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UNIT4 IP is regularly listed in renowned rankings such as JUVE, WTR 1000, IAM Patent 1000, WIPR, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal.
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)
JUVE Handbook German Commercial Law Firms 2022/2023
The Stuttgart firm focuses on trademark administration, strategic advice and trademark infringement actions. It also flies the flag in design law with its work for well-known companies such as Porsche and Bugatti. The team has maintained good contacts for many years, especially with US clients such as Intel. Its good development is also reflected in its personnel: for the first time since its founding in 2016, the firm expanded its partner base with the internal appointment of an experienced trademarks and design lawyer, and it also grew again at associate level.
Often recommended: Dr. Ursula Stelzenmüller ("excellent and fast handling of customs cases worldwide", client), Jan Weiser ("excellent trademark and design lawyer, strategic approach, pragmatic, successful", client), Dr. Ekkehard Stolz ("very combative, but without becoming aggressive or unobjective", competitor).
The Legal 500 Germany 2022
'Very good expertise in trademark and design law. Pragmatic and rapid case processing. Strategically strong. Good cost structure.'
'Jan Weiser: Extraordinary expertise, strategically strong, excellent pleadings.'
'Ursula Stelzenmüller: Excellent, reliable and pragmatic handling of border seizure cases worldwide.'
World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 2022
The star of Stuttgart-based boutique UNIT4 is firmly on the ascendant: competitors take note of its “young and energetic team” and “culture of collegiality”; while clients describe it as “timely, thorough, clear in their assessments and always a pleasure to deal with”. It nimbly traverses the contentious/non-contentious divide for marquee names such as Bugatti International, Gap and Intel Corporation; although it also has an affinity for the needs and ambitions of SMEs. Handling the Bugatti work – which includes global trademark and design portfolio management and a string of enforcement actions – is Jan Weiser. A poised litigator before all relevant venues, his fluency in English and Spanish gives him an edge on the European stage. He is joined by Ekkehard Stolz and Ursula Stelzenmüller, who have been working alongside him to support Porsche. Stolz marries deep trademark know-how with a fine-grained understanding of design and media law, and attracts warm plaudits from sources: “I have worked with Ekkehard for 20 years and think highly of him. He is very well connected worldwide, has an eye for cost-benefit and is a very valued expert.” The architect of myriad effective anti-counterfeiting campaigns, Stelzenmüller “is highly responsive and an absolute joy to deal with; she never fails to give good commercial advice.”
IAM PATENT 1000 2022
Executing flawlessly on both sides of the contentious/non-contentious divide, boutique UNIT4 derives its name from its unified working approach, which separates it from the competition. Its clients hail from across the industry spectrum, although it has enjoyed great success of late on behalf of a series of mechanical engineering players and a household-name consumer goods group. Leading the charge is Arno Grohmann, a shrewd patent litigator and contract negotiator for whom trade secrets are a growing additional focus.
Managing Intellectual Property IP STARS 2022
Ekkehard Stolz again named ”Trade mark star – Germany“ by Managing Intellectual Property.
Brand eins /thema “Die besten Wirtschaftskanzleien 2022” („The best commercial law firms 2020“)
The renowned German magazine „brand eins“ in cooperation with Statista has selected UNIT4 IP as one of the best commercial law firms in Germany in the field of trademarks / designs.