Recognition

UNIT4 IP is regularly listed in renowned rankings such as JUVE, WTR 1000, IAM Patent 1000, WIPR, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal:

Legal 500 Germany 2025
A diverse client base, including sectors such as IT, pharmaceuticals and retail, regularly draws on UNIT4 IP's trade mark and design expertise. The IP boutique manages global and national portfolios and acts in infringement cases, including those in the digital space, such as online platforms and computer games. Ekkehard Stolz and Ursula Stelzenmüller often act in contentious trade mark matters at German and European level. Matthias Lehr was appointed partner in January 2024 and handles not only trade mark law but also unfair competition and copyright law. References (exemplary): “Very experienced, recommendable and dynamic IP practice.”
“Arno Grohmann is an excellent lawyer with whom I have always enjoyed working for years. He is technically top-notch, pragmatic, sociable and solution-orientated.”

Lexology Index 2025 (formerly Who’s Who Legal)
Ursula Stelzenmüller recommended in
“Germany – IP – Trademarks”.

World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 2025
UNIT4 IP provides an exceptional trademark prosecution and enforcement service in Germany, Europe and beyond. The team is not only well versed in the intricacies of the law but also adept at tailoring trademark strategies to the specific demands of each market. They stay updated with the latest legal developments and trends, consistently achieving favourable outcomes as a result. The team work with a cost-efficient approach without compromising on quality, conducting themselves with utmost professionalism and integrity, and fostering strong relationships with their clients.” Earning further recognition this year are Ekkehard Stolz and Ursula Stelzenmüller. “Ekkehard is an exceptionally experienced and knowledgeable professional, adept at accurately assessing potential opportunities and risks. He crafts tailored and creative solutions, ensuring each strategy is personalised to address the client’s specific needs. Ekkehard’s approachable and friendly demeanour makes collaboration seamless and stress-free; it is clear he places a high value on building and maintaining strong client relationships.” “Ursula possesses an exceptional understanding of trademark law and its application across various jurisdictions. Her meticulous attention to detail ensures accuracy in every aspect of her work. She identifies potential issues early and provides proactive solutions to mitigate risks. Ursula consistently demonstrates a high level of commitment, delivering high-quality work within agreed timelines. She maintains clear and open communication, keeping clients informed of all developments and promptly addressing any queries or concerns that arise.” The duo, alongside Jan Weiser and Antonia Bognár, provide high-level strategic global trademark and design administration and defenceguidance to prestigious clients such as Porsche. Weiser is acclaimed as a “wonderful attorney,” celebrated for his profound legal acumen and global perspective, while Bognár is highly valued for her hands-on approach and remarkable ability to work within strict time constraints. Entering the WTR 1000 for the first time this year, Elisabeth Mielke is appreciated for her “deep commercial understanding and remarkable ability to translate this expertise into outstanding results for her clients and their businesses.

Juve Handbook German Commercial Law Firms 2024/2025
The Stuttgart-based law firm focuses entirely on IP and is known for its work in trademark and design law, especially portfolio management. Clients such as Bugatti and Porsche have relied on this for a long time. The fact that these clients, as well as Trigema, have recently called on the firm's expertise even more extensively in proceedings, shows how strong the team has also become in litigation. The appointment of a partner with a litigation focus fits in with this. The team also has long-standing good contacts with US clients such as Intel, but is also expanding its access to German companies, such as recently a hardware store chain in a design infringement proceeding.
Often recommended: Dr. Ursula Stelzenmüller, Jan Weiser, Dr. Ekkehard Stolz (“top litigators”, competitor about all)

Handelsblatt – Germanys Best Law Firms 2024
Unit4 IP recognized in the field of intellectual property

Handelsblatt – Germanys Best Lawyers 2024
Ekkehard Stolz recognized in the field of intellectual property

IAM PATENT 1000 2024
For those seeking exceptional client service, strong legal skill and a deep knowledge of intellectual property, UNIT4 IP is a discerning choice. This boutique handles contentious and non-contentious instructions with equal sophistication, and also brings experience in the growing area of trade secrets. Arno Grohmann is a polished courtroom advocate with smooth presentation and negotiation skills which he successfully leverages to secure favourable outcomes for his patrons.

Leaders League
Best Law Firms for Trademark Litigation 2024: Recommended (Ekkehard Stolz, Jan Weiser)

Leaders League
Best Law Firms for Trademark Prosecution 2024: Recommended (Ursula Stelzenmüller)

World Intellectual Property Review 2024
Stuttgart boutique IP firm UNIT4 IP advises corporate clients from industries including, automotive, computing, pharmaceutical, fashion, cosmetics/fragrance, retail and publishing. The firm attracts favourable responses from peers. “A good firm, we love working with them.” Larger firms report referring conflict work to Unit4 IP and note “clients like their work in IP.”

Unit4 IP advises start-ups to SMEs, to global companies, with a focus on US global players. The firm advises clients on trademarks before the German courts, on proceedings before the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and assists with domain names issues. Unit4 IP also handles large trademark portfolios, both nationally and with the EU, and internationally through a foreign counsel network.

The firm has recently appeared before the highest courts, including the German Federal Supreme Court, the Court of Justice of the European Union and the General Court of the European Union. Unit4 IP has experience managing the strategic challenges of large clearance projects in Germany.

