The Legal 500

Allen & Overy LLP’s team, headed by Victor de Serière, acted as counsel in the covered bond programme of ING Bank. In the securitisation field, the practice acted as counsel to Samsung for its pan-European trade receivables securitisation programme. In 2008 the team advised on a high number of transactions including RMBS and CDOs. Key clients include NIBC, Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, and Rabobank. The team offers ‘experience, expertise, and practical, solution-based advice’.

Clifford Chance is ‘without a doubt the best in the field’ of asset and structured finance. Kees Westerman is ‘very strong’ and the team as a whole ‘has strong product knowledge and a global presence’. The team developed the first ever Dutch covered bond programme for ABN AMRO, and is working on a number of other covered bond programmes. Clients praise the team’s innovative practice which ‘established the Dutch Covered Bond law in July 2008’. Tineke Kothe is recommended, as is up-and-coming associate Rezah Stegeman.

Nautadutilh has a ten fee-earner team dedicated to securitisation, including heads of practice Willem Ruys and Michaëla Ulrici. After having assisted ABN AMRO in establishing the first structured bond programme in the Netherlands, the team has gone on to assist clients Achmea, SNS Bank, and NIBC on setting up similar programmes. The team has recently advised Fortis and ING Bank.

Baker & McKenzie Amsterdam N.V. has recently acted for Bank of America Securites as arranger of a €404m European CLO transaction which involves a Dutch SPV as issuer. The team also assisted Citigroup as arranger of the €372m Jubilee CDO IX transaction with Alcentra Limited as investment manager. Philippe Steffens is highly praised.

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek’s banking team ‘delivers quality work fast’ and ‘does not shy away from high-exposure cases’. The team, led by Menno Stoffer, advised the Municipality of Amsterdam on its purchase of metro cars for the high-profile extension of the Amsterdam metro network. Also in asset finance, Berend Crans advised Export-Import Bank of the United States on the lease-financing of three Boeing 777 aircrafts. On the structured finance side, the team advised ABN AMRO on a joint venture, as well as assisting Dutch Air Traffic Control on US tax lease financing of its air traffic control equipment.

Jeroen Thijssen retired from partnership at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in 2008, leaving Thijs Flokstra to take over as head of practice. The team recently advised NIBC on a high-value CDO of US-situated asset-backed public securities using Netherlands SPV structures. In 2008, the team also advised ABN AMRO on a €300m residential mortgage-backed securitisation. Morgan Stanley and Rabobank are also key clients. David Trott is recommended.

Loyens & Loeff’s Willem Jarigsma is head of a practice which is very busy in the ship finance arena, advising key lenders such as Commerzbank, DVD Bank, ING, and NIBC. The team advised ING, Rabobank, and Dexia Bank of Belgium in connection to a pre delivery and post delivery ship financing with a value of €250m, and is also engaged in securitisation and structured finance, as well as possessing an Islamic Finance team, led by Kees Hooft and Niels Muller.

Norton Rose LLP’s finance practice is headed by Gijds van Leeuwen, and partner Wouter Hertzberger is recommended for asset finance work. The team has recently advised a number of banks in the structured finance arena. The team often advises on the implementation of complex international structures. Paul Vine recently joined the team from the firm’s London office.

Simmons & Simmons has a strong reputation for structured finance work, and Daphne Brinkhuis recommended. Recent highlights include advising Deutsche Bahn on the leasing of 106 rolling stock to the Dutch railway system (Nederlandse Spoorwegen).

Jaap Willeumier heads the practice at Stibbe. Recent highlights include advising JM Huber Corporation on its securitisation of trade receivables, and advising Q-Park in connection with a €300m loan secured by European parking garages provided by Rabobank. Regulatory specialist Rogier Raas was promoted to partner in 2007. Clients include Barclays Bank, ING, and Whirlpool.

Hans Sachse heads the team at Boekel De Nerée, The team, which also includes the highly recommended Angelique Thiele, is advising Rabo/Bouwfonds Asset Management on the setting up of a fund investing in European CMBS Notes. The team has also advised Dutch property financiers FGH Bank, SNS Property Finance, and HSH Nordbank on a high-value financing.

DLA Piper’s ‘client-focused’ team is led by the ‘excellent’ Bart Joosen. The team recently acted, (as part of an international team), as borrowers’ counsel in a high value asset-based lending facility by Lloyds TSB involving the European operations of Milacron. The team is described as, ‘more down to earth, practical and proactive’ than some of its counterparts.

Gérard Moussault leads the practice at Greenberg Traurig LLP, advising Fortis and DVB banks on structured finance transactions.

Aart Barkey Wolf leads the practice at Houthoff Buruma. The team is ‘excellent in advising on real estate financings, and offers a team of lawyers specialised in banking, as well as a team of notaries specialised in real estate’. The team recently advised a bank consortium led by ING Real Estate Finance, on financing to Inflation Exchange Fund Capital for the purchase of part of Unibail Rodamco’s portfolio. Loet Venrooy is highly recommended as a ‘smart lawyer’.

Van Doorne’s practice concentrates on leasing and property finance work. Partner Evert Wiggers has been particularly engaged in the Dutch hotel market, assisting on the financing of Holiday Inn Hotel, Mariott Hotel, and Schiphol Crowne Plaza. In the leasing field, the team has assisted a number of big players including BNP Paribas Leasing. Roel Botter is also recommended.