International law firm Bird & Bird today grows its Intellectual Property practice in the Netherlands with the appointment of patent and trade secrets specialist Tjibbe Douma as a partner in Amsterdam.
Joining from Dentons where he was a partner and also acted as head of the Netherlands’ Patent Litigation and Venture Technology practices, Tjibbe’s expertise focuses on patent and trade secrets law. He advises and litigates for companies active in the Life Sciences and Healthcare, Technology & Communications, Energy & Utilities and the Retail and Consumer sectors.
Tjibbe has extensive experience in international litigation, including high-end multi-jurisdictional patent disputes in particular also those with both a US and European angle. He has acted in EPO opposition proceedings and has also represented clients in contractual disputes, including contractual litigation involving milestone claims, particularly in the life sciences sector. He has also represented multinational companies in post-M&A arbitration proceedings involving IP warranties and regularly advises clients on IP strategy and on technology-driven M&A deals also in the technology venture field.
This appointment will bolster the firm’s patent litigation offering in the Netherlands and alongside his proven multi-jurisdictional experience will attract clients interested in international patent litigation. It will also further strengthen the Bird & Bird’s internationally renowned IP practice and help expand its offering in the venture technology space.
Joining with Tjibbe from Dentons will be associates Lucas Wolthuis Scheeres and Alexandra Michel.
Jeroen Van Der Lee, co-head of the Bird & Bird offices in the Netherlands comments: “The Netherlands is one of the key countries for patent litigation in Europe. With Tjibbe joining us as a partner, we will further expand our capability of giving expert advice on matters pertaining to patent litigation for our European clients and those in our wider international network.”
Morag Macdonald and Christian Harmsen, co-heads of the international Intellectual Property practice at Bird & Bird add: “We are delighted that Tjibbe has joined our international IP team. His experience in international patent litigation as well as his extensive knowledge in trade secrets will be invaluable for our IP practice going forward. Welcome to Bird & Bird, Tjibbe!”
Tjibbe says: “The prospect of joining a global Tier 1 Patent Litigation practice handling multi-jurisdictional patent litigations for clients was what first attracted me to Bird & Bird. I’m looking forward to working for a well-established technology focussed firm alongside entrepreneurial and client driven colleagues, both in the Netherlands and firm-wide.”
