Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has hired Dr. Philipp Cepl as an IP partner in its Disputes practice in Düsseldorf.
Philipp has a broad patent litigation practice that covers the tech, life sciences (including pharma, medical devices and biotechnology) and automotive sectors. He represents domestic and international clients in patent infringement and validity cases before the UPC and national German courts, including the Federal Patent Court (BPatG). He has participated in more than 150 patent infringement cases over the course of his 20+ year career.
Philipp's hire follows the arrival of IP litigator Florian Schmidt-Bogatzky in Düsseldorf in March last year. Philipp will work alongside Florian as well as partner Dr Ina vom Feld, enabling the firm to offer a three-partner team in Germany to support clients on the full range of patent litigation, including tech and life sciences.
Sebastian Moore, Head of Intellectual Property at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, comments: "Germany continues to be an important market for our IP team as well as our clients as the strategic forum of choice for patent disputes in the region and a significant jurisdiction for litigation in the Unified Patent Court. Philipp is an experienced litigator who will complement the strengths of our existing partners and deepen the expertise we can offer to clients across Europe."
Kai Liebrich, Managing Partner, Germany, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, comments: "We continue to see significant growth opportunities in IP litigation in Germany and Philipp's arrival expands our offering to clients. We are delighted to welcome him on board."
"With Philipp Cepl, we are strengthening an important part of our disputes offering in Germany, which covers all areas relevant to global businesses – from arbitration, including investment arbitration, to commercial litigation and antitrust disputes, to financial regulatory law including disputes, and compliance investigations," explains Dr. Patricia Nacimiento, Head of the German Disputes practice.
Philipp Cepl comments: "HSF Kramer provides an outstanding platform for patent litigation. It comprises a highly reputable pan-European team aligned with a strong network in other jurisdictions that offers global reach for clients – the perfect platform for me to continue and expand my patent practice."
Alongside Philipp and Florian, the firm has grown in Germany over the past 18 months through the hires of Disputes partner Hannah Eckhoff, Corporate partners Dr Oliver Duys, Dr Wilhelm Nolting-Hauff and Dr Nikita Tkatchenko, and Disputes legal advisor Prof Dr Jürgen Stock.
Philipp's arrival also marks further growth for the firm across its EMEA platform. Earlier this month, the firm welcomed banking and finance partner Laurent Massinon in Luxembourg. In November 2025, Emanuela Da Rin, along with a team of four lawyers, joined as a partner to lead the firm's Banking and Finance practice in Milan while partners Laurence Bary (Competition, Regulation and Trade) and Mohammed Al Eshaikh (Corporate) joined the firm's Paris and Riyadh offices respectively in September 2025.