La Gro > The Hague, Netherlands > Firm Profile
La Gro Offices

Prinses Margrietplantsoen 56
2595 BR The Hague
Netherlands
- Go to...
- Rankings
- Firm Profile
- Main Contacts
- Lawyer Profiles
La Gro > The Legal 500 Rankings
Netherlands > Industry focus: healthcare and life sciences Tier 3
La Gro's practice has vast experience in assisting with the corporate restructuring of healthcare entities and UPC infringement proceedings. Practice head Marleen van den Horst is well known for handling SPC and regulatory issues, and often acts for large pharmaceutical companies in matters concerning clinical trials and orphan medicinal products. Benjamin Niemeijer has expertise in IP litigation, and often assists healthcare providers with tech-related transfers.Practice head(s):
Marleen van den Horst
Other key lawyers:
Benjamin Niemeijer; Iris Arts
Testimonials
‘The team are very knowledgeable and great to work with. Very reliable.’
‘Pleasant personal attention, capable of providing timely suitable solutions.’
‘Benjamin Niemeijer is knowledgeable and truly cares for his clientele, and is able to provide the correct input needed to make good decisions and to make the process seamless.’
Key clients
Stichting Alrijne Zorggroep
Insud Pharma
Leiden University Medical Center
Move the Brain
Oldelft Ultrasound
Stada Arzneimittel
Adalvo
Focus Care Pharmaceuticals
Amgen
OrthoApnea
Vivisol B
NeoKidney Foundation
Pharming Group
European Society for Immunodeficiencies
The Netherlands Center for the Clinical Advancement of Stem Cell and Gene Therapies
Work highlights
- Represented Amgen in biosimilar patent litigation.
- Represented Insud Pharma in invalidity proceedings concerning pharmaceutical patents.
- Representing OrthoApnea and Vivisol B in patent infringement proceedings.
Netherlands > Intellectual property: Patents Tier 4
La Gro‘s group is well-equipped to handle the broad range of intricate patent issues, including acting for its sector-spanning clients in infringement and invalidity proceedings before the UPC and the Dutch courts. Benjamin Niemeijer heads up the practice alongside Marleen van den Horst; both team leads harness standout expertise in pharma and life sciences-related matters in particular. ‘Exceptional lawyer’ Iris Arts is also a noteworthy name.Practice head(s):
Benjamin Niemeijer; Marleen van den Horst
Other key lawyers:
Vivian Heijnen; Iris Arts
Testimonials
‘The team is very knowledgeable, and very importantly, great to work with and very reliable.’
‘Very knowledgeable, innovative and show strong, strategic and tactical thinking capabilities. New areas within the legal field are approached in an impressive manner.’
‘Benjamin Niemeijer and Vivian Heijnen show brilliant strategic, out-of-the-box thinking which has led us to far better results than we anticipated.’
‘They think well ahead, not losing sight of the human touch.’
‘This practice is unique due to its highly knowledgeable people. Their communication skills and thoroughness made every step of the process clear and concise.’
‘Marleen van den Horst was very knowledgeable and clear. Her communication skills are beyond perfect. Iris Arts was also an exceptional lawyer who was very concise and very thorough with her reviews. Both were amazing professionals who were able to help us out without issue.’
‘The team has extensive knowledge of patent law and SPCs with innovative strategies.’
‘Marleen van den Horst is a key name in the Netherlands’ patent practice with an extensive knowledge, and she is always available to solve clients’ specific problems.’
Key clients
Oldelft Ultrasound
Stada Arzneimittel AG
Adalvo
Rollepaal (RPF)
Amgen
FocusCare
OrthoApnea
Insud Pharma
InterDigital
Leiden University Medical Center
T. Stolze Installatietechniek
Vivisol B
NecstGen
Work highlights
- Represent OrthoApnea and Vivisol B in infringement proceedings to enforce a patent before the UPC.
- Represented Insud Pharma successfully in proceedings against Galenicum to invalidate a pharmaceutical patent.
- Initiated proceedings to invalidate the Dutch part of EP 165 of Alexion, a patent protecting the use of eculizumab, a biologic, to treat various orphan diseases, like aHUS.
Netherlands > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyrights and design rights Tier 5
La Gro's practice is headed up by IP and tech specialist Benjamin Niemeijer who has capabilities advising clients across industry sectors from pharma and life sciences to energy in the array of patent, trade mark, design and copyright matters, and Marleen van den Horst. Alongside Niemeijer, Vivian Heijnen shows ‘brilliant, strategic out-of-the-box thinking.’Practice head(s):
Benjamin Niemeijer; Marleen van den Horst
Other key lawyers:
Tahir Bodha; Vivian Heijnen
Testimonials
‘Benjamin Niemeijer has extensive experience in managing complex IP matters and consistently delivers innovative approaches to safeguarding trademarks, patents, and copyrights.’
‘Benjamin’s strong analytical skills and dedication to achieving optimal outcomes makes him one of our best advisors in the field.’
‘Very knowledgeable, innovative and strong strategic and tactical thinking. They see no problem going the extra mile. Strong focus on the business interests of clients.’
‘Impressive performance.’
