Dutch giant Nauta Dutilh is ramping up its life sciences practice with the hire of CMS Derks Star Busmann partner Carla Schoonderbeek.
Schoonderbeek was previously head of the life sciences group at Derks and co-chair of the European life sciences practice group of the CMS alliance. She is particularly known for European regulatory matters and is regarded as one of the stars of the Benelux life sciences market.
The move comes a week after Nauta announced the exit of its Rotterdam-based private client team and follows what chairman Marc Blom called “a year full of change”. Last year Nauta overhauled its management and aimed for a more focused strategy along industry and sector lines. Blom said the full range of industries was still to be decided, but it is clear that life sciences will feature prominently.
Schoonderbeek will work with Nauta’s IP and competition group, while her European regulatory practice is also seen by the firm as a major boost to its Brussels practice.
Derks originated in Utrecht in a 1990 merger before growing rapidly to become one of the top six Dutch firms by turnover. However, the firm has so far failed to challenge the leading Dutch firms for profitability. Derks did not return calls for comment.
