Wilko van Weert is a partner in the international law firm of McDermott Will & Emery, based in its Brussels office. His practice focuses on EU competition, EU regulatory and EU trade law, with a particular emphasis on the interface between competition and intellectual property law. This is reflected in his significant representation of clients in the media and broadcasting sector, as well as those in industries such as high-tech electronics, automotive, aviation, biotechnology, oil and paper.
In addition to his experience as a private practitioner, Wilko has also worked on the side of the regulator, as senior counsel to the Dutch Competition Authority (NMa). He has advocated and litigated matters before the European Commission and the EU Courts in Luxembourg, most recently in a number of high-profile merger control cases against the European Commission. Wilko has also successfully handled corporate claims for damages resulting from illicit cartel behavior.
Wilko has extensive experience in advising trade associations on competition law compliance. Trade associations typically bring together competitors in a particular sector in order to lobby, share industry information or produce statistics, leaving their members potentially exposed to serious risks under competition law. Compliance is therefore key to protecting the integrity of the association and its members.
Wilko is a regular speaker at conferences and seminars on competition law, both in Europe and Japan. He also lectures regularly on EU law at Nihon University in Tokyo. Recent publications include: Cartel facilitators beware – AC Treuhand case spurs competition authorities into action, Global Competition Policy (August 2009); and Standard setting and the issue of patent ambush, a comparative approach of EU and US antitrust enforcement policies towards the combination of separately held intellectual property rights in patent pools and standards, Nihon University Journal of Comparative Law (April 2009).
Wilko is a member of the Brussels Bar.