Methodology

The Global Elite Thought Leaders are those individuals who received the highest number of nominations from peers, corporate counsel and other market sources this year. Our research has identified them as truly outstanding practitioners and the very best in their field.

Who’s Who Legal does not list firms, only individual agents and attorneys. The leading firms are those in each region whose listed practitioners received the most total nominations in our research.

EMEA

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Thorsten Bausch - Hoffmann Eitle PartmbB, Munich
• Kristina Cornish - Kilburn & Strode LLP, London
• Hugh Goodfellow - Carpmaels & Ransford, London
• Hans-Rainer Jaenichen - Vossius & Partner Patentanwälte Rechtsanwälte mbB, Munich
• Cameron Marshall - Carpmaels & Ransford, London
• Ulla Klinge – Inspicos, Copenhagen

Leading firms

Kilburn & Strode

Kristina Cornish is hailed as “a pharmaceutical expert” and is “very well regarded” for her work on patent opposition proceedings, appeals and prosecutions across the sector.
Nick Bassil is distinguished for his first-rate practice which focuses on patents relating to pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine and immunotherapy, among others.
Nick Lee is recommended for his standout work on prosecution and opposition matters at the European Patent Office. He is much admired for his deep-seated knowledge of immunology and nanotechnology.
Gwilym Roberts is “extremely well known” in the patents arena and is praised for his “engineering and physics knowledge” and “excellent practice”.

Carpmaels & Ransford

Hugh Goodfellow is a prominent name in the market, held in high esteem for his deep expertise in the filing and prosecution of patents.
Cameron Marshall is an exemplary patent attorney, with top-rated insight into the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.
Edward Oates gains plaudits for his top-tier patents practice., which spans a range of matters across the life sciences sector.

Inspicos

Ulla Klinge is one of the foremost patent attorneys in the region, commended for her extensive experience in enforcement and litigation proceedings across the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.
Jakob Pade Frederiksen impresses with his strong technical background in mechanical engineering and considerable knowledge of patent proceeding across the engineering and medical devices sectors.

Cabinet Beau de Loménie

Pierre Balesta is highlighted for his noteworthy patents practice and impressive experience in civil engineering, sporting goods, medical devices, and the automotive and aeronautical industries.
Didier Intès is well established in the patents space, with broad expertise in general and fluid mechanics, as well as naval construction and civil engineering.

Other leading individuals

Denmark

Mikkel Bender at COPA: Copenhagen Patents is endorsed for his “great practice” and held in high regard thanks to the “excellent litigation support” he provides.

Susanne Høiberg of Høiberg is an “extremely qualified attorney”, known for her outstanding work advising small and large clients on a wide array of patent matters.

Holm Schwarze at Guardian IP Consulting is “highly recommended in the physics field” by peers who praise his prosecution work before the European Patent Office.

England

Arnie Clarke at Gill Jennings & Every is an “experienced pharmaceutical practitioner” with strong expertise in pharmaceutical and chemistry-related patents.

J A Kemp’s Ravi Srinivasan is looked upon with enormous favour by peers who note that he “stands out in chemical and pharmaceutical work”.

At D Young & Co, Kirk Gallagher ranks highly among peers thanks to his adept handling of patent opposition and appeal proceedings.

France

Cyra Nargolwalla of Plasseraud Group is well known for her impressive work in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, and her experience in the textiles and paper, and food industries.

François Pochart at August & Debouzy is acclaimed for his dynamic practice which often sees him advising both French and foreign clients in proceedings before the European Patent Office.

Germany

Hans-Rainer Jaenichen of Vossius & Partner Patentanwälte Rechtsanwälte is a “great patent attorney” who comes “highly recommended for his work in very complicated cases, including oppositions”.

Thorsten Bausch at Hoffmann Eitle is “extremely thoughtful” and enjoys a stellar reputation for his impressive work on chemical patents.

H Ulrich Dörries of df-mp is an “extremely experienced litigator” with over 25 years’ experience handling a range of intellectual property proceedings.

Israel

Cynthia Webb of Webb & Co is highly recommended by clients for her “reliable advice” as well as her cross-jurisdictional expertise and her ability to “understand the business needs of clients”.

Eyal Bressler at Dr Eyal Bressler & Co is recognised for his notable patents practice, and has particular expertise in IP due diligence.