‘Benjamin Niemeijer and Vivian Heijnen show brilliant, strategic, out-of-the-box thinking which has led to far better results than anticipated for us. I am very satisfied.’
‘Tahir Bodha is very knowledgeable in his field. He’s proactive in taking actions to exceed our expectations as client. He’s detail-oriented, persuasive and organised. As client, we could trust him and rely on him. ’
Key clients
Container Centralen
AIXAM Mega
Duo Penotti
Leiden University Medical Center
Wunderman Thompson
Necstgen
Proactis
CHDR
Pig & Hen
Dawn Aerospace
Grafton Holding
Stichting Greenform
La Gro > Firm Profile
La Gro is a leading independent full-service law firm based in the Netherlands, with offices in The Hague and Alphen aan den Rijn. The firm is composed of highly skilled partners and associates in various specialized departments that work seamlessly together to provide clients with comprehensive legal services.
The firm offers a wide range of legal services to medium and large-sized companies, public authorities and (financial) institutions, including corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, employment law, litigation, real estate, intellectual property, tax law, and more. Our team of experienced and accomplished lawyers works closely with clients to provide excellent service with a hands-on and personal approach. We strive to understand clients’ businesses and industries in order to provide strategic and practical advice that helps them achieve their goals.
To combine sector-specific knowledge and serve our clients in the most efficient way, our firm also works in industry groups, such as the Food & Agriculture group, the Healthcare & Life Sciences group, the ESG group and Energy group, which include lawyers from various departments within our firm.
Our firm has strategic alliances with other law firms in US, Japan, Belgium, Germany, the UK, Denmark and China which were hand-picked by us. This enables us to assist our clients not only in our own country, but across multiple jurisdictions.
The bulk of our workload comes from the Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences & Medical, Manufacturing, Agri-food, and (internet & telecom) Technology sectors.
MAIN PRACTICE AREAS
Intellectual property
The team is well known for its skills structuring complex and strategic patent, copyright, design, database, trademark, and trade name disputes and is specifically retained by clients who require advice on the status of the intellectual property portfolio, including trademark registrations, trade secrets and other unregistered intellectual property rights.
We also provide high-end advice regarding key products in a series of industries, including assistance with complex transactions, the negotiation and drafting of cross-border licenses and distribution agreements, as well as joint development agreements for a series of companies.
Our IP team regularly collaborates with the Commercial Contracts, Administrative Law (regulatory issues), Corporate/M&A, and Competition Law teams in matters where IP and other areas of law interact.
In the high-tech & telecoms sector, we advise various international clients on cross-border litigation strategy and prepare SEPs and non-SEPs enforcement proceedings in the Netherlands. Our patent litigators regularly handle mechanical engineering cases for a diverse array of high-profile clients.
Privacy and data protection
The attorneys in our privacy and data protection team have extensive experience in privacy law and are well-versed in the playing field. They translate the standards outlined in laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), into concrete actions and legal documents that can be applied in a targeted manner.
Our team is accustomed to acting quickly, for instance, in enforcement actions and when assessing data breaches that must be reported within 72 hours. We assist both organizations and private individuals in privacy-related litigation matters. We strive to cultivate sustainable, long-term partnerships and serve as an essential partner for a range of organizations.
Corporate
La Gro advises entrepreneurs, shareholders and directors in mergers and acquisitions, corporate litigation, corporate governance, competition law and state aid, corporate housekeeping services.
Regarding corporate litigation, La Gro covers a wide range of matters, including shareholder disputes, take-over/post-merger disputes, liability issues, and inquiry proceedings before the Enterprise Chamber.
The firm also has the expertise to advise on governance, articles of association, composition and authorisations of the board, accountability, duties of supervisors and commissioners and the role of participation and advisory bodies.
The firm’s specialised Competition and State Aid team helps clients navigate through the competition rules before the Consumer & Market Authority (ACM) and the European Commission. The firm provides guidance on competition law in the context of mergers and the purchase and sale of business.
Finally, in the corporate housekeeping front, La Gro assists in all activities around fulfilling corporate legal obligations, such as complying with shareholder agreements, recording shareholder resolutions, and keeping the shareholder register up-to-date. We aid in setting up a business and its corporate structures. In addition, we support adequate recording of decisions and fulfilment of corporate law obligations.
Real estate
The real estate team specialises in all aspects of commercial real estate, from the transaction to the actual settlement. Our partners and associates advice on general terms and conditions, contract and partnership types, construction arbitrations to contractors, architects, construction supervisors, housing supervisors, housing corporations, governments, developer and suppliers, among others.
Additionally, real estate entrepreneurs can consult us for all their inquiries regarding buying and selling, renting and leasing, apartment rights and contracting. Our team collaborates closely with clients, leveraging our legal expertise and profound understanding of the real estate market to identify the most effective approach and perspective.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Intellectual Property & Technology | Marleen van den Horst | [email protected] | +316 46 11 04 49 |
Intellectual Property & Technology | Benjamin Niemeijer | [email protected] | +316 17 37 67 42 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Mr Benjamin Niemeijer | Partner Intellectual Property & Technology | View Profile |
![]() |
Marleen van den Horst | Partner Intellectual Property & Technology | View Profile |