Attorney-at-law Stephan Nicolas Schneller

Stephan Schneller is founding partner of SCHNELLER LEGAL, a Munich-based boutique law firm specializing in industrial property and IP law. With over 25 years of extensive in depth experience in intellectual property, among its peers he is recognized by „Bestlawyers“ as one of Germany’s leading experts in the IP field.

Previously, Stephan Schneller spent more than 20 years at one of Germany’s leading IP boutique firms (Maiwald), serving as both Managing Director and Partner. His professional focus spans all aspects of trademark, design, community design, competition, media, advertising, internet law, and litigation before national and EU courts.

As an experienced IP litigator, Stephan Schneller represents companies of all sizes – from sole proprietors and startups to SMEs and multinational corporations, including research institutions. He places a strong emphasis on clear strategies, rapid response times, and transparent client communication.

He conducts main and injunction proceedings before all relevant German courts, including the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) – for example, in the landmark case BGH I ZR 276/99 “Klosterbrauerei”. For over 25 years, he has also handled all proceedings before the EUIPO (EU Trademark & Design Office) and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), achieving precedents for successful outcomes, such as CJEU C-192/03 “BSS”.

Stephan Schneller is also an IP speaker at conferences, for clients, and for startups, including engagements at the Entrepreneurship Center (now Start2 Group GmbH) in Munich.