Dr. Wolfgang Sekretaruk

(Since 1958)

Hello,

I am an attorney at law with 40 years of experience in different judicial bodies –such as the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office or several German civil and criminal courts– and now decided to continue my professional career as an individual practitioner.

I am an attorney at law with
40 years of experience in different judicial bodies –such as the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office or several German civil and criminal courts– and now decided to continue my professional career as an individual practitioner.

More than knowledge, experience

As a 40 years experienced lawyer, my law practice embodies the values of vast experience in a wide variety of fields, clear advice, and honest treatment.

Intellectual property*
1998 - 2023

My work in a variety of intellectual property roles allows me to assess a legal case from different perspectives while never losing sight of the big picture – an important prerequisite for comprehensive advice and effective representation.

In addition, my extensive judicial experience helps in assessing how a case can be successfully presented to the courts.

*17 years are almost exclusively in patent law.

2018 – 2023

Chairman of the Legal Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office and member of the Enlarged Board of Appeal; Deputy of the President of the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office

2021 – 2023

Head of the Legal Services of the Board of Appeal of the European Patent Office

2014 – 2018

Chairman of the Technical Board of Appeal 3.5.06 of the European Patent Office (computer technology) and member of the Enlarged Board of Appeal

2005 – 2023

Member of the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office

1998 – 2005

Judge at the German Federal Patent Court

1998 – 2004

Member of a trademark board, deputy of the legally qualified member in a technical board

2004 – 2005

Secondment to the District Court of Munich I; Deputy chairman of a chamber for intellectual property (patents, utility models, employee inventions, designs and models, publishing rights, production and exploitation of films, plant variety protection, copyright, Art Copyright Act, trademarks, unfair trade practices).

Civil* and criminal law**
1981 - 1998

I have had the opportunity to work on almost the entire range of legal areas generally encountered in courts. My experience ranges from general to specialized areas, such as real estate law, inheritance law and corporate law, but also commercial and environmental criminal law.

This extensive experience enables me to advise and represent my clients even in disputes that are not commonplace. In addition, my many years of experience as a judge, public prosecutor and judicial officer help me to assess how a case can be presented effectively.

**Civil law with a focus on construction and property law.
**Various areas of criminal law (also as a public prosecutor) and the so-called voluntary jurisdiction, with the main fields of inheritance and land register law.

1997 – 1998

Judge at the local court in Erding: criminal cases, guardianship matters.

1995 – 1997

Public Prosecutor: Traffic offenses, juvenile criminal matters, economic criminal matters, environmental criminal matters.

1993 – 1995

Judge, Landshut Regional Court and Freising Local Court: Criminal adjudication and investigation, judicial assistance and international judicial assistance in criminal matters, decisions under the Police Tasks Act, civil litigation, enforcement matters, judicial assistance in civil matters, probate matters, land register, leasehold rights and home ownership matters.

1992 – 1993

Judge, Landshut Regional Court: Civil matters (first instance legal disputes, appeals and complaints), commercial criminal matters.

1991 – 1992

Deputy of an attorney at law, appointed by the Higher Regional Court: Main areas of activity: private and public construction law.

1981 – 1990

Judicial officer at the district courts of Munich and Erding: judicial dunning procedures, land register and probate matters.

Areas of
current practice

I offer deep expertise to my clients, with clear and concise advice, ensuring that my clients fully understand their legal options and potential outcomes.

Intellectual
Property Law

Intellectual Property Law

Litigation,
Arbitration & Mediation

Litigation, Arbitration & Mediation

Commercial
& Contract Law

Commercial & Contract Law

Corporate
Law

Corporate Law

Real Estate
& Construction Law

Real Estate & Construction Law

Estate
& Inheritance Law

Estate & Inheritance Law

All
services

Transparency and integrity are paramount to me and I strive to build trusted relationships, prioritizing open communication and ethical representation.

Consulting

Having a diverse experience in mock trials, expert advice for the public sector, and coordinating interjurisdictional cases and other large legal projects allows me to guarantee seamless legal navigation, efficient management, comprehensive solutions and successful outcomes for your diverse legal needs.

Legal representation in conﬂicts
in and out of court

The expertise and wide experience in Intellectual Property cases and other fields of law, provide me the capacity to represent, guide and advise you in the most suitable solutions to your diverse legal needs.

Alternative dispute resolution,
arbitration and mediation

Finding solutions through mediation and arbitration fosters open communication and understanding. This way we can ensure that the resolution process is fair and legally sound, giving you confidence in the outcome, preserving business and personal relationships and navigating conflicts in a more efficient and human way.

Consulting

Legal representation in conﬂicts in and out of court

Alternative dispute resolution, arbitration and mediation

How can I support you
in negotiations?

I have represented the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office in a variety of events with industry and legal stakeholders. A particularly important issue was the use of videoconferencing technology for oral proceedings before the Boards of Appeal. All this experience prepared me to advise clients in adopting the best possible strategy and to guide them through difficult negotiations.

When you choose my firm,
you can expect a seasoned
professional who offers reliable
guidance, straightforward
counsel, and a commitment
to your best interests.

When you choose my firm, you can
expect a seasoned professional
who offers reliable guidance,
straightforward counsel,
and a commitment to your
best interests

What foundations have I laid
for a successful job?

Doctorate (“Dr. iur.”)

2005

Awarded by the Technical University of Chemnitz. Dissertation: “Colors as a brand”.

Preparatory service (for the bar)

1990 – 1992

In Landshut and Munich; Second State Examination in Law.

First state examination in law

1981 – 1989

At Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, after completion of studies conducted in parallel to working as a judicial officer.

Guest student

1980 – 1981

At the FernUniversität (Open University) in Hagen (Faculty of Economics and Law Faculty).

Diplom-Rechtspfleger (FH)

1978 – 1981

University of Applied Sciences for Bavarian Civil Servants.

Master's degree in Mediation

2013 – 2014

FernUniversität in Hagen
Master’s thesis “Mediation in intellectual property law in the international area – starting points and impulses for Germany” Basic subjects including public speaking, negotiation theory, psychology, negotiation theory.

Intellectual Property Specialization Programme

2008 – 2010

University of South Africa (Certificate).
Essential Patent Law, Essential Trademark Law, Essential Design Law, Essential Copyright Law, Essential Competition Law, Legal Aspects of Electronic Commerce, Internet Aspects of Copyright and Trademark Cases, Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity.

I also have extensive lecturing experience, both nationally and internationally. Addressees were mainly students from departments other than law schools.

For engineers

1999 – 2010

Chemnitz University of Technology – Course of lectures on intellectual property rights for engineers.

For economics students

2003 – 2005

Deggendorf University of Applied Sciences – Course of lectures on private business law for economics students.

For patent attorney candidates

2001 – 2005

Federal Patent Court – working groups for patent attorney candidates.

For savings bank employees

1999 – 2005

Bavarian Savings Bank Academy – courses in civil law, commercial and corporate law for savings bank employees.

For economists

2003

Landshut University of Applied Sciences: Course of lectures on private business law for economists.

For administrative employees

2002 – 2003

German Patent and Trademark Office – Course on civil law for employees who have taken part in a qualification for a career in higher administrative service.

For law graduates

1993 – 1997

Landshut Regional Court – working groups for law graduates in their preparatory service (for the bar).

For judicial candidates

1988 – 1993

Bavarian Civil Service College – working groups for judicial candidates.

How can you contact me easily?

How can you contact me?

Fill the form or feel free
to send me your message at:

You are also welcome to contact me
in German or French.

Fill the form or feel free to send me your message at:

You are also welcome to contact me in German or French.