Denise Benz
Denise advises technology companies in relation to their IP rights, especially in the context of complex patent disputes across a range of industries. 

Clients turn to her as a trusted business advisor and legal counsel for her technical and legal expertise and her client-centric strategic, pragmatic and thorough approach. 

Denise offers advice to clients in advance of litigation and represents clients in court, in particular in patent infringement and validity proceedings before all German patent litigation chambers, the UPC, the Federal Patent Court (including appeal proceedings before the Federal Supreme Court) and the European Patent Office, as well as in arbitration proceedings. Her expertise covers a wide range of industries and technologies, in particular mechanical engineering, telecommunications and IT (including software), electronics, semiconductors and medical devices. Denise regularly acts in litigation concerning standard-essential patents (SEP) and specializes in the interface of patents and antitrust law (FRAND). She is also frequently involved in complex cross-border patent disputes, coordinating proceedings in multiple jurisdictions. 

Denise was featured as “One to Watch” by JUVE Patent in 2022 and is ranked as a “Recommended Individual” in Patent Litigation by JUVE and JUVE Patent. Further awards include being ranked as “Rising Star” by Managing IP (2019-2024), by The Legal 500 (2021 to 2023) and by the LMG Media Group Expert Guides (2022), and as a “Next Generation Partner” by The Legal 500 (2024). World IP Review recognized her as one of 20 female global “Trailblazers” in 2021 and as “Diversity Champion” in 2023. Best Lawyers featured her as "One to Watch" in 2023. 

 

Expertise

Industries

Recognition

Coming on leaps and bounds and skillfully sets the tone in the courtroom.
JUVE Patent, 2022

Awards

  • Patent Litigation, One to Watch and Recommended Individual, JUVE Patent, 2022
  • Patent Disputes, Rising Star, Managing Intellectual Property, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022
  • Patent Litigation, Rising Star, The Legal 500, 2021 and 2022
  • Patents, Rising Star, LMG Media Group Expert Guides, 2022
  • Trailblazer, World IP Review
  • Intellectual Property Law, One to Watch, Best Lawyers, 2022 and 2023

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted to the German Bar

Academic

Second German Law Degree, Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt, Germany

First German Law Degree, University of Würzburg, Germany

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.