Ilja is Counsel/Head of Focus Group AR-VR/AI at top tier law firm SKW Schwarz, repeatedly winning Media Law Firm of the Year by institutions such as Best Lawyers or JUVE, as well as being the 12th ranked Media practice in the global ranking of Who’s Who Legal 100.

From the beginning of his practice, Ilja had a special focus on the sports industry, advising sport agencies, athletes, clubs, and industries closing partnerships with the sport world. His main areas of work include establishing sponsoring, licensing and distribution systems, IP protection and litigation, as well as advertisement law. Next to classical industries such as textile, consumer goods, and medical products, among his clients you will find startups that are on the forefront of developing disruptive digital business models.

As of today Ilja has a publication record of more than 60 articles and has (co)written 5 books on IP enforcement. Among other things, he is co-author of one of Germany’s leading commentaries on copyright law.‍

Ilja is a passionate but lousy football player and even worse golf player.