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Kennedy Van der Laan's ’dynamic, forward-thinking’ offering has noteworthy expertise assisting its portfolio of renowned clients in the tech and advanced tech, media and internet, and fashion and luxury sectors in particular. The team’s IP capabilities includes handling high-profile trade mark infringement litigation, representing clients in complex and high-stakes matters regarding remuneration for inventions, and providing advice regarding brand protection on an ongoing basis. Maarten Schut specialises in tech and life sciences-related trade mark work, and Joran Spauwen‘s areas of focus include advising on IP aspects of complex transactions and contracts; the pair oversee the team. Sophie van Loon acts for international clients in copyright matters, Reindert van der Zaal is experienced in brand protection, and Alfred Meijboom has expertise in IT.

Practice head: Maarten Schut, Joran Spauwen

Leading partners

Maarten Schut 

Next Generation Partners

Reindert van der Zaal

Sophie van Loon

Other key lawyers

Alfred Meijboom 

Testimonials

• ‘The law firm is very professional, very hardworking and has been very efficient in obtaining the results expected in the cases given to them, including a pan-European injunction. We trust them and are satisfied with them.’
• ‘Alfred Meijboom, Maarten Schut, and Reindert van der Zaal particularly stand out in the field of IP and brand protection in the Netherlands. They are very approachable and are excellent lawyers, and they have a strong reputation in the global client market for their field in the Netherlands. I would recommend them.’
• ‘Sophie van Loon is noteworthy.’
• ‘The IP section is a team of professionals with extensive knowledge in IP law who are very pleasant to cooperate with. They have helped us with several copyright, trade mark and patent law cases, all with success.’

The ‘true legal and judicial experts’ at Kennedy Van der Laan divide their focus between the tech, media and entertainment, fashion and luxury sectors, representing clients in major trade mark infringement claims and issues around intermediary liability. The practice is led by Maarten Schut, a specialist in tech and life sciences trade mark disputes; IP, IT and sports-focused Alfred Meijboom; and Joran Spauwen, whose expertise lies in assisting the IP aspects of tech transactions. Reindert van der Zaal represents both domestic and international fashion, luxury and sports brands in trade mark and advertising matters, and co-heads the firm’s anti-counterfeiting program.

Practice heads: Alfred Meijboom; Maarten Schut; Joran Spauwen

Leading Individuals

Maarten Schut

Next Generation Partners

Reindert van der Zaal

Other key lawyers

Reindert van der Zaal
Sophie van Loon

Testimonials

• ‘KVDL are true legal experts who have the added advantage of being very pragmatic. They deliver effective advice, and strategies are perfectly adapted to their interlocutors.’
• ‘The IP and tech team are first class at KVDL. They are one of the most impressive teams in the Netherlands.’
• ‘The standout partner is Maarten Schut. He is a leader in his field. He has a commercial mindset which clients appreciate, as well as a clear focus on outcomes.’
• ‘Kennedy Van Der Laan has a deep understanding of intellectual property legislation in the Netherlands and extensive experience.’
• ‘Reindert van der Zaal has extensive experience in both pre-litigation and litigation involving intellectual property rights. Reindert has assisted our company on very delicate and complex matters and, in all cases, has managed to achieve great results.’
• ‘They have an outstanding team with great experience in IP matters.’
• ‘Reindert van der Zaal is an exceptional professional.’
• ‘The KVDL IP practice is clearly a dynamic, forward-thinking, and approachable one. They have excellent legal knowledge in the field of IP.’

Kennedy Van der Laan represents high-profile clients active in a range of sectors, especially in the advanced technologies, life sciences, fashion and media industries. Maarten Schut is a key name for technology and innovative life sciences companies for trade mark and trade secret issues, while Alfred Meijboom is recognised for his intersecting IP and IT work, and also advises sports-sector clients and handles arbitration cases involving art. Joran Spauwen assists emerging companies and foreign clients with investments in innovative technologies, requiring licensing and IP transactions. Counsel Sophie Van Loon is a specialist in collective rights management issues and in copyright law, and senior associate Reindert Van Der Zaal leads on brand protection, anti-counterfeiting and trade mark infringement mandates for sports, luxury and fashion brands.

Practice heads: Alfred Meijboom; Maarten Schut; Joran Spauwen

Leading Individuals

Maarten Schut

Rising Stars

Reindert van der Zaal

Testimonials

• ‘KVDL lawyers are true legal and judicial experts who have the added advantage of being very pragmatic. They deliver effective, business-oriented advice and strategies and are smart experts before Courts and offices.’
• ‘Technically excellent with first-rate client service and a focus on the commercial imperatives.’
• ‘Maarten Schut is rightly highly rated in relation to brand protection and enforcement, as is Reindert van der Zaal. On the commercial side, Martine de Koning is superb.’
• ‘Alfred Meijboom brings superb legal analysis and works with commercial and tactical acumen.’
• ‘Maarten Schut and Sophie van Loon are both very easy to deal with and efficient in the conduct of matters.’
• ‘The individuals I work with are Reindert van der Zaal, Joran Spauwen and Jens van den Brink. All very specialised, pragmatic and always deliver on time.’
• ‘The firm has a good team for IP matters. They are approachable and provide a good service.’

Kennedy Van der Laan continues to build on its key areas of specialism; technology, media/the internet and the fashion/luxury goods sectors. It has attracted an impressive number of new clients in these areas and its ‘success rate has been remarkable throughout the years‘ in respect of trade mark protection matters. Maarten Schut, who heads the group with Alfred Meijboom, has extensive trade marks expertise, particularly in the areas of life sciences and advanced technologies and is also a deputy judge at one of the four courts of appeal. Founding partner, Meijboom is known for his work where IP and IT interface and for ‘complex multi-jurisdictional‘ cases. Joran Spauwen became a partner in 2021 – his focus is on internet-based disputes and transactions and he is noted for his cyber security expertise. The ‘exceptional‘ senior associate Reindert Van Der Zaal's focus is brand protection and entertainment law. Sophie Van Loon and Gaya Schultz are other core team members.

Practice head(s): Alfred Meijboom; Maarten Schut

Other key lawyers: Reindert van der Zaal; Sophie van Loon; Gaya Schultz; Joran Spauwen

Leading Individuals

Maarten Schut

Rising Stars

Reindert van der Zaal

Testimonials

• 'KVDL lawyers are true legal and judicial experts who have the added advantage of being very pragmatic. They deliver effective, business-oriented advice and strategies and are perfectly adapted to their interlocutors: concise and pragmatic for operational clients, and legal smart experts before Courts and offices.’
• ‘Alfred Meijboom is a smart and experienced lawyer, capable of handling complex multi-jurisdictional intellectual property cases. Gaya Schultz, who assists Alfred on cases, is very well versed in trademark law and office practices.’
• ‘Marteen Schut is a proven expert in anti-counterfeiting and trademark protection, with extensive experience in the fashion and retail sectors. Reindert van der Zaal, in Maarten’s team, is also excellent in this field.’