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AKD is one of the largest law firms in the Netherlands. With a team of 250 lawyers, civil law notaries and tax lawyers, AKD delivers high-quality legal services and tax matters in almost all legal fields, based on a full-service approach. Our client base varies from large multinational companies to stock-listed Dutch entities, from large corporates to family-owned businesses and from financial institutions to municipalities and hospitals.
Pragmatic approach and no-nonsense culture
AKD has a pragmatic approach to business issues and provides tailored solutions for a variety of client needs by taking current legal, economic and political reality into account. Recognised for its ability to solve complex legal and tax challenges creatively and successfully, and driven by the ambition to seek proactive ways to add value to our legal and tax services, AKD prides itself on professional excellence and dedication to its clients. AKD has an open, no-nonsense culture and aims to create a transparent and inclusive environment.
Diversity
AKD is a place where people of all backgrounds, races and cultures work together and thrive. To meet the needs of the variety of clients that we serve from different backgrounds, our legal professionals speak the same language as our clients and are sensitive to cultural differences in outlook or work processes. AKD has desks for Asian, Turkish, German and US matters.
We attach significant importance to cooperation and personal contacts. All of our lawyers have a no-nonsense approach and can be contacted directly.
Intellectual property, information technology and data protection
AKD has a strong and internationally recognised IP, IT and data protection practice group. It is a large and highly specialised team with international expertise in trademark, design, copyright, technology, media and privacy law. This includes AKD Trademarks and Designs – the firm’s trademark and design filing practice.
International reputation
AKD’s attorneys are admitted to the Dutch Bar and have an excellent national and international reputation with respect to trademarks, designs, copyright and patents.
The
Legal 500 states: “The ‘very experienced’ Peter Claassen leads the team at AKD, whose clients include Inditex, Nestlé and Samsung. The ‘particularly knowledgeable’ Huib Berendschot and Martin Hemmer are also recommended.”
Mr Hemmer has experience in industry and private practice. He has sound knowledge of new media and specialises in advertising matters, media law and privacy. He is also a creative thinker.
Associates Roderick Chalmers Hoynck van Papendrecht and Eliëtte Vaal are rising stars in the team, which comprises four other attorneys, paralegals and support staff.
Representation
The IP, IT and data protection team is active in organisations including the International Trademark Association, the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property, MARQUES, the European Communities Trademark Association and the Benelux Association for Trademark and Design Law (BMM). Mr Hemmer and Mr Berendschot are both lecturers at the BMM institute.
Clients
AKD represents many well-known international clients in a wide range of sectors, including automotive, electronics and information technology, food and beverages, household, personal care, pharmaceuticals, medical appliances, fashion and luxury goods.
Clients say that at AKD “the lawyers are very concerned. They are very proactive and very knowledgeable” and “the firm is able to see where the case is going to go, think a few steps ahead and try to take steps which would be best for that future path”.
CAPIP.EU
A highlight of AKD’s practice is its membership at the European Coalition Against Piracy in Intellectual Property (CAPIP.EU). CAPIP.EU is a unique coalition against counterfeiting and piracy. It operates in 35 jurisdictions and supports clients in their fight against counterfeiting across Europe. Services include border detentions, market actions and actions against online infringement.
Trademark and design registration services
AKD supports clients in filing and prosecuting their trademarks and designs. It has particularly strong expertise in Europe, but serves clients around the world. Mr Berendschot and Bram Woltering are key figures in the practice.
