The Patent 1000 focuses exclusively on patent practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal patent expertise.
Bronze - Firms: litigation
Recommended - Firms: prosecution
Global powerhouse Baker McKenzie aligns itself as a key partner to those in need of decisive representation in complex cross-border matters. With an unmatched international reach, the outfit effectively draws on its global resources and knowledge to amply support customers through each stage of the patent life cycle. Co-chair of the global patent practice, Mackenzie Martin is a wonderfully holistic practitioner who litigates across forums with sophistication and guides inventors through the patenting process with ease. She has recently collaborated with colleagues in New York to defend Jonathan Y Designs against claims of design patent infringement brought by simplehuman. Commercially savvy John Flaim is a sharp strategic mind, who always places his patrons’ business goals front and centre. He knows exactly which disputes are better settled outside of the courtroom and has a keen sense for when aggression is the best play.
Bronze - Firms: litigation and transactions
Global IP service provider Baker McKenzie offers a sophisticated patent service, leveraging its resources around the world. “In Austria it has a good reputation for patent mandates, and the team always acts with 100% of the client’s interests in mind.” Software developer and department lead Lukas Feiler has a fine-grained understanding of the intersection of technology and the law, as well as providing business solutions to complicated problems. “Martina Grama is fantastic. She is customer oriented, pragmatic and provides guidance that is both legally sound and commercially minded.” Joining them in the guide this year is Michaela Petsche, a “stress-resistant and cool-headed lawyer”. “Michaela has profound IP knowledge and extensive experience in patent litigation, and is an immensely valued member of the team.”
Recommended - Firms
Recommended - Firms: prosecution
Recommended - Firms: litigation
Recommended - Firms: transactions
As a vital cog in the outfit’s global IP machine, Baker McKenzie’s Hong Kong office provides a reassuringly holistic offering. Its lawyers have backgrounds in science and technology and its litigators possess rich practical experience in dealing with cross-border patent and dispute matters. Thanks to its well-established relationships with Chinese players and an excellent command of Chinese IP law, the Hong Kong-based Greater China team puts in polished performances in high-stakes, cross-border disputes. Leading the charge is head of the Asia-Pacific IP and technology group Isabella Liu. A biochemist by trade, she shines when providing advice to pharmaceuticals and life sciences companies.
Recommended - Firms: litigation and transactions
Established in Tokyo for 50 years, Baker McKenzie has one of the oldest – and, with 13 specialist attorneys, largest foreign IP legal practices in Japan. While the battle-hardened litigators are not afraid to clash swords, they can also resolve complex and costly disputes in a settlement, should the situation call for it.
Recommended - Firms: transactions
International powerhouse Baker McKenzie continues to expand its IP offering in the United States thanks to its practitioners in Texas, DC and New York. The latter is home to James Blank, a well-reputed litigator who is a go-to for the likes of Nintendo and Bosch to handle their most important patent matters. His contentious experience spans all major litigious forums in the United States and he boasts an impressive track record.
Silver - Firms
The Ukrainian outpost of international law firm Baker McKenzie continues to impress with its comprehensive patent offering. The Kyiv office uses the best practices from its international counterparts, which brings numerous advantages for both its international and local clientele. The engine behind the Kyiv office is Ruslan Drobyazko, whose comprehensive IP knowledge spans IT agreements, anti-counterfeiting and IP enforcement. A thought leader both in Ukraine and internationally, he has more than 35 publications focused on IP and international law. Working alongside him is patent litigation expert Oleksiy Stolyarenko. Qualified in both Ukraine and New York, he represents patrons in high-stakes patent cases, with a specialist talent in anti-piracy and anti-counterfeiting campaigns. New to the guide this year is Myroslava Koval-Lavok, who is recognised for her strength in patent prosecution and opposition work. Clients appreciate her steadfast advocacy before state bodies in cases related to IP protection and enforcement.
Bronze - Firms: litigation
Recommended - Firms: transactions
Baker McKenzie is home to a squad of scientifically adept IP lawyers who, in addition to their legal qualifications, understand every nuance of the industries in which their patent clients operate. Anchoring the group is consummate litigator Helen Macpherson. She has established a flourishing practice of high-value patent disputes involving complex technologies, and draws upon her technical training in biochemistry and her ability to up-skill swiftly in relation to diverse technologies. A senior barrister highly commended her knowledge and experience in patent litigation: “I have had considerable experience in working with Australian solicitors in this field over the last 15 years, and can recommend Helen and her team as one of the top three in Australia for this work. She is an extremely diligent and intelligent patent litigator.” Working alongside her is Elisabeth White, who spearheads the healthcare and life sciences side for the Asia Pacific region. Her enviable IP career spans over two decades and focuses on IP enforcement and litigation, protection and regulatory advisory work. Meanwhile, for licensing and technology transfer issues, no IP-related agreement or transaction is beyond the capabilities of Melbourne-based Toby Patten.
