World Trademark Review 2024

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. Daniela Burghardt and Jan Mueller-Broich are two of the top performers at the practice. Burghardt offers 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. Giving the set 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 unclear terrain.”

JUVE HANDBOOK FOR COMMERCIAL LAW FIRMS 2023/2024

Trade mark and design law ★★★★☆

Competition law ★★★★☆

Rating

The IP partners at this Frankfurt firm are among the trade mark, design and unfair competition lawyers in Germany who are highly regarded for their extensive expertise and many years of experience in litigation. “All top IP lawyers, a reliable force in the market,” praises a competitor. In addition to numerous luxury goods manufacturers such as Tod’s or Gucci (particularly with regard to product piracy), clients in trademark law also include many large German medium-sized companies, which the team often assists with complex issues such as colour trademark protection. Döring in particular has also built up a great deal of experience and industry expertise in unfair competition litigation in the telecommunications sector through his intensive work for regular client Vodafone. The sought-after practice recently increased its personnel strength at partner level through an internal appointment, but is growing rather slowly with associates.

Strengths

Litigation, product piracy. Advising luxury goods manufacturers, design law.

Often recommended

Dr Andreas Bock (“professional and solution-oriented”, competitor), Dr Jan Müller-Broich (“fights hard but fair”, “comprehensive knowledge in soft IP, experienced and good price-performance ratio”, competitor), Dr Reinhard Döring (“focused, committed and solution-oriented”, “very good and collegial unfair competition lawyer”, competitor), Michael Fügen.

JUVE HANDBOOK FOR COMMERCIAL LAW FIRMS 2023/2024

Insurance law: Litigation and contract advice ★★★☆☆

Rating

The firm is in regular demand and firmly established in disputes relating to D&O and E&O insurance. The intensive involvement in mandates in the insolvency context is also noticeable here. The large-volume mandates in this area include the work for Allianz in the Greensill-complex, one of the large-volume mandates in this area. This experience in particular is likely to be in greater demand if the forecast that insolvency filings will increase materialises. New insurers are already approaching the lawyers. The second major field of activity is advisor liability. A number of accountants and lawyers or their law firms have entrusted the firm with liability cases, some of which are large in volume.

Strengths

Professional liability and D&O liability.

Often recommended

Stefan Bank (“very experienced in litigation”, competitor), Dr Dirk Schmitz (“fast, reliable, always a good idea, also in terms of litigation tactics”, client)

Leaders League 2023

Dispute Resolution: INSURANCE LAW

Excellent

Germany – Best Law Firms for Insurance Law – 2023

Dirk Schmitz | Stefan Bank

TRADEMARK LITIGATION

Excellent

Germany – Best Law Firms for Trademark Litigation – 2023

Andreas Bock | Jan D. Müller-Broich

PATENT LITIGATION

Recommended

Germany – Best Law Firms for Patent Litigation – 2023

Andreas Bock | Reinhard Döring

The Legal 500 EMEA 2023

Insurance Litigation

bock legal Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten specialises in D&O and E&O liability law as well as contentious matters pertaining to professional liability, where the firm advises numerous leading insurers. The team is also regularly appointed as coverage and monitoring counsel and represents companies in connection with fidelity damages and M&A insurance. Practice head Stefan Bank has extensive experience in liability and recourse law and jointly heads the team with Dirk Schmitz, who frequently represents auditors, tax consultants, lawyers, notaries and governance bodies in liability cases. The interface between liability law and corporate and tax law is covered by Daniel Al-Hami; he also assists with notarial recourse.

Practice head(s):
Stefan Bank; Dirk Schmitz

Other key lawyers:
Daniel Al-Hami; Silke Rohnfelder

Testimonials

‘Stefan Bank is a reliable and strong cooperation partner in liability and coverage issues.’

‘Stefan Bank is reliable, accurate and very meticulous in his work. We really appreciate his pleasant manner.’

‘Stefan Bank impresses with outstanding expertise in insurance and corporate law. The analyzes are precise and well-founded.‘

Work highlights

• Legal representation of the former Chief Financial Officer of Wirecard AG and Wirecard Bank AG against a large number of investors.
• Representing the alleged initiators of the Cum-Ex models against Caceis Bank for allegedly incorrect expert opinions.
• Monitoring Counsel of Greensill Bank AG, among other things, with regard to liability claims by numerous municipalities after the insolvency of a bank.

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. Daniela Burghardt and Jan Mueller-Broich are two of the top performers at the practice. Burghardt offers 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. Giving the set 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 unclear terrain.”

Handelsblatt / Best Lawyers 2023

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”