Most Highly Regarded Firms: Argentina 2008 - Patents
In this chapter we highlight nine leading practitioners from as many firms in Argentina. They are experts in dealing with patent issues. Owing to the broad nature of many IP practices in Argentina, a number of the individuals who feature in this chapter also appear in the trademarks section.
G Breuer is widely regarded as "Argentina's most important IP firm". Jorge Otamendi is the most highly regarded practitioner, and he received the most nominations. Otamendi is director of the Industrial Property Division at Institute of Legislative Studies at the Argentine Federation of Bar Associations. Peers regard him as "the very best" for patents and his strong intellectual property practice also encompasses the intersection between IP and antitrust - Otamendi features in the competition and trademarks chapters.
Richelet & Richelet is an intellectual property law firm based in Buenos Aires; partner Ricardo Richelet is extremely well thought of. He is a member of the firm's litigation department and his practice involves all aspects of intellectual property, including administrative and judicial proceedings before the federal courts throughout the country.
Héctor Palacio practises with Palacio & Asociados, another firm with IP at its centre. Palacio's practice was praised by clients and peers alike and he was a fixture of the research. Federico Aulmann's practice at Obligado & Cía was also highlighted for his expertise in the area of patent law. The firm is another IP boutique with a strong reputation in the market.
IP law is also the main area of expertise for Noetinger & Armando. Fernando Noetinger is a founding member of the firm and a former president of the Argentine Association of Industrial Property Agents. He is also a keen speaker, having spoken at the American Intellectual Property Law Association and various other international associations.
Marval O'Farrell & Mairal began life as a specialist IP firm and has grown to become one of Argentina's legal powerhouses. Miguel O'Farrell is well known for his patent litigation work. He teaches patents and trademarks in international law at the Escuela Argentina de la Exportación. He is currently the representative of the Argentine section of the International Federation of
Intellectual Property Attorneys and director of the Argentine chapter of the Licensing Executives Society. Graciela Claudia Perez de Inzaurraga is "a credit to her firm" - Hausheer Belgrano & Fernandez. She is the manager of the firm's foreign clients department and her practice sees her counselling both international and local companies on trademark, copyright and patent protection, and enforcement strategies. She also takes an active role in settlement negotiations over IP rights disputes.
Guillermo Cabanellas, managing partner of Cabanellas Etchebarne Kelly & Dell'Oro Maini, is "a distinguished IP professor and writer", according to one source. He is also much respected for his writing, which includes "a comprehensive book on patent law". Andres Moncayo von Hase is the partner in charge of managing the intellectual property, media and technology area at Bruchou Fernández Madero & Lombardi. The full-service firm created a patent business unit in December 2007 with intellectual property boutique Berken IP. Moncayo has served as consultant for a variety of UN bodies and the World Intellectual Property Organizati