Netherlands

Loyens & Loeff, a leading law and tax firm in Europe, is proud to announce the appointment of seven new partners across key practice areas, reinforcing our commitment to delivering integrated law and tax solutions for clients navigating increasingly complex legal, fiscal and ESG landscapes. Kévin Emeraux, Aldo Engels, Jan-Willem Kunen, Julien Lecler, Maude Royer and Eline Viersen and Marit Bosselaar will join the partnership early next year. Together, they bring complementary expertise in litigation, tax structuring, transfer pricing, real estate, fund finance and M&A—strengthening our ability to provide seamless, cross-border advice tailored to client needs. Managing Partner Harmen Holtrop commented: “These appointments recognise individual excellence and reflect the future we are building together. Their expertise and fresh perspectives will help us anticipate client needs and deliver integrated, high-quality solutions in an increasingly complex world.” Delivering Value Through Integrated Expertise Our new partners exemplify the combination of law and tax that defines Loyens & Loeff. Their diverse backgrounds and international experience enhance our ability to provide strategic, cross-border solutions for multinational clients: Marit Bosselaar (Dispute Resolution, the Netherlands) – Specialist in class actions, commercial and financial litigation and ESG-related cases, with a strong track record representing financial institutions, real estate companies and other corporates. Kévin Emeraux (Tax, Luxembourg) – Brings extensive experience in international tax planning, private equity and M&A transactions, and restructuring. He combines insights from his New York secondment with active involvement in cross-border financial transactions and plays a key role in the firm’s French region team. Aldo Engels (Tax, Belgium) – Recognised authority on transfer pricing, advising on complex cross-border financing and restructurings. Jan-Willem Kunen (Tax, the Netherlands) – Specialises in transfer pricing and is a recognised authority on mutual agreement procedures, advance pricing agreements, business restructurings, OECD Pillar One & Two and establishing business models. He also shares his expertise teaching fellow advisers. Julien Lecler (Real Estate, Belgium/Luxembourg) – A real estate lawyer working across Luxembourg and Belgium, he advises clients on a broad range of real estate matters, including complex cross-border transactions and project developments. His recognised cross-border experience enhances our regional offering. Maude Royer (Funds, Luxembourg) – Recognised as a rising star by the Fund Finance Association, she handles capital call and NAV financing, GP financing, asset-based structures, and works closely with private equity, infrastructure, real estate and debt fund clients as well as financial institutions. Eline Viersen (Corporate/M&A, the Netherlands) – Advises on governance, restructurings, joint ventures and IPOs, with a strong focus on multinationals and North American investors following her secondment in New York. With these appointments, Loyens & Loeff continues to invest in top-tier expertise to help clients anticipate challenges and seize opportunities across jurisdictions. About Loyens & Loeff Loyens & Loeff is a leading law and tax firm with a strong international presence. We provide integrated legal and tax services to businesses operating in or from the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. With nearly 1,000 advisers across our offices in the Benelux, Switzerland, and key financial centres worldwide, we deliver tailored, high-quality solutions that meet the complex needs of our clients. Committed to innovation, excellence, and client-centricity, Loyens & Loeff continues to shape the future of legal and tax services in Europe. Learn more at loyensloeff.com

AKD welcomes Harm Kerstholt as partner in its energy practice in the Netherlands. Harm brings over 25 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and large-scale sustainable projects, including offshore wind, solar energy and hydrogen. With Harm’s arrival, AKD adds a strong transactional component to its energy practice, which is already renowned for its expertise in permitting, grid connections and litigation, giving the team a significant boost. Harm has witnessed first-hand how profoundly the energy sector has changed over the past decades. “Where the market was once stable and fossil-driven, it is now open, volatile and fully focused on sustainability,” he says. “Decentralised generation, grid congestion, hydrogen projects and the growing demand for electricity all require a new approach. In this dynamic landscape, it is crucial that deals and collaborations are both legally robust and flexible. With my experience I help clients seize opportunities and manage risks, ensuring that investments deliver maximum return.” His expertise and leading market position are internationally recognised, with top rankings in prestigious legal directories such as Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. Clients describe his approach as pragmatic and results-oriented, with a strong focus on collaboration and clear explanations of complex matters. “Alone, we go fast; together, we go further. I look forward to working with the AKD team in the coming years to strengthen our reputation as the undisputed ‘go-to firm’ for strategic deals, projects and disputes in the Benelux energy sector,” says Harm. “We are delighted to welcome Harm to our team,” says Carlos Pita Cao, managing partner of AKD. “The energy sector is in the midst of a fundamental transition. For our clients this means that transactions and projects are becoming increasingly complex and strategic. With Harm on board, we are strengthening our ability to support clients in this area. His experience is an excellent match with our firm’s focus on the further expansion of our energy practice.” In recent years, AKD has played a leading role in a wide range of energy projects and transactions. The firm advises clients in the Netherlands and Belgium on the full spectrum of energy law. Within a single integrated team, the firm combines project development, transactions, permitting, financing and energy disputes. This approach makes AKD a true ‘one-stop shop’ for project developers, investors, financiers, grid operators, public authorities and energy companies navigating the energy transition. With over 500 lawyers, tax advisers, civil-law notaries and support staff in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, AKD is a leading Benelux law firm. For our clients, we are the gateway from, to and in the Benelux. Rashida Ishaak [email protected] +31 6 11 18 97 09 AKD Wilhelminakade 1 3072AP Rotterdam www.akd.eu  

