A&O Shearman excels in the corporate and financial litigation sphere, taking in shareholder and private M&A disputes, enforcement cases, and director’s liability litigation, as well as in white-collar crime cases and IP disputes. Clients of the firm, which include Dutch blue-chip companies, major banks, and large multinationals, also benefit from its international approach. Richard De Haan leads the practice and specialises in corporate and commercial litigation; he is supported by a sizeable team of skilled litigators, including Arnold Croiset Van Uchelen, who is a deeply experienced trial lawyer focusing on corporate and securities cases, Brechje van der Velden, a specialist in representing financial institutions, and Tim Sweerts, who is also noted for his cross-border disputes work. The team also draws on the arbitration expertise of Marieke Van Hooijdonk and Hilde van der Baan (who has an emphasis on international construction cases). In January 2023, finance specialist Marieke Schaink joined the practice, bolstering its capabilities in M&A-related disputes and contractual liability and tort cases.
Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation in Netherlands
A&O Shearman
Practice head(s):
Richard de Haan
Other key lawyers:
Arnold Croiset van Uchelen; Marieke van Hooijdonk; Brechje van der Velden; Hilde van der Baan; Tim Sweerts; Marieke Schaink; Marnix de Planque
Testimonials
‘A very strong and excellent team in corporate, commercial and financial litigation. It stands out for its no-nonsense approach whilst maintaining excellent quality. The go-to-shop for really difficult cases!’
‘Brechje van der Velden is in a league of her own in financial and restructuring litigation. She has a superb understanding of insolvency processes coupled with an excellent sense for human interaction and issues. Richard de Haan is a go-to corporate litigator, very smart and no-nonsense.’
‘Arnold Croiset van Uchelen knows what it takes to present a complicated case involving the interplay between national contract and administrative law and European law in a down-to-earth manner.’
Key clients
SEB Life International
ING Bank
Rabobank
BNG B.V.
Pon’s Automobielhandel
Uniper
Heritage B (TEKA group)
Royal KPN
Eurobic
Vattenfall
The Dutch Ministry of Finance
KLM
Delta Airlines
TMF
NextEra Energy Global Holdings B.V. and NextEra Energy Spain Holdings B.V.
Cargill
Work highlights
- Representing KLM, Transavia, Martinair and Delta Airlines in injunction proceedings brought against the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management in order to halt attempts by the ministry aimed at restricting the operational capacity of Schiphol Airport.
- Representing Bourrelier Group in a longstanding franchise dispute with Intergamma, acting in 75 arbitrations, as well as in court proceedings on the consolidation of more than 100 arbitration proceedings.
- Representing the Dutch state in a series of cases that emerged following the nationalisation of SNS Reaal.
De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek
The corporate and commercial litigation practice at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek continues to be a leading force in the Netherlands, assisting with a large number of high-stakes and complex disputes, including landmark cases. The team handles litigation before the courts of all levels, including sensitive cases before the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, and the CJEU. The firm’s expertise covers multiple industries and issues, including inquiry proceedings, shareholder disputes and enforcement proceedings, in addition to complex matters such as sanctions. Practice head Eelco Meerdink is well versed in complex litigation and arbitration, while Jeroen Van Der Schrieck leads on corporate litigation, including auditor’s liability cases and shareholder litigation. Other key team members are Sven Dumoulin, who represents a number of blue-chip companies in the Netherlands, climate specialist Davine Roessingh, who is the go-to for ESG litigation, and Jan-Willem Meijer, who handles major cases before the Supreme Court.
Practice head(s):
Eelco Meerdink
Other key lawyers:
Jeroen van der Schrieck; Sven Dumoulin; Davine Roessingh; Jan-Willem Meijer; Machteld de Moncy
Testimonials
‘The team has unrivalled experience in the area of mass litigation, financial litigation and other emerging areas, such as cartel cases. They can rely on vast experience acquired through past cases that few – if any – other Dutch law firm has. They recognise their limits and know it is best to involve economists early in these matters as they help shape legal reasonings but also potential settlements.’
‘Jeroen van der Schrieck is outstanding in his ability to focus on the key important issues of the case and manage the case such that team focus on these points and are not distracted by the white noise surrounding a large disputes with thousands of documents and numerous issues.’
‘De Brauw have been outstanding in this field for decades. Their technical capabilities are simply outstanding. They get to the core of complex matters very swiftly. They are very good at identifying what matters and at instructing their client what to focus on and what to disregard, thus achieving a high level of efficiency for them and their client. This year, De Brauw hugely impressed us with round-the-clock work from partners on various continents in a highly time-sensitive matter. Absolutely outstanding in quality and client care.’
‘Jan-Willem Meijer knows the law like no other, but also has a keen idea of how to strategically employ the law.’
‘An outstanding team with unparalleled knowledge and experience in the field of Dutch arbitration-related litigation. A very diverse team with lawyers from various jurisdictions offering a breadth of experience from and insight into the laws of other countries, which allows the team to deal with very complex international matters with great efficiency. The quality of the work provided by the team is second to none in the Netherlands.’
‘Eelco Meerdink is an outstanding lawyer and litigator with an incredible ability to deal with the most complex legal and factual issues. Eelco is a very strong team leader who delivers timely and focused advice, tailored to the client’s needs.’
‘De Brauw’s litigation team has unique capabilities. They handle our truly complex cases when we need technical knowledge and multi-disciplinary expertise. They are able to lay out complex issues in a clear manner which helped our case tremendously. Their mass claims practice and ESG practice really stand out. They are really ahead of the field and they really understand where the law and society are going.’
‘Davine Roessingh is excellent, strategic and convincing in litigation. She thoroughly understands her cases and their dynamics and leads her team in an optimistic and decisive way. She delivers outstanding, innovative and clear advice on climate change and sustainability risks and opportunities and clearly has the more technical aspects of ESG at her fingertips like few others do.’
Key clients
Altice
COFCO Coöperatief and COFCO International
Credit Access
DIF Management
GasTerra
Intergamma Group
Just Eat Takeaway
Koninklijke Ahold Dehaize N.V.
