Dusseldorf Is Fun to Say, Maybe That Explains BigLaw Firm Launching Office There

LONDON - Howrey is set to launch in Duesseldorf with the hire of Christoph Lenz, the local office head of intellectual property (IP) firm Bardehle Pagenberg.

The new base will open for business in September 2010 and will specialise in patent litigation. Lenz will head up the office alongside one associate, and work closely with Joachim Feldges, the managing partner of Howrey's Munich office and co-chair of the firm's IP practice.

Howrey is planning to add an antitrust team to the new office soon after the launch to work alongside the firm's antitrust practices in Brussels, Paris, Madrid and London.

Feldges said: "Since we started our operations in Germany we have always kept in mind that Duesseldorf is a very important place and the number one place for patent litigation in the region.

"We have handled many cases there from our Munich office, so it made sense to now establish a proper presence there. Howrey will continue to expand its base in Europe in line with the firm's focus and clients."

Lenz said: "Through its international expansion in the US, Europe and Asia and its clear focus on antitrust, intellectual property and litigation, Howrey can immediately form teams of specialists of all sizes for complex litigation matters. This is particularly important for the success of international patent proceedings."

The new office is Howrey's seventh base in Europe alongside Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Madrid, Munich and Paris.