The Legal 500

Within Arbitration Other recommended firms

Within Asset finance and structured finance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s team, led by Thijs Flokstra, advised Deutsche Bank on the restructuring and launch of SNS Bank’s Hermes XV, a €2.9bn Dutch RMBS, and acted for ABN AMRO on Dutch aspects of a $16bn credit default swap. Clients report a ‘positive experience regarding collateralized debt obligations’.

Within Banking and finance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Recent highlights for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer include advising Boskalis on the acquisition of Smit Internationale and the refinancing of a bridge loan which was replaced by funding raised via a USPP. It also acted for Rabobank on FrieslandCampina’s €1bn refinancing. Thijs Flokstra heads the practice.

Within Capital markets, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised the joint global co-ordinators on the €227m rights offering by Wavin. It also advised Reed Elsevier plc and Reed Elsevier NV on a €964m private placement in London and Amsterdam through an accelerated bookbuild process, with JPMorgan Cazenove and UBS as joint bookrunners. Robert ten Have heads the equity team and Thijs Flokstra heads the debt team.

Within Commercial litigation , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s lawyers are ‘very robust in their approach, and come up with coherent and innovative solutions’. Recent highlights include representing DB Schenker Rail Nederland in a €1bn dispute arising out of the allocation of pension fund assets, and defending Ecopetrol against €7bn damages claims relating to a lost exploration contract. Hub Harmeling is a ‘great strategic thinker who offers sharp analysis, practical advice, and has a good feel for human interaction’.

Within Corporate and M&A, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

The ‘excellent team’ at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer ‘provides in-depth legal knowledge combined with a practical hands-on approach’. It advised the government on acquiring part of ABN AMRO as part of its demerger to form a new independent bank, and acted for Sara Lee on selling its global personal care and European detergents businesses to Unilever. Richard Norbruis heads the group, while Dirk-Jan Smit has ‘very good technical, legal and analytical skills, and broad experience in a number of areas of the law, as well as very good intuition for the real issues and how to solve them’.

Within EU and competition , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer reported significant growth in its state aid practice, and acted for clients such as ING, Vestra, and ABN AMRO, as well as new clients such as Mitsui Oil Exploration and Compass. The group advised Essent on its €9bn merger with RWE, and successfully represented Essent in litigation on ownership issues. Onno Brouwer and Winfred Knibbeler lead the team.

Within Employment , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has a ‘highly professional approach, keeping clients’ interests in mind and keeping response times short’. Key clients include Sara Lee, ABN AMRO, Royal Boskalis and Credit Suisse. The team is led by Brechje Nollen, whose ‘solid analysis and clear insights on risks and opportunities make it easy for clients to make the right decisions in a timely and effective manner’.

Within Energy , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘well-seasoned team’ at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is ‘very professional, with accurate response times and good in-depth knowledge’. The group acts for oil and energy companies such as Shell and Total, as well as network operators such as Enexis and Zebra. It is advising Essent on its tie-up with RWE, and in litigation against the legislation requiring ownership unbundling of networks. The group is advising Vopak and Gasunie on a LNG terminal in Rotterdam. Richard Norbruis leads the seven-partner team.

Within Information technology , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s IP practice frequently proves pivotal in major transactions, and recently acted alongside the corporate team on the ABN AMRO demerger. Other recent highlights include advising ING Continental Europe and ING Investment Management on outsourcing its respective procurement organisations. Counsel Wieke van Angeren heads the team.

Within Intellectual property , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a first tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer receives praise for its ‘hands-on approach, commitment and litigation skills’. The team acts for top-notch clients such as Colgate-Palmolive, Levi Strauss, and Fox Group, and is representing GlaxoSmithKline against Pharmachemie in litigation concerning the alleged infringement of a herpes treatment. Rutger Kleeman is ‘responsive, creative and thorough’, while ‘seasoned icon’ Peter Hendrick is ‘strategic, and an excellent orator and litigator’. Clients also appreciate the ‘many good-quality senior associates, which have more experience than many a patent litigation partner in the Netherlands’.

Within Media and entertainment, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a second tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer acts for publishers (Springer), TV producers (Endemol), broadcasters (RTL) and cable operators (NLkabel). The team also acts for Ziggo on regulatory matters including copyright clearance, the mobile frequency auction, and access regulations, as well as disputes with new market entrants. Richard Norbruis is the key contact.

Within Private equity , Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised Springer and its shareholders, Cinven and Candover, on Springer’s sale to EQT and GIC, and represented three of the six final bidders (including the winning bidder) in the Catalpa auction. Shawn der Kinderen leads the 20-lawyer team.

Within Project finance and PFI, tier 4

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s Thijs Flokstra advised BV Grondbezit AVI Moerdijk on restructuring the NV Afvalverbranding Zuid Nederland Group, which involves changes to project financing for the four production lines of a waste incinerator built and operated by the company.

Within Restructuring and insolvency Other recommended firms

Within Tax, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s team advised the Dutch government on tax aspects of the ABN AMRO demerger, and acted for Femsa on its acquisition of a 20% economic interest in the Heineken Group in consideration for the contribution of Femsa’s beer operations. Machiel Lambooij and Eelco van der Stok are the key partners. Hans Galavazi retired.

Within Telecoms, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a third tier firm,

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer represents Ziggo, the Netherlands’ largest cable operator, and NLKabel, the association of Dutch cable operators. Work for Ziggo included representing it in dealings with OPTA, and advising on the auction of mobile frequencies. Winfred Knibbeler is highly recommended.