Bronze - Firms: litigation and transactions
International powerhouse Baker McKenzie is one of the best in the business when it comes to providing an all-encompassing IP service. Its attorneys strive to achieve long-lasting solutions to complex legal problems and handle multi-jurisdictional instructions with poise. The wonderfully holistic Koen De Winter is the name to note in Belgium. He has four decades of experience under his belt, which he leverages to design and execute winning litigation strategies. He has recently played a key role in the defence of Sporta De Waele, a manufacturer of sporting equipment, against alleged design and patent infringement claims brought by Cube Sports.
Bronze - Firms: prosecution
Baker McKenzie stands tall in the market with a multifaceted team of legal specialists that benefits from access to the global firm’s databases and technical specialists. The surge of specialisation at this practice means that the group is particularly active in the life sciences, automotive, internet and online, telecommunications, financial services, and artificial intelligence industries. Patent department head Marina Hurtado has profound knowledge of the patent system in Mexico. She offers a sophisticated patent application process for global pharmaceutical companies; when there are issues, Marina and her team “fully support clients to achieve their expected result”. When it is a patron’s first time registering a patent, “the team makes it easy and successful, thanks to Marina’s professionalism, and clients can count on her for any queries relating to Mexican patent law.”
Gold - Firms
Baker McKenzie’s Thai office offers A-to-Z patent services to well-known multinationals, government agencies, individuals and SMEs. Through its robust global network of professionals, it can assist clients in outbound and cross-border cases. An active presence on the local IP scene, it has recently acted as the legal adviser to the National Innovation Agency in a programme to provide patent support to SMEs and start-ups, and to the Electronic Transactions Development Agency regarding the legal aspects of emerging technologies such as blockchain or artificial intelligence. With over two decades of IP experience, Nont Horayangura leads the outfit’s IP practice. He seamlessly handles the portfolios of the world’s largest, most famous companies, and drafts specification works for the Thai National Science and Technology Development Agency, to whom the firm successfully pitched. Having moved to Thailand from Singapore, Abe Sun is a strong addition to the local team and further boosts their IP capabilities. “He is well equipped with vast experience in patent prosecution, patent drafting and freedom-to-operate opinions”, says a peer from another jurisdiction. The preeminent Say Sujintaya continues to support the team as of counsel.
Silver - Firms: litigation and transactions
Baker McKenzie’s Hungarian branch maintains a strong transactional practice and plays an important role on major deals in Central and Eastern Europe, including many that help reshape the technology and life sciences landscape. Engaged in this in a due diligence capacity, the firm’s IP specialists cover a lot of other ground, too, and are well equipped to handle freestanding licensing matters as well as enforcement.
Recommended - Firms
A trusted name across the globe, Baker McKenzie has teamed up with FenXun Partners in China to safeguard IP rights across the country on behalf of Fortune 500 companies. Leveraging unique insight from a contingent of seasoned lawyers with experience as judges, CNIPA examiners and senior in-house counsel, the Shanghai-based patent group offers top-notch briefs. Leading the way is pharmaceutical maven Clement Ngai, who is a favourite among clientele in the chemical and healthcare industries.
Bronze - Firms: litigation and transactions
Baker McKenzie is tough to compete with in terms of global footprint, and it attracts patrons from all over the world. Its Polish branch combines its international strength with exceptional local knowledge, to advise players in the life sciences and the automotive space. Warsaw’s seamless offering is led by Marcin Fijałkowski, who draws on his time spent in the firm’s Zurich office on pan-European IP enforcement programmes to deliver sound counsel. Lately he has assisted Pipelife, one of the leading producers of plastic piping in Europe, in the alleged infringement of three European patents. The “very knowledgeable and client-oriented” Katarzyna Tobiasz-Dumania also lent her expertise to the matter. She is at ease in complex patent litigation, and represents her clients before the EPO and oversees global patenting projects. Completing the line-up, Marek Rosinski has consulted on some of the country’s largest IT implementation projects, and his talents extend far beyond the patent landscape into trademarks, domain names and copyright.
