Thijs van Aerde > Houthoff > Amsterdam, Netherlands > Lawyer Profile

Houthoff is renowned for its Supreme Court litigation expertise. It handles cases across all types of IP disputes from patents, trade marks and copyright to plant variety rights, database and defamation matters. It also has a niche expertise acting for car companies such as Ford and Renault and has a dedicated IP technology transfer team that advises on acquisitions and cross-border tax structuring. Thomas De Weerd heads a team that includes core team members Thijs Van Aerde and Fleur Tuinzing-Westerhuis.

Thomas de Weerd leads the Houthoff practice which has a noted reputation for its expertise in Supreme Court litigation, often in respect of pharmaceutical, biotech, technology and chemicals patents. Its advisory work includes the patent aspects of mergers and it also advises medical start-ups on patent matters. It is the leading firm in advising on the niche area of plant variety rights – an area where Fleur Tuinzing-Westerhuis is an expert. Her experience encompasses litigation regarding national and community plant variety rights and broader agri-food cases. Thijs van Aerde is well known for his Supreme Court litigation.