Fashion
Who owns a silhouette?Disputes over the shape and design of products, including iconic designs and globally recognised brands. With Marga Verwoert.
Perhaps you could use
a little Leeway.
Get in touchLeeway is an Amsterdam-based boutique law firm specialising in intellectual property, technology, commercial contracting, franchise, distribution, agency and media & entertainment law for clients all over the world.
PartnerMarga Verwoert
PartnerMichiel Odink
PartnerTessa de Mönnink
PartnerMichiel van Ast
Partner, trademark attorneyMichiel HaegensSectors
Luxury
Selective distributionSelective distribution, agency and franchise agreements, often across borders. With Fleur Uitterhoeve.
Media
Harry Potter v Tanya GrotterA leading case on literary parody, won for JK Rowling and Warner Bros. With Eric Keyzer.
Tech
Outsourcing and cloudIT and business process outsourcing, SaaS and cloud, software and data licensing. With Michiel van Ast.
Retail
From the Middle East to South AmericaBuilding a retailer’s international franchise chain. With Tessa de Mönnink.
Expertise
We’re not just there for the big things – the landmark litigation, company sale or business critical outsourcing. We support every step of the way, from the early stage to the moment when you conquer the world.
- 01Intellectual property
- 02Technology & outsourcing
- 03Media & entertainment
- 04Franchise & distribution
- 05Commercial contracts
- 06Privacy & data
- 07Advertising & marketing
- 08E-commerce & consumer law
- 09Trade secrets
- 10Life sciences
Recognition
Rankings and awards.
ChambersRanked in Europe2025
ChambersRanked in EuropeMarga Verwoert · 2025
ChambersRanked in EuropeMichiel Odink · 2025
ChambersRanked in EuropeMichiel van Ast · 2025
Legal 500Leading Partner, EMEA2025
Legal 500Leading Associate, EMEANini Blom · 2025
Media Law InternationalMedia Law Firm of the Year2025
Lexology IndexClient ChoiceTessa de Mönnink · 2026
European Franchise FederationServices to Franchising, BronzeTessa de Mönnink · 2024
WIPRWIPR Leaders
International Law OfficeClient Choice2020
Managing IPIP StarsMichiel Odink · 2019
People
Partners, counsel and associates.
- Advises and litigates on trademarks, designs and copyright, with a focus on product design disputes for fashion, beauty, luxury and media brands.Chambers Europe 2025 · Top250 Women in IP 2025Founding partner · formerly Allen & OveryRead profileMarga VerwoertPartnerIP & product design litigationAdvises and litigates on trademarks, designs and copyright, with a focus on product design disputes for fashion, beauty, luxury and media brands.
- IP and media law for retail and digital businesses: transactions, licensing and litigation up to Supreme Court level.Chambers Europe 2025 · Managing IP StarsFormerly partner at Osborne Clarke and Baker McKenzieRead profileMichiel OdinkPartnerIP, media & retailIP and media law for retail and digital businesses: transactions, licensing and litigation up to Supreme Court level.
- Sets up and unwinds international distribution, franchise and agency networks for retail, fashion, FMCG and beauty companies.Lexology Index Global Elite, FranchisingOver 25 years’ experience · formerly Allen & OveryRead profileTessa de MönninkPartnerFranchise, distribution & agencySets up and unwinds international distribution, franchise and agency networks for retail, fashion, FMCG and beauty companies.
- Technology and commercial contracting: IT and business process outsourcing, SaaS and cloud, software and data licensing, data protection.Chambers Europe 2025Handled a cloud integration across 40+ jurisdictions for a leading bankRead profileMichiel van AstPartnerTechnology & outsourcingTechnology and commercial contracting: IT and business process outsourcing, SaaS and cloud, software and data licensing, data protection.
