-Broich is another key figure, specialising in design infringement proceedings.

Boehmert & Boehmert is recognised for its longstanding expertise in managing and administering extensive trade mark portfolios at both national and international levels. Silke Freund focuses on contentious mandates, particularly the cross-border enforcement of trade marks and the defence against third-party infringement claims, while Eckhard Ratjen advises on registration and defence in official proceedings and has notable experience supporting start-up companies. Dennis Kretschmann departed the firm in December 2024.

With a focus on the technology, fashion, luxury goods, health and beauty industries, CBH Rechtsanwälte advises clients on both the enforcement and administration of their trade mark rights. Ingo Jung, Nadja Siebertz and Detlef von Schultz jointly lead the team. Jung is well versed in handling proceedings alongside providing strategic trade mark advice, while Siebertz focuses on assisting international companies with portfolio establishment, optimisation and brand management.

Hoffmann Eitle is recognised for its integrated trade mark and design practice, combining portfolio management with contentious work before German and European courts. The team is regularly instructed in complex cross-border disputes and also advises on clearance, filing strategies and enforcement. A particular strength lies in its Asia-related work, with strong links to Japan, Korea and China, where it frequently assists clients with market entry and enforcement issues alongside its European mandates. Michaela Ring heads up the practice and offers extensive expertise across prosecution and litigation, with notable experience in developing filing strategies and managing portfolios.

HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER provides tailored advice to multinational corporations as well as small and medium-sized enterprises on a wide range of soft IP matters. The team is spearheaded by Christina Tenbrock, an experienced litigator who represents clients in national and cross-border infringement proceedings and frequently acts in opposition and nullity proceedings before the DPMA and EUIPO. Thomas Schmitz is similarly active in contentious mandates and also advises on advertising and marketing strategies and product development, regularly assisting with the drafting and negotiation of licence and cooperation agreements.

The Munich-based IP boutique Lorenz Seidler Gossel fields a specialised team that advises on all aspects of soft IP, from portfolio management to the enforcement of rights. The firm is particularly strong in contentious work, frequently acting in complex and high-profile litigation for multinational clients. Key figures in the practice include Philipp Neuwald, Christian Rassmann, Dirk Wiedemann and Matthias Ringer.

With longstanding expertise in IP, Preu Bohlig & Partner represents clients in infringement disputes, parallel validity proceedings and product piracy cases, and also brings experience in transactional matters. While the practice has a strong litigation focus, Astrid Gérard also advises on the management of extensive trade mark and design portfolios, licensing and demarcation agreements, and clearance projects. Torben Düsing specialises in trade mark infringement and pharmaceutical advertising law.

rospatt has a strong reputation as a litigation-driven firm, with a growing trade mark, design and copyright practice that complements its patent offering. The team is regularly instructed in high-profile cases before German courts and the EUIPO and is also active in matters concerning parallel imports and brand enforcement. Key contacts include Rüdiger Pansch, who advises on trade mark and design infringement proceedings with particular expertise in parallel and grey imports, as well as non-exhausted products, while Stephan von Petersdorff-Campen not only handles contentious matters but also assists companies in developing and implementing protection and defence strategies.

Arnold Ruess Rechtsanwälte PartmbB provides strategic advice on optimising trade mark portfolios, supports clients with product launches and advertising strategies, and represents them in litigation before German courts. Practice head Peter Ruess advises national and international clients across trade mark and unfair competition law, while Till Vögler is noted for his activity in contentious design law matters.

Baker McKenzie practice combines trade mark, copyright and unfair competition expertise with a strong transactional focus. The team is active in portfolio management, brand enforcement and litigation, while also advising on licensing and IP-heavy M&A and carve-outs. Eva-Maria Strobel joined the firm in July 2025 and, together with Patrick Wilkening, has taken over leadership of the team following the departure of Michael Fammler. Strobel focuses on soft IP and portfolio management mandates, while Wilkening leads on IP transactions, with Markus Hecht and Anela Winzig providing additional support in litigation.

D Young & Co LLP’s soft IP group offers full-service support, combining advisory work with contentious proceedings in multiple jurisdictions. The team is particularly strong in coordinated EU-UK strategies, while also placing growing emphasis on design law and emerging IP areas. Jana Bogatz oversees all mandates handled by the Munich-based team, while Gabriele Engels advises clients across the consumer and luxury goods, retail, food and beverage, as well as entertainment sectors.

Under the leadership of Stefan Dittmer, Dentons combines contentious and transactional work, handling complex disputes, portfolio management and licensing, with a growing focus on AI, virtual environments and IP-driven transactions in technology and innovation. Key contacts include Constantin Rehaag, an experienced litigator, often supported by Carsten Goldstein. Jan Pohle joined the firm from DLA Piper in June 2025.

Eisenführ Speiser combines a strong  prosecution practice with a steadily expanding litigation offering, complemented by expertise in design, competition and product piracy. Key figures include Harald Förster, an experienced soft IP litigator, and Rainer Böhm, who has particular strength in licensing and unfair competition matters.

FPS Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH & Co.KG’s team is recognised for its strong sector focus, particularly in fashion, beauty, entertainment, real estate, food, and pharma, where it advises on both contentious and non-contentious trade mark matters. Closely integrated with the firm’s IT and data protection experts, the practice provides support on digital market issues and is likewise active in transactional contexts, handling IP due diligence and advising on portfolio structuring in M&A deals. Christoph Holzbach spearheads the team and is particularly experienced in managing extensive trade mark portfolios.

Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner oversees the trade mark portfolios of notable German and international clients, assisting with opposition and cancellation proceedings, in addition to litigating matters before the senior German and European courts. Trade mark and design specialist Morton Douglas, Norbert Hebeis, who tackles matters at the intersection of trade mark and competition law, and Eva Kessler, whose expertise spans the development and acquisition of trade mark portfolios, form the core team in Freiburg. David Kipping is the key contact for anti-counterfeiting questions, while Stephan Dittl focuses on cross-border trade mark disputes.

Steered by Geert Geert Johann Seelig and Detlef Mäder, Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH combines expertise in trade mark portfolio management and litigation with an expanding focus on the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors, recently strengthened by the arrival of Elisabeth Kohoutek. The team advises on global brand strategies and is increasingly active in transactions where IP rights are central assets, drawing on its international network to support cross-border mandates.

Particularly noted for its expertise in trade mark prosecution and litigation, df-mp Patentanwälte Rechtsanwälte PartG mbB is active in cancellation and domain dispute proceedings. The team also demonstrates strong capabilities in geographical indications and certification marks, with a client base spanning the pharmaceuticals and life sciences, food and beverage, and travel and leisure industries. Leading the practice is Ortrun Günzel, who advises on brand protection and anti-counterfeiting measures, as well as negotiating agreements for the exploitation of IP rights.

Eversheds Sutherland’s Munich-based IP team forms an integral part of the firm’s international practice, advising on a broad spectrum of trade mark matters. Tobias Maier co-leads the team with a focus on advertising, marketing and compliance, while fellow co-head Axel Zimmermann is particularly active in the sports sector. Thomas Farkas is another key figure, frequently representing clients in high-profile trade mark and unfair competition disputes, especially in the consumer and fashion industries.

Heuking‘s practice is overseen by the experienced Andreas Schabenberger and has an increasing focus on AI and copyright issues under the guidance of Dominik Eickemeier, alongside sustainability-driven mandates such as green trade marks and advertising claims, where Antje Münch plays a central role. Ruben Hofmann is also a key contact, regularly advising on platform liability, particularly in disputes against online platforms.

Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB advises on both strategic and procedural trade mark and design matters, covering portfolio management, licensing, anti-counterfeiting and border enforcement. Practice head Nils Rauer is particularly in demand among clients from the automotive and media sectors, while Fabian Klein stands out for his cross-border litigation work and his expertise in structuring and negotiating licences and other IP agreements.

Addleshaw Goddard advises on portfolio management, clearance searches, prosecution, opposition and cancellation proceedings. Manuela Finger leads the practice, bringing experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters, with particular expertise in the digital media and online space.

AMPERSAND Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB. offers a blend of strategic portfolio management and robust enforcement expertise. The practice is jointly headed by Alexandra Heÿn, Federica Togo and Tobias Malte Müller. Togo and Müller, both dual-qualified in Germany and Italy, add particular strength to cross-border mandates involving Italian elements, and Heÿn concentrates on infringement proceedings and the development of trade mark strategies.

Arnecke Sibeth Dabelstein maintains a broad IP practice across trade mark and unfair competition law. Led by Thomas Körber, the team regularly handles cross-border disputes, opposition and cancellation proceedings, as well as matters involving product piracy, advertising compliance and licensing. The practice draws on sector expertise across technology, sports and e‑commerce.

Fieldfisher’s trade mark practice, headed by Alexandra von Bismarck, Matthias Berger and Sascha Pres, advises start-ups and global brands on strategies across registration, licensing and enforcement in Germany as well as for cross border mandates. The team was bolstered in July 2024 by the arrival of Pres, formerly of SKW Schwarz, who brings expertise in the retail and FMCG sectors, handling both infringement defence and enforcement.

Lexton Rechtsanwälte’s trade mark practice, under the leadership of Tilmann Lührig, acts for prominent clients across e-commerce, media, gaming, consumer goods, manufacturing and technology. The team has strong experience in proceedings before both German and international authorities and is well regarded for its work on enforcement, licensing, and competition law. Sina Kalenberger is another name to note, handling copyright and media law alongside trade mark and design matters.

Christoph Crützen oversees Mayer Brown LLP’s global intellectual property practice, with the trade mark team recognised for its expertise in managing and protecting international brand portfolios. The group provides strategic guidance alongside prosecution and enforcement across multiple jurisdictions, working in close collaboration with colleagues in the United States and Asia. Clients span a broad range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, life sciences, automotive, technology, finance, and consumer goods.

Co-led by seasoned litigators Robert Heine and Markus Plesser, Raue’s practice is well established in technology-driven sectors and regularly acts in high-profile disputes before German and European courts. The team is experienced in advising both rights holders and exploiters, which provides a distinctive perspective when developing tailored IP strategies and solutions for its diverse client base.

Schalast Law | Tax is led by Thomas Sambuc, whose expertise spans trade mark, copyright, design and competition law. The practice defends clients against trade mark infringement and represents them in litigation across Germany, while also acting on the other side of proceedings to fend off third-party claims. Additionally, the team advises on portfolio monitoring and handles border seizure measures to ensure effective protection of client rights.