Karen Ongena

In 2009, Karen founded IP Porta, now one of the most experienced and dedicated IP, IT & media law firms in Flanders, Belgium.

Karen earned her stripes in technology and media cases, as well as in cases involving intellectual property rights. Since 2009 she has been recommended in the "Legal 500" and "Chambers" (Intellectual Property, Belgium).

Clients appreciate her incisive analyses and ability to synthesize, her openness and clear communication style, her writing skills, enterprising spirit and strategic insight.

Education, experience and publications

  • Law degree: KULAK and KU Leuven (1997), Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne (1996) 
  • LL.M. from Cambridge University (1998)
  • Loeff Claeys Verbeke – Allen & Overy (1998-2004), Ambos Law (2005-2009), IP Porta (2009-heden)
  • Member of the Commission for the Accreditation of Belgian Patent Attorneys
  • UPC Representative
  • Third-Party Decider on Domain Names (CEPANI) 
  • Lecturer "Law for Innovation" at the Antwerp Management School (2013-2016)
  • Practical lecture on Intellectual Property at KULAK (2006-2019; 2024-2025)
  • Publications: multiple publications on seizure of counterfeit goods, copyright, trademark law, gambling and market practices

“Karen Ongena combineert een indrukwekkende expertise met een scherp zakelijk inzicht. Haar advies is juridisch sterk en altijd doordacht vanuit het perspectief van de ondernemer. Ze slaagt erin complexe juridische materie helder en toegankelijk te maken — zonder dat je er hoofdpijn van krijgt. Samenwerken met Karen is niet alleen professioneel verrijkend, maar ook altijd een plezier.”

Astrid ThienpontCEO InTouch

“I was looking for a practice … that goes further than what I just ask for. That surprises you with original thinking and creates options; A practice that will go the extra mile with a smile. IP Porta delivered on all the above and more.”

Yoav NirInventor and Entrepreneur

“"Steven Madden, Ltd. had the pleasure of working with Karen Ongena and the IP Porta team on an important intellectual property litigation. IP Porta quickly understood our business and provided excellent client service and business-minded solutions. The attorneys were always extremely responsive, very efficient, and their strategic approach to the case paid off with a great result!"”

Steve Madden Ltd.

Laurence Hubert

Laurence has been a part of IP Porta from the start. She has over 20 years of experience as a lawyer in IP, privacy and general commercial law. Together with Karen, she leads the IP Porta team.

She has strong assets: Laurence is bilingual, has a broad legal background and outstanding persuasive skills. Because of her ability to take a helicopter view on disputes, she invariably chooses the right solution-oriented approach. She understands the mindset of entrepreneurs.

In addition to drafting and negotiating your contracts, devising legal strategies and conducting court proceedings, Laurence can also assist you in reaching a mediated solution.

Education, experience and publications

  • Law degree: UGent (1999)  
  • De Schrijver-Vandegehuchte (1999-2003), Amboslaw (2005-2009), IP Porta (2009-heden) 
  • Accredited mediator in civil and commercial matters (UGent and UAntwerp 2014)
  • Collaborative lawyer (2020)  
  • Arbitrator  
  • Local Ombudsman in consumer disputes with lawyers (2016-present)

“We’ve been working with Laurence since the start of our production company in 2010. Laurence has seen every side of our story: from intellectual matters to privacy matters. She was always there to listen and guide, always seeking mediation before confrontation. She has helped us with a wide number of matters and redirects us to colleagues if she knows they can help us better. It has been a pleasure working with her in the past and I’m sure we will continue to work together in the future!”

Geronimo Productions

“Samenwerken met IP Porta, in het bijzonder met Laurence Hubert als expert, is een plezier en dit omwille van meerdere reden: de snelheid, accuraatheid, de diepgaande kennis van de complexe materie en de persoonlijke benadering, zorgen voor een onderling vertrouwen.”

V. BobelynVBK België

Michael Kinyentama

Michael joined IP Porta in 2014. He has a passion for creativity and technology. You will find him to be an expert in traditional intellectual property rights, as well as new technologies and creative industries. Patents, R&D projects and copyrights are his forte.

Michael attaches great importance to understanding the entrepreneur and his business, the researcher and his invention, and the author and his creation. He prefers to work with risk-takers, thinkers, dreamers and tenacious fighters.

He prepares contracts, conducts negotiations and provides assistance in disputes. In procedures, he always looks for – and finds – the most effective arguments.

Education, experience and publications

  • Master of Laws: KU Leuven (2013), Université Jean Moulin III in Lyon (2012)
  • LL.M. in intellectual property law and competition law from the Université de Liège (2014)
  • Guest lecturer "Software, Intellectual Property Rights & Information Technology" (2017-present) and "Privacy Law" (2019-present), University Colleges Leuven-Limburg (KU Leuven Association)

Sofie De Pourcq

Sofie joined the IP Porta team in September 2018, when she left the academic world for the legal profession.

Sofie has excellent writing skills which come in handy every day as a lawyer. She strives to use plain and simple language in her letters, advice and conclusions. She also likes the challenge of thoroughly understanding your case so that your interests can be optimally defended. 

Education, experience and publications

  • Master of Laws: KULAK and UGent (2012), KU Leuven (2011)
  • Doctorate KU Leuven, campus KULAK Kortrijk (2018), "The protection of companies against unfair commercial practices in the contractual relationship".
  • Expert member of the Special Advisory Committee on Unfair Terms.
  • Multiple publications on trade and market practices.
  • TPR award for the comparative-law article on the liability of booking sites for abusive reviews (2014).
  • Guest speaker at various symposia

Lien Rossel

Lien joined IP Porta in September 2024 and started her career as a lawyer at our firm.

Lien obtained her Master's degree in Law from Ghent University. Driven by her particular interest in intellectual property rights, she continued her studies with a Master's degree in Intellectual Property and ICT Law at KU Leuven.

Education, experience and publications

  • Master of Laws: Ghent University (2018)
  • Master's degree in Intellectual Property and ICT Law: KU Leuven (2023)

Luna Kruydt

Luna joined the IP Porta team in March 2025, where she combines her roles as office manager and paralegal. Thanks to her background in Applied Psychology and Sexology, she approaches every task with a people-oriented perspective and is able to respond flexibly to the needs of colleagues and clients.

Her strong organisational skills and versatile experience ensure structure and efficiency within the office. With her dedication, accuracy and fresh perspective, she is a reliable and valuable link in the team.

Education, experience and publications

  • Bachelor's degree in Applied Psychology: Vives Kortrijk (2016)
  • Master's degree in Sexology: KU Leuven (2019)

Pauline Vertongen

Pauline joined the IP Porta team as a lawyer in September 2025. She obtained her Master's degree in Law from Ghent University, where she was active as a student representative on the Privacy and Data Protection Committee.

After her studies, Pauline gained experience as a consultant in privacy and data protection. In this role, she assisted both national and international companies in the development and implementation of their privacy policies. The interest she developed in the legal aspects of this role led her to take the step into the legal profession.

Education, experience and publications

  • Master of Laws: Ghent University (2022)
  • Student representative, Privacy and Data Protection Committee, Ghent University (2020-2022)
  • Privacy and Data Protection Advisor, KPMG (2022-2025)
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