Who’s Who 2007

"With one partner named in our elite group of practitioners, Véron & Associés claims particular honours. Pierre Véron is described as "a real authority on French patent law”, specialising in patent litigation. He is joined on these pages by Isabelle Romet, whose practice has a similar focus. Romet is a member of AlPPl, the European Patent Lawyers Association and the French Licensing Executive Society.”

Chambers Europe 2007

“The Firm: This highly respected French IP boutique is frequently endorsed by clients as "the best address for high profile patent litigation" a reputation substantiated by the firm's impressive record of court triumphs in the field. Competitors concede that the group's lawyers "are deservedly renowned, because they are sharp, ethical and worthy opponents.” The team principally handles actions for infringement, patent invalidity, patent ownership and compensation of employees' inventions. Where cross border work is concerned, the firm is considered more than able to compete with its international rivals, since its lawyers have a perfect command of English and often team up with prominent foreign patent lawyers.

The Lawyers: Founding partner Pierre Véron is "a name that naturally springs to mind for patent litigation” This "charismatic advocate” continues to attract an overwhelming amount of praise for his "dedication and first-rate legal mind” He divides his time between the firm's Paris and Lyon offices. Isabelle Romet impresses clients with her "deep understanding of patent and technology law” Clients/Work Highlights: The group's impressive client base include Air Liquid, Alcatel, sanofi-aventis, bioMérieux, CNRS, DuPont, Fuji Photo Film, Hewlett- Packard, Honeywell, Intel, L'Oréal, Nestlé, Novartis, Procter & Gamble, Rhodia, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Sony, Tefal; Toshiba and Unisantis.”

Legal 500 US 2007

“Véron & Associés is entirely dedicated to patent litigation in industry sectors including pharmaceuticals, mechanics, electronics, telecommunications and consumer products. The firm boasts 12 lawyers split between its Paris and Lyon offices and is able to work in both French and English. It has extensive experience in handling cross-border disputes.”

Legal 500 EMEA 2007

“Véron & Associés is entirely dedicated to patent litigation in industry sectors including pharmaceuticals, mechanics, electronics, telecommunications and consumer products. The firm boasts 12 lawyers split between its Paris and Lyon offices and is able to work in both French and English. It has extensive experience in handling cross-border disputes.”

Legal 500 Paris 2007

“Véron & Associés has become a must-go-to law firm for patent litigation on which it is entirely focused. The firm boasts 12 lawyers amongst which 4 partners, split between its Paris and Lyon offices. Present in industry sectors including pharmaceuticals, mechanics, electronics, telecommunications and consumer products. The law firm is frequently involved in handling cross-border disputes.”

MIP World IP Contacts Handbook 2007

“Patent litigation boutique Véron & Associés retains its position as the top firm for patent contentious work in France. With a total of 30 staff working in more than 1000 square metres of office space located in both Paris and Lyon, the firm comprises 10 lawyers working in French and English. Véron specializes in pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, electronics, mechanics and plant breeders' rights. The firm recently acted for Bayer CropScience to recover its patent rights on an important invention relating to genetically modified corn, Air Liquide in a patent infringement case concerning liquid gas bottles and 3M in a patent infringement case concerning a process for manufacturing an antiarhythmic drug. Other high profile clients include L'Oréal, Honeywell, Novartis, Sandoz, Chiron and Novartis Animal Health. Clients refer to Véron & Associés as "an excellent firm who really pay attention to a client's needs and know how to integrate themselves into a company strategy”. Partners Pierre Véron, Isabelle Romet and Sabine Agé are highly regarded by clients.”

PLC Which Lawyer 2007

“The intellectual property market in France is an interesting mix of strong French IP boutiques, international firms with single practice excellence in Paris, and large full-service corporate powerhouses. French IP niche firms Véron & Associés and Gaultier Lakits Szleper vie for the position of best IP one-stop shop in France. Their respective name partners, Pierre Véron and Geoffroy Gaultier, largely contribute to the firms' foothold in the market.”

Guide des cabinets d’avocats d’affaires 2007

“Our opinion

With offices in both Paris and Lyon, Pierre Véron and his likeable team of 11 lawyers have created an exceptional niche. A niche recognised nationally and internationally covering all matters relating to patent litigation.
The law firm defines itself as “…a French law firm whose activity is entirely devoted to patent litigation, i.e. infringement, invalidity, licences and other agreements, ownership claim, employees' inventions” and similar titles such as plant breeders' rights. “We handle trademark, design, copyright and unfair competition issues when they are related to a patent litigation” explain the partners. A niche situated at the top-end of the market; whilst keeping his local attachments dating back to the days of Lamy Véron Ribeyre when Pierre Véron set out on his own in 2001, handles what is considered to be most prestigious companies to whom patents are of strategic importance.
The culture is international (the lawyers work in both English and French) and the case files are often complex in nature.
The correct choice was made by these lawyers and the results follow confirming the strategy. The law firm has established itself on the market and organisationally, created a logo a graphic charter is about to change its website, recruited a Communications Manager. In brief, it has become professional. Everything we like that contributes to the development of a real company. Its Paris headquarters has recently moved offices, to larger and more functional premises.
A slight drawback; its relatively modest set-up that requires a permanent presence and which can cause time management problems. “Availability, pro-activity, information, co-operation” are however, put to the fore.
To achieve this, a unique IT tool has been put into place “…a result of almost 20 years of experience in current technological developments of micro-computer science in document production, research and internal and external communication”. A plus!

Internal organisation

The firm possesses the know-how; both human and material, to meet the demands of technically complex patent cases requiring international involvement (integrated translation service, electronic document management and advanced scientific and graphical software).
It is constantly involved in litigations developing simultaneously throughout several countries, and for which the coordination of domestic lawyer teams is a major concern.
Its members devote a substantial part of their activities to research and teaching in French and European centres (C.E.I.P.I. an International Centre of Industrial Property Studies, Centre Paul Roubier, CUERPI Intellectual Property Centre de Vérone, E.M. Lyon).
Véron & Associés’ members are co-authors of Saisie-contrefaçon, published in the Dalloz Référence series.”