# Dr. Léon Dijkman

Q:

What did your first big case teach you?

In my first case I had a watertight legal argument. The partner overseeing it said I’d still lose because it didn’t lead to a reasonable outcome. I didn’t believe that could matter: don’t courts just apply the law? Sure enough, the point was lost (even if the case was won). Lesson learned: law in the books is only part of what determines outcomes.





Q:

What did you misunderstand as a junior lawyer?

I thought being smart was enough. Now I know that’s only the start: the better lawyer is almost always the one willing to put in the most work. 5% inspiration, 95% perspiration is not only for artists and athletes after all….





Q:

When a client calls in crisis, what’s your first move?

Reassure the client and make them feel we will do whatever it takes to solve the situation. Then I call my wife and tell her I’ll be home late.





Q:

A sentence you say when pressure is highest?

It’s a cliché, but it works: “*keep calm and carry on. We have your back”***.**





Q:

How do you keep cross-border teams aligned?

I speak with colleagues daily via email or Teams, but nothing substitutes meeting in person. Real-life conversations create the bonds that make collaboration at a distance actually work.





Q:

If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be doing?

A press photographer. Law teaches you how the world works indirectly; being at the forefront of the news would excite me in the same way. I have great respect for journalists who help us understand what’s happening — sometimes risking their lives to uncover what others prefer to keep hidden.





Léon brings a mix of precision and realism: deep legal craft, but always with an eye on how arguments will actually land. Calm in a crisis, and candid about what the job really requires.



### Dr. Léon Dijkman



[](https://www.hoyngrokhgroup.com/nl/our-team/meet-greet/agathe-caille#topic)[](https://www.hoyngrokhgroup.com/nl/our-team/meet-greet/c-thomas-becher#topic)



##### Focus

- [Biotechnology & Biologics](https://www.hoyngrokhgroup.com/nl/wat-we-doen/sectoren/biotechnologie-biologics)
- [Chemicals](https://www.hoyngrokhgroup.com/nl/wat-we-doen/sectoren/chemische-producten)
- [Copyright](https://www.hoyngrokhgroup.com/nl/wat-we-doen/praktijken/auteursrecht)
- [Electronics, computers, software & semiconductors](https://www.hoyngrokhgroup.com/nl/wat-we-doen/sectoren/electronica-computers-halfgeleiders-en-software)
- [Fashion & Luxury goods](https://www.hoyngrokhgroup.com/nl/wat-we-doen/sectoren/mode-luxeartikelen)
- [Patents](https://www.hoyngrokhgroup.com/nl/wat-we-doen/praktijken/octrooien)
- [Pharmaceuticals](https://www.hoyngrokhgroup.com/nl/wat-we-doen/sectoren/farmaceutica)
- [Retail & Consumer goods](https://www.hoyngrokhgroup.com/nl/wat-we-doen/sectoren/retail-consumentengoederen)
- [Telecommunications & Networks](https://www.hoyngrokhgroup.com/nl/wat-we-doen/sectoren/telecom-netwerken)
- [Trademark & Design](https://www.hoyngrokhgroup.com/nl/wat-we-doen/praktijken/merken-modellen)
- [Unified Patent Court (UPC)](https://www.hoyngrokhgroup.com/nl/unified-patent-court-upc)



##### Toetreding

2013