Client case: Novagraaf

Hein-Piet van Boxel has been working at Novagraaf, one of Europe’s largest intellectual property firms, for almost thirty years. Together with over a hundred colleagues, they advise thousands of clients, ranging from SMEs to major international brands. Novagraaf provides support in researching, registering, managing and enforcing trademarks and designs. From opposition proceedings to litigation, they always have a clear mission: to take care of everything for their clients. Legal cooperation plays a major role in this work. Hein-Piet has been relying on LXA for thirteen to fourteen years.

1. Warm-hearted – building trust
Hein-Piet had known a number of LXA solicitors since the firm was founded. From the outset, it felt “worryingly good” – in a positive sense:
‘You are embraced, taken by the hand. Speed, commitment, warmth. It is extremely pleasant to work with them.’

He describes LXA as friendly, sincere and focused on long-term relationships. Not distant, but personal and human. Always available: direct mobile number, direct email, fast response time.
For Novagraaf, taking care of everything is key, and he recognises that in LXA:
they know his files, they think along with him, and they take work off his hands.

The way LXA welcomes people – literally and figuratively – makes all the difference, according to Hein-Piet:
‘You are welcome. Everyone knows what to do to make someone feel welcome.’

A deal is a deal, no fuss, competitively priced. That creates trust.

2. Entrepreneurial – pragmatic and understandable
Hein-Piet works closely with LXA on oppositions, disputes and litigation cases. He particularly appreciates that LXA always remains practical:
no academic fuss, but advice that focuses on the client’s interests.

‘I’ve never lost with them.’
Not because they push blindly, but quite the opposite.
LXA remains focused on what is sensible, what is achievable, and what really helps the client. They get the most out of every situation, with enthusiasm and professionalism.

He also likes their way of working: LXA operates as a team. Partners work closely with the client, but the layer below them is strong, well-trained and reliable in terms of content.

According to Hein-Piet, this is a conscious, systematic choice:
‘You are not dependent on one person. You play as a team. That is the LXA brand. The quality is in the system.’

3. Guts – results-oriented and strategically sharp
In a field where litigation, oppositions and enforcement often take place under high pressure, Hein-Piet seeks a partner with guts: someone who dares to choose, dares to confront and dares to slow down when necessary.

He sees that at LXA:
– strategically sharp
– results-oriented
– but never “pushing for the sake of pushing”

‘They always keep looking: what really helps the client the most?
He also appreciates the way LXA thinks ahead to the future. Especially when it comes to topics such as AI, which Novagraaf itself is working on intensively.

AI will become a “colleague” in IP work, says Hein-Piet — good at information analysis, but never a replacement for human relationships, trust and judgement. That is precisely why collaboration with a legal partner that combines humanity with sharpness remains so important.
He is not concerned about succession within LXA:

‘That attitude is being passed on excellently to the new generations.’