Amsterdam, 6 March 2025 - AKD welcomes new partner Michiel de Wit to its Real Estate team at the Amsterdam office. With Michiel on board, AKD is able to further deepen its services for international investors, particularly in the fields of Asset Management and ESG. Michiel is a renowned expert in Asset Management and commercial lease law. Having a strong international focus, he has been a trusted legal adviser to institutional real estate investors, German and Anglo-Saxon investors in particular, with dealings in the Netherlands for over 20 years. With his in-depth knowledge of commercial lease law and hands-on experience in Asset Management and ESG, he handles advisory and litigation work for his clients. Michiel has a reputation for effectively negotiating opportunities and legal challenges raised in these areas or to translate them into commercial advantages. His expertise is, accordingly, widely recognised: the Legal 500 commends him as a Leading Partner for Real Estate. What sets Michiel apart, in addition to his legal expertise, is his engaged and strategic approach. "My clients do not just expect legal certainty, they also expect strategic sparring. I help them optimise their real estate portfolios, from an ESG and energy perspective as well, and seize opportunities that go beyond the standard approach. 'Dare to challenge' and 'get the deal done' are not just slogans - they embody my way of working", adds Michiel. With Michiel joining the firm, AKD forges ahead in expanding its international real estate practice. Carlos Pita Cao, Managing Partner of AKD, stresses the strategic value of this appointment: "We are delighted to welcome Michiel as a partner. The real estate sector is becoming increasingly complex, with rising international investments and legal challenges in the areas of sustainability, energy and ESG. Michiel understands better than anyone how to turn this dynamic into strategic opportunities and how to implement those. His experience dealing with international investors makes him a key player in AKD's ambition to remain the leading real estate firm in the Benelux." Boasting one of the largest real estate teams in the Netherlands and Belgium, AKD continues to invest in offering high-quality legal services to national and international real estate market parties. With the addition of Michiel to our 85+ team of real estate specialists, we are able to offer clients even more comprehensive and deeper legal advice on real estate, energy and ESG.

Osborne Clarke - Netherlands has advised the shareholders of Oaky, an award-winning hotel upselling SAAS platform, on the sale of Oaky to Plusgrade, a global leader in ancillary revenue solutions. This strategic combination brings together two proven solutions, united as one, to deliver the most powerful upsell experience in hospitality. The best, made better. Erik Tengen – President of Hospitality Upsell: "Osborne Clarke was the very first counsel we engaged with and we experienced a true full circle as Herke, Wouter and Levi supported us through our acquisition. We continue to be the biggest fans of OC and would highly recommend them to anyone who's looking for professional, hard-working lawyers who are also really nice people". Herke Van Hulst – lead partner: "Since Oaky's incorporation, Osborne Clarke has been closely involved as trusted advisor working with the amazing team of Oaky and its investors, having also assisted in Oaky's Series A financing round. It was therefore an absolute pleasure working with the team again on this exciting milestone. We wish Oaky and Plusgrade all the best in their next chapter of their exciting journey." The Osborne Clarke core team consisted of Herke van Hulst, Wouter Kok and Levi Schutz (Corporate M&A) and was supported by Angela Saldanha, Saliha El Morabit (Corporate M&A), Job van der Pol and Sjoerd Waagmeester (Tax), Jim Margry, Maartje Tan (Employment), Joanne Zaaijer (GDPR), Gianna Hendriks and Coen Barneveld Binkhuysen (Commercial Contracting and IP).