Hélène Stankoff

Hélène Stankoff began her career in intellectual property in various firms before joining Santarelli in 1998, where she became a partner in 2009. She assists clients both in developing their patent portfolios and in defending their patent rights. She advises large corporations, SMEs, and numerous start-ups on their invention protection strategies.

A French Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney, her general engineering background (ECL) enables her to work across a wide range of technical fields. She has always been passionate about patent law, particularly in France and Europe, and has successfully handled numerous opposition proceedings before the EPO, both offensive and defensive. Her expertise in European law (EPO, UPC) continues to grow through her long-standing involvement since 2000 in the drafting and marking committee for the legal paper (Paper D/M4) of the European Qualifying Examination.

For more than 20 years, she has also worked closely with patent litigation lawyers before the French courts in patent infringement matters. With extensive experience in guiding companies on their IP strategies, Hélène has developed strong expertise in conducting IP audits and due diligence to advise investors in mergers, acquisitions, and fundraising operations.

She is also an active member of the Board of Directors of APEB, where she is committed to promoting the patent profession and the role of patent attorneys within the field of intellectual property. Outside her professional commitments, she finds the same discipline and conviviality in her long-standing practice of the cello, both solo and in orchestras, for more than 10 years.