Who’s Who Life Sciences 2010

“Pierre Véron of Véron & Associés is considered "first class" for patent litigation and a “leading light" of the Paris bar. At the same firm Isabelle Romet and Sabine Agé are also noted for their IP disputes work.”

Chambers Europe 2010

Véron & Associés

"Consensus heralds this small boutique firm as a clear leader in patent litigation in France. With 12 lawyers fully dedicated to the area, the group is described as "a magnificent team doing a wonderful job." Active in all industry sectors from pharmaceuticals and mechanics to electronics and telecommunications, the team provides a first-class service to its clients, who appreciate the fact that "the lawyers can explain complex matters in easily understandable terms." The group successfully represented L'Oréal through 11 years of proceedings, eventually helping them to receive the highest out-of-court settlement ever seen in France in a patent infringement case. The team also acted for Chiron (now Novartis Vaccines) on the first ever case of a molecular biology patent brought before a French court. Considered a towering figure in patent litigation, Pierre Véron is a highly respected and leading specialist. Clients appreciate his well-structured arguments and approachability. Excellent practitioner Isabelle Romet focuses on trade mark cases, patent validity, infringement and licence disputes. She is often involved in international cases relating to complex technologies."

MIP World IP Contacts Handbook 2010

"Véron & Associés remains strong in patent contentious work and its reputation is recognised by competitors. "Véron is a good firm in patents, they are specialised in patents," says one attorney, while another adds: "Véron, yes I'm not surprised they are at the top in patents." This year the firm successfully acted for Agilent Technologies against Waters securing 4.5 million in damages in a patent infringement case regarding a chromatography pump.
The firm also represented L'Oréal in its case against Bourjois, an 11 - year action that resulted in the highest out-of-court settlement known in France for a patent infringement case.
Schindler also called in the team to advise on a successful invalidation claim against two patents held by fellow elevator manufacturer Otis."

Le guide des Cabinets d’avocats d’affaires, 2010, Caura Barszcz

Our opinion

“The patent, the whole patent and nothing but the patent. More specifically patent litigation, at the highest level and the best cases. A reputation that has not been usurped for this boutique firm, professional, exceedingly pleasant, showing steady growth and developing by surrounding itself with skilled people (and not necessarily lawyers either). Led by tight-knit home grown leadership and directed by the ever young Pierre Véron. “Patent litigation is at the crossroads of many areas of expertise” he confirms.

The website has been completely redesigned, which reflects this level of complexity but also the user-friendliness and pedagogical approach. “Our work is also a job of intelligent transmission and we have created the pedagogical support to get to the heart of the matter”. In the United States, there are specialized agencies working with law firms in preparing visual supports for use in the law courts. Since they do not exist in Europe, the law firm has created its in-house team with graphic designers and a former professor of physics and chemistry.

Intelligent and original. Other originality, a “statistical database” based on data gathering through a network managed by the law firm on patent litigation (approximately 20 countries), giving an international vision of the development of the subject. In here you find that China comes second to the US and that France is in 5th place in terms of volume of patent litigation.

Véron & Associés is part of a network of independent law firms. “This is reassuring for the client who can at an instant mobilise teams of leading lawyers in the field; for a multinational case we are technically as geared up as global law firms”, confirms Isabelle Romet, one of the partners (here the gender ratio is a reality!).

Since our last edition of this publication, the law firm has doubled in size and in turnover. New associates have joined to strengthen the teams, in the areas of economic damage assessment. Also part of the team, a law professor who supervises legal research, a lawyer specialised in economic litigation. An interesting development in an environment where French competition is giving way to international players.

The law firm’s two offices work hand-in-glove: the partners are based in Paris and the support in Lyon. “Video conferencing is on without interruption. The fact that there are two sites is irrelevant, the teams dealing with a case can be mixed”, assures partner Sabine Agé. “The reform concerning patent prosecution may facilitate in reinforcing our scientific team”, says Thomas Bouvet.

The university is neglecting patents? To counteract this, the law firm has decided to institute an award for best thesis in this field. “It was a way to encourage commitment. It is a long-term investment and allows us to recruit intelligent people and to facilitate exchange; it is very informative”.

Véron & Associés privileges direct contact with companies and the client base is over 55% non-French. Clients take direct contact or are referred by peers. This top level law firm does not plan to diversify but is today facing uncertainties: the merger between lawyers and patent attorneys, the future profile of the European patent court system…

In an era where everything goes very fast, the law firm handles cases that are sometimes lengthy battles, like the case that lasted 11 years and on which 80% of the law firm worked. “These complicated, multi-faceted cases are those from which we gain insight and experience that we use in future cases. Litigation has changed. There has been a cultural revolution. Where before a heavy case would last three years in the first instance court [Tribunal de grande instance], it will now only last one year. Which requires being more numerous and to follow the tempo. The court has adapted its way of working: the hearings are interactive, which means we have to adapt too. The judges have more experience and play their part”, underlines Sabine Agé.

We like that this law firm knows how to turn towards the outside world, adapt itself, and stay ahead. We also appreciate that the people are sympathetic, approachable and not self-important and that a constructive atmosphere prevails in the law firm. We highlight the fact that Véron & Associés announced in June 2009 the free on-line access to the Dossier Brevets www.dossiersbrevets.info”  

Intellectual Asset Management Intellectual Asset Management

“With “one of the best reputations in Europe for patent litigation”, Pierre Véron of Véron & Associés is a “superb all-rounder who handles life sciences cases with the same brilliance as he does all areas of patent litigation”.

Véron & Associés partner Sabine Agé draws praise from market observers, especially for her work for pharmaceutical giant Novartis.

A doctor of law whose PhD centred on plant breeders' rights infringement, Thomas Bouvet garners impressive reviews and is a "pillar of the Véron & Associés life sciences team".”