Remy Chavannes > Brinkhof > Amsterdam, Netherlands > Lawyer Profile

Brinkhof is seen by clients as a go-to adviser on a wide ambit of high-profile and complex matters relating to the Dutch telecoms market. Its first-rate reputation is reflected by its work for a diverse range of clients, such as hardware manufacturers, MVNOs and MVNEs, OTT players and network providers. The team, which is ‘very well-connected to the client’s interests’, is prominent in high-profile projects, competition-related and regulatory matters, as well as patent cases and civil damages actions, among other key mandates. Pepijn Van Ginneken has a particular focus on telecoms regulatory issues, and is an expert in competition law in a communications context. He co-heads the team with Quinten Kroes, who advises on and litigates matters related to telecoms, media and data protection law. Another key name in the area is Remy Chavannes, who has ‘outstanding legal expertise spanning the telecom, media and digital landscapes’.

Brinkhof combines ‘state of the art legal knowledge with a very practical approach’. It fields a team of ‘excellent high-class lawyers with in-depth knowledge of entertainment rights and neighbouring rights, which they keep very up to date’. The firm is noted for its work in the media, broadcast, internet and telecoms sectors. Remy Chavannes acts for clients such as broadcasters and publishers, as well as internet platforms and providers. He advises on a range of matters and litigates cases involving the intersection of copyright, freedom of expression and privacy. He co-heads the team with telecoms, media and copyright expert Dorien Verhulst. Another key name in the area is counsel Anke Strijbos, who is experienced in media, copyright and internet litigation, privacy and IT contracting.

Brinkhof’s dedicated data protection practice ‘goes the extra mile’ to assist a high-profile list of national and international clients with the full range of data protection mandates; the team is particularly active in the TMT sector and counts T-Mobile, DLL and VoetbalTV on its client roster. The group is highly experienced in complex data work and has been increasingly active in data litigation; it is currently representing Google in Supreme Court litigation relating to the right to be forgotten. Quinten Kroes leads the department, which also fields online platform specialist Remy Chavannes, newly promoted partner Dorien Verhulst and associate Manon Oostveen.

The Brinkhof team handles many of the most high-profile and landmark trade mark and design cases; Gregor Vos is the lead lawyer in these areas. He is a seasoned litigator – including before the ECJ, and also has experience of on-line infringement issues such as platform liability for trade mark infringement and advertising law. His practice is supported by a team of trade mark attorneys. Concerning copyright, Remy Chavannes and Dorien Verhulst are the lead lawyers who are skilled in copyright litigation cases, media and on-line disputes including ground-breaking cases concerning the copyright status of hyperlinking. Other key team members include counsel Anke Strijbos who has expertise in media and internet litigation, copyright and information law, and senior associate Rutger Stoop whose expertise spans trade mark, design and copyright law. Kurt Stopetie left the firm in October 2022.

Brinkhof undertakes advisory work and litigation across all areas of competition law, EU law and regulated markets. Pepijn Van Ginneken and Quinten Kroes co-head the team, which acts for clients such as domestic incumbents in regulated industries, as well as multinational corporates. The vast majority it mandates have an international dimension. The group handles a varied portfolio of work, which includes cutting-edge cartel damages actions (representing claimants and defendants), merger investigations and regulatory matters. In an ongoing mandate, van Ginneken and Hanneke Kooijman are acting for Toshiba in all follow-on damages litigation in the Netherlands, which has arisen from its alleged participation in the screens cartel. On the transactional side, van Ginneken and Kroes are advising KPN on the European Commission’s review of the merger between Liberty Global and Ziggo. Remy Chavannes and Daan De Lange are also names to note.