Bronze - Firms: prosecution
“Baker McKenzie undertakes excellent patent work and is superior to most other IP firms in Argentina. It demonstrates a high level of efficiency and accuracy, responds quickly, never misses deadlines and manages worldwide portfolios in a highly effective way.” Its patent team includes several consultants with technical backgrounds, enabling the confident handling of prosecution tasks; its professionals are also at ease in complex litigation scenarios. Pharmaceutical patent work is a strong suit of the group, which is headed by Bernard Malone.
Bronze - Firms: prosecution
Silver - Firms: litigation
An indispensable member of the Greater China Baker McKenzie network, the Taipei outfit fully displays a wide spectrum of patent capabilities in both a domestic and international context. Nothing is off limits in its patent offering – it handles litigation, licensing and prosecution briefs with alacrity, working in all technical fields and across the globe. Under the stewardship of IP captain Grace Shao, the IP technology squad houses highly qualified attorneys and patent engineers with diverse technical backgrounds. An acclaimed IP litigator in Taiwan, Shao has maintained a busy domestic patent litigation practice and effortlessly traversed the terrain – she successfully defended the patent validity of one of her Taiwanese patrons before Chinese courts. Further, partner Da-Fa Feng specialises in biotech and chemistry-related patent infringement suits.
Bronze - Firms
The Chilean branch of international powerhouse Baker McKenzie dispenses a well-rounded patent offering, spanning from drafting and filing through to infringement counselling. In Santiago the department is headed by Valentina Venturelli, “a massively experienced and super responsible IP partner.” She leverages over a decade of experience to secure crisp results for her clients and devises strategies that enhance their portfolios.
Bronze - Firms
As a firm with a global presence, Baker McKenzie’s expansive network of legal knowledge and technical expertise gives its Bogotá office a plethora of technical information and legal know-how at its fingertips. The team handles the full set of patent work across diverse industries, such as agriculture, mechanics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and technology. Juan Pablo Concha Delgado leads the practice. Over 25 years of experience engaging in all IP matters makes him a fierce expert in the enforcement of IP rights through administrative, civil and criminal forms of legal action. He is additionally skilled in the management of large cross-border patent portfolios. He is supported by the specialist María Ximena Guavita, who brings her background as a chemical engineer to the team. In addition to being an able prosecutor, María’s Master of Science qualification grants her the ability to understand pharmaceutical matters in depth. Both Juan Pablo and María are expertly suited to resolve any issues that are encountered by international companies.
Silver - Firms
“Baker McKenzie Vietnam upholds international standards in its work and engagement with clients.” One of the premier IP practices in country, the outfit blends strong business acumen and technical chops with in-depth legal knowledge –a compelling combination, which draws in major multinationals. With an access to a vast Baker McKenzie network of professionals across the globe and the use of sophisticated management software, the set handles complex cross-border cases and hefty portfolios in an orderly, efficient way. Preeminent Manh Hung Tran capably leads the office’s IP practice. Highly regarded by the government, he works closely with the authorities to revise and enforce the country’s IP ecosystem. He is also in high demand by leading multinationals, who appreciate his all-around excellence and keen sense of understanding of nuances in intellectual property, honed over the past few decades. “Mr Tran is a very collaborative partner, always open to feedback. He is full of ideas on how to improve our engagement with the start-up ecosystem, which he understands well through his pro-bono work,” says one major patron. Another esteemed IP expert is Viet Hung Le, who drafted the country’s first IP laws and negotiated the IP aspect of Vietnam’s ascension to the WTO. In the field of enforcement, he often works for pharmaceutical multinationals, combatting the import, manufacture, and distribution of generics. His patent office experience gives him an edge while prosecuting patents before the IP office of Vietnam. A new addition to the IAM Patent 1000, seasoned patent attorney Bich Van Do excels across diverse fields and shines especially brightly in the pharmaceutical and chemical spheres.
Bronze - Firms: infringement
Recommended - Firms: transactions
The vast international reach of multinational giant Baker McKenzie makes the firm incredibly well situated to coordinate pan-jurisdictional patent litigation, and to handle the most complex, border-crossing transactions. In Germany the group is equipped with five accomplished patent professionals. Attorney at law Alexander Ritter heads the patent litigation practice from Munich. Boasting 10 years’ experience and a technical background in computer science, Ritter is a solid choice for companies in a variety of fields seeking commercially salient and technologically savvy legal counsel. Over the past year, he has worked for clients in fields ranging from industrial chemistry through dentistry to various internet and tech applications, including fintech and the internet of things (IoT).
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