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We are proud to announce that, as of 1 January 2026, Tahir Bodha has been appointed Counsel at La Gro. Tahir Bodha is a lawyer within the Intellectual Property & Technology team and specialises in trade mark and design law. As a certified Trademark and Design Attorney, he advises on and litigates trade mark, design, and copyright matters across a range of sectors, including Healthcare & Life Sciences, retail, fashion, and ICT. Tahir is responsible for developing La Gro’s trade mark and design practice. In addition, he plays an important role as an ambassador for inclusivity and diversity within La Gro. We congratulate Tahir on his well-deserved appointment and look forward to his continued contributions and successes in his new role.

As of 1 January 2026, La Gro has appointed Annemiek Varkevisser as a Salary Partner. Annemiek has a key role in the continued development of the Employment Law practice and in mentoring junior talent. Annemiek has been with La Gro since 2017 and has grown into a leading employment law specialist. She advises and represents businesses and professionals in complex and strategic employment law matters. Her style is characterised by commercial insight, a no-nonsense approach and a clear focus on results. Managing Partner Pieter van Deurzen emphasises that with this appointment, La Gro is making a clear investment in sustainable growth and talent development. Team leader Gerard Zuidgeest welcomes Annemiek’s commitment to the further expansion of the employment law team. “Her approach is sharp and to the point; clients particularly value the clarity and speed with which she reduces complex issues to their essence.”  

On behalf of our team, we would like to thank you for your trust and the pleasant collaboration over the past year. We wish you and your loved ones a joyful festive season and a healthy and prosperous New Year. In 2026, we look forward to continuing our collaboration. Moving forward together.

As of 1 October 2025, Gerard Zuidgeest will join the board of La Gro. Together with Pieter van Deurzen and Laurens Meijer, he will form the new board. He succeeds Gerard Gort, whose term has come to an end. After three years on the board, Gerard Gort will fully focus on his Corporate Advisory & Litigation practice. “Gerard Zuidgeest brings a wealth of experience and expertise in employment law and has demonstrated over the years that he is a strategic force within our firm. In his new role, Gerard will make an important contribution to the further development of our firm. We are grateful to Gerard Gort for his commitment and dedication over the past three years and wish him every success as he continues his corporate advisory practice. I look forward to working together in this new formation,” Pieter van Deurzen, on behalf of La Gro’s board. About Gerard Zuidgeest Gerard Zuidgeest has been a lawyer for over 30 years and has been a partner at La Gro since 2004. In his practice, Zuidgeest advises and supports employers, works councils and other (international) companies in complex employment law matters, restructurings and disputes. His extensive experience makes him a highly sought-after sparring partner and litigator. Alongside his board role, Gerard will remain active in his practice. The Future of La Gro La Gro continues to grow strongly, with a clear focus on strengthening its position as a leading full-service law firm. Thanks to our sector-focused approach, we provide expert and integrated legal services to a wide range of (international) companies and institutions. With a board in which different disciplines and experiences come together, we ensure a good balance between continuity and renewal. The arrival of Gerard Zuidgeest underlines our ambition to further strengthen La Gro’s services and organisation.

Our firm has had the privilege of contributing to the inaugural edition of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) Guide, published by Chambers. This significant achievement underscores our ongoing commitment to excellence within the field of international patent law. As authors and UPC Representatives, our distinguished colleagues Marleen van den Horst, Benjamin Niemeijer and Iris Arts provide their knowledge on the achievements and operations of the LD The Hague in the first two years of its existence. The guide itself serves as a comprehensive resource, offering the most up-to-date legal insights into the functioning of the UPC. It covers a broad spectrum of topics, including the composition and competence of UPC judges, the various types of actions that may be pursued before the court, and the substantive legal issues that arise in this context. In addition, the guide examines landmark cases, procedural considerations, available remedies and the calculation of damages, as well as providing thoughtful commentary on the anticipated future developments of the UPC. We are proud to have played a role in the creation of this valuable publication, which will undoubtedly serve as an essential reference for practitioners, businesses, and stakeholders navigating the evolving landscape of European patent litigation. For those interested in gaining deeper insights, we invite you to read the entire chapter, which is available here: Chambers_Unified Patent Court 2025_009_the_hague_local_division

