doesn't
exist.
Creativity
and expertise
always bring
a solution.
Charissa Koster
Areas of Expertise
Media, press, privacy and reputation cases (freedom of expression/speech versus privacy, (un)lawful press/defamation, portrait rights, GDPR, advertising, sports & sponsoring)
Intellectual property (copyright, portrait right, neighbouring rights, trademarks, trade names, designs, databases and domain names)
Tech & ICT
ICT (e-commerce, internet, gaming, new media and technology, outsourcings, software licences, artificial intelligence (AI))
Corporate & commercial (business law and employment law/HR, including M&A, reorganisations, shareholders disputes and dismissal cases)
Focus and specialization & way of working
I am a media lawyer and partner in the commercial practice, with in-depth knowledge of IP, ICT, media, privacy and freedom of expression/speech, digital and innovative trends and corporate issues. I consider myself committed, clever and pragmatic. I am acting as a proactive advisor, sparring partner and litigation lawyer. Legal expertise is combined with technical (IT/internet), strategic and corporate commercial experience.
I like sharing commercial and technical views on earning models, innovation and development, the future and course of companies, as well as on personnel issues and the protection and employment of (company) assets. My strengths lie in decisive action, thinking on my feet, and handling the media and start court proceedings effectively, if in the interest of the case.
Besides a lawyer, I am also a reputation manager, international sales agent and editor-in-chief for several broadcasting companies, producers, newspapers, book publishers, well-known artists, sportsmen and women and authors. I am well-versed in the protection of designs and products, trademarks/branding, product and content marketing, technological trends, innovation, cross-medial activities, storytelling and the adaptation of books into films, TV series, games and theater productions.
I further frequently visit and speak at (international) book fairs and film festivals, I am a columnist and commentator in various media and mentor of junior lawyers (at network organization Legal Women). I am a firm believer in transferring knowledge and sharing my network, expertise and experience.
Background
Degree in Dutch law from University of Amsterdam (1998). I also completed the post-graduate program in Informatics Law at Grotius Academy (2008) and the post-graduate specialist degree program/extension course on employment law at Leiden University (2003). In 2023, I completed the post-graduate specialist course Sports & Law at the Vrije Universiteit. I am a member of the Dutch Bar Association and several professional associations, including the Vereniging voor Media & Communicatierecht, Vereniging voor Auteursrecht, Vereniging voor Privacyrecht and Nederlandse Vereniging voor Informatietechnologie en Recht.
The media invariably call her ‘one of the fiercest media lawyers in the country’, and ‘a charming street fighter’. Her clients typically praise her ‘acuity’, her ‘ability to resolve impossible issues’, ‘her tireless persistence’, the ‘golden combination of knowledge of the market, people and regulations’, and ‘her knowledge, expertise and solid character’. They furthermore appreciate her accessibility, her selfless social commitment as a volunteer, coach and lecturer at educational institutions, and the fact ‘that she always aims for the best possible result for clients, whether they are start-ups, newcomers or multinationals’.
Charissa Koster has registered the following principal (and secondary) legal practice areas in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas (rechtsgebiedenregister):
- Intellectual Property law
- Information law
- Media law
- IT law
Based on this registration, she is required to obtain ten training credits per calendar year in each registered principal legal practice area in accordance with the standards set by the Netherlands Bar.
