In short: For IP practice groups, MIP IP STARS is the central, internationally recognized specialist ranking across all IP disciplines. The submission deadline is 31 October 2025. JUVE (with JUVE Patent and the JUVE Handbook of Commercial Law Firms) complements this, particularly in the DACH market and the UPC space, with strong editorial market depth. Chambers & The Legal 500 provide global reputation and strong editorials, while IAM Patent 1000 is the concise seal for patent excellence.

1) Why IP STARS is a must-do for IP law firms

• Specialization & coverage: Separately assessed areas patents, trademarks, copyright/related rights, IP transactions plus individual recognitions (e.g., Top 250 Women in IP, Rising Stars).
• Multiple stages: Rolling releases throughout the year create several PR/BD opportunities.
• Awards multiplier: The research also feeds the Managing IP Awards.
• Free to enter & content-driven: Substance and referee feedback matter, not sponsorship.
• Deadline: 31 October 2025 – submission via the online portal.

2) JUVE as a European amplifier (DACH & UPC)

JUVE Patent

• Focus & reach: Pan-European patent ranking (e.g., DE, AT, FR, NL, UK) including a dedicated UPC segment.
• Methodology: Questionnaires & in-depth interviews with clients and market participants; reputation- and performance-driven.
• Impact: High relevance for European in-house counsel; ongoing editorial coverage (cases, moves, awards).

JUVE Handbook of Commercial Law Firms

• Standing in the DACH market: Reference work for Germany (IP chapters such as trademarks/designs, patents, copyright/media, unfair competition) as well as dedicated handbooks for Austria.
• Methodology & depth: Highly interview-driven (thousands of conversations per cycle) → strong penetration in the DACH C-suite.
• Timing note: Product-specific JUVE deadlines (e.g., UPC questionnaire typically early October) come before the IP STARS deadline.

3) Positioning the “big four” alongside

• Chambers (IP sections): Global reputation beacon with strong interview/referee weighting; IP is one of many practice areas – ideal for top-level branding, but less granular than MIP.
• The Legal 500 (IP chapters): Editorially visible tiering and fully written commentary – great for marketing/website; IP specialization less fine-grained than IP STARS.
• IAM Patent 1000: Patent-only (no trademarks/copyright); highly regarded by patent in-house – ideal for patent boutiques or flagship teams.

4) How they work together: what each is best for

Objective	Primary ranking	Complement(s)
Holistic IP story (patents, trademarks, copyright, transactions)	MIP IP STARS	Chambers, The Legal 500
European patent litigation & UPC proof	JUVE Patent	IAM Patent 1000, IP STARS (patent)
DACH market impact & HR signal	JUVE Handbook	Chambers/Legal 500 (global branding)
Patent authority (technical depth)	IAM Patent 1000	JUVE Patent, IP STARS (patent)
Global C-suite branding	Chambers / Legal 500	IP STARS (as IP specialist)

5) Tactical roadmap through 31 October 2025 (including JUVE)

Weeks 1–2: Secure data, prioritize JUVE

• JUVE Patent (UPC/DE/AT etc.): Finalize questionnaire (flagship cases, UPC strategies, technology fields); confirm in-house referees ready for interviews.
• Case library for IP STARS: per area, 3–5 outcome-strong matters with confidentiality-scrubbed factsheets.

Weeks 2–3: Sharpen the IP STARS submission

• Firm questionnaires: crisp narratives per sub-ranking (patent, trademark, copyright, transactions).
• Referees: responsive and diverse (region, seniority, tech sector, work type).
• Individual recognitions: nominate candidates for Top 250 Women in IP, Rising Stars, Corporate/Individual Stars.

Week 4: Approvals & PR packages

• Obtain legal approvals, test the portal upload, and plan a deadline buffer.
• Prepare communications: short press notes, website modules, social tiles for the rolling releases (JUVE & MIP), including a UPC angle for patent news.

6) Decision & prioritization aids

Which matters contribute the most?

• Patent litigation/UPC: precedent value, cross-border coordination, technical complexity, speed & outcome (PI/hearings/settlement).
• Trademarks/anti-counterfeiting: international serial actions, platform enforcement, measurable market impact.
• Transactions/licensing: IP-driven deals, FTO strategies, monetization (royalty models, SEP/FRAND).
• Copyright/tech/IP-commercial: product scaling, AI/data use, regulatory interfaces.

Referee selection (do’s):

• People close to the matter (response rate!), a mix of regions/sectors; avoid name-only “C-level” lists.
• Secure consent and contact windows in advance.

KPIs for internal steering:

• Coverage per sub-ranking (patent/trademark/copyright/transactions).
• Referee response rate (target > 60%).
• Share of usable cases with clear KPIs.
• PR time-to-market after publication (< 72 h).

7) Conclusion

IP STARS is the broadest global IP lever—specialized, visible multiple times a year, and directly connected to awards. JUVE provides European depth: JUVE Patent as the first address for patent/UPC reputation, the JUVE Handbook as the DACH reference.

Chambers/Legal 500 remain reputation anchors for global panels; IAM Patent 1000 sharpens the patent profile. Firms that coordinate these directories—with a consistent case story, robust metrics, active referees, and prepared PR assets—achieve outsized visibility in the market and among talent.