Leeway focuses solely on soft IP matters, advises well-known names in the retail and fashion sectors on trade mark prosecutions and litigation across the Benelux region, acting for plaintiffs in infringement disputes and supporting clients facing cancellation and opposition proceedings before Dutch and European courts. The team is led in tandem by the ‘very knowledgeable’ Michiel Odink, a specialist in the retail and digital services sectors, and ’IP superstar’ Marga Verwoert, who advises fashion brands and celebrities on the protection of their IP portfolios. Jos Klaus is a name to note for online IP infringement, advising on marketing campaigns and matters concerning misleading advertising, with Nini Blom acting for clients in domain name disputes and advising on licensing and distribution agreements.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Jos Klaus is like a pitbull for his clients. He will do all in his power to find that one thing that can change the case in the client's advantage. Nini Blom is a great attorney. She is very dedicated and makes the client feel at ease. Her knowledge of the IP field is amazing.'
'We often work with Marga Verwoert. She thinks like a transaction lawyer, which makes it very easy to involve her in complex transactions with an important IP angle.'
'The Leeway team is small but provides high quality advice, and is very much hands-on.'
'Marga Verwoert has built a great practice in litigating the commercial aspects of IP. She is strong, a high quality lawyer and very much to be reckoned with. She has a clear focus on the commercial goal of the client and does not let herself get distracted by side issues.'
'Marga Verwoert is an absolute IP superstar, she is always one step ahead, a smart and a fast thinker who is very reliable in her advice. Michiel Odink is very knowledgeable. I have also worked with Jos Klaus and Nini Blom, two associates that absolutely will skyrocket in the IP world.'
'This practice is outstanding because it unites a great bunch of very keen and intelligent individuals.'
'Leeway has very good coverage across the practice area, and provides comprehensive advice.'
Key clients
- Action Nederland
- easyGroup Ltd.
- Baidu Inc.
- Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
- Beter Bed
- Chet Baker Estate
- HEMA B.V.
- Vacu Vin
- Dataprovider.com
- DPG Media
- O2
- PAL Sporting Goods
- Royal Boch BVBA
- Pathé Thuis
- Scotch & Soda B.V.
- The Agent-C
- Warner Music Benelux B.V.
- Wieland Electric
- Wahl Corporation Inc.
- OSLO skin lab
Work highlights
- Acted for Baidu in cancellation and opposition proceedings against BAIDU marks owned by a company called Baidu Europe, owned by Michael Gleissner.
- Represented Warner Bros in several trade mark disputes, including against Ferrero regarding the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory brand.
- Represented HEMA in a dispute with Lidl concerning an alleged infringement of its copyrights in relation to "lettercrate," a HEMA design for a foldable basket.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Marga Verwoert, Michiel Odink