Practice areas
Geert mainly advises on the legal and compliance challenges of technological developments and the connected society. His focus is therefore on data protection and data sharing, digital services, artificial intelligence, intellectual property and information management (copyright, trademark law, database law, trade secrets, domain names and patents), marketing and competition. He frequently speaks and publishes on these matters. His clients mainly include multinationals and governments. They appreciate his practical and risk-based approach to bringing their processes in line with the legal framework. The sectors Geert is particularly familiar with are IT platforms and mobile apps, manufacturing, heavy industries and construction, chemicals, pharma and clinical trials, IT, mobility and energy.
Geert has many years of experience in drafting and negotiating complex contracts and regularly acts before courts (including counterfeit seizure, seize and desist orders and disputes concerning IT projects). He has been involved in the drafting of a number of Belgian and European regulations. He has also assisted in many due diligence processes for acquisitions and mergers in his areas of specialisation.
Specifically with regard to the GDPR, Geert focuses on compliance audits and implementation projects, drafting agreements for data sharing, performing data protection impact assessments, developing solutions for international data transfers (such as binding corporate rules and master transfer agreements), giving awareness trainings, acting as DPO, setting-up strategies for dealing with data leaks and contacts with data protection authorities, as well as legally underpinning technological solutions based on biometrics, RFID, embedded software, geolocation and camera surveillance.
Academic activities and memberships
Geert has been a researcher at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Law and ICT (ICRI) (currently the Centre for IT & IP Law) of the Law Faculty of the University of Leuven (Belgium) during 10 years.
He is also a member of the following professional organisations:
- PrivacyRules
- Europrivacy
- International Technology Law Association (iTechLaw)
- International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
- Belgian Association of Copyright Law (BVA-ABA)
- Beltug
Professional admissions
Geert has been a member of the Dutch-Speaking Bar Association at the Brussels Bar since 2000.
Prior professional experience
Prior to co-founding Timelex in 2007, he worked 7 years as an IT, IP and privacy lawyer at the international law firms Freshfields and Lawfort in Brussels.
Education
- Master in Intellectual Property Law, University of Leuven and University of Brussels (2006)
- Master of Laws (LL.M.), Universität des Saarlandes (1998)
- Law degree, University of Leuven and Humbold University (1996)
