Liedekerke‘s IP practice is ’very dynamic and proactive’, with experience across the gamut of IP related matters, covering patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and unfair competition work. Clients relying on the expertise of the team span the entertainment, retail, tech, and healthcare sectors. Etienne Kairis leads the team, with particular expertise in the automotive sector. Sarah Van Den Brande is integral to the practice, with expertise across the software and media industries, and experience litigating complex cases. Bernard Vanbrabant is a ‘very good practitioner with a business mindset’.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is very dynamic and  proactive. We have had a couple of cases together and they have a very creative approach towards helping the client in the best possible manner (thinking out of the box), even when at first the situation looks dire.’

  • ‘Myrtle Gevers is a young and dynamic person, very confident in patent litigation, under the supervision of Bernard Vanbrabant and Sarah van den Brande, who are very experienced in the procedural aspects of litigation.’

  • ‘Supportive and responsive.’

  • ‘Easy to work with and good teamwork, with two key points of contact so that there was always someone to respond.’

  • ‘Very good communicators, clear advice and stuck to the costs quote. Advice was clear and concise.’

  • ‘Multidisciplinary approach. The expertise is not locked away in an ivory tower, but interconnected with other relevant expertise to reach quickly an optimized solution.’

  • ‘Bernard Vanbrabant is both an IP scholar and a very good practitioner with a business mindset. Straight to the point and always working with a pragmatic approach. This makes all the difference.’

  • ‘Sarah van den Brande analyses and considers issues quickly and well and responds rapidly.’

Key clients

  • Solvay
  • Sonaca
  • IMPS
  • Agicoa
  • MDK (Maritime Services & Coastal Agency)
  • Fenavian
  • IQVIA
  • Enarco - Wackerneuson
  • Vlaamse Nieuwsmedia
  • Katoen Natie
  • Cryotherapeutics
  • Revolt Cycling
  • Moncler
  • Victoria’s Secret

Work highlights

  • Representing Vlaamse Nieuwsmedia in annulment proceedings before the Belgian Constitutional Court in a dispute against Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd and Google related to the Digital Single Market Directive granting press publishers with a new neighbouring right for the online use of their press publications by information society service providers (“ISSPs").
  • Assisting Moncler, an Italian luxury fashion house, in a copyright dispute against a Belgian music composer.
  • Assisting a prominent manufacturer of paints and coatings, part of a major European player in the construction industry, in parallel litigation proceedings related to alleged patent infringements and illicit use of trade secrets.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Myrtle Gevers
Liedekerke
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Etienne Kairis

Other key lawyers

Sarah van den Brande, Bernard Vanbrabrant, Myrtle Gevers