Sanford Colb at Sanford T Colb & Co is adept in his knowledge of complex patent prosecution and has experience with the Israel Patent Office and US Patent and Trademark Office.

Ilan Cohn of Reinhold Cohn Group has “vast experience” in the patents field and “a unique ability to pinpoint the right way for defining an invention”.

Netherlands

Koen Bijvank at Brinkhof is recognised for the breadth of his experience, as well as his strong international patents practice.Ferry van Looijengoed at De Vries & Metman enjoys a stellar reputation for his patent litigation work and his top-notch expertise in the telecommunications sector.

Ireland

Barry Moore at Hanna, Moore & Curley is well thought of among peers who “rate him very highly” for his work in the patents space.

Sweden

Kransell & Wennborg’s Martin Holmberg is distinguished for his ability to assist clients with a range patent matters, particularly within the chemistry and life science sectors.

North America

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Stephen Perry - PCK Perry + Currier Inc (PCK IP), Toronto
• John Knox - Smart & Biggar/Fetherstonhaugh, Vancouver
• Konrad A Sechley - Gowling WLG, Vancouver

Leading firms

Aird & McBurney

Kim McManus receives plaudits for her deep and varied experience in the patent field, advising clients across the chemistry, pharmaceutical and medical device sectors.
Kitt Sinden is recognised for his impressive patents practice, which often sees him advising and assisting counsel in pharmaceutical patent litigation.
Lola Bartoszewicz impresses market sources with her expert handling of patent prosecution proceedings and portfolio management.

Smart & Biggar

John Knox enjoys a reputation as one of the foremost players in the Canadian market, and has successful track record in drafting and prosecuting patent applications for a range of technologies.
David Schwartz is a long-time figure within the patents field and is known to be extremely proficient in managing global portfolios for highly regulated companies.
Matthew Zischka is an accomplished patent agent who is extremely proficient in electrical, software and mechanical patent applications.

Other leading individuals

Canada

Stephen Perry at PCK Perry + Currier Inc (PCK IP) remains a prominent figure within the market. Peers speak highly of his “efficient and quick practice” and his “vast knowledge of Canadian IP law”.

Konrad Sechley at Gowling WLG possesses an enviable patents practice and garners praise for his deep expertise of the tech and life sciences sectors.

Brett Slaney at CPST Intellectual Property is commended for his “very thorough practice”. He is known for being “very personable and friendly, and very technically competent”.

Micheline Gravelle of Bereskin & Parr is admired for her tech-focused patent practice and is especially well endorsed for her “deep experience in biotech”.

Kirsten Oates at Parlee McLaws gains recognition for her diverse patents practice in which she handles the drafting and prosecution of patent applications in many fields including life sciences and pharmaceuticals.

Asia-Pacific

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Frank Callus - Henry Hughes IP, Wellington
• Greg West-Walker - AJ Park, Auckland

Leading firms

AJ Park

Greg West-Walker is lauded for his exemplary knowledge of patent proceedings pertaining to electrical and mechanical engineering, physics and optics, and medical devices.
Michael Brown is acknowledged for his dynamic practice, which sees him advising Australasian and international clients on complex patent matters.
Matt Devine is applauded by market sources for his impressive understanding of patent protection and infringement proceedings.

Other leading individuals

Hong Kong

Jeffrey McLean at Deacons is a leading patent attorney, whose technical and scientific background makes him a top choice for handling patent and design matters on a wide range of technologies.

Japan

Yoshinori Shimizu at Soei Patent & Law Firm is renowned as a leading name in the region and stands out for his extensive knowledge of patent prosecution and appeals proceedings.

New Zealand

Frank Callus at Henry Hughes IP is an “experienced senior attorney” who acts for clients from a wide range of sectors including chemical, pharmaceutical and mechanical industries.

Ellis Terry’s John Terry is a seasoned expert in the patent arena, commended for his international practice, which focuses on the communications technology, electronics, mechanical and software sectors.

Wes Jones of Baldwins Intellectual Property is a “respected senior attorney” who has in-depth knowledge on the electrical, electronics, communication and software patents.

Taiwan

H G Chen of TIPLO Taiwan International Patent and Law Office is an extremely adept patent attorney, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the patents arena.