Diploma in Chemistry at the Gerhard-Mercator-University Duisburg in 1994. Study visit at the Department of Inorganic Chemistry at McMaster University Hamilton, Canada. Doctorate in the field of dynamic infrared spectroscopy of viscoelastic polymers.
Many years of industry experience as in-house patent attorney in a multinational company. Obtained European admission in 2001; with Dr. Solf & Zapf Patent- und Rechtsanwalts PartG mbB since the end of 2023. Main areas of practice in the fields of obtaining, defending, enforcing and challenging intellectual property rights in Germany, Europe and worldwide, in particular conducting opposition and opposition appeal proceedings, drafting patent applications, strategically building patent portfolios and preparing FTO, infringement and validity opinions.
Specialized technical knowledge in the following areas: Adhesives, sealants, coatings, surface treatments, cosmetics, detergents and cleaning agents.