Intellectual Property: Israel

THE FIRM This firm is distinguished by the breadth of its IP offering, and advises clients on a range of patent, trade mark and copyright issues. Its skills in drafting, filing, prosecution and litigation are complemented by its specialised scientific and technical nous. Areas of expertise include advising pharmaceutical companies on patent issues, and representing major international names in anti-counterfeiting endeavours.

Sources say: "An excellent firm." "A very good litigation practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Shlomo Cohen is an iconic figure in this field, described as "one of the best IP litigators in Israel." The highly regarded Liad Whatstein is head of the firm's litigation practice, and has valuable experience in technological matters.

THE FIRM Gilat, Bareket & Co is the litigation and licensing branch of the well-reputed Reinhold Cohn group. It has notable strength in the pharmaceutical sector, where it serves an impressive roster of clients including Pharma Israel and Genetech. In standout trade mark matters, the firm represented Tnuva in its infringement and passing-off suit against dairy manufacturer Arava Foods. Further trade mark highlights include enforcement measures taken on behalf of Abercrombie & Fitch, Puma and Lacoste.

Sources say: "Very responsive, proactive and strategic." "I appreciate them very highly, and enjoy working with them every time."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Gilat is "a very wise man with a very strategic way of thinking – he has a good understanding of our needs." Practice highlights include representing Israel Aerospace Industries in patent infringement proceedings. Eran Bareket is a driving force of the firm, and represents a number of the firm's pharmaceutical clients in litigation.

THE FIRM Patent litigation is a forte of this firm, which attracts a high volume of related cases from major multinational names. The team represented GlaxoSmithKline in several patent disputes, and acted for Merck in litigation both locally and in Sweden. Alongside its activities in the pharmaceutical sector, the practice's workload also includes an increasing number of hi-tech matters. In non-patent highlights, the group advised Hasbro on obtaining confiscation orders against counterfeit toys. 

Sources say: "They are completely professional and have the clients' interests at heart."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Luthi is an influential figure described as "one of the best patent litigators in Israel." Christopher Brice has 30 years of experience, and his scientific background and UK training prove invaluable in international patent work. Daniel Lerner is described as "an excellent litigation attorney – extremely thoughtful and frequently relied upon."

THE FIRM This team is renowned for its formidable litigation expertise, which is regularly sought by Teva in the company's numerous patent disputes. The pharmaceutical giant uses the firm for an array of IP matters, seeking its counsel on trade marks, trade secrets, copyright and designs. Other litigation clients include big-ticket multinationals such as Allergan, Endemol International and the Anheuser-Busch Corporation. On the non-contentious side, the practice handles licensing work for Yeda and for Ramot, which are the technology transfer arms of the Weizmann Institute of Science and Tel Aviv University respectively.

Sources say: "A big commercial firm that's been in IP for years." "They're obviously very strong in litigation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tal Band is singled out by commentators as an excellent litigator and consultant. He acts as the key contact partner for Teva. Avi Ordo is a "a developing star," who co-manages the firm's patents, trade marks and designs prosecution department.

THE FIRM This IP boutique has two offices in Israel and two in the USA, so is a valuable port of call for cross-border work. The firm offers the full gamut of services to its international clients, which range from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Recent highlights include the successful Israeli registration of McDonald's slogan 'I'm lovin' it', following its initial rejection by Israel's Patent and Trademark Office. In other matters, the firm has handled trade mark prosecution and litigation for clients including Christian Dior Couture, Levi Strauss and Nice Systems.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nachman Cohen-Zedek is a senior partner based in the Herzliya office, who has considerable expertise in representing international companies in IP litigation. Managing partner Zeev Pearl chairs the US side of the practice from New York and has several decades of IP experience, both in-house and as external counsel. Guy Yonay is a New York-based specialist in patent work and litigation, whose client roster features a number of hi-tech names.

