Florent > Amsterdam, Netherlands > Firm Profile
Florent Offices
NOMA HOUSE
GUSTAV MAHLERLAAN 1236
1081 LA AMSTERDAM
Netherlands
Florent > The Legal 500 Rankings
Netherlands > Fraud and white-collar crime Tier 2
A core specialism for Florent‘s fraud and white-collar crime practice is advising a range of clients from different sectors on asset recovery and enforcements. Team head Kees van de Meent is an expert in insolvency law and international asset recovery; he is regularly appointed by the court as receiver in complex bankruptcies. Associate Jurgen Van Den Heuvel works on matters relating to international asset tracing and recovery and civil fraud litigation.Practice head(s):
Kees van de Meent
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is very strong in its knowledge of Dutch laws and regulations and in cost efficient and pragmatic ways of achieving the client’s goal.’
‘The individuals stand out, namely Kees van de Meent and Jurgen van den Heuvel. They provide efficient and pragmatic advice. Highly recommendable.’
‘Kees van de Meent is excellent in complex fraud cases. The team has an objective approach to the issues of the case and can bring efficient resolutions to the matter.’
‘The team has a great combination of expertise on insolvency matters and civil asset recovery. It has an outstanding reputation within the Netherlands.’
‘Kees van de Meent has a great mind, a perfect overview and a special sense for strategy. Jurgen van den Heuvel and Merijn Moeliker are key players in the team; hands-on and knowledgeable. All of them are a pleasure to work with.’
‘Kees van de Meent is a star in this practice. Highly experienced with a great team, including Merijn Moeliker and Jurgen van de Heuvel.’
‘Kees van de Meent has a unique position within the Dutch Fraud & White Collar Crime practice as a specialist for Asset Tracing & Recovery.’
‘Kees Van de Meent is one of the market leaders in this area.’
Key clients
Court appointed bankruptcy trustee of Exem Energy B.V.
Work highlights
- Acting as court-appointed bankruptcy trustee of Exem Energy B.V.
Netherlands > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2
The restructuring and insolvency team at corporate boutique Florent frequently collaborates with the firm's robust asset recovery practice to advise on bankruptcy proceedings. The group focuses on court appointments as trustees and administrators in bankruptcy and suspension of payment cases, and is noted for its expertise in these receiverships. Kees van de Meent and co-managing partner Hanneke De Coninck-Smolders jointly lead the team and are active as court-appointed trustees, with demonstrable capability in insolvency litigation. The practice, which has experience across the retail, energy and travel sectors, relies on the expertise of associates Joris Opstroom and Merijn Moeliker.
Practice head(s):
Hanneke De Coninck-Smolders; Kees van de Meent
Other key lawyers:
Joris Opstroom; Merijn Moeliker; Jurgen van den Heuvel
Testimonials
‘Both Kees van de Meent and Hanneke De Coninck-Smolders are very knowledgeable and able to grasp the complete picture in a short period of time, providing support in those areas where attention is needed. They understand the challenges that management faces and are available at any point in time to provide support.’
‘Kees van de Meent is very experienced and has a strategic mind.’
‘Hanneke de Coninck-Smolders has the gift to always be accessible, emphatic, solution-focused and knowledgeable and professional at the same time. She makes a great difference in any conversation or case.’
‘Merijn Moeliker’s strength is his ability to explain the legal points with great understanding. He challenges his own thinking while working on the case.’
‘Florent has become a market leader in the past five years. It is great what the team achieved since the start of the firm.’
‘Florent’s team is the biggest insolvency and restructuring team that includes appointments as court appointed trustee within the Netherlands. The team has an outstanding reputation.’
‘Jurgen van den Heuvel has the ability to transfer the diagnosis and conclusions swiftly into the required legal positions and documentation required. He found pragmatic solutions to ensure that documentation requirements and court acceptance was secured despite the short timeframes at hand.’
‘Joris Opstroom is hands-on, practical and quick to respond.’
Key clients
FNG
Theo Henkelman Footwear B.V.
V&D
La Place
Thomas Cook Nederland B.V.
Doniger
Van der Moolen
Leapp group
Integrated Green Energy Amsterdam B.V.
Exem Energy B.V.
Work highlights
- Appointed by the Amsterdam District Court as trustees in the bankruptcy proceedings for V&D.
