Francoise Billen
Image of Francoise Billen

Françoise Billen

Senior Associate

Françoise specializes in intellectual property, data protection, AI, cross-border technology transactions, and commercial transactions in the technology and life sciences sector.
Françoise assists both global and local clients in strategic transactional matters, including AI vendor and license agreements, digital transformation projects, collaboration agreements, as well as in multi-jurisdictional strategic AI and GDPR. In addition, Françoise has experience in representing clients in tech, data protection and IP litigation cases.

She handles complex trademark infringement and unfair competition disputes, as well as life sciences patent litigation.

She also has expertise in drafting and negotiating high value IP licenses, R&D collaborations and commercial agreements.

Experience

Pro bono

  • Assisting the Anticancer Fund with the review of a collaboration agreement concerning the financial support of clinical research studies.
  • Assisting a Belgian museum in connection with copyright‑related infringement matters.
  • Acting as a volunteer trainer for Child Focus’ Internet Safe & Fun programme, delivering workshops to primary school children, raising awareness on safe and responsible online behaviour.

Published Work

  • HOE KLOKKENLUIDEN BIJ DE VLAAMSE OVERHEID EN LOKALE BESTUREN - Book published by Politeia in cooperation with Isabel Plets, Bastiaan Bruyndonckx and Sarah Witvrouw.
  • TOP 5 THINGS AMERICAN LAWYERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TRADE SECRETS IN EUROPE | 2022 -Article for the American Bar Association Litigation Section Committees in cooperation with Bastiaan Bruyndonckx and Yves Lenders.
  • NOOT – BESCHERMING VAN BEDRIJFSGEHEIMEN IN DE VERTROUWELIJKHEIDSKRING – I.R.D.I. | 2020 - Article in the legal journal “I.R.D.I.” in cooperation with Tom Heremans

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Member of the European Pharmaceutical Law Association
  • Member of The Benelux Association for Trademark- and Design law

Qualifications

Academic

Limburgs Univ.Cent.Diepenbeek, Other, 2016, Bachelor of Laws

Kath.Univ. Leuven (KUL), Other, 2018, Master of Laws (cum laude)

Stockholm University, Other, 2019, LLM

Languages

Dutch, English, French
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.