Christina Tenbrock, LL.M.
Christina Tenbrock is a ‘highly dependable lawyer who is a great support to her clients’. They rely on her in-depth legal knowledge and experience in the courtroom to ensure their success.
World Trademark Review 1000: The World´s Leading Trademark Professionals 2025
Partner
Christina Tenbrock, bar-certified specialist for intellectual property law, advices and represents national and international clients in various fields of intellectual property law, in particular in trademark, design and copyright law as well as unfair competition law, including the law on advertising of pharmaceutical and medicinal products. In trademark law, Christina’s particular focus is on obtaining protection and enforcing “non-traditional trademarks”, in particular color and shape marks. Another focus is on trade secret disputes.
She has extensive litigation experience in national and crossborder infringement proceedings and regularly conducts opposition and nullity proceedings before the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) as well as the EUIPO.
Outside of court, she advises clients on marketing campaigns and product launches, on border seizure proceedings and on various contractual issues.
During her legal clerkship (Referendariat) with the Higher Regional Court Düsseldorf, she worked for various international law firms specialising in intellectual property law, for a global pharmaceutical company and at the German Embassy in London. After her second state examination, she continued her specialisation in IP with a master’s degree (LL.M.) at the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf.
She deepened her expertise in pharmaceutical law in 2014/2015 through a secondment at the German subsidiary of a globally leading, research-oriented British pharmaceutical group.
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REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Extensive advice and representation of a global manufacturer of original pharmaceutical preparations in the field of trademarks and unfair competition; in particular enforcement of non-traditional trademarks (color trademarks and 3D trademarks) in multinational litigation.
- Comprehensive legal representation of a major German pharmaceutical and cosmetics manufacturer in matters relating to the law on advertising of medicinal products and medical devices.
- Strategic consulting and negotiation in the field of single-letter trademarks.
- Advice and strategic positioning of a South Korean automobile manufacturer with regard to the defence of one of the company’s most highly valued trademarks, including counter-attacks before the EUIPO / DPMA.
- Representation of a well-known US-based, internationally active provider of payment systems following the theft of software source codes and business data by an employee.
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PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (GRUR)
- Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO)
- Association of Intellectual Property Experts (VPP)
- International Trademark Association (INTA): Member of the Non-Traditional Marks Committee
- Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group (PTMG)
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European Association of Trade Mark Owners (MARQUES): Member of the Unfair Competition Team
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PUBLICATIONS
- Tenbrock, Modellname – Bestellzeichen oder Herkunftshinweis?, Markenartikel – Das Magazin für Markenführung, 1-2/2021
- Tenbrock, Anm. zu LG München I: Anbieten von Rechtsdienstleistungen unter www.schufa-anwalt.de verletzt Marke der SCHUFA, Urteil vom 25.06.2020, 17 HK O 3700/20
- Tenbrock/Hahn, Anm. zu OLG Köln: Fehlende wettbewerbliche Eigenart, Urteil vom 26.02.2014, 6 U 71/13
- Tenbrock, Co-Autor der Kommentierung zum Patentrecht in: Gewerblicher Rechtsschutz – Urheberrecht – Medienrecht, Kommentar, 3. Auflage, 2015, Carl-Heymanns-Verlag
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WHAT OTHERS SAY
- Often Recommended JUVE 2025/2026, since 2023/2024
- “Pragmatic solutions to always offer the client added value.”
“The team is very strong, with a great mix of people. They are experienced but also commercial and very responsive. They are great at dealing with complex, cross-jurisdictional matters.”
“The IP team is without a doubt one of the best around. They are exceptionally well-resourced and very knowledgeable from partner to associate. They are absolutely prepared to handle any dispute, transaction or enforcement strategy.”
“The HRM team is absolutely top in Germany when it comes to competition law. They have the experience and the staff to handle any type of assignment and working with them is extremely professional.” Legal 500 2025 - “Christina Tenbrock is a ‘highly dependable lawyer who is a great support to her clients’. They rely on her in-depth legal knowledge and experience in the courtroom to ensure their success.” World Trademark Review 1000: The World´s Leading Trademark Professionals 2025
- “Christina Tenbrock is excellent, client-focused, hugely knowledgeable and easy to work with. She is a go-to German trademark expert.” World Trademark Review 1000: The World´s Leading Trademark Professionals 2024
- Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars (Trade Mark, Germany):
Notable Practitioner 2024-2022
Rising Star 2021-2018 - ”Also on board is Christina Tenbrock, whose impressive roster of patrons includes GlaxoSmithKline, Takeda and Samsung.” World Trademark Review 1000: The World´s Leading Trademark Professionals 2023
- “Tenbrock brings the heat in cross-border spats; she knows her stuff when it comes to medical devices and pharmaceutical law.” World Trademark Review 1000: The World´s Leading Trademark Professionals 2022
- “The perfect balance between professionalism and an extremely pleasant atmosphere makes working together so easy. Deadlines are always met, feedback is prompt and the results are outstanding. Particularly noteworthy is the feeling for the client and his needs.” Legal 500 EMEA Germany 2022
- “Thomas, Christina and Mathis all show dedication to clients, an ability to explain German trademark law simply and an excellent capacity to work as part of an international team on cross-border matters. I would recommend them to anyone looking for committed and responsive counsel – they are first class.” World Trademark Review 1000: The World´s Leading Trademark Professionals 2021
- Christina Tenbrock won the Lawyer Monthly 2018 Women in Law Awards for Intellectual Property (Germany)
Assistant details
Visit us
Visiting address:
Steinstraße 20
40212 Düsseldorf
Germany
Postal address:
Steinstraße 20
40212 Düsseldorf
Germany
The facts
Languages
Education
LL.M. in intellectual property law, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (2011)
Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf (Law, 2011)
University of Cologne (Law, 2008)
Universidad Carlos III Madrid, Spain (Law, 2004/2005)
University of Trier (Law, 2002)