September marks the return not only of a busy season in the legal sector but also of our ongoing analyses of law firm rankings and directories. With a number of key IP deadlines approaching toward the end of the year, it is the ideal moment to examine how the major IP directories are performing and how the market is responding to them.

We begin our series with a look at Germany. Here we observe a noteworthy trend: specialized rankings are continuing to set the pace, but only by a narrow margin. Within this competitive environment, JUVE — traditionally regarded as one of Germany’s most authoritative ranking with consistently strong results — appears to have lost some ground, leaving only Leaders League still trailing behind it.

One likely explanation is the introduction of JUVE’s new paywall earlier this year. Many law firms have voiced concerns about this move, as access restrictions inevitably reduce the visibility of rankings. For firms, wide and unhindered exposure is essential: being listed in a ranking has little impact if prospective clients, peers, or in-house legal teams cannot easily access the information.

To JUVE’s credit, the publisher has acknowledged this concern by offering companies and in-house counsel free accounts. However, as we argued at the beginning of this year, even a free registration requirement can serve as a deterrent. Users tend to avoid extra steps when information is available elsewhere without barriers. In the long run, this could shift attention to competing rankings and directories that maintain fully open access.

This development raises broader questions about the future of rankings in the German legal market. Will paywalls undermine the influence of established players like JUVE, or will firms and readers accept limited access in exchange for perceived quality and authority? At the same time, specialized directories may continue to gain ground by combining niche expertise with accessible formats, offering an attractive alternative for both firms and clients.

As the year progresses, and particularly as deadlines concentrate attention on the IP sector, the impact of these shifts will become more visible. What is already clear is that accessibility — whether through open platforms or innovative publishing strategies — is becoming just as critical as reputation in determining the success of a ranking.

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