Europe - Spain

Clifford Chance

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Clifford Chance is a standout practice for patent litigation and it frequently acts for high-profile international clients in the consumer goods and retail, biotechnology, media, pharmaceutical, and telecoms sectors. It is currently involved in the largest pan-European patent litigation case in the pharmaceutical sector. The ‘urbane, thoughtful, creative’ Miquel Montañá leads the practice from Barcelona, where litigation partner Josep Montefusco and associates Adrián Crespo and Ana  Benetó play key roles. Clients note that ‘the technical level is more than outstanding’ and that the practice is ‘consistently one of the best patent litigation outfits anywhere in the world’. Though litigation is undoubtedly its strong point, the firm’s IP lawyers are all able to handle both advisory work and disputes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘It is the best firm in Spain in relation to patent litigation. Led by the best litigator and expert in patents and industrial property rights in Spain, that is, Miquel Montañá.’

  • ‘The technical level is more than outstanding and the knowledge of my company and its culture is critical to providing the high-level service that this team provides. Miquel Montañá and Josep Montefusco are recommended.’

  • ‘The team is unique in Spain. Simply the best patent / life sciences practice in the country, and consistently one of the best patent litigation outfits I have worked with anywhere in the world. I am constantly amazed at the quality of their work, advice, strategy and so on. Miquel Montañá is the undoubted star and leader but he has created a very strong team and they should continue thrive.’

  • ‘Miquel Montañá is a thought leader, superb advocate and strategist, able to predict court's approach to most cases. Josep Montesfusco is also an excellent choice as partner. Adrián Crespo is a future star.’

  • ‘Highly professional advice by the experienced CC patent lawyers.’

  • ‘Worked with Josep Montefusco and Adrián Crespo. They provided very qualified and proactive legal consulting.’

  • ‘Miquel Montañá is the doyen of patent litigation in Spain. Urbane, thoughtful, creative, he is a pleasure to work with. He will always put himself out for you to get superb results.’

  • ‘Amazingly knowledgeable, skilled, efficient.’

Key clients

  • Novartis
  • UCB Pharma
  • F. Hoffman-La Roche
  • Glaxosmithkline
  • Sanofi
  • Bial-Portela
  • Pfizer
  • Janssen
  • Amgen
  • Regeneron
  • Illumina INC.
  • Edwards Lifesciences LTD.
  • Exact Sciences
  • Laboratorios Esteve
  • Daiichi Sankyo
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • Biogen
  • Astrazeneca
  • Eli Lilly
  • Henkel
  • Grunenthal
  • Takeda
  • Love Digital Factory
  • Biontech
  • Nokia
  • Samsung
  • Bayer
  • Boehringuer Ingelheim
  • Ipsen Pharma
  • Lundbeck
  • Organon
  • Merck Sharp & Dohme
  • Novo Nordisk
  • Rovi
  • Covis
  • Vifor
  • Millenium

Work highlights

  • Representing Novartis in patent litigation against the companies that have launched generics of fingolimod in Spain.
  • Advising Nokia on multijurisdictional patent enforcement proceedings brought in Spain against two major Chinese mobile manufacturers in relation to telecoms patents.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Miquel Montañá

Hall of fameClifford Chance LLP

Miquel Montañá specialises in dispute resolution (including arbitration), intellectual property and competition law. Miquel has worked on multi-jurisdictional intellectual property and commercial disputes involving patents, trademarks, unfair competition, distribution and agency agreements, copyright and breach of confidential information.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Miquel Montañá

Other key lawyers

Josep Montefusco, Adrián Crespo, Fernando Cerdà Belda, Ana Benetó