Majority shareholders of Yukos Oil (Hulley Enterprises, Yukos Universal, Veteran Petroleum)
Nissan-Mitsubishi
Rabobank
Republic of Kazakhstan/National Bank of Kazakhstan
RevealRox
Royal Duyvis Wiener
Royal Schiphol Group
Shell
SNS REAAL (SRH/de Volksbank)
TerraPay
TenneT
Triodos Bank
Vivendi
Vopak
West Oil Group
Yukos Oil Group Companies
Work highlights
- Represented SNS REAAL in the largest inquiry proceedings before the Enterprise Chamber in history, obtaining a major victory.
- Acted for Nissan in its legal battle with former CEO Carlos Ghosn.
- Acted as lead counsel for the former majority shareholders of Yukos in the USD 57 billion case against the Russian Federation.
DLA Piper
Known for its presence in global international disputes, DLA Piper boasts a strong practice in the Netherlands which regularly handles high-stakes international and cross-border mandates. The scope of the practice is considerable, ranging from financial services, corporate and commercial litigation to ESG litigation and class actions. Team lead Marnix Holtzer is known for his expertise in corporate litigation and has been key in growing the practice’s class actions offering. Paul Hopman and Ewald Netten are go-to litigators for financial institutions; Hopman is frequently active in high-profile financial litigation and Netten focuses on major cross-border cases and contentious restructuring matters. ESG-related disputes are handled by Michiel Coenraads, while Frank van de Wakker is also noted.
Practice head(s):
Marnix Holtzer
Other key lawyers:
Paul Hopman; Ewald Netten; Michiel Coenraads; Frank van de Wakker; Jorian Hamster
Testimonials
‘Marnix Holtzer is a very knowledgeable, experienced and thorough lawyer.’
‘Top legal quality, good results, great people to work with, very responsive, with a great attitude in court.’
‘Over the years, the DLA team has proven to be easily accessible, responsive, knowledgeable and easy to work with. The company culture of the Dutch team is down to earth and efficient while dealing with our requests.’
‘The team has proven to have thorough knowledge about our industry, products and business model, making it effective and efficient for us to work with DLA. Its support has proven valuable to reduce losses for ourselves and our partners and respond proactively to threats.’
‘Very involved and caring. They respond quickly and give practical, hands-on advice. They have invested time to get to know us and our business needs well. They are knowledgeable in their field and have global reach through their offices and network.’
‘Ewald Netten is knowledgeable, fast, responsive, and highly caring.’
‘DLA Piper’s dispute resolution team in the Netherlands is really strong. They are especially renowned for ESG litigation. They are market leading in business, human rights and climate change cases, but also other complex cross-border cases with an emerging markets angle. Excellent case management, efficient, and seamless and pleasant collaboration with our in-house team.’
‘Michiel Coenraads is smart, solutions driven, very commercial, and he understands our business and sector like no one else. He is really convincing – in the court room, in negotiations, or when presenting complex stuff to our board. He has a really international mindset, which is what you need for the complex cross-border cases!’
Key clients
AbbVie
ABN AMRO
ACT Commodities
Adriaan van Erk
Amtrust International Underwriters DAC
Ballast Nedam
Bayer AG
Coinbase
Crossroads European Holdings
Generali Insurance Asset Management
Harel
HFM Solutions
HunterDouglas
ING Bank N.V.
KBC Bank
Laureate
Liberty Mutual Surety
Nike
Nutreco
OSI
Petronas
Rabobank
Rijksmuseum
SABIC
Shell
SNS Reaal
Stena AB
STX Commodities
TMF
Unilever
Veenboer en Dochters B.V.
Van Cranenbroek
Work highlights
- Representing the bondholders (Generali Insurance Asset Management) in a cross-border dispute with several publicly traded issuers of bonds of approximately half a billion euros.
- Representing several executive board members of SNS Reaal and SNS Bank in high-profile disputes, defending the client against claims of former shareholders.
- Representing Bayer in highly sensitive class action proceedings in the Netherlands of potentially several hundreds of millions of euros brought by female claimants who assert the birth control device ‘Essure’ caused serious health complications.
Houthoff
Houthoff stands out in for its comprehensive dispute resolution practice, covering commercial and corporate litigation and insolvency cases, including frequently handling cases at Supreme Court level. The team is comprised of top-notch litigators: practice head Jan Willem de Groot takes the lead on cases such as shareholder, director’s liability and joint venture disputes. Bart van der Wiel is an expert in representing clients in commercial disputes before the Supreme Court, and often collaborates with Remme Verkek (who also specialises in international arbitration). Albert Knigge is sought after for class actions and mass litigation proceedings and is assisted by competition litigation specialists Rick Cornelissen and Paul Sluijter. Dirk Knottenbelt chairs the arbitration practice at the firm, while David Heems is experienced in insolvency litigation. Marjolein Heuten is known for her focus on high-stakes transaction-related disputes.
Practice head(s):
Jan Willem de Groot; Bart van der Wiel; Albert Knigge; Dirk Knottenbelt
Other key lawyers:
Remme Verkek; Rick Cornelissen; Paul Sluijter; David Heems; Marjolein Heuten; Laura van Gardingen
Testimonials
‘Albert Knigge is a pleasure to work with. He is a first-class lawyer and extremely commercial.’
‘I am impressed by David Heems’ capacity to truly immerse himself into a complex case and advise on and design a litigation approach whereby he has deliberately and methodically covered all possible angles, providing adequate cover against possible approaches from the opponent, whilst still staking out a clear, well-backed-up legal course for the client.’
‘Jan Willem de Groot and Marjolein Heuten are truly brilliant. They work as a team and are worth any number of partners in other law firms.’
‘Bart van der Wiel and David Heems are a perfect match, bring good results, and are great fun to work with.’
‘Deep strength in both litigation and arbitration, with strong experience of international disputes as well as domestic. They combine a real understanding of the client’s objectives and outstanding legal analysis to create an exceptional strategy, which they then execute with great skill. The team is also huge fun to work with.’
