Reed Smith ramps up IP in Munich

Reed Smith has tapped Herbert Smith's German alliance partner Gleiss Lutz for a Munich IP hire.

Alexander Klett, a specialist in areas of copyright, trademark, design, unfair competition and media law, has joined Reed Smith as a partner to launch the firm's IP practice in Germany.

Reed Smith's Munich managing partner Stefan Kugler said Klett's expertise will enhance the firm's existing media, entertainment and broadcasting offering in Germany, which is led by partner Stephan Rippert.

Reed Smith's Munich branch is one of the smaller offices in the firm's network with eight partners. Globally the firm has a large IP practice with 117 lawyers working across locations including London, San Francisco and New York.

Belinda Paisley, Reed Smith Richards Butler partner and head of the commercial disputes group for Europe and the Middle East, said: "One of our key aims is to attract strong talent, such as Alexander, to the firm. Over the last year, 14 partners have joined our European and Middle Eastern offices. These appointments enhance our offering to clients in the key business sectors and jurisdictions in which they operate. Alexander's appointment will help us to attract high-end IP instructions from existing and new clients based in Europe and the US."