Katzarov Ranked in IP STARS 2026
By Andrea Manola, Managing Director, and Viktoriia Didur, Digital Marketing Coordinator – Katzarov, Patent & Trademark Attorneys
KATZAROV SA is ranked in the IP STARS 2026 guide for Switzerland in two practice areas: Tier 2 for trade mark prosecution among patent and trade mark attorney firms, and Tier 3 for patent prosecution. Five Katzarov practitioners are also ranked individually in this edition, two Patent Stars, one Rising Star and two Notable Practitioners, across both the patent and the trade mark departments. Managing IP released the Western Europe results on 25 June 2026.
IP STARS is the annual guide to leading intellectual property firms and practitioners published by Managing IP, covering more than 70 jurisdictions and over six practice areas.
The five ranked practitioners
- Andrea Manola, Managing Director, European and Swiss Patent Attorney: Patent Star 2026
- Gilles Pfend, Head of the Patent Department, European and Swiss Patent Attorney: Patent Star 2026
- Yuliia Chyzhova, Associate Partner, Trademark Attorney: Rising Star 2026
- Philippe Brottes, Associate Partner, Trademark and Design Attorney: Notable Practitioner 2026
- Sophie Künzi, Associate Partner, European Patent Attorney: Notable Practitioner 2026
What is new in the 2026 edition
Katzarov moves into the numbered tiers for patent prosecution, after a listing among Other Notable Firms in the 2025 edition. Individual recognition more than doubles at the same time, from two ranked practitioners last year to five.
How IP STARS rankings are researched
IP STARS rankings are produced by Managing IP research analysts based in London, New York and Hong Kong, over a six month research cycle that starts each September. The analysts combine information submitted by firms, independent research of public sources such as court records and IP office filings, and market feedback gathered from practitioners and clients through interviews, email and online surveys.
A word from our Managing Director
This result belongs to the whole firm. Clients rarely come to us with only a patent question or only a trademark question, so being ranked in both in the same edition means more to me than ranking on its own. And seeing five colleagues recognised individually, across both departments, tells me the strength is spread through the firm, which makes this edition particularly meaningful.
We thank our clients and partners for the trust that stands behind every one of these entries, and every colleague at Katzarov whose daily work made them possible.
About Katzarov. Katzarov SA is a Geneva based intellectual property firm founded in 1967, advising Swiss and international clients on patents, trade marks and designs, from filing strategy and prosecution to portfolio management and enforcement. The full Switzerland tables are available on the IP STARS Switzerland rankings page, and the firm entry on the Katzarov IP STARS profile.
Frequently asked questions
Which Katzarov practitioners are ranked in IP STARS 2026?
Andrea Manola and Gilles Pfend are ranked as Patent Stars, Yuliia Chyzhova as a Rising Star, and Philippe Brottes and Sophie Künzi as Notable Practitioners. All five are ranked for Switzerland in the 2026 edition of IP STARS.
How is Katzarov ranked as a firm in IP STARS 2026?
Katzarov is ranked Tier 2 for trade mark prosecution among patent and trade mark attorney firms, and Tier 3 for patent prosecution. Both rankings are for Switzerland.
What is IP STARS?
IP STARS is the annual guide to leading intellectual property firms and practitioners published by Managing IP. It covers more than 70 jurisdictions and over six IP practice areas, and the research behind it runs for six months from September each year.
What do Patent Star, Rising Star and Notable Practitioner mean?
An IP Star is a very experienced senior practitioner in private practice who has been recommended by peers or clients, or who is integral to the success of their firm. Patent Stars and Trade Mark Stars are IP Stars tagged to a practice area. A Rising Star is an up and coming practitioner expected to become prominent in their firm and jurisdiction. A Notable Practitioner recognises individuals in active or supportive roles.
How does IP STARS rank firms into tiers?
Firms are listed alphabetically within each tier, so the order inside a tier carries no meaning. Tier 1 firms tend to have a leading reputation, long established practitioners and a varied portfolio of work. In some jurisdictions IP STARS also recognises further firms under a tier titled Other Notable Firms, which is added after the numbered tiers. IP STARS states that a lower tier does not mean a firm offers lower quality service.
Can a firm pay to be ranked in IP STARS?
No. There is no fee to take part in the research, and no firm or practitioner can pay to be ranked or to influence the result. Firms may buy a profile in the handbook or on the IP STARS website, but that has no bearing on the rankings, which are also independent of the Managing IP Awards programme.
When were the IP STARS 2026 rankings published?
Managing IP released the 2026 results by region: Asia-Pacific on 4 June 2026, Western Europe, which includes Switzerland, on 25 June 2026, CEE, the Middle East and Africa on 16 July 2026, and the Americas on 30 July 2026.
