Dorien Taeymans
Partner
‘It’s all about the client and their interests, not the lawyer’s ego.’
Family law. That’s where Dorien saw herself when she was studying law. Until reality caught up with her: too invasive, too much drama. ‘I was looking for something more businesslike, more rational.’
An internship at the Belgian Mission to the United Nations in New York was prestigious, but it brought her back down to earth. You don’t make any binding decisions there. The impact of your efforts is limited. She missed this aspect as a corporate lawyer too. Dorien decided to develop her expertise at the bar, where she could make a difference for entrepreneurs who really have something at stake.
What did click? The world of data, IT, and digitization. Early in her career, Dorien became fascinated by how data and technology are intertwined in everything we do, worldwide.
She has built up expertise in three areas: IP law, (tech) contracting, and (tech) litigation. From copyright and trademark law to complex licensing agreements and disputes over failed innovation or IT projects, unfair market practices, trade secrets, or unlawful poaching. Dorien handles the entire legal side of IT cases, always asking the same questions. What is the business model? What is the real impact on how you operate?
Dorien loves to bring order to chaos: thinking along with the client about what exactly the business offering is, which actors are involved, and which contracts are needed to optimally protect the legal position. She sticks with it until all the implications are clear.
Customers make her job extremely interesting. Four & Five works with many growing companies, and Dorien enjoys helping them tackle their challenges. “I want to understand my customers’ businesses better than the entrepreneurs themselves.” That may sound ambitious, but it’s the only way to truly create added value.
Dorien is pragmatic and solution-oriented. She always sees the bigger picture and enjoys the interaction between litigation and advice. ‘The proof of the pudding is in the eating. You learn a lot in both directions.’
She is straightforward. She expresses ambition, identifies challenges, and also says when litigation is pointless. Why would you litigate? What is the impact on your business plans? Do you have the time and energy for it? What kind of claim is it? What are the chances of success? Finding a solution is the goal. How? That depends on the client. For Dorien, it’s all about the client and their interests, not the lawyer’s ego.
What you should know about Dorien:
- Dorien obtained her bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Antwerp (2008-2011, cum laude) and her master’s degree in Civil Law & International and European Law from the same university (2012-2013, cum laude).
- She spent a semester at Stellenbosch University in South Africa during her master’s degree, where she focused on International Commercial Arbitration & Int. Law & Children’s Rights (2012, cum laude).
- She followed a Manama in IP and ICT law at KU Leuven during her second and third year bar internship (2016-2017).
- Before joining Four & Five, Dorien worked for 10 years at Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick in Brussels.
- Dorien is a member of the editorial board of the Dutch-Belgian journal Computerrecht and a member of the Benelux Association for Trademark and Design Law.
- She combines advisory work with litigation, always taking a pragmatic, businesslike approach that puts the client’s interests first.