THE FIRM This firm offers valuable expertise in all areas of IP disputes. It specialises particularly in plant breeders' rights, in which field standout matters include representing a major Israeli plant breeder in an appeal before the Jerusalem District Court. The team's expertise also covers patent and copyright litigation, and its strength in combating trade mark infringements is called upon by famous international brands such as Gucci, Nivea and IKEA. In work for local companies, the practice defended a leading Dead Sea cosmetics manufacturer and exporter in a passing-off claim.

Sources say: "Everything is on time." "I can only say warm things about them – I think they're excellent."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Arnan Gabrieli is held in high regard by clients, who assert that "he's a famous and distinguished lawyer for a reason – he's very focused, and thinks deeply." Nahum Gabrieli takes a leading role in the firm and is recommended for his practical advice and business-oriented approach.

THE FIRM This boutique advises clients on complex IP enforcement and litigation matters relating to patents, trade marks, designs and copyright, and offers significant sector experience in IT and online issues. It represented Canadian clothing company Lululemon Athletica in a domain name infringement case, and acted for locally based online client Creopolis in trade secret and copyright infringement proceedings.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dan Adin has a strong reputation for his IP expertise, which spans both contentious and non-contentious issues in patents, trade marks and copyright. Prior to co-founding the firm, Eran Liss worked in-house at an internet company, bolstering his experience in online matters.

THE FIRM This firm provides a wide-ranging offering to several investors in the Israeli market, advising clients on patent licensing and proactive copyright protection, among other matters. Highlights include assisting the Time to Know Group with the development of its global patent and trade mark strategy, and defending Albemarle Corporation against challenges to its filing of three Israeli patents for flame retardants.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tally Eitan is a commercially focused lawyer who has considerable experience in European and US enforcement matters, and receives high praise from clients and international counsel. Shirley Gal-Zaken is "highly knowledgeable," and a "very good lawyer for prosecutions."

THE FIRM This practice works closely with the firm's M&A team, advising corporate clients on IP due diligence and negotiations. Its workload also includes trade mark prosecution, licensing agreements, and an increasing amount of customs enforcement work and litigation. Dispute highlights include successfully representing Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí in copyright and trade mark infringement proceedings before the District Court of Tel Aviv.

Sources say: "The quality of services is outstanding." "What I really appreciate is their availability."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Karen Elburg is a key contact. Neil Wilkof, who for many years was the firm's top IP lawyer, left to join Dr. Eyal Bressler & Co in late 2011.

THE FIRM The IP department at this commercial firm represents a strong contingent of technology companies in their IP concerns, with related highlights including advising Voltaire on negotiating its open source licence with IBM. It also offers considerable litigation expertise, which attracts clients such as Apple, Bristol-Myers Squibb and three of the largest mobile carriers in Israel.

Sources say: "We used them for our global strategy and they were great – they took all the grey areas out and presented us with the options."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Mirchin heads Meitar's technology group and receives excellent feedback from clients, who describe him as "very practical and very responsive – he's been spectacular." Yoav Oestreicher joined the firm in 2010, having previously worked at Gilat, Bareket & Co, and is heavily involved in the litigation side of the practice.

THE FIRM This firm receives widespread praise from market sources, and offers capabilities in both patent prosecution and litigation. It advises a broad range of clients on their IP portfolios, including local companies, universities and multinational corporations, and the team's cumulative experience spans a variety of technological and scientific fields.

Sources say: "A very strong IP practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Eitan Shaulsky is head of the litigation department, and is particularly highly praised for his work in trade mark issues. Peers describe him as "a smart guy, and very experienced."

THE FIRM IP litigation is a cornerstone of this firm's workload, which also includes patent, trade mark and design prosecutions. Its broad range of sector experience covers the electrical, pharmaceutical and online industries. The team includes individuals who are qualified in the USA, which is an asset to clients seeking to protect their rights abroad.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Eran Soroker is a respected adviser and litigator, lauded for his extensive IP experience.