Europe - Switzerland

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

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With a strong presence at the forefront of a variety of fields, including consumer goods, media and cosmetics, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd‘s multifaceted strengths range from the litigation of IP rights in relation to the counterfeiting of branded products to the management of IP portfolios and R&D. The team is praised by clients for its ’high-quality work, creative solutions, and excellent client service’. Steering the practice is Philipp Groz, who is especially knowledgeable in handling litigation and arbitration for multinational clients. Another key name to note in the practice is ‘outstanding’ and ’great communicator’ Lorenza Ferrari Hofer, who is well versed in patent and trade mark infringement and injunction proceedings. Adrienne Henneman is also recommended.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality work, creative solutions, and excellent client service.'

  • 'A network of trusted and reliable partners, who enable the team to handle IP matters efficiently and effectively.’

  • ‘I have had the privilege of working with Lorenza Ferrari Hofer. She is one of the most trusted correspondents of my network for Swiss territory. She is an outstanding lawyer, with a wealth of expertise and experience for the IP practice. She always delivers high-quality work, with clear analysis, sound advice, and practical solutions.'

  • 'Lorenza Ferrari Hofer is also a great communicator, who listens attentively, responds promptly, and explains complex legal issues in a way that is easy to understand also for foreign clients. She always maintains a strong and collaborative relationship with our firm, and always behaves with professionalism and reliability. It is a pleasure to work with her. ’

Key clients

  • Addlife AB
  • BASF
  • Bayer AG
  • Cristanini
  • Hetronic International
  • Holcim
  • Infijov
  • ITOCHU Corporation
  • Iveric Bio
  • Johnson & Johnson group of companies (incl. Janssen)
  • Locarno Film Festival
  • Philip Morris International
  • Porsche
  • Samsung
  • Santhera Pharmaceuticals
  • SIX Group
  • Standard Chartered
  • Tetra Pack
  • UBS
  • Volkswagen
  • The Walt Disney Company
  • Zimmer Biomet
  • ZimVie
  • BioNTech
  • Ty Inc.
  • Novartis

Work highlights

  • Advised Santhera Pharmaceuticals regarding an exclusive license agreement for the Greater China Region with Sperogenix Therapeutics, a China-based company specialising in orphan diseases.
  • Represented a manufacturer of projectors, distributing its products under a most renewed brand, with distribution activities worldwide against a US patent troll alleging the infringement of patents broadly related to controlling “display devices” with a mobile device to download or view a video.
  • Represented Ty Inc., a toy manufacturer, in a trade mark and unfair competition litigation against a former distributor, having won the case in the first instance and representing the client in appeal proceedings before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.

Lawyers

Rising stars

Adrienne Henneman

Adrienne Henneman

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

Adrienne Hennemann is a Senior Associate in our Dispute Resolution and Intellectual Property Group in Zurich. Her main areas of practice are domestic and international commercial litigation and arbitration. She also advises on regulatory issues in various fields. Before joining Schellenberg Wittmer, she worked as a Law Clerk at the Commercial Court of the Canton of Zurich handling various types of disputes at all procedural stages, mainly relating to contract law, all kind of shareholder disputes, trademark and unfair competition law. She has profound expertise in procedural law and also acts as a Substitute Judge at various District Courts.

Leading individuals

Philipp Groz, LL.M.

Philipp Groz, LL.M.

Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd

Philipp Groz is a Partner in Schellenberg Wittmer's Intellectual Property and Dispute Resolution Groups. He represents clients in litigation before Swiss courts and in international arbitrations, and also sits as an arbitrator. He specializes in the fields of intellectual property, unfair competition, licensing and distribution and also advises clients on non-contentious matters in these fields. Philipp also assists clients in regulatory matters, particularly concerning life sciences, foods and consumer goods. Experience: Represented pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in various international arbitrations arising out of licensing and/or distribution agreements Represented medical device manufacturer in patent entitlement dispute before the Swiss Federal Patent Court Acted as counsel to telecommunication companies in various unfair competition proceedings before Swiss courts and authorities Advised consumer goods companies on various aspects of Swiss regulatory law (such as advertising, labeling, product liability, product recalls)

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Philipp Groz