We are proud to announce that Michelle de Rijke will be joining La Gro on 1 September 2025 as a partner and team leader of the energy sector team. Michelle has more than 25 years of experience in the energy sector and specialises in renewable energy projects, infrastructure, tariff regulation, subsidies, contracts, and administrative law, among other things. She advises energy companies, network operators, project developers, governments, and interest groups throughout the energy chain. “Michelle’s arrival strengthens our position and ambitions in the energy sector. Michelle is an authority in the field of energy law and her practice is a valuable addition to our energy sector team, where we assist clients with an integrated, cross-section approach. The energy sector faces major and complex challenges, such as grid congestion, the energy transition, and changing regulations and subsidy conditions. Thanks to Michelle, we can support our clients in this dynamic sector in an even more targeted and effective manner. We are therefore delighted to welcome her and look forward to a successful collaboration.” Pieter van Deurzen | Managing Partner La Gro For more than 15 years, Michelle has been recognised by international guides such as Chambers Europe and Legal 500 as a leading expert in energy law. In addition to her advisory practice, Michelle is actively involved in the development of energy law, including as editor-in-chief of the Dutch Journal of Energy Law and board member of the Dutch Association for Energy Law. In 2018, she was appointed deputy judge at the Rotterdam District Court. Michelle’s arrival underscores La Gro’s ambition to further strengthen its energy practice and provide clients in this dynamic sector with the best possible advice. Michelle’s decisive approach, her in-depth experience, and calm, balanced personality make her an inspiring addition to the team. We warmly welcome Michelle to La Gro and look forward to a successful collaboration! “I am looking forward to working with a motivated team in a dynamic office. There is work to be done in the energy transition. We are eager to get started on this, both for our loyal regular clients and for new companies and government agencies that entrust their energy affairs to our versatile team.” Michelle de Rijke | Partner La Gro  

We are pleased to announce that our firm has achieved significant recognition in the latest Legal 500 EMEA rankings. Our commitment to excellence and client service has been acknowledged across several practice areas. Our Healthcare and Life Sciences team has risen to Tier 3, our Intellectual Property: Patents team has risen to Tier 4, and our Trade Marks, Copyrights, and Design Rights team achieved a Tier 5 ranking. Marleen van den Horst maintained her individual ranking as a Leading Partner in the fields of Healthcare and Life Sciences and Intellectual Property: Patents. Newly ranked is Iris Arts as a Leading associate in the field of Intellectual Property: Patents. We extend our appreciation to our clients and peers for their trust and positive feedback, which have been crucial to our success. Congratulations to all our teams and individuals who have been acknowledged for their exceptional work. A small selection of quotes:  Industry focus: healthcare and life sciences | Band 3 ‘The team are very knowledgeable and great to work with. Very reliable.’ ‘Pleasant personal attention, capable of providing timely suitable solutions.’ Intellectual property: Patents | Band 4 ‘The team has extensive knowledge of patent law and SPCs with innovative strategies.’  ‘Very knowledgeable, innovative and show strong, strategic and tactical thinking capabilities. New areas within the legal field are approached in an impressive manner.’ ‘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.’  Intellectual property: trademarks, copyrights and design rights | Band 5 ‘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.’ Marleen van den Horst | Leading partner | Intellectual property: Patents & Industry focus: healthcare and life sciences ‘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.’ ‘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.’  Iris Arts | Leading associate | Intellectual property: Patents ‘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.’ Click here to learn more about our rankings and the Legal 500 guide. 

