Geert Somers

Geert Somers
Attorney-at-law / Partner

Dutch

French

English

German

Italian

an excellent lawyer

very knowledgeable

very responsive and solution-oriented

broad knowledge of the IT sector 

very specialised, practical, very good knowledge and quality

Legal 500

Geert Somers Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer 2023

Practice areas

Geert mainly advises on the legal and compliance challenges of technological developments and the connected society (such as big data, internet of things and artificial intelligence). His focus is on data protection and privacy, intellectual property rights (copyright, trademark law, database law, trade secrets, domain names and patents), information management, marketing and competition. He frequently speaks and publishes on these matters. His clients mainly include multinationals and governments. They appreciate his practical approach to bringing their processes into line with the legal framework. The sectors with which Geert is particularly familiar are internet platforms and mobile apps, heavy industry and chemistry, design products, religious organisations and pharma and clinical trials.

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)