Marval O’Farrell Mairal‘s large IP practice represents domestic and multinational clients in complex, cutting-edge cases, working across all IP aspects of transactions and contentious and tax-related matters. Patent prosecution, trade mark registrations, IP litigation and enforcement are all covered by a team that handles an unmatched volume of patent applications, trade mark portfolios and copyright works. In addition to its dominant position in the Argentine market, the firm is also called on to assist on IP matters across the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean. The team is co-led by patents expert Martín Bensadon; formidable trade mark litigator Gustavo Giay; Iris Quadrio, who leads on IP registrations and IP portfolio management; and exceptional trade mark specialist Sergio Ellmann. The practice is also able to draw on expertise from a deep bench of dynamic, young partners that includes active patents lawyer Ignacio Sánchez Echagüe; IP litigator Martín Chajchir; Juan M López Mañan, who handles trade mark and domain name work; respected IP transactional lawyer Diego Fernández; Andrés O’Farrell, who covers criminal law, litigation and anti-counterfeiting; patents and litigation partner Eugenio Hoss; and Manuela Adrogué, who was promoted to partner in August 2024 and handles data protection, privacy and IP asset transactional matters. At associate level, senior Maria Laura Etcheverry is an up-and-comer of note, her pratice covering IP litigation, advisory and commercial agreements, along with a focus on the agro and pharma sectors where she also handes patents and designs.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Marval's IP department is excellent strategically, legally and technically.’

  • ‘Marval's IP team is distinguished by its experience, comprehensive approach, innovation, global collaboration network and commitment to clients. These combined qualities make the team a solid and reliable choice for those of us seeking to protect and maximise the value of a company's IP.'

  • ‘At Marval, commitment to customer satisfaction is a fundamental priority. The team strives to establish strong, trusting relationships with its clients, providing a personalised service.' 

  • ‘The partners are very communicative and technical.’

  • ‘Marval's team is one of the strongest in the country in IP matters. It is regularly consulted by clients from different countries around the world, especially by large companies. The team is excellent and offers efficient, practical solutions.’

  • ‘Marval provide an excellent service. They communicate well, provide clear advice and are well connected in Argentina.’

Key clients

  • Gilead Pharmasset
  • Millennium Pharmaceuticals
  • Eli Lilly and Company
  • Pfizer
  • Bayer
  • AstraZeneca
  • Actelion
  • The Coca-Cola Company
  • Mercadolibre
  • Imagen Satelital

Work highlights

  • Representing the Scotch Whisky Association in its pursuit of recognition of Scotch Whisky as a geographical indication (GI) in Argentina, which would be the first foreign GI granted in the country.
  • Representing Lacoste in the first successful case in Argentina involving the landlord liability doctrine, in which owners of a market rather than individual vendors were indicted.
  • Representing AstraZeneca in a patent case relating to the first preliminary injunction obtained in relation to a pharma product in Argentina since 2004.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Iris Quadrio, Sergio Ellmann, Martín Bensadon, Gustavo Giay