The Legal 500 Germany 2024
UNIT4 IP, a boutique specializing in trademark, design and patent law, offers a broad range of advice covering the defense and enforcement of intellectual property rights, contract drafting and portfolio management, which is used by German companies as well as global corporations. At the litigation level, Ekkehard Stolz is one of the key contacts, while Ursula Stelzenmüller focuses on filing strategies and IP proceedings before the DPMA and EUIPO. In addition to trademark law, Jan Weiser has expertise in competition and design law.

Further core team:
Ekkehard Stolz; Ursula Stelzenmüller; Jan Weiser; Arno Grohmann; Antonia Bognár

References: ‘Knowledge-based advice instead of instructive advice.’ ‘Antonia Bognár has enormous trademark expertise. In similar cases, I have often received much less-binding advice from large commercial law firms.’ ‘Ekkehard Stolz is a passionate advocate for his clients’ interests and does not shy away from seemingly hopeless situations, even in court.'

World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 2024
One of Stuttgart’s leading IP boutiques, UNIT4 IP currently manages more than 8,000 trademarks worldwide. Along with deep prosecution experience in Germany, the European Union and internationally, UNIT4 is also a safe pair of hands for complex enforcement issues, and the team has taken matters up to Germany’s highest courts. The firm’s leading practitioners earn stellar reviews from clients: “Ekkehard Stolz’s legal knowledge, professionalism and ability to effectively represent clients are second to none. In addition, Ekkehard is not only a highly skilled and competent attorney but is an absolute pleasure to work with as an individual. His interpersonal skills are superb, he knows how to build and maintain trusting relationships with the clients.” “Ursula Stelzenmüller is a skilled negotiator who provides excellent legal services. Her experience and expertise are truly exceptional. Her long-term experience, competency, responsiveness, follow-through and communication are just some of her many skills and capabilities which make her a very important and reliable legal source for business operations. On top of her legal expertise, she is a very pleasant person with whom to work – a great personality, she is always upbeat, patient, calm and accommodating.” “Antonia Bognár is very knowledgeable in regard to trademark practice and case law, and works in a precise, quick and targeted manner. In addition to being a great trademark lawyer she is also a sympathetic and attentive person. Antonia always delivers perfect counsel on time.” For more than 15 years Jan Weiser has counselled national and international companies on their trademark, design and unfair competition concerns. Porsche and Bugatti are two globally renowned automotive patrons for which he has offered trademark support.

Who’s Who Legal Germany 2024 - IP - Trademarks
Ursula Stelzenmüller recommended in the renowned Who’s Who Legal.

Juve Handbook German Commercial Law Firms 2023/2024
The Stuttgart firm focuses exclusively on IP and is known for its work in trademark and design law. Well-known clients such as Bugatti and Porsche have been relying on the firm for a long time. The team recently advised Porsche on a 3D trademark application for NFTs on a very current topic. The team has maintained good contacts for many years, especially with US clients such as Intel. In addition, many mid-sized companies from the southwest rely on the firm. In addition to portfolio management, the team also demonstrates its skills in litigation, most recently for a municipality in a fundamental case before the ECJ concerning the admissibility of a counterclaim. In terms of personnel, Unit 4 IP remains on course for growth: it recently gained an experienced IP lawyer from Menold Bezler as an associate, who was recently praised by a client for international trademark applications.

Often recommended: Dr. Ursula Stelzenmüller, Jan Weiser ("good litigator", competitor), Dr. Ekkehard Stolz

The Legal 500 Germany 2023
The IP boutique UNIT4 IP focuses particularly on trademark and design law and, thanks to its broad sector expertise, can count companies from the automotive, IT, fashion, retail and media industries among its portfolio; remarkably, US companies turn to the practice particularly frequently. Ekkehard Stolz advises on building and defending trademark portfolios as well as litigating before national and European courts, while Ursula Stelzenmüller focuses on prosecuting product piracy in border seizure proceedings. Jan Weiser and Arno Grohmann, who both work in forensic and strategic consulting, are also part of the core team. Antonia Bognár was appointed partner in early 2022 and has experience in developing filing strategies as well as in litigation before the EGC and the ECJ.

World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 2023
“The team at UNIT4 IP are very efficient, professional and to the point. They are highly experienced, knowledgeable and do a great job for their clients. They are also friendly people who are very easy to work with.” The group has particular strengths in advising international brands, including Gilead Sciences, Intel and Bugatti. Taking the reins on the Gilead Sciences brief is Ekkehard Stolz, who chairs the practice. “Ekkehard is a great lawyer. He is very smart, bright and a quick thinker.” Managing the Intel mandates are Ursula Stelzenmüller, Jan Weiser and Antonia Bognár, who makes her first appearance in the guide this year. “Ursula is resourceful, determined and collegial.” “Jan is skilled, client focused and a pleasure to work with. He is friendly, experienced and totally on point when it comes to handling trademark matters.” Weiser and Bognár also work closely on the Bugatti work which includes both prosecution and transactional instructions.

IAM PATENT 1000 2023
Arno Grohmann is skilled in handling complex litigation matters.
His tactical smartness and the ease with which he navigates the most difficult technical and legal challenges are immensely appreciated. He also has significant expertise in the field of trade secrets.

Who’s Who Legal Germany 2023 - IP - Trademarks
Ursula Stelzenmüller recommended as „National Leader“ in the renowned Who’s Who Legal

Leaders League
Best Law Firms for Trademark Litigation 2023: Highly Recommended (Jan Weiser; Ursula Stelzenmüller)

Leaders League
Best Law Firms for Trademark Prosecution 2023: Excellent (Ursula Stelzenmüller; Ekkehard Stolz)