From the first of January 2025, Magnus & Weiss will consist of lawyers Taco Huizinga, Audrey Weismann and Sven Johansen. This is a big step towards realising the growth ambition of the three lawyers, an expansion of services for high-tech companies and an even more welcoming office on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. In the past few months, many people have already been personally informed of Sven’s accession. For those who do not yet know him, a brief introduction.

The legal profession

Sven studied law in Maastricht after his interest was piqued by a neighbouring girl who studied law, a teacher who taught economics and commercial law and the TV programme ‘Pleidooi’ that showed the robe in all its splendour. ‘From the very first day, I knew I had chosen the right direction. I particularly found the robe professions incredibly interesting. So, it was only natural for me to start working as a lawyer after graduating. I started my career as a trainee lawyer at a firm near Tilburg. There, I had the opportunity to work on many different types of cases. I noticed that I had a great affinity with the business world and the legal issues that are important for entrepreneurs. Especially the technical industry and manufacturing companies really appealed to me.’ 

Curator and legal counsel

‘Because of my interest in business, I was asked by the court to also work as a bankruptcy curator. In more than ten years in that role, I got to know the business community well. I am curious by nature and enjoy looking behind the scenes at companies. Besides, I am the type of lawyer who prefers to be called when things are going well. For example, when an entrepreneur has a great plan and needs advice on how to build a business around it. With my entrepreneurial nature, I like to help them build. Due to my dedication, I am also regularly asked to fulfil the position of in-house legal counsel (part-time) within clients’ organisations.’

‘By the way, I also still litigate, should the need arise. Then I put on the robe again and accompany the entrepreneur I assist to court. But I also assist them in (international) arbitration proceedings. Not long ago, for instance, I was litigating in China about the delivery of a machine built in the Netherlands’.

Own office

‘My clients’ entrepreneurship proved contagious. In 2011, I therefore decided to set up my own office. By now I had many clients in the high-tech industry, so I decided to establish my office in the Brainport region. As a native of Eindhoven, it felt like coming home. Shortly afterwards, I met Marcel Westphal. We decided to join forces under the name Westphal Johansen advocaten. And that was a success. The collaboration enabled me to build up a splendid firm over the past 13 years. This year, due to different plans for the future, Marcel and I decided to go our separate ways again. That’s when I came into contact with Taco and Audrey.’

Magnus & Weiss

To pinpoint his wishes and ambitions, Sven wrote a business plan in the spring of 2024. ‘That involves mapping out who is active in your area of interest. For advocacy in high-tech, there are only a few, so I quickly came across Magnus & Weiss’ website. I’ve known Taco for some time; he was sitting on the other side of the table from time to time. I have always enjoyed the interaction and cooperation. Like me, Taco is a lawyer who likes to work together to find a good solution for all the involved parties. In addition, the website mentioned that Taco and Audrey were looking for a lawyer to help them expand the firm. After a very nice telephone conversation with Taco, the three of us started talking more and more intensively. The match we felt from the first contact was confirmed that way.’

‘It is an essential part of my practice to enter into long-term collaborations and become part of a company as a legal advisor and fiduciary. I see that same way of working with Taco and Audrey. We enjoy sitting down with executives to think about a variety of issues. By complementing each other in this, we are guaranteed to achieve the best results. Besides, Taco and Audrey are also very sociable, relaxed people: great people to embark on this new path with’.

High-tech portfolio

‘Taco and Audrey, like me, have built up a top-class law firm practice together. Thanks to this merge, we immediately have a huge reach in high-tech. You won’t find this almost anywhere else. I think there are only a few lawyers in the Netherlands who understand what the development process of a machine, for example, looks like and what legal preconditions are required for it. All three of us have extensive experience in this – some 60 years together – and we are now going to reinforce each other. I am therefore confident that together we can do even more for our high-tech clients. Especially given the ambition all three of us have to expand our practices and services.’

There is slight overlap in the area of law expertise, but Taco, Audrey and Sven will mainly complement each other. ‘With my joining, we are expanding the offering to include labour law, among others. I have always found the human factor within industry interesting. Whether you assemble the machine, take on sales or make the technical drawing, it’s the people who make a concept a success. I enjoy contributing to that with my expertise as well.’

At home in Geldrop

Sven is married to Simone and father of two sons: Olav and Jesper. ‘Now that the boys are getting a bit older, they are also showing more interest in my work. I enjoy sharing with them the value my work adds. With what I do, I enable others to make beautiful things. I draw up a contract and then someone can, for example, develop a machine that makes life easier or better for many people. It’s not just about the right idea, the right people and the funding, but also about a strong legal base. This is how I facilitate growth and progress. I hope my sons will choose a profession that gives them as much job satisfaction.’