Ahead of International Women’s Day tomorrow (March 8, 2025), we put our three female managers in the spotlight. Alongside our lawyers, management and staff positions are just as crucial to our success. Every role within our firm is important and, at all levels, women contribute to the sustainable growth of our firm. Linda, Marketing, Communications & Business Development Manager, drives La Gro’s commercial success with her strategic vision. Her direction within the team ensures that we increase our visibility, better understand our clients, and also identify and exploit new market opportunities. She is a driving force behind the sustainable growth of our organisation. Nicole, Facility & IT Manager, is the backbone of our organisation. Her careful planning and efficient working methods make the office tick, from the technical structure to the daily operational processes. Her expertise ensures that our office is not only functional, but also provides an inspiring working environment in which our lawyers can perform at their best Eveline, HR Manager, makes a difference by creating an inclusive and supportive work environment. With her focus on well-being and development, she and her team ensure that every employee feels valued and supported. Her strategic leadership within HR enables us to attract, retain and grow the right people. Women are still underrepresented in management positions worldwide. Diversity in leadership is not a luxury but a necessity. At La Gro, we continue to work to create a culture where talent is at the centre, regardless of gender. We wish all women worldwide a happy International Women’s Day. Moving forward together for sustainable growth. Contact If you have questions about the role of women in leadership at La Gro, or you want to know more about diversity within our firm, please feel free to contact us via [email protected].  

We are proud to announce that La Gro’s Attorney at law and certified trademark attorney Tahir Bodha has been recognized among the “top trademark professionals” in the WTR 1000 2025. Tahir Bodha is now listed among the top trademark professionals in key jurisdictions around the globe. He has been named a tenacious litigator and has earned this recognition for his excellence in complex issues before the courts. The WTR 1000, a unique guide that identifies the top trademark professionals in key jurisdictions around the globe, notes: “Tenacious litigator Tahir Bodha at La Gro excels in complex issues before EU and Benelux courts, particularly in the healthcare and life sciences, automotive, fashion, retail and ICT sectors.” The WTR 1000 focuses exclusively on trademark practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive ‘go-to’ resource for those seeking world-class legal trademark expertise. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how Tahir can assist you, don’t hesitate to reach out via [email protected]. 

Last night, Rachida shone with a dazzling and personal speech at Legal Women’s Upcoming Talent of the Year 2024 Awards Ceremony. We look back on an inspiring evening by powerful and inspiring women. We warmly congratulate Katja van Kranenburg and Claudia Batstra on their well-deserved awards and thank Legal Women and Van Doorne for the organisation and warm hospitality. If you are intrigued to hear Rachida’s’s inspiring words, please click on the link below to watch her speech back! https://www.lagro.com/app/uploads/2024/11/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-27-at-10.13.07-2-1-1.mp4

We are pleased to announce that Arnout Koeman joined La Gro as counsel and will be leading the Competition Law Team in close cooperation with Pieter van den Oord. Arnout has extensive experience of national and European competition law across all market sectors. His advisory and litigation practice focuses on state aid, cartels, positions of dominance and merger notifications to the European Commission, the Dutch Consumer and Market Authority and the Dutch Care Authority. He also specialises in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations. Furthermore, Arnout has a great deal of expertise in complex mass actions (WAMCA) and civil proceeding enforcement, both within and beyond competition law. He will be developing this expertise further within La Gro. Arnout graduated from Utrecht University in 2011 and did an Erasmus exchange at the University of Toulouse (UT1). Before joining La Gro in 2024, he worked at leading law firms in Amsterdam for 12 years. He is also a member of the Dutch Association for Competition Law and the International Association of Young Lawyers (“AIJA”). With his experience and expertise, we, as La Gro, will be able to distinguish ourselves even further within competition law and create further growth from our Competition and European law practice.

We are proud to share that Rachida Raddahi has been nominated for Legal Women’s Upcoming Talent of the Year Award. Since joining La Gro in 2017, Rachida has quickly developed into an indispensable force within our Tenancy Law Team. Starting out as a trainee lawyer, she quickly specialised, successfully completing the Tenancy Law and Grotius Real Estate specialisation courses.  Rachida’s dedication to her clients and the work is second to none, going above and beyond what is expected of her to ensure that her clients get the support they need. Her nomination has been more than deserved thanks to her exceptional talent, in-depth legal knowledge and valuable contributions to our office in areas such as diversity and inclusiveness. About the Legal Women Foundation Legal Women is a network that supports women in their professional development, by offering a platform for sharing knowledge and experience and promoting career opportunities for women within the legal sector. Legal Women organises events, training courses and network meetings for women lawyers to connect and increase their visibility. In addition, Legal Women is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.