JUVE Comment
This IP firm is close on the heels of the market leaders with its excellent name for patent disputes for clients stemming from a broad technical spectrum. Long-standing, close ties to SME clients ensure a steady stream of cases involving mechanics and electronics patents. Arms manufacturer Haenel, for example, counted on the firm in a dispute against Heckler & Koch. The team remains active in mobile communications battles, for small accessories providers like Sandvine alongside regular client Huawei.
Clients from the life sciences sector frequently hire Hamburg partner Daniel Hoppe, whose visibility has increased in recent years. He litigated for defendant Aliud Pharma in the high-profile suit brought by various generics manufacturers against Bayer over Nexavar. Clients also benefit from the firm’s well-established expertise in regulatory pharma law, which allows it to provide all-round advice – on the market launch and licensing of products or on licence agreements, for instance. Preu Bohlig is seeing a rise in cases where trade secrets play a major role, as shown by the dispute between Fresenius Medical Care and FilaTech, which has now been settled.
Having primarily brought in young laterals as reinforcements in previous years, Preu Bohlig is now banking on its own young talent – the right move given the growing workload. The firm is investing in associate development and over the past year has appointed four young lawyers to the new position of counsel for the first time.
Strengths
Litigation with a broad technical spectrum, including SEP and FRAND claims.
European set-up
The German IP firm with strong roots among SMEs opened its own Paris office a few years ago, through which it acquires and advises French clients. An unusual investment, but one that has so far paid off. Lawyers from Paris, Munich and Hamburg, for example, advised Faurecia in the dispute against Benteler. Preu Bohlig also frequently cooperates with numerous foreign firms within non-exclusive relationships. Because of its client structure, however, the firm has so far only been active for Huawei in important cross-border cases.
Recommended individuals
Ludwig von Zumbusch, Christian Donle (“one of the best litigators, always gets stuck in”, competitor), Christian Kau (“does a good job”, competitor), Daniel Hoppe (“highly competent and meticulous”, “strong in trade secrets”, competitors)