‘Albert Knigge handles highly complex, multi-faceted international disputes. He uses his considerable intelligence and wide experience to explore all angles and develop the best strategy for his clients. He is also expert in Supreme Court litigation.’
‘His dedication, understanding, proactive approach and warm personality make it a joy to work with Rick Cornelissen.’
‘What stands out is the dedication of the team. They do not leave any stone unturned and double-check any potential risk.’
Key clients
BC Partners
HPS Investment Partners
Dummen Orange
CBRE
Elliott Management
NatWest
Trafigura
Avery Dennison
Huntington Ingalls Industries
Owens-Illinois, Inc.
Centerbridge
TotalEnergies
AIG
ING Group
LG Electronics
Volvo Trucks/Renault Trucks
Petrobras
Audi AG
Nexans
Sligro Food Group
Fortenova
Supervisory Board Imtech
Cargolux Airlines International
Stellantis
Work highlights
- Representing the Fortenova group in litigation before the Enterprise Chamber against Russian state-owned bank Sberbank and its shareholders concerning voting rights within the Croatian conglomerate.
- Acting for BC Partners and Dummen Orange in several proceedings, including post-restructuring litigation before the Enterprise Chamber.
- Defending SMQDC, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., against a claim of over USD 92m that was brought before the courts of St Maarten in relation to the failed development of part of a cruise terminal in the port of St Maarten.
NautaDutilh
With a focus on ESG-related and financial litigation, the dispute resolution practice at NautaDutilh is a popular choice for many clients with complex, high-stakes cases that require knowledge of both Dutch and international law. The team is also strong in corporate litigation, which is handled by Frans Overkleeft and Paul Olden; Olden is known for his skill in transaction-related litigation, alongside director's liability proceedings, while Overkleeft typically leads on cross-border mandates. Practice head and Supreme Court litigator Freerk Vermeulen is an authority on ESG and climate change-related litigation, New York-based Marieke Faber closely assists Vermeulen in advising corporations and financial institutions on strategy in ESG cases, Kasper Krzeminski handles energy disputes, and Philip Malanczuk is experienced in cartel damages actions.
Practice head(s):
Freerk Vermeulen
Other key lawyers:
Frank Overkleeft; Paul Olden; Marieke Faber; Kasper Krzeminski; Philip Malanczuk
Testimonials
‘Marieke Faber provides good strategic advice and is very clear on her views with clients.’
‘Great lawyers who are unique how they work closely together with the client’s in-house team. They don’t grandstand, but persuade the judge or arbitrator in an efficient way. No detail is overlooked.’
‘The NautaDutilh team we work with has a very pleasant and practical approach. It maintains a very high level of service and is very responsive.’
‘Frans Overkleeft is an excellent litigator and legal advisor. He has a perfect balance between involvement and professional distance and independence. We feel truly unburdened and well represented. His expert knowledge is also impressive.’
‘The team is well equipped to deal with complex matters. They are business minded and easy to communicate with. They also adopt a pragmatic approach which is very useful.’
‘Paul Olden and Marieke Faber have been very supportive in dealing with several complex matters for us. They are very business minded. I would highly recommend them.’
‘The NautaDutilh litigation team are able to assist with complex and time-consuming litigation and are very capable of keeping their eye on the decisive factors of a case.’
‘Clear, crisp advice. They keep a steady hand in the face of dramatic intimidation tactics.‘
Key clients
ABN AMRO
Royal Dutch Shell
Airbus
Triodos Bank
Petrobras
Rabobank
Red Bull
Pollen Street Capital
Braskem
IATA (International Air Transport Association)
Work highlights
- Acted for Triodos Bank in obtaining an important judgment in Enterprise Court proceedings that cleared the way for Triodos Bank to pursue a listing of its depositary receipts on a multilateral trading facility.
- Representing Braskem, the defendant, in a case before the Dutch courts that was brought by a group of Brazilian residents of Maceió over cracks and sinking ground near salt mines in that city.
- Represented Prime Oil & Gas in a securities class action brought by a Dutch claim foundation against Petrobras and certain other defendants, securing a dismissal of the claims.
Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn NV
Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn NV represents a wide array of clients from multinationals to the Dutch state, major Dutch municipalities, and financial supervisory authorities. The team has a wealth of experience in cases before the Supreme Court, including corporate, commercial and financial litigation. The team is jointly led by dispute resolution specialists Hans van Wijk, Willem Heemskerk, and Wemmeke Wisman. Heemskerk leads on cases with international aspects and acts for largely corporate clients in liability and compensation cases. Van Wijk is a go-to for Supreme Court litigation related to corporate, public sector, and liability disputes. Leading litigator Wisman is often instructed on high-stakes civil proceedings. Sikke Kingma assists public authorities and listed and non-listed companies in Supreme Court cases alongside Gijsbrecht Nieuwland, who regularly acts for the Dutch state before the highest courts. Peter van Kippersluis focuses on financial sector and professional liability cases. Newly promoted partner Raimond Dufour specialises in cross-border civil disputes and class actions.
Practice head(s):
Hans van Wijk; Willem Heemskerk; Wemmeke Wisman
Other key lawyers:
Sikke Kingma; Gijsbrecht Nieuwland; Peter van Kippersluis; Raimond Dufour; Jerre de Jong; Paul Tanja
Testimonials
‘The strength of this team lies in their understanding of the dilemmas that we may face and their capability to easily and quickly connect us with their colleagues in the public law team and provide sound advice that considers the perspective of both specialties. This sets them apart from other law firms.’
‘Peter van Kippersluis is intelligent, accessible and available. Always a pleasure to work with. He combines an intelligent and creative legal mind with an ability to understand complex financial problems and concepts. Capable of thinking outside of the box and of looking further than the legal framework and considering how to best weigh the interests at hand. His memos and pleadings in court are high quality.’
‘The unique feature of Pels Rijcken is its dedicated corporate and commercial Supreme Court litigation practice. We often engage them and they have delivered very good results over the years.’
‘Our main contact is Hans van Wijk, who we have always found very responsive, very knowledgeable and very sensible, and always available to give some quick high-level advice before going into more detail.’
