At A&O Shearman, the team has an impressive track record in handling high-profile patents cases, which often include international elements. Life sciences and technology are recognised sectors of expertise for the group, which is sought after for its excellent reputation in advising on Standard Essential Patents (SEPs), Fair Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) disputes, and infringement matters. Additionally, the department assists clients with the IP aspects of M&A transactions. The practice is jointly led by life sciences expert Laëtitia Bénard, David Por, who excels in the telecoms arena, and Charles Truffeau, who made partner in May 2023. At senior associate level, Elise Romelly brings expertise in national and pan-European patent litigation, and Cyril Riffaud has particular strength in acting for tech sector entities in contentious patent matters.

August Debouzy’s patent team is co-led by the triumvirate of François Pochart, an expert in healthcare, pharmaceutical, life sciences, biotech, and chemical sector matters; FRAND litigation specialist Grégoire Desrousseaux; and Lionel Martin. Under the trio's leadership, the group has expertise in advising domestic and international clients on FRAND and pharmaceutical disputes and infringement actions, as well as licensing and contractual matters and patent applications, to name a few key areas of instruction. Freedom-to-operate analyses and valuations are other key drivers of work. The department often represents clients before domestic and international IP courts, including the Unified Patent Court (UPC).

The patents team at Bird & Bird is well versed in advising on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The group has a solid track record in handling domestic and multinational patent litigation, often for prominent blue-chip clients. Patent litigation expert Anne-Charlotte Le Bihan co-heads the practice with Géraldine Arbant. Yves Bizollon is well regarded for his expertise in acting for food, energy, defence, and automotive sector companies in complex litigation, and Laurent Labatte is very well known for handling litigation in technical fields. The practice was bolstered by the arrival of Thierry Lautier in July 2023.

At Casalonga, the patents group is split into two distinct teams: a patent prosecution and counselling team, which is led by litigators Olivier Delprat and Jean-Baptiste Lecoeur and EU patent attorneys Virginie Martin-Charbonneau and Francis Zapalowicz, and a litigation team, which is led by the triumvirate of Arnaud Casalonga, Caroline Casalonga, and Marianne Gabriel. Both teams are well versed in advising clients from the electronics, chemical, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, life sciences and mechanics sectors on a range of patent matters, and have a strong track record in working in tandem with Spanish and German colleagues to provide support on, among other areas, FRAND matters, French and European patent applications, SPC issues, and validity and infringement cases.

Under the leadership of Raphaëlle Dequiré-Portier, Jean-Hyacinthe de Mitry and IP expert Emmanuel Larere, the patents team at Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. has an excellent reputation for its expertise in patent litigation. The group regularly represents clients before European and British courts, and has a strong track record in handling infringement claims, validity disputes, revocation actions and SPC issues. In a prominent development in 2023, the firm announced the creation of a strategic alliance with Regimbeau for patent litigation between lawyers and patent attorneys. In addition to its strength in contentious work, the group continues to handle a steady workflow of non-contentious matters, often acting for pharmaceutical, medical and telecoms entities regarding the drafting and negotiation of IP-related and technology transfer agreements. Counsels Marie-Ange Pozzo di Borgo is a key name to note.

Intellectual property law firm HOYNG ROKH MONÉGIER's French patents practice is jointly led by Benoît Strowel, who is well versed in handling multi-jurisdictional patent litigation, and Sabine Agé, who brings expertise in work involving parallel litigation. The group acts for clients in the aeronautics, cosmetic, digital security, electronics, life sciences, mechanics, pharma and telecoms sectors. Sophie Micallef and Amandine Métier are highly regarded for their expertise in patent litigation, and advise on FRAND disputes and SPC issues. Other key practitioners include Denis Monégier du Sorbier, Marta Mendes, Florence Jacquand, and Caroline Levesque.

At Jones Day, the practice has solid experience in working in tandem with the firm's German and UK teams to assist with pan-European patent litigation. The team is well known for its strength in handling infringement proceedings and seizures before UK and German courts, and is very experienced in assisting pharmaceutical companies with patent matters, including freedom-to-operate analyses. Thomas Bouvet, who has established expertise in French and European patent litigation proceedings, co-heads the department with transactional expert Edouard Fortunet. Eddy Prothiere is sought after for advising on validity and infringement claims, and Colin Devinant's practice takes in national and international patent litigation.

