Seal certifying a ranking in the Leaders League for the year 2026

Leaders League 2026: BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT recognized as a leading IP law firm in two categories

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“Leading” designation in the practice areas of patent and trademark prosecution. Outstanding ratings and recommendations in six additional practice areas.

Once again this year, the Leaders League jury has rated BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT as “leading” in the areas of patent and trademark prosecution, and thus as one of the best IP law firms in Germany.
This means that the patent attorneys Christoph Angerhausen, Christian W. Appelt, Dr. Markus Engelhard, Dr. Jin Jeon, Dr. Steffen Schmidt, Dr. Volker Scholz, and Dr. Jakob Valvoda, as well as the attorneys at law Peter Gross, Dr. Florian Schwab, and Dr. Martin Wirtz, have received the highest possible recognition from the rating agency.

Dr. Rudolf Böckenholt, Dr. Andreas Dustmann, Silke Freund, Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann, and Dr. Eckhard Ratjen can celebrate receiving an “Excellent” rating for their work in the area of “Trademark Litigation.”

With the rating “Highly recommended,” the jury honors the work of Dr. Markus Engelhard, Dr. Ute Kilger, Dr. Karl-Heinz Metten, and Dr. Volker Scholz in the “Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals” category.

In addition, the jury has issued recommendations for the following attorneys at BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT:
– Dr. Sebastian Engels, Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann and Dr. Michael Rüberg for „Patent Litigation“;
– Dr. Rudolf Böckenholt, Silke Freund und Dr. Martin Schaefer for their achievements in the „Media, Sports & Entertainment“ sector;
– Dr. Andreas Dustmann, Dr. Sebastian Engels, Dr. Matthias Hofmann, Dr. Eckhard Ratjen und Dr. Jakob Valvoda for „IT & Outsourcing“ as well as
– Dr. Sebastian Engels, Dr. Eckhard Ratjen, Dr. Michael Rüberg und Dr. Alexander Thamer for their work in the field of „Data Protection“.

With the guiding principle “Excellence in Leadership and Management”, Leaders League sees itself as a media and rating agency for top executives on an international level and provides up-to-date news and analyses as well as directories on companies, rankings, specialist events and digital products.
The latest rankings from BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT are available on the Leaders League website.

Financial Times recommends BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT again as one of Europe’s leading patent law firms

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Recognition in the “Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2026” ranking

BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT has again been recommended by the Financial Times as one of Europe’s leading patent law firms in 2026. The British business newspaper has published the “Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms” ranking together with the independent market research company Statista since 2019. BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT has been listed in the ranking since its first edition.

In the current ranking, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT is recommended both in the overall “Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms” list and in five of six technology sectors. The firm is listed in Biotechnology, Food & Healthcare, Chemistry & Pharmacy, Electrical Engineering & Physics, IT & Software as well as Mechanical Engineering. This recognition once again highlights the firm’s visibility in the European patent market and the broad technical scope of its advisory practice.
For clients, the recognition provides an independent indication of the firm’s long-standing experience in developing, protecting and enforcing technical IP rights. It also confirms BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT’s continued presence in a ranking based on market feedback.

The full overview is available in the Financial Times ranking “Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2026”. Further information on awards and rankings of BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT can be found in our Awards & Rankings section.

Methodology

For the “Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2026” ranking, Statista surveyed patent experts and clients in Europe on behalf of the Financial Times. Participants were able to recommend law firms active in patent prosecution and patent strategy consulting. The assessment covers both the overall ranking and six technology sectors: Biotechnology, Food & Healthcare, Chemistry & Pharmacy, Electrical Engineering & Physics, IT & Software, Materials & Nanotechnology and Mechanical Engineering. Self-recommendations were not included in the evaluation. Statista also took measures to prevent multiple participation.

IP Stars seal of approval for BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT's ranking as a top-tier law firm and for its consistent ranking over more than ten years

IP Stars 2026 – Germany: Top rankings for BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT

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BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT is listed as a top-tier law firm for “Patent Prosecution” and “Trademarks”. Seal of approval for outstanding rankings for more than ten years.

“The firm has advised us in numerous strategic cases for our clients […]. We greatly appreciate the depth and breadth of this experience, which gives us strong confidence in the quality and reliability of their IP dispute support.”

“The team has in-depth knowledge in the IP field and is always willing to share clear, practical advice, which makes them an absolute pleasure to work with. They are professional, proactive, and attentive to detail, and they handle issues accurately.”