- Acting as court-appointed bankruptcy trustee in the insolvency proceedings for La Place, a chain of more than 250 restaurants in the Netherlands and abroad.
- Acting as court-appointed bankruptcy trustee of Exem Energy B.V., a company connected to Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of the former President of Angola, which allegedly participated in a corruption scheme to the benefit of Mrs Dos Santos.
Netherlands > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 4
Head of Florent‘s litigation practice Yvette Borrius represents listed companies and high-profile individuals, including managing directors, shareholders and officers, in sensitive investigations and mass claims. Representing national and international clients in disputes that intersect insolvency and commercial matters is a core specialism of Chris Jager‘s work. Recently promoted partner Emille Buziau is another key contact for shareholders and directors, and represents listed companies in summary proceedings regarding the performance of agreements.Practice head(s):
Yvette Borrius; Chris Jager; Emille Buziau
Other key lawyers:
Bart Jan Hermans
Testimonials
‘Fantastic, dedicated service. Very knowledgeable and smart.’
‘Excellent customer focus and problem-solving abilities.’
‘Chris Jager is a highly skilled individual that I worked with for many years. Without doubt excellent legal advice and litigation skills. More importantly, he is able to translate legal analysis into boardroom advice that helps my organisation achieve its strategic goals.’
‘Very hands on and pragmatic, whilst at the same time they are thorough and come up with good legal analyses.’
‘Emille Buziau is very dedicated, nice to work with, always available.’
‘Yvette Borrius is clearly an experienced commercial litigator.’
‘Chris Jager and his team are very hands-on and practical in their approach. No matter their schedule, they will always find time to assist where necessary. The quality of their work is outstanding.’
‘Chris Jager will move heaven and earth to make sure he makes himself available. He is highly knowledgeable and, above all, a great personality to work with. I can highly recommend him and his team.’
Key clients
Hydro S.R.L.
The former CEO of Steinhoff International Holdings N.V.
McLarnon & Son Ltd
CNC U.A.
European Pharmaceuticals International B.V.
Medstone Holding B.V.
Monitor Management
Geodan B.V.
BSFE Holding B.V.
Renault SA and group companies
Deus Ex Machina (DEM)
Work highlights
- Representing Hydro et al. in an appeal against a decision concerning ‘immunity from execution’ in the context of enforcing an arbitral award.
- Representing the former CEO of Steinhoff International Holdings N.V. and group companies in five proceedings before the Dutch courts, including class action claims, alleging that the client was involved in, or failed to redress, a major fraud when CEO of the Steinhoff group.
- Representing Renault SA and group companies in three WAMCA proceedings before the Dutch court, regarding mass claims launched by several collective redress foundations regarding Renault diesel vehicles, which would allegedly contain devices to conceal non-compliance with emission standards.
Netherlands > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 5
Corporate boutique firm Florent advises on mid-market M&A, joint ventures, commercial contract matters and reorganisations, with demonstrable experience across the food and beverage, infrastructure, media and entertainment, technology and healthcare sectors. Matthijs Brons leads the team alongside Pieter van den Brink, who focuses on acquisitions and joint ventures, and Pieter Van Uchelen, who handles M&A and infrastructure transactions.Practice head(s):
Pieter van den Brink; Matthijs Brons; Pieter van Uchelen
Testimonials
‘Pieter van Uchelen and his team are very hands-on and take initiative in helping the process forward and solving discussions within the investment consortium without losing sight of clients’ interest.’
‘Highly educated, involved in the Dutch market, with a lot of market practice. Good communication amongst the team members and as such, good up to date knowledge of the cases.’
‘Pieter van Uchelen is very knowledgeable, uses this knowledge to get a deal forward. He steps forward, takes initiative and proposes solutions rather than getting entrenched in positions.’
‘Up-to-date knowledge of the state of affairs by each team member and at any time during the process. Fast switching between the team members and good communication between them. Very good value for money.’
‘Matthijs Brons knows how to keep things moving. When the situation calls for it, he is decisive and knows how to convince people. As a result, he leads the process in a natural way where progress and content are optimally guaranteed.’
‘Florent is very experienced and professional. The have a good strategic view on the process but also can deliver with high quality and eye for detail.’
‘Pieter van den Brink is experienced, delivers high quality advice, is pragmatic and also understands the role of making the deal happen.’
‘Speed, flexibility, kindness, entrepreneurial and team players.’
