The Legal 500 EMEA 2022

Insurance Litigation

bock legal partnership of lawyers’ insurance team specialises in contentious D&O and E&O liability matters as well as in lawyer, tax consultant, auditor and insolvency administrator liability. In addition to classic professional liability issues, Dirk Schmitz also covers tax-related matters and jointly heads the practice with Stefan Bank, whose expertise is particularly sought after for the representation of numerous professional liability insurers. Daniel Al-Hami made equity partner in January 2021 and impresses with broad experience in enforcing and defending against claims.

Practice head(s):
Stefan Bank; Dirk Schmitz

Other key lawyers:
Daniel Al-Hami; Silke Rohnfelder

Testimonials

‘The law firm has a large number of competent lawyers. For example, as soon as someone is no longer working in their area of expertise, they can bring in a colleague at any time, so that the cases are always perfectly looked after! ‘

‘Dr. Schmitz: Always good advice, even in unusual cases. Fast and comprehensive assessment, which makes further steps easy to assess. Very fair and quick to deal with. Dr Rohnfelder: Also works intensively on complex issues, constructive and interesting exchange. Fast, flexible, friendly and competent. Mr. Bank: Always easy to reach, fast and reliable, competent solutions. Mr. Al-Hami looks after some property manager cases with a good overview.’

‘Excellent expertise in the areas of property damage liability insurance for auditors, tax consultants and lawyers.’

‘Dr. Dirk Schmitz: Excellent expertise in professional liability law for the liberal professions, eloquence in speaking and writing, excellent negotiating skills.’

‘Nice and professional team in the best sense of the word, excellent in legal and tax advice. Very fast and uncomplicated reaction, pragmatic.’

‘Dr. Schmitz is technically highly competent. The cooperation is very pleasant both personally and professionally and leads to very good results. Mr. Al-Hami supplements in particular in the area of notary liability and also delivers very good results.’

‘Very high professional competence.’

‘Mr Bank: Very pleasant personal contact’

Work highlights

• Legal representation of the former CFO of Wirecard AG and Wirecard AG Bank against a large number of investors.
• Representing the alleged initiators of the Cum-Ex models because of allegedly incorrect expert opinions.
• Advising Allianz-Versicherungs-AG as Monitoring Counsel on claims from former DFB presidents, among others, in connection with unresolved payments in connection with the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

WTR 1000

Over two decades, bock legal has cemented its position as one of Frankfurt’s premier boutiques. “A strong firm which knows what it’s doing”, it regularly features in some of the most complex IP and unfair competition disputes on the market on behalf of many household names; while its savvy strategic advice is also highly prized. One eminent player which has enlisted it for prosecution is the European Central Bank, whose filings have been processed by Daniela Burghardt and Jan Mueller-Broich. Burghardt enters the WTR 1000 this year on account of her refined international portfolio management and efficient trademark registration services, which come underpinned by support from a solid network of global associates. As well as his strategic work, Mueller-Broich is a familiar face before the courts; he recently acted for Ferrari in disputes relating to replica cars. Giving the practice its name is another star litigator, Andreas Bock: “Andreas is detail oriented but pragmatic, and always has an eye for the big picture. He will not sugar-coat your chances, but will tell you the risks and rate them. His legal documents, in and out of court, are impeccable. He puts all of his energy and effort behind your case and is available for meetings, even on short notice. He understands corporate and legal aspects and goes the extra mile to search for every last argument to give your case a chance at winning. He is also creative in his thinking and not afraid to work in legally unclearterrain.”

The Legal 500 EMEA 2022

Design law: TIER 1
Trade marks: TIER 3

Frankfurt-based bock legal partnership of lawyers focuses on contentious proceedings. The renowned design dispute practice stands out among its competitors, but is also a good choice for trade mark proceedings, both at national and international level. The team, led by practice head Andreas Bock, also includes well-known Jan Müller-Broich (design infringement proceedings) and Reinhard Döring (IP and litigation), and is frequently instructed by German medium-sized companies as well as large international corporations, the latter often from the luxury goods industry.

Practice head(s):
Andreas Bock

Other key lawyers:
Jan Müller-Broich; Reinhard Döring; Michael Fügen; Benedikt Frank; Daniela Burghardt

Testimonials
‘Andreas Bock and Benedikt Frank are a harmonious team that responds very quickly.’

‘Andreas Bock is a proven expert in trademark and competition law.’