“[Christoph Angerhausen] truly deserves to be recognized for his outstanding expertise and contribution to the field of patent.”

These are the assessments of clients and peers regarding BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT, as published in the latest ranking of the IP guide “IP Stars”.

BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT among Germany’s top five IP law firms

The patent and trademark teams also have reason to celebrate the jury’s decision, as the firm has once again been ranked among Germany’s top five law firms this year, receiving Tier 1 distinctions in the categories “Patent Prosecution” and “Trademark – Patent & Trademark Attorney Firms”.
With a strong second-place finish, the jury recognizes the achievements of the patent litigation team and specifically highlights the firm in the “Copyright & Related Rights” category.
In recognition of BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT’s outstanding rankings over more than ten years, IP Stars has awarded the firm a special seal of approval.

16 patent attorneys and attorneys at law receive honors and recognition

In addition, Christian W. Appelt, Dr. Thomas L. Bittner and Dr. Markus Engelhard have been named “Patent star 2026″, while Dr. Lars Eggersdorfer received the “Rising star 2026” designation. Special recognition is also given to Peter Gross, Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann, and Dr. Volker Schmitz-Fohrmann as “Trade mark stars 2026”, as well as Prof. Dr. Heinz Goddar as a „Notable practitioner 2026“.

In conjunction with the award winners, the following attorneys receive an honorable mention: Dr. Sebastian Engels, Silke Freund, Dr. Daniel Herrmann, Dr. Ute Kilger, Dr. Andreas Lucke, Dr. Karl-Heinz Metten, Dr. Michael Rüberg, and Dr. Martin Schaefer.

About IP Stars

IP STARS is – according to its own statements – the leading guide for law firms and practitioners in the field of intellectual property worldwide. The first directory was published as early as 1994. The IP STARS rankings are based on information provided by thousands of companies, IP specialists, and their clients, as well as interviews, online surveys, and independent research. The evaluation criteria include expertise, workload, market reputation, track record, results achieved for clients, and unique strengths in the respective practice area. The analysis is impartial; the IP STARS team of experts compiles its rankings solely on the basis of performance.

BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT recognized as Law Firm 2026 by The Patent Lawyer Magazine

The Patent Lawyer once again ranks BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT among Germany’s leading firms

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BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT among the top 10 patent law firms in Germany

The specialist magazine The Patent Lawyer has once again included BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT in its ranking of leading patent law firms in Europe and the United Kingdom. The firm is listed among the top 10 patent law firms in Germany for 2026.

In its assessment, The Patent Lawyer highlights BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT’s reinforced leadership in German IP law. In particular, the magazine refers to the firm’s role in securing European patents for LG Chem and LG Energy Solution in connection with safety-reinforced separators used in lithium-ion batteries. It also points to the firm’s six German offices, its international offices in Alicante, Paris, and Shanghai, and BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT’s team of more than 60 specialists. This strong setup allows the firm to advise and represent an international client base across a broad range of patent-related matters, including patent prosecution, EPO opposition proceedings, UPC representation, and complex portfolio management.

According to The Patent Lawyer, the ranking is based on a multi-layered methodology that includes industry research as well as feedback from readers, clients, and international contacts.

The full results of The Patent Lawyer Law Firm Rankings 2026 are freely available online.
Gold trophy in front of bookshelf, symbol of awards and rankings

Best Lawyers 2027/Handelsblatt 2026: Recognition for 24 BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT attorneys

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“Best Lawyers in Germany 2027” distinctions for 21 patent attorneys and attorneys at law. Dr. Martin Schaefer was honored as “Lawyer of the Year 2027,” and three lawyers were named “Ones to Watch in Germany 2027.”

The U.S.-based legal publishing firm “Best Lawyers” has once again awarded the title “Best Lawyers in Germany” to numerous BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT patent attorneys and attorneys at law this year.
Dr. Martin Schaefer has been honored for the third time – following his 2024 and 2025 recognition – with the title “Lawyer of the Year 2027” in the “Entertainment Law” category.

Three attorneys from the next generation are also highlighted by the jury: The attorneys at law Dr. Alexander Thamer and Dr. Julian Wernicke, both based in Berlin, have been named “Ones to Watch in Germany 2027” in the field of “Intellectual Property,” as has Dr. Lars Eggersdorfer in Munich in the categories “Intellectual Property” and “Litigation.”