‘Pels Rijcken’s team has unique expertise in acting for the state and other governmental institutions, and has an impressive track record. But there’s more: the team also has a comprehensive portfolio of commercial clients. Their level of technical skill, experience, and strategic ability makes Pels Rijcken’s litigation practice one of the top teams in the Netherlands.’
‘Hans van Wijk remains one of the best Supreme Court litigators in the Netherlands. Wemmeke Wisman is a seasoned and acclaimed trial litigator. Her strategic vision and ability to read judges is second to none, and I doubt there is anyone else in the market with so much courtroom experience. Furthermore, I am impressed by the work of Jerre de Jong and Paul Tanja from the team.’
‘Willem Heemskerk is one of the best for litigation. He wins cases because of his knowledge and strategies, but always with respect for others and he would never undermine them. Therefore he is a very mature lawyer, who handles cases with humour and respect.’
‘Gijsbrecht Nieuwland is very accessible and has a quick mind. He is able to clearly explain highly complex legal subject matters.’
Key clients
Royal Dutch Shell
Mercedes-Benz Group AG
ArcelorMittal
Porsche AG
BNP Paribas
Scandinavian Airlines
UBS
KPN
Nationale-Nederlanden
Philips Pensioenfonds
Total
Dutch Central Bank
Work highlights
- Assisted Shell with a landmark case on human rights before the Court of Appeal of The Hague, after extensive litigation that took place in the US.
- Representing Mercedes-Benz in more than 60 different cartel follow-on proceedings, mostly initiated by claim vehicles with a constituency of thousands of truck owners, relating to the alleged truck cartel.
- Assisted the Dutch state in Supreme Court proceedings relating to the expropriation of SNS Bank, after a judgment of the Enterprise Division of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal in which compensation of more than EUR 1 billion was granted.
Stibbe
The litigation and arbitration practice at Stibbe is renowned for its skill in mass damages claims, including ESG-related litigation, antitrust damages cases, and shareholders’ claims. Class actions are another strength of the team, which is well versed in defending clients. The firm is also involved in a number of claims against auditors and international arbitration. Practice co-heads Jeroen Kortmann and Fons Leijten are dispute resolution experts, with Kortmann specialising in tort law, contractual liability, and collective redress, while Leijten is a corporate law specialist. Other primary team members consist of Tim de Greve, who handles complex commercial litigation, Branda Katan, who focuses on international disputes, and Matthijs Kuijpers, who acts as Dutch counsel in numerous arbitration and litigation matters.
Practice head(s):
Jeroen Kortmann; Fons Leijten
Other key lawyers:
Tim de Greve; Branda Katan; Matthijs Kuijpers; Daphne Rijkers
Testimonials
‘Top quality from a legal point of view, great people to work with, very responsive and flexible, good attitude and charisma in court – just great performance.’
‘I’d like to mention one person in particular, Tim de Greve – he is extremely fast, sharp and secure, and a great pleasure to work with.’
‘The Stibbe team is very approachable and easy to work with.’
‘Branda Katan is a very technical lawyer with a calm demeanour. She is very pleasant to work with. Our firm regularly works with her team in complex cases and this is where Branda stands out.’
‘An outstanding team that looks to work together with the client to find solutions rather than take the position that they know everything.’
‘Matthijs Kuijpers is a strong team leader and outstanding person to work with. Somehow he always seems to be very well prepared and completely across the detail. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Matt for any commercial matter.’
‘Tim de Greve is an excellent litigator.’
‘The team have excellent legal knowledge. They are focused on the client’s strategic position in litigation. They combine that with sensitivity to the commercial background of a dispute.’
Key clients
Royal Dutch Airlines KLM
Apple Inc.
Mercedes-Benz Group AG
EY
ABN AMRO Bank
Norsk Hydro ASA
Heineken and its Greek subsidiary Athenian Brewery
Suzuki Motor Corporation
MAN Truck & Bus (a division of Volkswagen group)
ING Bank
Providence Private Equity Partners
SNS Reaal Bank/CEO and Supervisory Board
ProRail
McCourt
BNP Paribas
Damen Shipyards Group
Work highlights
- Representing immunity applicant MAN Truck & Bus in the largest cartel damages claims ever brought in the Netherlands.
- Defending KLM Royal Dutch Airline against greenwashing claims brought by the NGO ‘Go Fossil Free’ (Fossielvrij).
- Representing EY in shareholders’ mass damages claims against Airbus for alleged misstatements in financial statements relating to a multibillion-euro settlement with authorities following bribery allegations.
Van Doorne
Van Doorne‘s sizeable dispute resolution practice, led by litigator Daan Beenders, is a leader for high-profile domestic cases and cross-border disputes. The team handles insurance and professional liability litigation, including post-M&A disputes, and frequently handles shareholder claims and disputes between management and works councils before the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal. Beenders has a stellar track record in class actions – and has recently been involved in a number of multibillion-euro class action claims – and liability cases. Joost Volkers was promoted to partner in January 2023, expanding the firm’s financial, restructuring and insolvency litigation capabilities at senior level. Sjoerd Kamerbeek is a go-to for shareholder and governance disputes, as well as acting in class actions and cases before the Enterprise Chamber. Commercial litigator Lisette Bieleveld is an expert in civil contract and liability litigation, and also possesses specific expertise in cases involving the food and pharmaceutical industries. Simone Hoogeveen acts largely for accounting firms in civil and disciplinary proceedings. Described as ‘pragmatic‘ and ‘skilful‘, civil liability expert Jasper Leedekerken and corporate investigations specialist Vanessa Liem are also a key members of the practice.
Other key lawyers:
Joost Volkers; Sjoerd Kamerbeek; Lisette Bieleveld; Simone Hoogeveen; Jasper Leedekerken; Vanessa Liem
Testimonials
‘They chose the right strategy and executed it perfectly, handing a strategic win that turned the case upside down. They did not lose sight of the endgame. I would rate their litigation practice as top notch and client care as A+. They are top-quality people. They have the bench strength to handle complex cases and meet tight deadlines.’
