On January 1, 2026, the law firm Meinke, Dabringhaus & Partner will merge with Schneiders & Behrendt Attorneys at Law and Patent Attorneys. This merger creates a powerful unit in the field of intellectual property rights and legal advice for technology and design-oriented companies. The aim is to combine the expertise and resources of both law firms and to provide clients with even more comprehensive and efficient support in future.
Bundling law and technology
For many years, both law firms have stood for interdisciplinary advice at the interface of law and technology. The merger enables an even closer integration of legal and technical expertise. Clients thus benefit from comprehensive advice from a single source – from the application for intellectual property rights to strategic advice and the enforcement and defense of rights.
A proven tradition of law firm management with grown experience
Meinke, Dabringhaus & Partner was founded in 1960 by patent attorney Dipl.-Ing. Julius Meinke in Dortmund. For more than six decades, the firm has assisted companies, inventors and institutions in the application, enforcement and defense of patents, trademarks and designs. The firm is particularly known for its technical expertise and many years of experience in intellectual property law.
The law firm Schneiders & Behrendt Attorneys at Law and Patent Attorneys was founded in 1990 through the merger of attorney Dipl.-Ing. Josef Schneiders and patent attorney Dipl.-Ing. Arne Behrendt. In over three decades, the firm has established itself as a reliable partner in national and international intellectual property law. In addition to traditional patent law, a particular focus is on providing legal advice to innovative companies on technical and business-related issues.
The merger brings together two law firms with a long history, a clear professional focus and the highest quality standards.
Advantages for clients
The merger offers clients a number of specific advantages:
- Expanded range of services
The merger of the teams provides a broader spectrum of expertise and specializations. Clients benefit from comprehensive advice in all matters of intellectual property law and related areas of law. - Bundling technical expertise
Clients have access to bundled technical expertise from mechanical engineering to biology, chemistry, physics and all areas of technology. - Stronger regional presence
The greater local proximity, particularly to clients in Ostwestfalen-Lippe and Sauerland, facilitates personal support and direct communication. - Greater capacity and continuity
A larger team provides additional capacity, stable contacts and reliable support, even for complex or long-term projects. - International focus
Clients continue to benefit from an established international network and experience in handling cross-border IP matters.
Reliability and continuity
Clients will continue to have the same contacts after the merger. At the same time, the new law firm structure opens up access to additional expertise and expanded resources.
Prospects
With this merger, Meinke, Dabringhaus & Partner and Schneiders & Behrendt are laying the foundation for a forward-looking, high-performing law firm that provides clients with long-term, practical support at the highest professional level.
