Kerstin Gründig-Schnelle studied law at the University of Freiburg (Breisgau) and the University of Geneva, Switzerland. She has been admitted to practice law since 1995. Since 1999 she was partner of the Stuttgart-based law firm LichtensteinKörner and has been a partner with Schalast since 2022 and practices in the firm’s Stuttgart office. She is a member of GRUR, ECTA and INTA and regularly publishes notes on court decisions in the GRUR-Prax journal. In 2013, she has been awarded the Volunteer Service Award for the Advancement of Trademark Law by the International Trademark Association. In 2022 and 2023, she has been the chairperson of INTA’s Trademark Offices Practice Committee.
“Managing Intellectual Property” has named Dr. Gründig-Schnelle as one of the “Top 250 Women in IP (2016)” worldwide. In collaboration with “Best Lawyers”, the “Handelsblatt” ranks her as Germany’s Lawyer of the Year for Intellectual Property law 2023. She is continuously named in JUVE, Legal 500, WTR 1000, Whos’s Who Legal and Leaders League. In the 2025 issue, WTR 1000 is quoting a foreign colleague: “Kerstin is an exceptional brand manager, known for her efficiency and reliability. She consistently meets deadlines and delivers clear, actionable recommendations. Her expertise and trustworthiness have earned her an impressive roaster of high-profile clients”.
