Dr. Michael Ritscher, LL.M.
Partner, Zurich
Schiffbaustrasse 2 | P.O. Box | CH-8031 Zurich | Switzerland
Schiffbaustrasse 2 | P.O. Box | CH-8031 Zurich | Switzerland
T +41 58 552 03 30
michael.ritscher@mll-legal.com
T +41 58 552 03 30
michael.ritscher@mll-legal.com
Profile
Michael Ritscher is recognised as one of the most experienced and esteemed IP litigators and arbitrators in Switzerland, and beyond. Michael Ritscher heads MLL Legal’s IP group and has a teaching assignment for intellectual property law at the University of Zurich. He has extensive practise in advising and representing clients from a broad variety of sectors, including life sciences, luxury goods and retail. Michael Ritscher is often at the forefront of precedent-setting cases. He is a reference for companies which regularly seek his support to handle their cross-border contentious affairs involving Swiss, EU and international law. Michael Ritscher appears as an opinion leader in his field in client and peer feedback ratings.
Practice Areas
Industry Groups
Country Desks
Rankings & Awards
- “Michael is really experienced and knows every judge and attorney in Europe” – Chambers and Partners Europe, IP, 2024
- “Michael Ritscher is a highly experienced practitioner with a deep knowledge of the law. He is commercially minded, authoritative, and leads an aggressive and relentless team who effectively handle litigation and prosecution instructions” – World Trademark Review 1000, 2024
- “Michael Ritscher boasts a storied IP career and a great network. With extensive expertise in the pharmaceutical arena, he is a discerning choice for those seeking legal or regulatory assistance” – IAM Patent 1000, 2023
- “Michael Ritscher and Peter Schramm are excellent partners who provide complete and quick assistance in all areas of IP” – Legal 500 EMEA, IP, 2023
- “Michael Ritscher and Simon Holzer are outstanding IP lawyers” – Legal 500 EMEA, IP, 2023
- “He is a superb litigator” – Chambers and Partners Europe, IP, 2023
- “Michael Ritscher is the top guy for patent work, he’s a fantastic lawyer” – Chambers and Partners Europe, IP, 2023
- “Michael is undoubtedly a thought leader in Switzerland and a go-to for household-name brands requiring clear, concise and trustworthy advice and accurate work” – World Trademark Review 1000, 2023
- “Michael Ritscher is a respected practitioner, acting for clients on trade mark prosecution and patent infringements. He is active across the life sciences and retail sectors” – Chambers and Partners Europe, IP, 2022
- Michael Ritscher has a wealth of experience in the sector and is renowned for doing “great work with pharmaceutical clients”, both nationally and internationally – Who’s Who Legal, National Leader Life Sciences, 2022
- “Michael Ritscher frequently assists with supplementary protection certificates and patent infringement proceedings. He is adept at handling cross-border mandates” – Chambers and Partners Europe, Life Sciences: Patent Litigation, 2022
- “Michael Ritscher is a pleasure to work with, works well in the team environment and is hugely experienced. He appears to know everyone in Europe in the litigation scene – judges and attorneys alike” – Legal 500 EMEA, IP, 2022
- “Michael Ritscher is clearly is one of the most renowned and experienced attorneys in Switzerland” – Legal 500 EMEA, IP, 2022
- “Michael is an outstanding practitioner with a profound knowledge of patent matters” – IAM Patent 1000, 2022
- “Michael Ritscher is a distinguished practitioner with unmatched expertise advising Swiss and international clients on a broad range of patent-related matters” – Who’s Who Legal, Global Leader Patents, 2022
- The “excellent lawyer” Michael Ritscher is a first-rate IP specialist advising clients on trademark and patent litigation – Who’s Who Legal, Global Leader Trademark, 2022
- “His theoretical know-how is paired with a fine pragmatic sense, which makes for well-balanced solutions and creative pathways to achieving his client’s objectives. Michael is among the best of the best” – IAM Patent 1000, 2022
- The “immensely experienced and business oriented practitioner has a deep understanding of the law and leads a fantastic IP division” – World Trademark Review 1000, 2022
- Michael Ritscher is a favourite among peers and clients, who recommend him as “a very good attorney with excellent skills” – Who’s Who Legal, Global Leader Patent Litigation, 2022
- “Michael Ritscher is among the best IP litigators in the market and is applauded for being a big name in patents in Switzerland” – Who’s Who Legal, Switzerland, Patents 2021
Deals & Cases
- Advised Hoya Surgical GmbH (well known for its development and distribution of intraocular lenses) in a patent annulment claim regarding the Swiss and Lichtenstein part of a European patent before Federal Patent Court
- Successfully represented ImplanTec GmbH (specialized in the development, manufacture and sale of artificial hip joint endoprostheses) in appeal proceedings before the Federal Supreme Court leading to a long awaited decision concerning the limitation of patents in patent infringement proceedings
- Advises and represents a leading design furniture company in all IP matters worldwide
- Represents leading pharma companies in national and international disputes
- Acts as arbitrator in a multi-billion dispute about a licensing agreement
- Represents a leading professional construction company in a cross-border patent litigation
- Is the president of INGRES, the most active and renowned Swiss IP association
- Is regularly asked by the Zurich Court of Commerce to sit as specialist judge in IP cases
Education & Admission
- Georgetown University Center of Law, LL.M. (1989)
- Admitted to the bar in Switzerland (1988)
- University of Zurich, Dr. iur. (1985)
- University of Zurich, lic. iur. (1983)
Memberships and public offices
- Judge at the Court of Commerce of the Canton of Zurich
- President of the Swiss Institute for Industrial Property Law (INGRES)
- German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (GRUR)
- International Trademark Association (INTA)
- International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI)
- American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
Languages
- German
- English
- French
Publications
- Patent Litigation 2024 Switzerland – Trends and Developments | 08.03.2024
- DesignG. Designgesetz mit Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmusterrecht | 22.12.2023
- Bericht zum Urteil des US Supreme Court Goldsmith vs. Warhol vom 18. Mai 2023 | 27.10.2023
- DesignG Designgesetz mit Gemeinschaftsgeschmacksmusterrecht | 22.05.2023
Find all publications by Michael Ritscher on our website mll-legal.com.
Publications
Firm News
“Michael Ritscher is a highly experienced practitioner with a deep knowledge of the law. He is commercially minded, authoritative, and leads an aggressive and relentless team who effectively handle litigation and prosecution instructions”