Linklaters' patents practice, led by litigation expert Pauline Debré, has extensive experience in representing major clients in national and cross-border patent disputes, often spanning multiple jurisdictions. The client base includes healthcare, mobility, and telecoms sector entities. Gaëlle Bourout garners praise for her expertise in advising on patent litigation.

Pinsent Masons LLP‘ patents practice is adept at handling multi-jurisdictional disputes for major clients, and is equally strong in advising companies on UPC rules. Practice head Emmanuel Gougé is a highly experienced litigator, who regularly advises clients in the life sciences, medical devices, electronics, automotive, and aerospace sectors on disputes. Other key figures include Virginia de Freitas, an expert in technology transfer issues, Marina Jonon and Jules Fabre, who was promoted to partner in May 2023.

Simmons & Simmons is well known in the French patents arena for its expertise in handling high-profile patent litigation, and is adept at advising on multi-jurisdictional proceedings before the Unified Patent Court (UPC) and advising on patent infringement claims and revocation actions across Europe. The team also advises on high-value licensing agreements in the space, and regularly represents clients in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors in work. François Jonquères and Sarah Bailey co-head the practice.

Abello IP Firm’s patents department is well versed in advising on telecoms and mechanics patents, and is handling an increased amount of pharmaceutical patent matters. FRAND and SEP issues are prominent in the group's workload. Michel Abello, Marie Liens, Jean-Baptiste Thibaud and Julien Astier are the practice heads, and are ably supported by Guillaume Dubos, who focuses on contentious telecoms matters.

The patents practice at Aramis has particular strength in advising prominent pharmaceutical clients on a wide range of patent matters. Key areas of instruction include infringement claims, licensing agreements, preliminary injunctions, invalidity proceedings and R&D agreements. The group has also seen an increase in work from clients in the biotech and life sciences sectors. Annabelle Divoy focuses on FRAND disputes and SEP issues. Since publication, Benjamin May and David Roche left the firm.

Armengaud Guerlain‘s patents practice has a strong track record in assisting blue-chip companies, multinational corporations and SMEs. Under the leadership of patent disputes expert Stéphane Guerlain and Catherine Mateu, who is well versed in cross-border litigation, the team is sought after for its expertise in handling international patent disputes, often involving employee inventions and trade secrets, and is equally adept at advising on patent applications and licensing agreements.

Cabinet Schertenleib's practice is active in patent litigation and disputes concerning trade secrets, with a particular focus on the life sciences sector. Under the leadership of patent litigator Denis Schertenleib, Ombeline Degrèze-Péchade and Marc Lauzeral, the team is equally adept at advising on regulatory matters in the patents space, and is also sought after by technology, real estate and telecoms clients.

Dentons' team is well known for handling high-profile patent matters for blue-chip clients in the IT, insurance, and pharmaceutical sectors. The practice has a solid track record in advising on domestic and cross-border mandates, and under the leadership of patent litigator Loïc Lemercier, the group often assists with invalidity claims, negotiating, drafting and licensing research agreements, and defending companies in patent infringement claims. Lemercier is ably supported by Tom Blanchet.

DTMV & Associés is well known for handling patent litigation for a client base of pharmaceutical, automotive, and telecoms sector entities across France and Europe. Thierry Mollet-Viéville has a strong track record in litigation, and Pascal Lefort acts as counsel to clients in the luxury goods, fashion, advertising, automotive, and electronics industries. Litigators Eléonore Gaspar and Thomas Cuche, and Laurine Janin-Reynaud and Grimaud Valat, are other key practitioners to note.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s patents team advises across the spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters. The group works closely with the firm's London and Milan offices to provide comprehensive support to clients in relation to patent claims in multiple jurisdictions. Infringement and nullity actions are other key drivers of work for the department. Practice head Alexandra Neri has an excellent track record in handling litigation. Frédéric Chevallier handles high-value and complex multi-jurisdictional patent matters within the pharmaceuticals sector. Suzanne Carayol is singled out for her contributions.

Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP' patents practice excels in handling cross-border patent disputes, leveraging the firm’s international network to represent companies from a wide range of sectors before the French and European courts. Led by patent litigator Stanislas Roux-Vaillard, the team is regularly instructed in patent matters by clients in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. Adrien Bonnet is very experienced in handling major patent infringement litigation, and is recognised for his strength in advising on FRAND matters across multiple European jurisdictions.

Under the leadership of Jean-Frédéric Gaultier and Grégoire Triet, the team at Taliens is well placed to advise on high-value, international patent infringement matters, and is equally strong in advisory work, often assisting with the development of license agreements and technology transfers. The client base includes telecoms, pharmaceutical, medical and mechanics entities.

Bignon Lebray is home to a robust patents practice. The team is adept at advising on a broad spectrum of matters, including R&D agreements, trade secrets matters and licensing issues, and has recognised strength in handling patent litigation, including infringement claims and validity and nullity actions. Under the leadership of life sciences expert Barbara Bertholet, the group is regularly instructed by start-ups, public sector companies, government entities and investment funds in work within both France and the EU.

At De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés, the patents team has an excellent reputation for its expertise in patent litigation and transactional matters, and often acts in tandem with the tax and M&A groups in order to provide comprehensive support on mandates. Key areas of instruction for the team include patent licensing, joint ventures and research agreements, and the department has a solid track record in advising life sciences companies on patent portfolio protection issues within French and EU jurisdictions. The practice is led by the quartet of Louis de Gaulle, Julien Horn, Francine Le Péchon-Joubert, and Cécile Théard-Jallu.

Reed Smith’s patents group is well known for working with the firm’s US IP practice in order to assist media, luxury and automotive clients with patent litigation spanning multiple jurisdictions. Licensing issues, settlement negotiations and freedom-to-operate matters are other key drivers of work for the team, which has a solid track record in appearing before French and EU IP offices.

ADVANT Altana is active in contentious patent matters, and often advises on patent infringement, invalidity and ownership claims and injunction actions. Cross-border disputes are a key driver of work for the group, which acts for clients in the telecoms, electronics and medical industries. The practice, which is led by the triumvirate of Armand Aviges, Pierre Lubet, and Jean-Guy de Ruffray, is equally adept at assisting with non-contentious matters, and the team is well versed in assisting with R&D agreements, the management of patents pertaining to inventions, patent audits and licensing matters, to name a few areas of strength.

CMS Francis Lefebvre's patents practice is centred around contentious work, acting for life sciences, electronics and mechanical sector clients in patent litigation. The group also works in tandem with patent experts in the firm's wider international network to handle disputes pertaining patent ownership between employers and employees, patent infringement litigation and associated claims for damages. Led by Jean-Baptiste Thiénot, the team is also adept at advising on R&D and licensing agreements and portfolio audits.

At DLA Piper, the patents team has established experience in working closely with the firm's wider global network to support clients with patent matters. The group is also recognised for its expertise in advising on cross-border patent litigation, as well as infringement, contractual and enforcement issues. Led by Frank Valentin, the practice is equally adept at assisting with the management of patent portfolios, rights audits and distribution agreements. The client base includes prominent pharmaceutical companies, TMT entities and life sciences companies.

Marie Fillon heads the patents practice at Goodwin, which draws on the strength of the firm's international platform to provide support to clients in the life sciences sector on the IP aspects of M&A deals, the management of patent portfolios, and licensing and collaboration agreements. R&D agreement matters are also prominent in the team's workload. On the contentious side, the group has a solid track record in representing medtech and biotech clients in patent disputes.

Lavoix‘s team is sought after for its expertise in advising on a broad range of patent matters, often for clients in the luxury goods and life sciences sectors, both within France and wider EU jurisdictions. Led by Camille Pecnard, the group’s workload includes trade secrets matters and infringement actions. Pharmaceutical law expert Pierre Emmanuel Meynard and Martin Simonnet are key names to note.