- Heads the trademark attorneys practice: filing, portfolio management and enforcement of trademarks, domain names and designs worldwide.Former President, Benelux Association of Trademark and Design LawRanked by Managing IP, WTR and Who’s Who LegalRead profileMichiel HaegensPartner, trademark attorneyTrademarks & portfoliosHeads the trademark attorneys practice: filing, portfolio management and enforcement of trademarks, domain names and designs worldwide.
Commercial and contentious work for the music, film, TV, radio and publishing industries, from production and publishing deals to rights exploitation.Acted for JK Rowling and Warner Bros in Harry Potter v Tanya GrotterFormer President, International Association of Entertainment LawyersRead profileEric KeyzerOf counselMedia & entertainmentCommercial and contentious work for the music, film, TV, radio and publishing industries, from production and publishing deals to rights exploitation.
Commercial contracts, IP and media, with a focus on distribution, franchise and agency agreements, in negotiations and disputes.Joined Leeway as counsel in 2026Read profileAnna van EssenCounselCommercial contracts & distributionCommercial contracts, IP and media, with a focus on distribution, franchise and agency agreements, in negotiations and disputes.
Advises and litigates on trademarks, designs and copyright for international brands, start-ups and fashion and luxury houses.Legal 500 Leading Associate 2025 and 2026Managing IP Rising Star, six consecutive yearsRead profileNini BlomManaging associateIP for fashion & luxuryAdvises and litigates on trademarks, designs and copyright for international brands, start-ups and fashion and luxury houses.
Commercial contracting, IP transactions and portfolio management for creative businesses, from individual artists to international companies.Editorial board of Mediaforum, the journal of media lawWith Leeway since 2017Read profileLotte RutgersAssociateCreative industriesCommercial contracting, IP transactions and portfolio management for creative businesses, from individual artists to international companies.
Protects and exploits trademark, copyright and design portfolios, from emerging brands to global portfolios.Formerly trainee trademark examiner at the EUIPOFormerly at Gevers (Belgium and France)Read profileThomas VerborghTrademark attorneyTrademarksProtects and exploits trademark, copyright and design portfolios, from emerging brands to global portfolios.
Trademarks, copyright and designs combined with selective distribution, agency and franchise agreements, often across borders.Formerly at Bird & Bird, AmsterdamRead profileFleur UitterhoeveAssociateSelective distributionTrademarks, copyright and designs combined with selective distribution, agency and franchise agreements, often across borders.
IT law: regulatory compliance including AI and data rules, cybersecurity, and IT contracts for suppliers and buyers.Master’s in international technology law (EU Data Act)Background in business economicsRead profileJasper de KoningAssociateTech regulation & AIIT law: regulatory compliance including AI and data rules, cybersecurity, and IT contracts for suppliers and buyers.
Trademark, copyright and design litigation and advice, including copyright enforcement and music rights for artists, publishers and record labels.Regularly in major IP litigationLLMs in Private Law and Information LawRead profileMeredith HomAssociateMusic & soft IPTrademark, copyright and design litigation and advice, including copyright enforcement and music rights for artists, publishers and record labels.
Trademarks, copyright and designs for media, entertainment and creative clients, including freedom of speech and libel matters.Formerly at an Amsterdam IP and media boutiqueRead profileWillemijn OskamAssociateMedia & creative IPTrademarks, copyright and designs for media, entertainment and creative clients, including freedom of speech and libel matters.
Trademark, copyright and design litigation and advice, anti-counterfeiting, and advertising law including greenwashing claims.Pan-European invalidity actions against a trademark squatterMaster’s in Information Law, focus on advertising lawRead profileMax van OostrumAssociateAnti-counterfeitingTrademark, copyright and design litigation and advice, anti-counterfeiting, and advertising law including greenwashing claims.
IT and outsourcing contracts, privacy, data protection and cybersecurity, backed by a degree in information science.CIPP/E and CIPM certified privacy professionalLLM in IT lawRead profileNiels EbersonAssociateIT, privacy & dataIT and outsourcing contracts, privacy, data protection and cybersecurity, backed by a degree in information science.