‘Well-founded knowledge and experience in European trademark law, contacts to international colleagues for national issues, close and smooth cooperation and agreements with international colleagues, fast and transparent communication. ‘

‘Daniela Burghardt: High level of competence, well-founded specialist knowledge, solution-oriented advice. ‘

Work highlights

• Conducting numerous lawsuits for Swatch AG for counterfeiting Swatch watches, including against an online retailer.
• Extensive advice to Kettler Holding GmbH on trademark and design law and legal defense in connection with the Kettcar brand.
• Defense of Bottega Veneta against design imitations offered by wholesalers and retailers in Germany.

Unfair Competition
Unfair Competition: TIER 2 

Frankfurt-based IP boutique bock legal partnership of lawyers specialises in contentious proceedings, which the team also regularly demonstrates in landmark proceedings before the BGH. In addition to the strong competition law practice, the group also offers comprehensive expertise in trade mark, design and patent law. Key contacts include name partner Andreas Bock as head of the practice group, Reinhard Döring, whose specialist areas include the telecoms sector and pharmaceutical advertising law, Jan Müller-Broich, who advises on copyright and antitrust law as well as product piracy, and Benedikt Frank, who advises on advertising law and specialises in online shops, among others.

Practice head(s):

Andreas Bock

Other key lawyers:

Jan Müller-Broich; Reinhard Döring; Benedikt Frank

Work highlights

• Representing Swatch AG in numerous lawsuits regarding counterfeiting of Swatch watches, including against leading online trading platforms.
• Representing Vodafone GmbH annually in dozens of competition law proceedings (active and passive) against major telecommunications providers in Germany as well as against consumer and competition associations, with a high percentage of these proceedings being preliminary injunction proceedings.
• Representing Rothenberger, a leading manufacturer of pipe tools and machines for sanitary, air conditioning, gas and environmental technology, in trademark, competition and IT law matters.

Leaders League 2022

Germany – Best Law Firms for: Dispute resolution – Insurance Law:
„bock legal / Dirk Schmitz, Stefan Bank – Highly recommended“ 

Germany – Best Law Firms for: Intellectual Property – Trademark litigation:
“bock legal / Andreas Bock, Jan D. Müller-Broich – Highly recommended”

The Legal 500 EMEA 2021

Frankfurt-based boutique offering bock legal Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten impresses with a fully comprehensive advice spectrum in the IP arena. In trade mark law, the team focuses on fighting against product piracy, where its cooperation with investigators in Germany and abroad as well as its experience in border seizure proceedings substantially contributes to the practice’s success. Design law is the second mainstay in its soft IP practice. Notable companies in the automotive industry, fashion and luxury goods companies as well as clock and jewellery manufacturers represent the core of its client base. Firm founder Andreas Bock heads the team and is renowned for his expertise in patent, trade mark and competition law, which he also regularly utilises in litigation proceedings.

Practice head(s):

Andreas Bock

Other key lawyers:

Jan Müller-Broich; Michael Fügen; Benedikt Frank; Daniela Burghardt

Testimonials

‘ Andreas Bock is an outstanding attorney in trademark law. ‘

Unfair competition

bock legal Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten’s competition law practice focuses on contentious proceedings in the telecoms sectors, where the team advises on both disputes between competitors as well as on matters against associations. Hereby, the Frankfurt boutique offering provides a comprehensive IP advice spectrum and enjoys a good market reputation for both its strong trade mark and design practice as well as its assistance with patent disputes. Practice head Andreas Bock’s individual expertise mirrors this focus.

Practice head(s):

Andreas Bock

Other key lawyers:

Jan Müller-Broich; Reinhard Döring; Benedikt Frank

Testimonials

‘ Well-coordinated team of experts. ‘

‘ Andreas Bock and Benedikt Frank are proven experts in competition law. ‘

The Legal 500 EMEA 2021

In the insurance sector, bock legal Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten focuses on dispute resolution pertaining to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (D&O) and errors and omissions (E&O) liability. Stefan Bank and Dirk Schmitz jointly head the practice. Bank regularly represents professional liability insurances in D&O, accountant, insolvency administrator and tax consultant liability matters, whereas Schmitz is also active in right of recourse.

Testimonials

‘The entire team is very competent and even if the actual contact person is not available, a colleague will always take over quickly and easily. Every time you get in touch, you have the feeling that the other person has worked in and is ready to get the best out of it, even if it’s not your own case.’

‘Stefan Bank is friendly, helpful and also very competent. Always a safe bank, both with tricky problems in substantive law and with procedural peculiarities.’

‘First address in Frankfurt for liability and coverage issues in the financial lines sector.’

‘Always a pleasant collaboration with Stefan Bank; analytically, strategically very good; good in liability law as well as in coverage law issues; especially well versed in tax law issues; always accessible and available at short notice.’

‘Dirk Schmitz is an accomplished specialist with outstanding expertise.’

