Taylor Wessing is expanding its IP practice and has recruited Dr Michael Schneider, a renowned lawyer in the field of patent litigation, as a new equity partner. Michael Schneider will move from the law firm Eisenführ Speiser to Taylor Wessing’s Munich office on 1 June 2026 and will advise national and international clients on intellectual property matters, with a focus on patent and utility model law. IP expert Philipp Neels will also move across from Eisenführ Speiser to join Taylor Wessing as a salary partner.
“We are delighted to have secured for our firm the services of Michael Schneider and Philipp Neels, who are both proven experts in patent law. Their extensive experience in complex, cross-border patent infringement and invalidity proceedings – particularly in the mobile communications, medical technology and high-tech engineering sectors – strategically strengthens our IP team and underlines our commitment to advising international clients at the highest level in technically and legally demanding proceedings” says Dr Oliver Bertram, Managing Partner in Germany and Global Chair at Taylor Wessing.
“With Michael Schneider and Philipp Neels, we are expanding our range of services to include excellent expertise, particularly in the enforcement and FRAND licensing of standard-essential patents, as well as in the development of sustainable enforcement strategies. This is a major asset for our clients and our international patent litigation team,” comments Dr Gisbert Hohagen, Head of the Patents, Technology & Life Sciences practice group.
Patent law at Taylor Wessing
With the largest IP practice in Europe, Taylor Wessing is recognised nationally and internationally for providing the best patent and IP advice with a strong focus on the UPC. As a leading pan-European law firm, Taylor Wessing brings together its expertise from several European countries within a dedicated UPC group to provide clients with optimal support in complex patent litigation proceedings. The renowned practice of the Taylor Wessing European Powerhouse advises technology-driven and innovative companies – from start-ups to global corporations. Clients from the life sciences and technology sectors, including the pharmaceutical, precision and personalised medicine, medical devices, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, software and automotive sectors, rely on the team’s expertise. The lawyers represent clients in international patent infringement, vindication and employee invention proceedings, as well as in parallel invalidity and opposition proceedings, and draft patent licence agreements, R&D collaborations and know-how agreements.
