Simmons’ IP Lawyers Join Taylor Wessing Amid UPC Growth

This significant team hire marks a notable escalation in Taylor Wessing’s commitment to strengthening its continental European IP capabilities, especially in the wake of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) becoming operational. The addition of this seasoned team is set to bolster the firm’s profile in cross-border patent litigation, a rapidly growing area due to the UPC's jurisdiction across multiple EU member states.

Berghuis van Woortman is widely regarded as one of the leading patent litigators in the Dutch market, with decades of experience handling high-stakes disputes for clients in the life sciences, biotech, and technology sectors. His colleague, Sebastien Versaevel, also brings a wealth of experience in complex, multi-jurisdictional patent cases and has been instrumental in advising on strategic IP enforcement matters. Together, they represent a formidable addition to Taylor Wessing’s already strong European patent litigation team.

The timing of the move is no coincidence. With the UPC changing the landscape of patent litigation across Europe, law firms are increasingly seeking to build teams that can operate seamlessly across jurisdictions. Taylor Wessing, with strong offices in Germany, the UK, and France, sees the Netherlands as a vital jurisdiction due to its economic influence, technological innovation, and central role in European legal affairs.

The integration of this exceptional team not only enhances our IP capabilities in the Netherlands but also positions us as a leading firm for clients involved in UPC litigation across Europe. The new team officially joined in early August 2025, and several of them are already actively involved in client matters.