‘Excellent knowledge and experience in the field of financial loss liability insurance for auditors, tax consultants and lawyers.’

‘Dirk Schmitz has excellent expertise in the field of professional liability insurance for the liberal professions. Eloquent in word and writing. Excellent negotiating skills. Pleasant and friendly appearance.’

‘Dirk Schmitz – high level of expertise – pleasant and direct communication.’

‘Stefan Bank offers very good professional advisory services, very fast response times, high customer service.’

Leaders League 2021

Germany – Best Law Firms for: Dispute resolution – Claims and insurance litigation:
„bock legal / Dirk Schmitz, Stefan Bank – Highly recommended“ 

Germany – Best Law Firms for: Trademark Litigation:
“bock legal / Andreas Bock – Highly recommended”

World Trademark Review 2021

The nine-strong team of IP lawyers at bock legal tackles European trademark litigation head-on: this year it went out to bat for prestigious brands such as Ferrari and the Swatch Group in infringement cases, as well as undertaking anti-counterfeiting campaigns and border seizures for companies of a similar calibre. The group also provides value-additive monitoring and advisory services to players as varied as the European Central Bank and Gucci. The eponymous Andreas Bock has been litigating trademarks for the last 25 years across venues including the CJEU and has carved a special niche in the fashion industry. He handles cases “cost-effectively and successfully, even when facing significant pushback from the other side”. Jan Mueller-Broich is another polished litigator who is point person for the Swatch Group, having represented it in more than 100 trademark, design and unfair competition disputes. The reviews are golden: “Jan has extensive know-how and many years of practice in the trademark space. He is recognised for his outstanding efficiency and straightforward communication with his clients.”

The Legal 500 EMEA 2020

Predominantly acting for telecommunications companies, bock legal Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten represents its clients in contentious proceedings against competitors as well as against consumer protection and competition associations. The team led by name partner Andreas Bock provides assistance with a wide range of IP matters with particular strengths in trade mark and design law but also patent law.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2020

Frankfurt-based firm bock legal Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten stands out for its strong design law practice. The team led by Andreas Bock is one of the most experienced litigation practices in the market and predominately acts for watch and jewellery sector clients alongside clients from the automotive, fashion and luxury goods industries. Similarly, in trade mark law, clients frequently instruct the team with contentious matters and benefit from its in-depth expertise in product piracy. Advising on portfolio management and portfolio development complements this offering.

The Legal 500 Europe 2019

Insurance litigation: „Noted for its ‘extremely high standards’, bock legal Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten acts for several well-known national and international insurance groups such as Gothaer, HDI-Gerling, Ergo and R + V, which the team regularly represents in contentious D&O and E&O proceedings. Stefan Bank, who provides ‘competent advice on liability matters and is pleasant to work with’, recently acted as coverage counsel for Allianz in proceedings pertaining to the delayed filing of Siag’s insolvency against ten board members and managing directors. Dirk Schmitz, who is praised for his ‘technical know-how’, represented prospectus insurers in insolvency-related proceedings against investors and insolvency administrators. Ulrike Müller and Silke Rohnfelder were appointed counsel and Daniel Al-Hami made associated partner.“

The Legal 500 EMEA 2019

Trade marks and unfair competition – Design Law –

„bock legal Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten’s IP experts are considered ‘clearly above average’ and combine ‘excellent advice’ with ‘broad industry expertise’. In addition to its strong product piracy practice and a competition law practice that is particularly active in mobile communications, the firm also has longstanding experience in design law, where it advises many clients in the luxury and fashion sectors, among others. Reinhard Döring and Benedikt Frank, who was promoted to salary partner in January 2018, acted for Vodafone in multiple competition law proceedings across Germany against telecoms providers and consumer protection organisations. Andreas Bock, who is noted for his ‘analytic thinking’ and his ‘tactful finesse’, together with Jan Müller-Broich is representing The Swatch Group in Germany in all trade mark and design infringement matters and is also handling proceedings due to violations of competition law. The duo are also advising Guccio Gucci in trade mark and design law with assistance from Daniela Burghardt, who was promoted to counsel at the start of 2018. Other clients include the European Central Bank, Bottega Veneta and Rothenberger Group.“

Managing Intellectual Property: IP Handbook

GERMANY – TRADE MARK CONTENTIOUS

“Frankfurt boutique Bock Legal is well-regarded for its expertise in trade marks and unfair competition.”

“It has an impressive client base in the fashion industry, including Gucci, which it advises on trade marks and designs, and Versace. It is known for its experience in the automotive industry.”

FOCUS Special – Your Law 2019

FOCUS in cooperation with statista distinguish bock legal as “TOP Commercial Law Firm 2019” in the field of “Trademark Law”.