Key clients
Tony’s Chocolonely
New York Pizza
PHIT Holding B.V.
Mosadex
RH Marine group
Imbull
WPG Uitgevers
Spring Investment Management
VANMOOF
The Correspondent
Victus Participations
Kings of Indigo
Cegeka
Plukon Food Group
Arcus Infrastructure Fund
Nimbus
Medstone
Urban Arrow
Sanisale
Geodan
Visscher Caravelle
Ancala Partners
O2 Capital Partners
Euro-Caps
Friesland Campina
Vendis Capital
Freshstream
GIMV
E-Fiber
Quadrum Capital
83North
Douglas
SPX Corporation
Solo Invest
Toekomstgroep
Painting Holland
Work highlights
- Advised Arcus Infrastructure Partners and management on the sale of E-Fiber to Open Dutch Fiber, a joint venture between KKR and Deutsche Telekom Capital.
- Advised (the shareholders of) New York Pizza on the sale of a majority stake to Orkla, a leading supplier of branded consumer goods and concept solutions to the consumer, out-of-home and bakery markets in the Nordics, Baltics and selected markets in Central Europe and India.
- Advised VanMoof, which has raised $128m in a Series C funding round.
Florent > Firm Profile
The firm: Florent is not your average corporate boutique law firm.
Sure, we offer top notch legal advice in a personal setting at competitive rates. But where other boutiques limit themselves to just M&A, just litigation, just finance or just insolvency law, we offer all those services. Because we believe you should be able to count on your lawyer. To help you win your must-win battles in the next phase of your company’s life cycle, whatever that phase may be. And to be your trusted advisor rather than a one-trick pony.
So that’s our promise. We’ll stay on board. From start-up to investment round, from acquisition to litigation and from financial distress to exit. Every step of the way. And on to your next corporate life event.
The firm was launched in 2017 by partners from BLIX and Höcker Advocaten: Yvette Borrius, Pieter van den Brink, Matthijs Brons, Hanneke De Coninck, Chris Jager, Kees van de Meent, and Jurjen Tuinman, and their teams. Pieter van Uchelen joined the firm as partner from Simmons & Simmons in late 2019
Areas of practice
- Corporate/M&A
- Insolvency and restructuring
- Banking and finance
- Dispute resolution
- Governance
- Fraud and asset recovery
- Commercial real estate
- Employment law
Based in Amsterdam, the firm is often involved in international / cross-border matters. Florent is a member of Lexwork.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Restructuring and insolvency | Hanneke de Coninck-Smolders | ||
Restructuring and insolvency | Kees van de Meent | ||
Dispute Resolution: commercial and corporate litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution | Yvette Borrius | ||
Dispute Resolution: commercial and corporate litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution | Chris Jager | ||
Fraud and white-collar crime | Kees van de Meent | ||
Corporate and M&A | Pieter van de Brink | ||
Corporate and M&A | Matthijs Brons | ||
Asset recovery | Kees van de Meent | ||
Real estate and environmental affairs | Jurjen Tuinman |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Yvette Borrius | Yvette Borrius co-heads the dispute resolution department. With 25 years’ experience she… | View Profile | |
Emille Buziau | Emille has gained broad experience in the field of corporate and commercial… | View Profile | |
Hanneke De Coninck | Hanneke is co-managing partner of the firm and co-head of the Insolvency… | View Profile | |
Chris Jager | Chris is partner of the firm and is specialised in dispute resolution.… | View Profile | |
Pieter van Uchelen | Pieter is a partner and co-heads the corporate/M&A department. He is specialized… | View Profile | |
Kees van de Meent | Kees van de Meent is partner of the firm and co-head of… | View Profile | |
Pieter van den Brink | Pieter van den Brink is co-managing partner of the firm and co-heads… | View Profile | |
Jurgen van den Heuvel | Jurgen van den Heuvel is an associate in Florent’s Insolvency and Restructuring… | View Profile |
Comparative Guides
-
The Netherlands: Litigation
Published: July 2023
Authors: Yvette BorriusChris JagerEmille Buziau
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Litigation laws and regulations applicable in The Netherlands.
-
The Netherlands: International Arbitration
Published: November 2023
Authors: Chris JagerYvette BorriusJan Willem BitterBart Jan HermansLot Bakker
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of International Arbitration laws and regulations applicable in The Netherlands.