‘Joost Volkers is my go-to lawyer in the Netherlands for complex financial and commercial disputes – he is an excellent lawyer. I am very satisfied with Joost and the team. He is knowledgeable, very responsive, and down to earth, and a pleasure to work with. The counterparty in our case was rather aggressive; our side kept calm and collected, while being forceful when needed.’
‘Simone Hoogeveen is a skilful lawyer who shows attention to detail in the field of professional conduct and liability laws and regulations. Soft skills in terms of client relationships, and hard skills in terms of the content of his work.’
‘Jasper Leedekerken delivers, always. His team has its eyes on the ball. They prepare the case very thoroughly and always surprise us.’
‘A skilled team that can advise on very specific company cases and can adapt to tight timelines and client needs. They have shown effective and swift communication with the client, expertise, drafting skills and the ability to keep in mind the client’s needs and preferences.’
‘Jasper Leedekerken is on the ball, pragmatic, highly qualified and a skillful litigator.’
‘Daan Beenders and his team are exceptional. We have worked together for close to 10 years now and he knows our business inside and out. He is extremely smart, pragmatic and commercially savvy. His experience as a deputy judge is also very valuable. Finally, he is incredibly responsive and great fun to work with.’
‘Van Doorne’s team led by Sjoerd Kamerbeek was the first in the Dutch market to recognise the growing niche of M&A insurance-related claims and litigation. They invested early and are the current market leader in this area by a stretch.’
Key clients
Stichting Administratiekantoor Aandelen Triodos Bank
Funda
Nederlandse Loterij
Havenbedrijf Rotterdam (Port of Rotterdam)
Ahold Delhaize
Pon
PVH/Tommy Hilfiger Europe
Athora Netherlands
Intertrust
TMF Group
Domino’s
Mediq Nederland
KPMG
Madison Pacific
Benelux Wonen
Waarborgfonds Sociale Woningbouw
Elliot Management
Davidson Kempner
AIG
The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF)
Heerema
Axis
Zurich
Lloyd’s
Transact
Work highlights
- Acting for Stichting Administratiekantoor Aandelen Triodos Bank (SAAT), the sole shareholder of Triodos Bank N.V., in proceedings before the Enterprise Chamber.
- Acting for Mediq Nederland B.V. in relation to one the biggest product recalls, and by extension product liability cases, involving a listed Dutch company.
- Representing Tommy Hilfiger in a high-stakes dispute initiated by Denim Group s.r.o., a former franchisee of Tommy Hilfiger, over the alleged unlawful termination of franchise contracts.
AKD
AKD‘s dispute resolution team is a go-to practice for claimants seeking a full-service firm to represent them in class actions. Spearheading the practice, Patrick Haas is sought out by clients for his expertise in international collective redress cases and frequently acts for professional class action funders and foundations with cross-border projects. The firm has also been growing its presence in corporate and financial litigation. Arbitrator and governance disputes specialist Erik Koster, financial litigator Thijs Hekman, and insolvency and restructuring expert Fouad el Houzi are all primary members of the practice. Jeffrey Kleywegt is also noted.
Practice head(s):
Patrick Haas
Other key lawyers:
Erik Koster; Thijs Hekman; Fouad el Houzi; Jeffrey Kleywegt
Testimonials
‘Fouad El Houzi was a great help when it came to initiating and conducting difficult legal proceedings in the Netherlands. If Fouad is kicked out through the door, he climbs back in through the window.’
‘Strong leadership with quick and practical advice.’
‘Erik Koster is an excellent business-minded lawyer who can quickly get to the bottom of matters.’
‘They have a very broad spread of expertise and a very well-resourced team of experts. They are a go-to for complex disputes and take an innovative and diligent approach.’
Key clients
Stichting Truck Claim
Stichting Car Claim
Stichting Volkswagen Investor Claim
Yukos Finance B.V.
EndemolShine Group B.V.
Royal Imtech N.V. (in bankruptcy)
Svenska Handelsbanken S.A.
LeasePlan Nederland N.V.
Stichting Wirecard Investors Claim
Prorail N.V.
Erasmus Medisch Centrum Rotterdam
Neways Electronics International N.V.
Segulah
Stichting HagaZiekenhuis
Cerberus Capital Management LP
Beequip B.V.
Smits Holding B.V.
Darling Ingredients
Ortolan
Rotate (t/a Kenneth Smit)
Uljee Food Group B.V.
Work highlights
- Representing Stichting Car Claim (SCC) in several landmark class action cases against various car manufacturers (VW Group, Renault, Stellantis and Daimler) over their role in the diesel emissions scandal.
- Representing Stichting Data Bescherming Nederland (SDBN) in a substantial WAMCA claim against Amazon.com.
- Represented a consortium of major Dutch hospitals, formerly known as Reinier Haga Groep, in a highly complex de-merger process, culminating in inquiry proceedings before the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal.
Baker McKenzie
Litigators Frank Kroes and Itse Oosterhoff lead the dispute resolution practice at Baker McKenzie, which specialises in commercial and corporate litigation as well as restructuring and supply chain-related disputes. Kroes frequently represents clients in commercial litigation and has been assisting the firm’s wider international class action group in quasi-class actions. Oosterhoff focuses on domestic litigation (including cases before the Enterprise Chamber) and often handles post-closing disputes. The firm's client roster is comprised of blue-chip companies from the finance, construction, transport, and retail sectors.
Practice head(s):
Frank Kroes; Itse Oosterhoff
Other key lawyers:
Sjef Janssen; Joris Oudelaar; Darya Bondarchuk
Testimonials
‘Frank Kroes provides clear, balanced and considered advice. He is well supported by Sjef Janssen.’
Key clients
Shell Nederland Verkoopmaatschappij and Shell Petroleum
Petrofac
Accenture
Spescavers
VolkerWessels
Subway
Pizza Hut
Pfizer
Responsive Learning Systems ApS (Relesys ApS)
The Crossby Group
Emerson
Hologic
NENT Studio AB
Swissport
VolkerWessels
Wilmar
Yanmar
Troy Chemicals
Barclays
ADM
BAT
Takenaka
VDM
Catawiki
Hunter Douglas
Rituals Cosmetics Enterprise B.V.