An overview of our 24 distinguished patent attorneys and attorneys at law:

Christoph Angerhausen, Dusseldorf, Intellectual Property Law
Christian W. Appelt, Munich, Intellectual Property Law & Patent Attorney
Dr. Thomas Bittner, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Rudolf Böckenholt, Bremen, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Andreas Dustmann, Berlin, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Lars Eggersdorfer, Munich, Intellectual Property Law & Litigation (Ones to Watch in Germany 2027)
Dr. Markus Engelhard, Munich, Intellectual Property Law & Pharmaceuticals Law
Dr. Sebastian Engels, Berlin, Intellectual Property Law
Silke Freund, Munich, Intellectual Property Law & Media Law
Prof. Dr. Heinz Goddar, Munich, Intellectual Property Law, Patent Attorney & Pharmaceuticals Law
Peter Gross, Munich, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann, Munich, Intellectual Property Law & Litigation
Dr. Ute Kilger, Berlin, Biotechnology Law & Life Sciences Practice
Dr. Ludwig Kouker, Bremen, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Karl-Heinz Metten, Frankfurt, Intellectual Property Law
Malte Nentwig, Bremen, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Eckhard Ratjen, Bremen, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Michael Rüberg, Dusseldorf, Munich, Paris, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Martin Schaefer, Berlin, Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property Law, Media Law (Lawyer of the Year 2027)
Dr. Sebastian Schlegel, Berlin, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Steffen Schmidt, Munich, Intellectual Property Law
Dr. Alexander Thamer, Berlin, Intellectual Property Law (Ones to Watch in Germany 2027)
Dr. Julian Wernicke, Berlin, Intellectual Property Law (Ones to Watch in Germany 2027)
Dr. Martin Wirtz, Berlin, Intellectual Property Law

According to its own information, Best Lawyers is the oldest and most renowned ranking service for lawyers worldwide. The peer review process is used to select the award-winning lawyers. The ratings are based on survey results from leading lawyers in a geographical area and a defined legal practice area. The ranking by the US specialist publisher is also published annually in Handelsblatt, albeit with the current year’s number.

The list of award-winning BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT attorneys is available on the website of the US specialist magazine “Best Lawyers” and online in the business magazine Handelsblatt (in German).

IAM Patent 1000 2026, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT, leading patent professionals, Germany, Unified Patent Court, European Patent Office

IAM Patent 1000 – Gold and Silver Awards for BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT

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“Gold” in Germany, “Silver” for the firm’s work before the EPO and UPC

“BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT is a clear market leader. The team has in-depth knowledge of the IP field and always provides clear, practical advice, which makes them an absolute pleasure to work with. They are professional, proactive, and attentive to detail, and they handle issues accurately. The team also contribute to legislation, academia and AI tool development, and this translates into added value in their legal advice.”

This quotation marks the beginning of the IAM Patent 1000 jury’s reasoning for this year’s awards for the firm – “Gold” for Germany and, in each case, Silver for the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Unified Patent Court (UPC).

At the center of the practice, the jury continues, is a broadly positioned team for patent prosecution and nullity proceedings. The firm’s attorney-at-law patent practice receives particular recognition as well: its enforcement strength before the UPC – to which partner Dr. Michael Rüberg also contributes by coordinating international proceedings – is reflected in the Silver ranking for the UPC.

A versatile patent attorney with extensive expertise in the fields of physics, mechanical engineering, electronics and computer technology is Christian W. Appelt. He has substantial experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications and successfully represents clients in opposition proceedings. He maintains a close, long-standing relationship with Panasonic and works directly with the client’s team in Japan.

Dr. Markus Engelhard, also a patent attorney, is active in the fields of life sciences and medical technology, according to IAM Patent 1000, oversees the entire patent portfolio of Ionsent Technologies and represents the company before the EPO as well as foreign patent offices in connection with point-of-care diagnostic technology.

As a new entrant to IAM Patent 1000, the jury highlights Dr. Daniel Herrmann. The patent attorney further strengthens the firm’s offering in the field of medical technology by advising Lohmann & Rauscher on the global management of patent portfolios and representing the client in numerous opposition, appeal, nullity and infringement proceedings, with a strong track record.

Patent attorney Dr. Andreas Lucke also makes his debut this year, according to IAM Patent 1000. Together with partner and attorney at law Dr. Michael Rüberg, he represents MED-EL in an economically significant dispute relating to hearing implant technology, coordinates an international, multi-firm enforcement strategy and leads the German proceedings against Advanced Bionics – with a favorable decision at first instance.

