Tjerk Groenewegen
About Tjerk Groenewegen
Tjerk Groenewegen serves as the Head of Department for Contract Law and Litigation at the European Patent Office in The Hague. With extensive experience in legal practice and a background in various law firms, he has been with the European Patent Office since 2002 and leads a multicultural legal team.
Work at European Patent Office
Tjerk Groenewegen has been employed at the European Patent Office (EPO) since 2002. He currently holds the position of Head of Department for Contract Law and Litigation in The Hague, a role he has occupied since 2020. In this capacity, he leads a multicultural legal team that includes members from four different nationalities. Prior to his current role, he served as Head of Department for Legal Services at the EPO from 2009 to 2019. His extensive experience at the EPO has contributed to his expertise in patent law and litigation.
Education and Expertise
Tjerk Groenewegen has a robust educational background in law. He studied at the Universiteit van Amsterdam, where he earned a Master’s degree in Law (Meester in de rechten) from 1983 to 1989. He also completed an interdisciplinary studies program at the same university in 2016. Additionally, he is currently pursuing a course in Artificial Intelligence for Jurists at Universiteit Leiden, which he began in 2020. Groenewegen has also completed an in-house training program at the EPO from 2010 to 2012, enhancing his legal expertise.
Background in Legal Practice
Before joining the European Patent Office, Tjerk Groenewegen worked in various law firms. He was an Advocaat at NautaDutilh in Amsterdam from 1991 to 1994, followed by a position at Höcker Advocaten from 1994 to 1997. He then worked at Holland Van Gijzen Advocaten en Notarissen LLP from 1997 to 2002. His diverse experience in private practice has provided him with a strong foundation in legal principles and litigation.
Personal Blog on Robotics Regulation
Tjerk Groenewegen writes a personal blog that addresses regulatory challenges related to robotics. The blog, available at www.regelsrondrobots.nl, reflects his interest in the intersection of law and technology. Through this platform, he shares insights and analyses on the evolving legal landscape concerning robotics, contributing to public discourse on this important topic.
Professional Development
Throughout his career, Tjerk Groenewegen has engaged in various professional development activities. His commitment to continuous learning is evident in his participation in the in-house training program at the European Patent Office and his current studies in Artificial Intelligence for Jurists at Universiteit Leiden. These endeavors demonstrate his dedication to staying updated with legal advancements and emerging technologies.