BarentsKrans
BarentsKrans‘ dispute resolution group consists of multiple teams - a key pillar of the practice is the corporate, commercial, and financial litigation group led by William Schonewille, who acts as counsel for claimants in mass damages cases and other class actions (including financial services cases). Martijn van Maanen leads the private enforcement side of the practice, often acting for claimants in infringement cases, while Rieme-Jan Tjittes heads up the arbitration practice and Supreme Court litigation team, where Philip Fruytier is another key contact. Marjolein van Rest focuses on preventing and settling disputes, Annelies van der Ploeg handles complex post-M&A litigation, and Roeland de Mol frequently represents high-net-worth individuals.
Practice head(s):
Martijn van Maanen; Rieme-Jan Tjittes; William Schonewille
Other key lawyers:
Philip Fruytier; Roeland de Mol; Annelies van der Ploeg; Marjolein van Rest; Tom Hoyer
Testimonials
‘Martijn van Maanen and his team have an excellent reputation in the field of litigation. Martijn is always actively involved in his cases and has a lot of experience in the field of mass claims litigation. Another excellent lawyer is Rieme-Jan Tjittes.’
‘Martijn van Maanen combines great legal and analytical skills with excellent mastery of legal language. His procedural documents read very well and are very convincing. Rieme-Jan Tjittes is always very personally involved in any case in which he and his team are required. He is very creative, and has long and vast experience in international litigation and arbitration.’
‘The team members are very professional and responsive. Their knowledge and understanding of the case is very deep. The lawyers act proactively and anticipate developments in a clever way. The combination of legal and economic aspects makes our case extremely challenging and the team members handle it correctly.’
‘Marjolein van Rest is dedicated and highly motivated to represent and help us on the case. The time and effort is never too much or too difficult for her. The sense of humour and team spirit help a lot along the way. They are always available and responsive, very confident and pleasant to work with.’
‘BarentsKrans has a very good dispute resolution team with smart and sophisticated lawyers.’
‘Rieme-Jan Tjittes is exceptional. He is a very sharp thinker, extremely experienced and a pleasure to work with. He has a great sense of humour and doesn’t take himself too seriously. He is a legal do-it-all: professor, lawyer, arbitrator, judge and mediator.’
‘Annelies van der Ploeg is very knowledgeable, extremely practical and hands-on.’
Key clients
Claims Funding Europe
Macedonian Thrace Brewery
Stichting Massaschade & Consument
Winiwadiniwi B.V. (founder Happy Italy)
Mr. Carlos Ghosn
The Office of the Public Prosecutor Saint Martin
OmniBridgeway
BMW
Harbour
Prisma Capital
Work highlights
- Represented Aviva et all, subordinated bondholders that were expropriated when SNS Bank was nationalised, before the Supreme Court.
- Representing Geosolutions c.s. in proceedings pending before the Dutch Supreme Court relating to the setting aside of an arbitral award of USD 115.618.213 against, among others, Sina Hong Kong Limited.
- Representing the interests of several hundred corporations, including multinationals HP, Unilever, Novartis, Ericsson, Philips, Canon and Motorola, in seeking compensation from the members of the air cargo cartel.
Clifford Chance
Dirk-Jan Duynstee leads the litigation and dispute resolution practice at Clifford Chance alongside senior counsel Juliette Luycks. The team handles a broad scope of high-profile litigation, including representing financial institutions, handling stakeholder lawsuits, and acting for lenders and distressed companies in bankruptcy cases. Duynstee appears before the Enterprise Chamber and focuses on corporate and securities litigation, while Luycks is an arbitration specialist. International litigator expert Daan Lunsingh Scheurleer represents issuers, financial institutions, and audit firms as defence counsel in class actions and mass litigation. Guido Bergervoet handles regulatory enforcement mandates.
Practice head(s):
Dirk-Jan Duynstee; Juliette Luycks
Other key lawyers:
Daan Lunsingh Scheurleer; Guido Bergervoet; Evert Verwey; Charlotte Spierings; Tiemen Drenth
Testimonials
‘A very pragmatic approach from the whole, diverse team. Clear communication – to the point and no time wasted in discussing legal specialties that are ultimately not relevant for the client.’
‘Dirk-Jan Duynstee has a very commercial, pragmatic and convincing style. He is able to explain issues to individuals with different level of expertise. Strong communication skills.’
‘Top-notch service level that makes you feel they really are in your camp. Most importantly, the team is not trigger happy in terms of litigation. Very smart at preventing unnecessary legal actions that could distract us as a client from our day-to-day business.’
‘The litigation team at Clifford Chance are our go-to law firm for any (potential) litigation matters in the Netherlands. The team are very skilled, pragmatic and driven to achieve the best results for their clients.’
‘Guido Bergervoet is very knowledgeable and an expert in commercial litigation. The quality of his work is exceptional.’
‘The team members are committed and responsive. Even though the case we are working on is a high-pressure case, the team members remain calm and positive. There is a good atmosphere amongst the team members – the more junior lawyers are respected and get the opportunity to contribute at the forefront.’
‘Daan Lunsingh Scheurleer is an excellent and well-seasoned Dutch litigation lawyer with vast knowledge of common law systems, which is very helpful when working in a global organisation. He is committed, hardworking and responsive, which makes you feel that your case is in a safe pair of hands. He looks beyond the legal issue, being able to weave in relevant factors from a business, societal and political perspective.’
‘Tiemen Drenth communicates in a pleasant and straightforward way and takes feedback on board in a positive manner. He has strong interpersonal skills, which makes it a pleasure to work with him.’
Key clients
ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
Adyen
Airbus SE
Blackstone
Crédit Agricole S.A.
Crédit Suisse
Deutsche Bank
Glencore International AG
ING Bank N.V.
IK Partners
Lucerne Capital Management LP
Morgan Stanley
Nomios SAS
Shell plc
Sports Entertainment Group International B.V.
