< Back to latest news & events

Awards

HGF ranked in the Financial Times special report 2021

June 2021

HGF has been ranked in the Financial Times special report ‘Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms’ published on the 17th June 2021.

More than 10,000 patent attorneys working in patent law firms or in the patent departments of companies, as well as clients, were directly invited to take part in the survey. Survey participants could recommend firms both in general and by specialities, categorised into six sectors. The sample was collected via research conducted by Statista on relevant company websites, in publications and from the EPI (the Institute of Professional Representatives Before the European Patent Office), the professional body representing European patent attorneys.

The firm is one of the leading firms of IP specialists in Europe, with 22 offices across Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK, and is internationally recognised by its peers across these core areas of technology.

The firm has a clear strategic growth plan under the leadership of Paul Sanderson, CEO. The firm has continued to expand across Europe in 2021 with the opening of our latest offices in Rennes, France.  Our continued expansion reflects our commitment to providing the highest quality service both now and in the future across Europe.

As a firm we are committed to building strong client relationships and delivering outstanding service from our offices across Europe. We continue to deepen our understanding of the client experience and provide tailor made solutions for our clients in Europe and around the world and we are delighted to be ranked and believe it is our integrated approach. Our multidisciplinary specialist teams collaborate across Europe, working together to deliver each individual client’s needs.

For the full report see here.

Latest updates

The Antibody Series #5 | Epitope-defined antibody claims: when “binds to this epitope” becomes a risk of insufficiency

The Boards of Appeal of the EPO (BoA) are the appeal body that reviews decisions made at the EPO; here, they reviewed an appeal in opposition proceedings after the revocation …

Read article

The Deity Shoes case: a question of design activity and the constraints on a designer’s freedom

The footwear brand Deity Shoes sought to enforce their Community Design rights, both registered and unregistered, against Mundorama Confort and Stay Design. However, Mundorama Confort and Stay Design found fault …

Read article

The Antibody Series #4 | pH points in antibody claims: when “same pH ” becomes an addition of matter

The Boards of Appeal of the EPO (BoA) are the appeal body that reviews EPO decisions; in this case, they reviewed a revocation in opposition of a patent relating to …

Read article

The Antibody Series #3 | Antibody code names in claims: why “ACZ885” is not sufficient to define the antibody

The Boards of Appeal of the EPO (BoA) are the appeal body that reviews EPO decisions. In this case, they examined a claim that identified an antibody by an internal …

Read article
Event - 3rd February 2026

HGF Brand & Design Conference 2026

Join us on 3rd February 2026 for HGF’s Brand & Design Conference, the must attend event for in-house legal teams, brand leaders, creatives, and innovators shaping the future of IP. …

Event details

Office Closed Dates December 2025 / January 2026

HGF Office Closed Dates December 2025 / January 2026   UK Thursday 25 and Friday 26 December 2025 CLOSED Thursday 1 January 2026* CLOSED * Friday 2 January 2026 – …

Read article
Event - 14th January 2026

Seminar on The aftermath of G1/24 - has anything changed?

HGF is hosting a The aftermath of G1/24 – has anything changed? Which will be followed by networking, apero, and snacks. The Seminar will be held on Wednesday, 14th January …

Event details

Zombie Fashion Brands

Episode 4 Zombie Fashion Brands  

Read article