Double Boost for European Patent Litigation Practice: Clifford Chance Announces Two Renowned Lateral Hires

International law firm Clifford Chance expands its German IP practice led by Claudia Milbradt with two renowned IP lawyers: On 1 January 2023 Tobias J. Hessel and Stefan Richter will join the firm in the Düsseldorf office and further strengthen the German and European IP practice with their specialist expertise and market experience. Both come from the European IP boutique Hoyng Rokh Monegier. Counsel Thomas Misgaiski will join them.

Tobias J. Hessel primarily represents clients in patent and utility model infringement cases and in parallel opposition and nullity proceedings at the European Patent Office and the German Federal Patent Court. His clients are predominantly in the fields of information technology, telecommunications, and semiconductors.

Stefan Richter advises national and international clients in all fields of intellectual property law, focusing on national and multi-jurisdictional patent infringement litigation and parallel opposition and nullity proceedings before the European Patent Office and the German Federal Patent Court as well. He advises clients in telecommunications and information technology, electronics, software, mechanical engineering, and material science.

Stefan Sax, Managing Partner for Germany at Clifford Chance: “In our selection of laterals, we focus on lawyer personalities with ambitions and potential who will further advance our team and our strategy. We are therefore very pleased to have found partners in Tobias J. Hessel and Stefan Richter who fit this profile. Strong IP capabilities are an essential key to our European and global strategy of providing our clients with integrated advice on their tech issues across all practice areas. I am sure that both will contribute significantly to the growth and development of our patent litigation practice and the global Tech Group – in Germany and across Europe.”

Claudia Milbradt, head of the German IP practice and the Tech Group Germany at Clifford Chance: “IP and tech issues, including contentious disputes, are increasingly in the important to clients. I am therefore very glad that with Tobias J. Hessel and Stefan Richter we will have two new partners on board, who bring excellent professional and personal qualities. With their in-depth expertise of the technology sector as well as their many years of experience in patent litigation, they are a huge asset to our highly sought-after German and international IP team and will play a key role in building our Unified Patent Court team.”

Tobias J. Hessel: “I am grateful for the time at Hoyng Rokh Monegier and proud of my contribution to the success of the patent litigation team over the past years. Now I look forward to expanding the European patent litigation practice at leading international law firm Clifford Chance as a as part of the Tech Group.”

Stefan Richter: “I am very much looking forward to supporting the dynamically developing Tech Group at Clifford Chance with my expertise in patent litigation. This international and closely connected practice group with deep industry knowledge and a comprehensive advisory approach offers an ideal and highly professional environment for a strong patent litigation practice in Germany, Europe and beyond.”

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