Warmtebedrijf Holding B.V.
Work highlights
- Representing Shell plc in connection with the appeals phase of a high-publicity climate change case which was brought against Shell by a number of NGOs in the court of The Hague.
- Acting for a Brazilian joint venture company in the energy and renewables sector in antitrust litigation brought by a Dutch foundation set up by a Brazilian competitor alleging damages.
Dentons
As an international firm, Dentons handles a large number of international disputes involving Dutch law, acting for both domestic and international companies. Representing Chinese individuals and enterprises in corporate disputes is also a strength of the team - particularly for Michel Deckers - as is antitrust litigation, including cartel cases. Deckers is well versed in corporate and securities litigation, as well as directors’ liability cases; he jointly leads the practice alongside litigation and arbitration expert Anouk Rosielle, who is praised as a ‘sharp strategist’. Rosielle routinely acts for energy, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing clients in disputes.
Practice head(s):
Michel Deckers; Anouk Rosielle
Other key lawyers:
Merel Vermorken; Jordi van Borssum Waalkes
Testimonials
‘Dentons’ dispute resolution and commercial litigation team consistently stand out for their unparalleled dedication and hands-on approach that is distinct in the legal arena. Our collaboration frequently underscored the exceptional quality of both their partners and associates. What truly differentiate them from their competitors is their relentless commitment to go the extra mile. Their work ethic and attention to detail ensures not just only satisfactory outcomes, but results which exceed expectations.’
‘Anouk Rosielle is absolutely the number-one commercial litigation lawyer who you need at your side.’
‘Michel Deckers is a highly experienced, strategically minded lawyer, who in the end will win your case.’
‘Anouk Rosielle is the best. She is very smart, pragmatic and down to earth. Moreover, she is funny and simply a joy to work with.’
‘Dentons’ litigation team is fantastic. The team gets involved and is always on top of the cases. They are transparent regarding risks and chances of success, which is essential when deciding whether to move forward with the case or take a step back and settle.’
‘Anouk Rosielle is the most capable lawyer I have ever had the pleasure of working with. She is the star of Dentons’ litigation practice and has shaped how this team provides sound legal advice. Anouk is a sharp strategist who handles cases pragmatically and logically. Anouk has an unparalleled ability to quickly understand the problem and focus on what matters. Anouk Rosielle is fast-responding, solutions-driven, and trustworthy.’
‘The dispute resolution practice at Dentons in Amsterdam is a very experienced and reliable force. They do both claimant and defence work, enabling them to develop strategies that take account of their knowledge of the positions considered by the other side. It is also very easy and pleasant to work with them.’
‘Michel Deckers is a very experienced team leader. He always provides appropriate strategies by considering clients’ needs as well as conduct of the lawsuit. He also has a strong ability to assess comparative law and, therefore, he is highly recommended.’
Key clients
Frutadeli
Meever & Meever
Petroleos de Venezuela S.A.
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Stichting Administratiekantoor Funda
Bayrol Group
Shanghai Aerospace Automobile Electromechanical
IGB Eletrônica
Vestel
TBM Europe
Vodafone
Work highlights
- Acting for Stichting Administratiekantoor Funda in an ongoing corporate dispute between shareholders in Funda, the Netherlands’ most successful property website.
- Representing 11 trading companies that form part of Vestel in Dutch legal proceedings seeking damages from parties that have participated in the cathode ray tube cartel.
- Representing Stichting Hulptroepen Alliantie (SHA) in civil liability proceedings against its three former directors.
Evers Soerjatin
Boutique litigation firm Evers Soerjatin stands out for its strength in corporate disputes, handling high-stakes litigation for a wide variety of clients. The team frequently appears before the Enterprise Chamber, with both practice heads Marcel Evers and Stein van Thiel appointed as investigators, mediators or administrators of shares. Evers is active in corporate and commercial disputes, while van Thiel focuses on shareholder disputes, director’s liability cases, and complex post-closing litigation. Corporate litigator Jonas Verheul and collective actions specialist Jessica de Rooij are names to note, along with Ellen Soerjatin, who brings her corporate governance expertise to bear in litigation.
Practice head(s):
Marcel Evers; Stein van Thiel
Other key lawyers:
Jonas Verheul; Jessica de Rooij; Ellen Soerjatin; Jasper Wonders; Rosanne van Dekken
Testimonials
‘Marcel Evers is one of the best litigators in the Netherlands. Extremely sharp, committed, and highly experienced. Moreover, he is highly appreciated by his peers.’
‘Jessica de Rooij is a skilled professional, a clear communicator, and is very diligent. Jonas Verheul is firm when needed.’
‘A skilled team that can adapt to and advise on very specific company structure cases and create engagement with the client on a long-term and structured basis. They show effective and swift communication with the client, expertise, skilled drafting and the ability to keep in mind the client’s preferences.’
‘Its very strong experience in dispute resolution and Enterprise Chamber proceedings ensures prefect strategy from the beginning of the conflict. The firm is very strong in reading the evolution of the case or the responses of other lawyers, which ensures that they are one step ahead of most other firms.’
‘Stein van Thiel has exceptional experience in dispute resolution and strategy, and also has excellent knowledge of caselaw.’
‘The depth and breadth of the Evers Soerjatin team is truly unparalleled. Their ability to navigate cases of extreme complexity, which include issues involving non-profit foundations, commercial entities, political implications, media coverage, healthcare and historical crises, is nothing short of extraordinary.’
‘Marcel Evers has full command of corporate litigation and liability matters, mastering the details of the file and working two steps ahead of the case while guiding and empowering his team like they are one.’
‘The standout lawyer is Marcel Evers. I have come across many other lawyers but no one compares to him. He is sharp, pragmatic, versatile (also adept in tax and finance matters) and a pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
Van Caem Klerks Group
Blue Phoenix Group
Merle Wood & Associates Inc.
University Utrecht Holding and University Medical Center Utrecht Holding
EuroParcs
Waterland
Burford capital
FrieslandCampina
Gilde Equity Management
Asiana Airlines Inc.
