Panu heads our Intellectual Property (“IP”) Practice. Panu advises domestic and international clients on commercial contracts, licensing, IP strategy, IP transactions, and all kinds of non-contentious IP matters. He also has substantial experience in life sciences, regulatory, marketing, consumer law, sports, media, entertainment, franchising, and brand management (including trademark portfolio management). Panu also provides advice on IP questions related to digitalisation and AI.  

As to contentious IP matters, Panu is one of the leading IP litigators in Finland. Panu has advocated numerous cases relating to patents and utility models, trademarks and domain names, copyright and databases, trade secrets, geographical indications, and complex IP-intensive contractual issues. Moreover, Panu has advocated several cases relating to marketing and unfair business practices. Panu has represented clients before several Finnish district courts and appellate courts, administrative courts, the Market Court, the Supreme Court, the Supreme Administrative Court, the Unified Patent Court (both Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal), the Court of Justice of the European Union, arbitral tribunals, and in mediation. He has advised and represented clients from a wide range of industries, such as automotive industry, consumer & retail, defence, engineering and machinery, fashion, design & luxury goods, food & beverage, gambling, healthcare & life sciences, insurance, IT, media & entertainment, pulp & paper, sports, technology, telecommunications, and video gaming.

Rankings

  • Leading Partner, TMT, Legal 500, 2025
  • Clients say: "Panu Siitonen has a great knowledge of patent law, is commercially minded and super-responsive.", "Panu Siitonen is a pragmatic expert looking for solutions.", Intellectual Property, Legal 500, 2025
  • Intellectual Property, Chambers Europe, 2025
  • Leading Partner, Intellectual Property, Legal 500, 2024 (Leading Individual 2020–2023)
  • IP / Trademark Star – Finland, Managing IP, 2024 (IP Star 2014–2023)
  • Silver – Individuals: litigation, IAM Patent 1000, 2024
  • Exclusive winner of Client Choice’s Intellectual Property: Trademarks category in Finland, 2013–2014, 2017
  • One of the world’s leading practitioners in the field of Patents by Who’s Who Legal 2019
  • “His knowledge of IP law is excellent; he is practical and business focused and he is a pleasure to work with.”
  • “Panu has an exceptional business-oriented approach in addition to his extensive professional expertise.”
  • “He delivers top quality results even within strict deadlines; he is easy-going which makes the process smooth and pleasant.”
  • “Panu is able to think strategically; he has the client's best interests in mind.”
  • “Panu has been exceptional so far, and in all cases he has at least met – and mostly exceeded – my expectations with the results”
  • “Mr Siitonen provides a high-quality service which in every respect exceeds the hours spent and fees paid in value”
  • “Mr Siitonen has always demonstrated exceptional dedication to his work. This is particularly seen in his willingness to understand the client’s business and the entire legal and commercial framework”
  • “In addition to assisting clients in both contract negotiations and disputes, he provides deep insight on the risks involved”
  • “Clearly business oriented approach with problem solving attitude”
  • “His attitude to client work is excellent and he has a capability to finalise matters in an efficient way, which is highly appreciated by clients”
  • “Panu Siitonen represents in his work vast experience in Intellectual Property. This is reflected in his ability to discuss complicated issues on different levels depending on who he is speaking to”
  • “Ability to clarify advice and documentation on a complex legal field of healthcare and life sciences”
  • “Thorough and detailed approach with minimal guidance”
  • "Panu Siitonen knows his stuff.", Intellectual Property, Chambers Global, 2025
  • Ranked as a leading individual within TMT in Legal 500, 2024
  • "Panu Siitonen has deep knowledge in patent, licensing, trade mark and trade secret protection related matters. Based on his vast experience he is able to provide practical and commercially relevant solutions.", Intellectual Property, Legal 500, 2024
  • “Panu Siitonen is an excellent patent litigator.” Chambers Global, 2024
  • Trademark Star – Finland, Managing IP, 2023 and 2024
  • Recommended Individuals: transactions & Silver Individuals: litigation, IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals, 2023 and 2024
  • "He has very good analytical skills and understanding of business matters. He offers a practical approach to problem solving. He is easy-going, practical and very business minded.", Intellectual Property, Chambers Global, 2023
  • Ranked as a leading individual within Intellectual Property in Legal 500, 2022-2024
  • 'A client praises him as "very collaborative and very responsive."', Intellectual Property, Chambers Global & Chambers Europe 2022
  • "Panu Siitonen is knowledgeable and practical in his advice. He is a great support in all IP matters ranging from patent strategies to business integrity matters.", "Panu Siitonen, partner and IPR team leader. Very good presentation and communication skills – helps me as a non-IPR expert to understand and grasp complex IPR issues. Keeps me as a client up to speed and responds within minutes." Leading Individual / Intellectual Property, Legal 500, 2021
  • 'According to clients, Panu Siitonen "handles cases skilfully."', Intellectual Property, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe, 2021
  • 'A tremendous lawyer with the mindset of a businessman, his advice is extremely practical and always accurate. Panu is always on the ball and his proactive style puts clients at ease in the most testing of times.', IAM Patent 1000, 2020
  • 'Panu Siitonen is the key attorney there and I would trust him with any case.', Leading Individual / Intellectual Property, Legal 500, 2020