The jury highlights another significant case: In parallel infringement proceedings, attorney at law Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann and patent attorney Christoph Angerhausen represent Rittal against Wöhner in the field of power distribution systems before the courts in Düsseldorf and Frankfurt – in the jury’s view, evidence of the firm’s role as a trusted advisor across Rittal’s entire portfolio.

Christoph Angerhausen is also highly valued by clients for his broad patent law expertise: “Christoph is an outstanding, well-rounded patent practitioner. His advice is consistently high quality, fast and transparent.” He supports clients in particular in the fields of engineering and physics and develops and implements successful national and international protection strategies.

The jury also praises attorney at law Dr. Sebastian Engels: He advises the technology start-up FORMIC and supports it in connection with strategic cooperation on IP reference frameworks for modular transport systems.

Overall, the jury concludes, the firm demonstrates its ongoing commitment to new technologies and innovative business models.

The IAM Patent 1000 ranking is published annually and presents the world’s leading law firms in the field of patent law. The results are based on comprehensive research conducted by IAM Patent 1000 Analytics, which analyzes the global IP industry using robust data, customizable tools, and expert insight. This creates a detailed picture of law firm performance in the areas of patent prosecution, litigation, and transactions.

BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT’s 2026 ranking can be viewed on the IAM Patent 1000 website.

Gold trophy in front of bookshelf, symbol of awards and rankings

IP‑Pilot 2026: BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT among Top‑5 firms for EPO patent filings

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Consistent performance in a challenging European patent market

According to the IP‑Pilot 2026 analysis, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT is among the top five German law firms for patent filings before the European Patent Office (EPA/EPO), confirming its strong position in the European patent system.
In its assessment, IP‑Pilot notes that the firm has maintained this position in the field of European patent filings and, together with other leading German firms, is regarded as a key representative before the EPO.
Especially against the backdrop of a generally challenging market environment, in which many firms are experiencing declining trends, IP‑Pilot’s publicly accessible analysis highlights the stability and performance of the IP law firm BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT in patent and utility model law.

About IP‑Pilot

IP‑Pilot is a specialized market and analytics platform for intellectual property that evaluates patent and trademark filings worldwide. Its analyses are based on publicly available register data, such as data from the European Patent Office (EPO), which are systematically analyzed and presented in a comparable format. The objective of these analyses is to provide transparent insights into market and development trends in the international IP landscape and to present a realistic picture of the activities of individual firms.

Gold trophy in front of bookshelf, symbol of awards and rankings

WIPR Leaders 2026: Recog­nition of four BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT partners

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World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR) has recognized four attorneys at law from BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT as WIPR Leaders 2026. This recognition has been awarded to Silke Freund as well as Dr. Rudolf Böckenholt, Dr. Eckhard Ratjen and Dr. Florian Schwab.

Selection for the WIPR Leaders is based on a highly selective, research‑driven methodology that has been fundamentally refined by WIPR over recent years. The distinction highlights individuals who contribute to the development and maintenance of high professional and technical standards in international IP practice. As the directory is designed as a dynamic listing, additional recognitions may be added over the course of the year.

Further information on the WIPR Leaders 2026 can be found on the website of  World Intellectual Property Review.

The Legal 500 – Germany 2026: BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT honored in five categories, 28 attorneys receive special mention

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Special recognition for achievements in the legal field of “patent prosecution”. Awards in four additional categories.

„The firm is known for its responsiveness and strategic foresight, and often advises clients proactively. […].“

„The staff we worked with were highly professional. […]“

„We trust BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT because of their first-class expertise and outstanding services. They have always provided us with clear, business-oriented advice. […]“

These are the views of clients and peers about the firm, as published by The Legal 500 team in the current edition of “The Legal 500 – Germany 2026.” Here, The Legal 500 jury awards BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT in five categories, with the highest rating of 2nd place in the legal field “Patent prosecution.”

Legal areas with awards:

  • Patent prosecution
  • Patent litigation: patent lawyers
  • Patent litigation: solicitors
  • Trade marks
  • Entertainment

Repeated recognition of 28 attorneys in total

For the first time, the jury has repeatedly honored 28 patent attorneys and attorneys at law from the firm for their outstanding achievements:

Christoph Angerhausen, Dr. Christian W. Appelt, Dr. Mario Araujo, Dr. Markus Engelhard, Dr. Martin Erbacher, Prof. Dr. Heinz Goddar, Dr. Michael Hartig, Felix Hermann, Dr. Daniel Herrmann, Dr. Matthias Hofmann, Dr. Jin Jeon, Dr. Ute Kilger, Eva Liesegang, Dr. Andreas Lucke, Dr.-Ing. Uwe Manasse, Dr. Karl-Heinz Metten, Dr. Steffen Schmidt, Dr. Volker Scholz and Dr. Jakob Valvoda (all „Patent prosecution“);
Christoph Angerhausen, Christian W. Appelt, Dr. Mario Araujo, Dr. Markus Engelhard, Dr. Jin Jeon and Dr. Andreas Lucke (all „Patent litigation: patent lawyers“);
Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann and Dr. Michael Rüberg (both „Patent litigation: solicitors“);
Dr. Sebastian Engels, Silke Freund, Dr. Eckhard Ratjen, Dr. Anja Ruge (all „Trade marks“) as well as Dr. Rudolf Böckenholt, Dr. Sebastian Engels, Silke Freund, Dr. Eckhard Ratjen, Dr. Martin Schaefer and Dr. Florian Schwab for „Entertainment“.

Comprehensive expertise in intellectual property in all natural and engineering sciences

BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT advises multinational companies on all intellectual property issues in the natural and engineering sciences, on registration procedures, legal disputes, and other matters, according to the jury’s assessment. The firm has a strong client base in the US and Asia, maintains national and international offices, and is thus able to handle cases involving multiple jurisdictions.
Its advice is based on comprehensive expertise in intellectual property in all natural and engineering sciences, including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, biotechnology, semiconductor technology, software technology, and environmental technology.

Many years of expertise in trade mark and competition law – nationally and internationally

According to the jury, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT stands out in trade mark law thanks to its many years of expertise in managing and administering extensive trade mark portfolios at national and international level.

In the field of entertainment, the firm’s strength lies primarily in copyright disputes. The team acts on behalf of large entertainment companies, music labels, and specialized media groups. Here, The Legal 500 particularly highlights the experience of the attorneys in significant arbitration proceedings and negotiations before state and higher regional courts.

The Legal 500 analyzes and evaluates law firms around the world in more than 150 jurisdictions. The rankings, published annually, are based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms, interviews with leading lawyers, and experts with comprehensive knowledge of the legal market.

WTR 1000 2026: silver rankings for BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT

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Recognition for Germany and the EUIPO as well as the firm’s international trade mark practice

In the 2026 edition of the “WTR 1000 – The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals”, BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT has once again been awarded Silver rankings in the categories “Germany” and “European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)”. The publication continues to rank the firm among the leading trade mark practices in these jurisdictions.

Recognition for strategic trade mark advice and cross-border disputes

The WTR 1000 highlights BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT’s strong reputation in the European trade mark market, noting the firm’s combination of technical excellence and commercial understanding. Particular recognition is given to the firm’s experience in managing complex trade mark portfolios and handling cross-border disputes for international clients.

The publication also emphasizes the firm’s ability to develop pragmatic and forward-looking strategies, supporting clients throughout the development, protection and enforcement of their trade mark rights across multiple jurisdictions.

Further information about BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT’s trade mark services can be found on the firm’s Trade Marks page.

Nine lawyers recommended by WTR 1000

In addition to the firm’s rankings, the WTR 1000 recognizes several BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT lawyers as leading practitioners in the field of trade mark law.

Dr. Eckhard Ratjen is praised for providing “clear, sound advice” across trade mark and copyright matters and for his strategic guidance on international brand portfolios.

Dr. Florian Schwab is highlighted for his expertise in filing strategies, portfolio management and infringement actions. The publication also notes his extensive contributions to legal commentary and specialist publications.

The ranking further recognizes attorneys at law Dr. Carl-Richard Haarmann and Silke Freund for their work on complex international trade mark disputes. Among other matters, the publication refers to cross-border proceedings involving major technology companies and internationally known brands.

Dr. Andreas Dustmann is recommended for contentious intellectual property and digital media matters. According to the WTR 1000, his litigation experience and deep knowledge of internet law make him a trusted advisor on trade mark, copyright and design issues.

Dr. Rudolf Böckenholt, attorney at law in Bremen, receives recognition for his work in trade mark, anti-counterfeiting and customs surveillance matters. The publication highlights his combination of extensive expertise and pragmatic advice.

The list of recommended individuals is completed by Peter Gross, Dr. Sebastian Engels and Dr. Volker Schmitz-Fohrmann, whose advice is described as strategically focused, practical and business-oriented.

The detailed results of the WTR 1000 2026 ranking are available to registered users on the website of the World Trademark Review.