Taylor Wessing IP Partner Thomas Adocker appointed to the UPC as firm restructures in Europe

According to a recent announcement by the UPC, Adocker will join the Munich Central Division of the Court of First Instance as of 1 March, marking a transition from private practice to the European patent judiciary.

His departure comes shortly after Taylor Wessing confirmed that its UK partnership will separate from several continental European offices, including those in Germany and France, as part of preparations for a proposed merger with US law firm Winston & Strawn. Subject to partner approval, the combined firm is expected to operate under the name Winston Taylor from spring 2026, with UK and Benelux partners forming the core of the new entity.

Adocker has indicated that his decision to join the UPC was made independently of the merger discussions. In written comments, he explained that he had accepted the judicial role before becoming aware of any planned combination with a US firm.

Questions remain regarding the future positioning of Taylor Wessing’s Austrian office, which comprises approximately 35 lawyers. Neither the Vienna office nor the firm’s UK management has commented publicly on the matter to date.

Adocker joined Taylor Wessing in April 2023 as a partner in the IP/IT practice in Vienna, bringing over two decades of experience in patent litigation, licensing strategies and cross-border disputes. Prior to this, he was a partner at Schwarz Schönherr.

At the time of his arrival, Taylor Wessing highlighted his strong credentials in life sciences, regulatory law and patent enforcement, positioning him as a key contributor to the firm’s intellectual property and regulatory offering across Central and Eastern Europe. His practice has included high-stakes infringement proceedings, complex licensing arrangements, and advice on regulatory, franchise and distribution matters.

His appointment to the UPC underscores the growing prominence of the court in shaping European patent litigation and reflects the increasing movement of senior practitioners into judicial roles within the new patent system.

Sophie Stevenard