Europe - Netherlands
1

Industry focus: retail

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Baker McKenzie

Client Satisfaction
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The consumer, goods and retail group at Baker McKenzie has significant global reach, advising international and domestic retailers and brand owners on IP issues, transactions, and disputes. The team combines the expertise of the firm’s tax, competition and IP practice areas to advise on cross-border matters. Itse Oosterhoff chairs the Amsterdam-based team and leads on contract disputes, director's and shareholder liability litigation and commercial fraud cases. Co-leads Wibren Veldhuizen and Harald van Dobbenburgh are the go-to for tax issues, while fellow co-lead Benjamin van Kessel handles IP matters. Corporate specialist Laura Rietvelt also co-leads the team.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Baker McKenzie stands out because the firm's department focuses on retail and commercial. All of the department's lawyers are highly specialised in these areas, which adds value to clients. The firm has clearly made its mark in this industry.’

  • ‘Itse Oosterhoff is an exceptional strategic thinker, consistently staying ahead of the curve. Thanks to his attention to detail and the outstanding strategic decisions he guided us in making, we achieved a resounding victory in the case.’

  • ‘We were impressed by the innovative approach of this law firm, which opened up a completely different perspective on the legal problems related to the situation in question.’

  • ‘The team was led by Itse Oosterhoff, who ensured excellent responsiveness and efficiency of every team member involved.’

  • ‘Very strong retail group that really takes the time to build a team in this sector. Very solid retail client base and insights into the best practice. I appreciate the know-how that is proactively shared with clients, such as on ESG regulations throughout EU with a retail focus, as well as recommended client events and seminars.’

  • ‘Itse Oosterhoff is passionate about retail. Perfect fit for us to design new territory development agreement for Asia, taking into account lessons learnt in EU distribution litigation. Very good in making the connection. Benjamin van Kessel is experienced with luxury brand protection. Litigation as well as advice on enforcement and agency agreements.’

Key clients

  • British American Tobacco
  • Catawiki
  • GoPro
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Rituals Cosmetics Enterprise
  • Sisley
  • Specsavers
  • Swarovski
  • TastyBasics
  • Unilever
  • Mistral
  • AB InBev
  • Hunter Douglas
  • Dita Inc.
  • Smiley Company SPRL

Work highlights

  • Advised Rituals on different aspects of its selective distribution systems throughout the world, with a particular focus on improving the effectiveness of Ritual's strategy to prevent unauthorised sales.
  • Advised Unilever on its trade mark prosecution matters, on potential trade mark infringement matters and strategic trade mark advice regarding the Benelux region.
  • Advising Mistral on various matters regarding IP distribution and licensing contracts, trade mark licenses and disputes.

Lawyers

Leading partners
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Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Itse Oosterhoff, Benjamin van Kessel, Wibren Veldhuizen, Harald van Dobbenburgh, Laura Rietvelt