K&L Gates Strengthens European IP Practice with Munich-Based Partners and Team

Global law firm K&L Gates has announced the addition of intellectual property partners Dr. Christian Wende and Markus Eustermann, along with their nine-person team, to its Munich office. The group, which includes patent attorneys, trainees, and specialists, joins K&L Gates from WENDE IP, a boutique German IP law firm founded by Wende and Eustermann.

Dr. Wende and Mr. Eustermann bring a broad spectrum of expertise in intellectual property matters, including patents, trademarks, designs, and utility models. Their practice notably encompasses advising clients on Unified Patent Court (UPC) proceedings and coordinating patent enforcement strategies throughout Europe.

Together, they have developed a European IP practice serving a diverse client base ranging from startups and venture-backed companies to multinational corporations. Their work spans patent prosecution, portfolio management, and disputes before the UPC, assisting clients in protecting, managing, and enforcing intellectual property rights across European jurisdictions.

Dr. Martina Ortner, Co-Managing Partner for Germany at K&L Gates, commented on the acquisition: “Christian and Markus have established a highly regarded intellectual property practice advising innovative companies across Europe on complex patent and other intellectual property matters. Their addition expands our intellectual property capabilities in one of Europe’s leading innovation and patent markets and further strengthens our ability to advise clients on patent protection, enforcement, and UPC-related matters across jurisdictions. We are pleased to welcome Christian, Markus, and their team to K&L Gates.”

Jason Engel, lead practice area leader for K&L Gates’ global Intellectual Property practice, added, “The team brings significant experience in patent prosecution, litigation, portfolio management, and strategic counseling across a broad range of technologies, including proceedings before the UPC. Their work complements our global intellectual property platform and strengthens the capabilities we offer emerging companies, investors, and multinational businesses seeking to protect, manage, and enforce intellectual property assets worldwide.”

Dr. Wende’s practice focuses on patent, trademark, design, and utility model matters, with particular expertise advising innovative companies in the medical technology and automotive sectors. His experience includes patent prosecution, opposition and invalidation proceedings, infringement matters, and intellectual property due diligence related to mergers, acquisitions, and venture capital transactions.

Mr. Eustermann advises clients on patent prosecution, post-grant proceedings, and patent litigation, including cases before the UPC. His technical expertise covers medical devices, automotive technologies, software-related inventions, and nanotechnology. As a German and European patent lawyer and European patent litigator, he regularly counsels innovation-driven businesses on protecting and enforcing IP rights in Germany and across Europe.

The integration of Wende, Eustermann, and their team aligns with K&L Gates’ ongoing strategic investment in its European platform. This follows recent additions in London of aviation finance partner Andrew Harper, data partner Sarah Pearce, and asset management and investment funds partner Marianna Tothova, as well as international arbitration partner Maria Kostytska in Paris.

K&L Gates’ intellectual property practice comprises over 215 lawyers and professionals worldwide, including more than 110 registered patent lawyers, agents, and technology specialists with advanced science degrees, 20 of whom hold doctorates. In 2025 alone, the practice filed over 5,475 patent applications and 4,020 trademarks globally.