Benelux firm NautaDutilh has paid tribute to IP partner John Allen, who was killed with his family in the flight MH17 plane crash last week.

John Allen nauta
John Allen

Allen, his wife Sandra and their three sons Christopher, Julian and Ian were all on board the Malaysia Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed in Ukraine on Thursday (17 July), with the loss of all on board.

Although he was born in the UK, Allen had spent much of his career in the Netherlands. He joined Nauta in 1996 and was promoted to the partnership in 2007.

Allen focused on IP law, particularly European patent litigation with a technology focus.

In a statement on its website NautaDutilh said Allen had played a key role in building up its IP group.

“He was a person with many talents, and in addition to his professional contribution to our firm he generously shared his musical and athletic abilities with us as well,” the statement continued.

“All of us who had the privilege of working with John during his 18 years at NautaDutilh came to know him as a kind, down-to-earth and humorous man and many of us have also lost a friend. He will be dearly missed.”