  • 'Panu Siitonen...A litigator by trade, he also gets results in enforcement proceedings that are deserving of the Stanley Cup', WTR 1000, 2020
  • IP Star – Finland, Managing IP, 2014-2023
  • 'Panu stands out for being "very thorough'", Intellectual property, Legal 500, 2019
  • Setting the tone of excellence is Panu Siitonen, who combines the best traits of a seasoned litigator, strategist and deal broker. In the words of one of Europe’s undisputed leading patent lawyers, “Panu is my favourite patent litigator in Finland. He is responsive, creative, tough and extremely versatile.”, Individuals: litigation, IAM Patent 1000, 2019
  • Panu Siitonen is nominated as one of the world's leading practitioners in the field of Patents by Who's Who Legal 2019
  • Ranked among the world’s leading data lawyers within Information Technology, Who’s Who Legal, 2019
  • '“In possession of a sharp and flexible mind”, Panu Siitonen is a seasoned negotiator who also channels his commercial aptitude toward ironing out the rough patches in intricate licensing deals. Devotees hail him as “An accessible attorney, who always picks up the phone when we call. He is capable of presenting a case to the court in a convincing and pedagogic manner; he refrains from exaggeration, ensuring that his elegant arguments are based on a sound understanding of underlying legal concepts.”',  Transactions & Litigation, IAM Patent 1000, 2018
  • Clients describe Panu as "knowledgeable and dedicated", Intellectual property, Legal 500, 2018
  • “He has a very broad knowledge about different areas of IP.”, Intellectual Property, Chambers Global 2018
  • "His contribution to important projects has been significant. He is easy to work with and gives timely, to-the-point advice.", IAM Patent1000: The world’s leading patent professionals 2017
  • Ranked in Intellectual Property and TMT in the 2017 edition of Legal 500
  • Panu Siitonen "has ‘a great sense of tactics for cases’", Intellectual Property, Legal 500, 2017
  • Ranked in Intellectual Property, in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 editions of Chambers Global
  • "According to clients, Panu Siitonen is 'able to use his intelligence to direct the client. He is a trusted person.' ", Chambers Global 2016 and Chambers Europe 2016
  • "IP litigation head Panu Siitonen covers trade mark, copyright and patent disputes, with particular expertise in advising sports clients. Clients agree he is a 'very, very talented lawyer. He is hard-working and energetic.' ", Intellectual Property, Chambers Global 2015 and Chambers Europe 2015
  • "Panu Siitonen is a partner in prestigious commercial outfit Hannes Snellman and leads its IP litigation team. He has a great track record in trademark, copyright and patent infringement actions, and deploys silky presentation skills to great effect when it comes to the negotiation of IP deals", WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 2015
  • Panu Siitonen is nominated as one of the world's leading practitioners in the field of Information Technology by Who's Who Legal 2015 and 2016
  • "...credited by sources for his IP expertise and commercial approach.", Intellectual Property, Chambers Global 2014
  • Featured as one of the leading individuals in World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 2014. “Panu Siitonen is a diverse attorney with a sophisticated understanding of litigation proceedings. His tactical acumen attracts particular praise from in-house counsel, who appreciate his value-adding approach.”
  • Ranked among the best lawyers in the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 editions (Helsinki: Information Technology, Intellectual Property, Media and Technology) of Best Lawyers®
  • ‘Panu Siitonen impresses clients with his committed and responsible approach.’, TMT, Chambers Europe 2013
  • "Panu Siitonen is an expert in telecoms and technology IP litigation and licensing.”, Legal 500, 2013
  • Highly recommended in TMT, Legal 500, 2013
  • ‘Well known in the market, Panu Siitonen is active in the firm's IP litigation matters, as well as its non-contentious work, especially patent-related cases.’, Intellectual Property, Chambers Global 2013 and Chambers Europe 2013
  • Featured as one of the leading individuals in Finland in IAM Patent 1000 2013: The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners
  • "Panu Siitonen has played a leading role in numerous battles against infringing importers and is regularly behind the issue of seize and destroy orders. A seasoned IP disputes lawyer who has spearheaded a wealth of trademark and domain name cases, he also advises on trademark strategy and commercial agreements”, WTR 1000 The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 2013
  • ‘One client of Siitonen's, who has used the firm for five years, said: "They have a huge understanding of the different areas in intellectual property and rights. Also, they are really very active, which is hugely important to us, and they have a good network in Finland. We have good results in fights we have with them."’, Mananging Intellectual Property IP Handbook 2012

Memberships and Positions of Trust

  • Member of the Finnish Bar Association, Chairman of the IPR Expert Group 2016–2023
  • Member of the Finnish AIPPI Group, treasurer 2012-2013, Member of the Board 2013–, and Deputy Chairman 2017–
  • Member of the International Trademark Association (INTA)
  • Member of the Finnish Association for Industrial Property Rights
  • Member of the Finnish Anti-Counterfeiting Group, Member of the Board 2013–2016
  • Member of the Finnish IT Law Association, Member of the Board 2009–2011
  • Member of the Finnish Sports Law Association

Professional Background

  • Partner, Hannes Snellman, 2011–
  • Senior Associate, Hannes Snellman, 2006–2010
  • Associate, Hannes Snellman, 2004–2005
  • Mäkitalo Rämö Virolainen Attorneys at Law, 2004
  • Risto Kurki-Suonio Attorneys at Law, 2002–2004

Education

  • IPR Specialist, IPR University Center, 2003
  • Master of Laws, University of Helsinki, 2001