Dr. Burkhart Goebel | Hamburg | Hogan Lovells

Dr. Burkhart Goebel

Partner Intellectual Property

Languages

English, German, Spanish

Goebel Burkhart

Dr. Burkhart Goebel
Goebel Burkhart
  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights and events
quote mark

He is highly regarded by peers for representing a number of domestic and international clients in design, trade mark and unfair competition proceedings.

Chambers Europe 2018

Burkhart Goebel is a vital partner to the owners of several of the world’s most valuable brands and other IP rights protecting their intellectual property (IP) across the European Union, particularly in Germany and Spain. 

With 27 years of experience, Burkhart has pleaded or acted as instructing counsel before senior courts in nearly every European jurisdiction, leading some of the most significant multi-jurisdictional disputes in IP litigation history. His experience across diverse legal landscapes makes him focus on what really matters, cut through the noise and navigate clients with precision through complex cases.

Exceptional among IP practitioners, Burkhart has deep experience in IP-related public international law. He presented clients in numerous preliminary rulings before the Court of Justice of the European Union, argued before the European Court of Human Rights, participated in WTO dispute settlement proceedings and actively engaged in IP rule making.

Beyond IP litigation his deep expertise covers the negotiation of license agreements, both intra-group and with third parties, as well as advising on trade secrets, copyright, advertising campaigns, geographical indications, plant breeders' rights, brands and copyright in virtual realities and the set of rules that governs digital transformation in Europe.

Clients and peers alike recognize Burkhart's prowess. World Trademark Review (WTR) quotes clients describing him as "...a phenomenal lawyer, strategist, and litigator; he has a great demeanor, and is the most sophisticated lawyer we have ever worked with."

quote mark

“Burkhart Goebel focuses his efforts on tricky IP tussles; experienced in ECJ and World Trade Organisation proceedings, he is also adept in suits before the German and Spanish national courts.”

World Trademark Review 1000, 2018

Representative experience

Being the lead outside counsel for one the world’s leading telecommunication companies on its global brand strategy and enforcement.

Representing one of the world's biggest financial institutions in a major trademark dispute concerning color marks, including before the Court of Justice of the EU.

Landmark decision from the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights protecting trademarks as fundamental property rights.

Advising one of the parties in the WTO dispute EU system for the protection of geographical indications.

Representing a world leading brewer in one of the most complex multi-national disputes over trademarks and geographical indications.

Advising a spirits company in a multiple jurisdiction dispute on trademark confiscation following World War II.

 

Instructing counsel in a major color mark case in the USA.

Managing legal proceedings in nearly all European countries and the USA.

Managing multiple fundamental legal proceedings on non-traditional trademarks (color marks, 3-D marks, single letter marks, alphanumeric marks).

Numerous references for a preliminary ruling before the Court of Justice of the EU on trademark issues, geographic indications and on the Health Claims Regulation.

Advising a major European company on its brand development and licensing beyond core products.

Advising major European and US companies on brand licensing in the context of spin-offs, JVs, IP holding companies, etc.

Credentials

Education
  • Dr. iur., University of Freiburg, 2000
  • Visiting Scholar, Stanford Law School, 1996
  • Second State Exam in Law, University of Freiburg, 1995
  • LL.M., London School of Economics, 1993
  • First State Exam in Law, University of Freiburg, 1991

Recognition

Recognized in Best Lawyers™ in Germany 2025 for Intellectual Property Law

Best Lawyers™ in Germany

2024
Outstanding Individual for Trademark Law

WIPR Germany

2024
Recommended lawyer for IP - expertise based abroad in Spain

Chambers Global Germany

2024
Frequently recommended lawyer for trademark, design and competition law

JUVE handbook, 2023/2024 WIPR Leader

2024
IP Star for Trademarks

Managing Intellectual Property

2016-2023
Leading name in trademark law

JUVE handbook

2015-2023
Recommended Lawyer for Trademarks

Who's Who Legal

2004-2023
WTR Global Leaders 2022 (Germany and Spain)

WTR Global Leaders Ranking

2022
Recommended for Intellectual Property: Patents (Spain)

Legal 500 EMEA

2010-2022
Recommended for Intellectual Property: Trade marks (Spain)

Legal 500 EMEA

2010-2022
Recommended for Intellectual Property: Copyright (Spain)

Legal 500 EMEA

2010-2018
Recommended for Information technology: Data protection (Germany)

Legal 500 EMEA

2020-2022
Recommended for Intellectual property: Patent litigation (Germany)

Legal 500 EMEA

2020
Recommended for Intellectual property: Unfair competition (Germany)

Legal 500 EMEA

2020
Recommended for Intellectual property: Trade marks (Germany)

Legal 500 EMEA

2020
Intellectual Property: Patents & Trade Marks (Spain)

Chambers Global

2018-2022
Intellectual Property

Chambers Global

2012-2022
Intellectual Property: Patents & Trade Marks (Spain)

Chambers Europe

2012-2021
Silver ranking in Enforcement and Litigation

WTR 1000

2013, 2016-2021
Recommended Lawyer for Trademarks

Expert Guides

2019
Leading individual for trademarks (Germany)

WTR 1000

2022