All Dutch Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda and Porsche dealers and service partners
Work highlights
- Successfully represented seven interested parties of Stichting Hulptroepen Alliantie in a high-profile case before the District Court of Amsterdam, seeking the suspension and dismissal of two directors.
- Representing Burford Capital LLC, as well as several of the world’s largest asset managers, in a high-value global settlement in respect of shareholder claims against Steinhoff in connection with accounting irregularities which occurred in 2017.
- Representing all Dutch Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, and Porsche dealers in collective actions initiated by Stichting Volkswagen Car Claim and Stichting Diesel Emissions Justice in relation to the emissions scandal.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
With the arrival of practice co-head Mijke Sinninghe Damsté in May 2023 from Loyens & Loeff, the offering at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has been strengthened with regard to class actions, corporate law disputes and ESG litigation. Sinninghe Damsté is known for her expertise in multi-jurisdictional litigation and is experienced in representing clients before arbitral tribunals, the Enterprise Chamber and the Netherlands Commercial Court. Fellow team lead Jelle Drok is a commercial litigation and arbitration specialist. Restructuring and insolvency litigation is handled by Michael Broeders. Disputes involving innovative technology and follow-up proceedings in the field of competition law also form part of the practice.
Practice head(s):
Jelle Drok; Mijke Sinninghe Damsté
Other key lawyers:
Michael Broeders; Marco Vogels
Testimonials
‘Mijke Sinninghe Damsté is an excellent litigator. She focuses on corporate litigation, where she excels. She makes sharp analyses and is calm under pressure and a pleasure to work with. Very collegial.’
‘They are very responsive and solution orientated.’
Key clients
ABB Group
AB Inbev (and its subsidiary Cerbuco Brewing)
Ardagh
Barclays
BBVA
BP
Carglass
CWT (formerly Carlson Wagonlit Travel)
Commerzbank
ConocoPhillips
Clariant
Deutsche Bank
E.ON (and its Dutch subsidiary Essent)
Enexis
Everlam NV
Hes Hartel Tank Terminal
HP
HSBC Bank
Imtech
Infraspeed
KPMG
Lindsay Goldberg Europa Gmbh
Morgan Stanley
Novartis
Nomura
Repsol
RWE
Shell
Smurfit Kappa
Strukton
Talpa Holdings
Thai Airways
Volkswagen Group
Work highlights
- Representing Volkswagen AG and its subsidiaries in a large consumer class action and several individual cases in the Netherlands, relating to the diesel emissions scandal.
- Representing energy company RWE against the Dutch state in court proceedings in the Netherlands and Germany relating to the effects of the Dutch law to phase out coal-fired power.
- Representing the guarantee providing lenders of Royal Imtech NV in relation to the bankruptcy of Royal Imtech.
Linklaters
Daniella Strik leads the litigation, arbitration, and investigations practice at Linklaters, which excels in handling the full gamut of finance-related disputes for financial institutions. The team has a lot of experience in securities, banking, and cartel damages litigation, as well as expertise in class actions and private enforcement actions. Strik has recently launched a global collective redress group at the firm, which is one of her specialisms; she is also well versed in investor state disputes. Gerard Meijer is an authority in Dutch arbitration. Bart Fleuren leads the Supreme Court practice and has extensive experience in financial and corporate litigation.
Practice head(s):
Daniella Strik
Other key lawyers:
Gerard Meijer; Bart Fleuren
Testimonials
‘Daniella Strik and her team are able to handle multiple complex cases at the same time, which is very impressive. This team are able to work under high pressure and stay approachable. They always think of a new strategy to deliver top-notch work.’
‘The team led by Daniella Strik is highly professional, dedicated to the targeted goal, responsible and reliable.’
‘We especially appreciated our cooperation with Daniella Strik. She was able to structure and organise her team to deliver an excellent service to the client and was responsive to the client’s requests.’
Key clients
Non-executive directors of Airbus SE
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc
Zimmer GmbH
Air-France
DPA Group B.V.
Clearstream Banking AG and Deutsche Börse AG
Glencore International AG
Madison Pacific
Metinvest B.V.
Work highlights
- Represented Steinhoff in the defence of all Dutch class and individual actions initiated against it in relation to EUR 12bn value securities claims following the disclosure of accounting irregularities.
- Represented Credit Suisse in its successful USD 450m credit bid proceedings in relation to the Ruyi Textile group before the Netherlands Commercial Court.
- Representing Madison Pacific in interim injunctive proceedings in relation to a credit facility with an outstanding amount of USD 350m.
Loyens & Loeff
Loyens & Loeff is regularly sought out by clients within the financial sector for its expertise in high-profile corporate and financial litigation, including cases that involve major financial interests and class actions. Sidney Berendsen co-leads the practice and specialises in corporate disputes related to M&A transactions, shareholder conflicts, and supervisor liability. Co-head Bastiaan Kemp, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, focuses on multi-jurisdictional litigation and corporate governance cases (and also has experience sitting as an arbitrator). Insurance and liability expert Merel van Asch, Marit Bosselaar, and Abdel Attaïbi are also key to the team.
Practice head(s):
Sidney Berendsen; Bastiaan Kemp
Other key lawyers:
Merel van Asch; Marit Bosselaar; Abdel Attaïbi
Testimonials
‘The Loyens & Loeff team combines a pragmatic and commercially astute approach with in-depth understanding of Dutch law. They are responsive and client-focused.’
‘Bastiaan Kemp is particularly responsive and helpful.’
‘Merel van Asch is intelligent, hands on and does a good job.’
‘We worked with Bastiaan Kemp for well over a year and were continually impressed by him. He is extremely dedicated, talented, and has an excellent team of junior lawyers. He is well versed in all important aspects of Dutch company law and we can rely on him to deliver high-quality work product in short timelines.’
‘Bastiaan Kemp is among the best in Europe. Clever, tactically excellent and lovely to work with. He is extremely knowledgeable and commercial, often finding a compromise or commercial way forward where others put up roadblocks. Highly recommend.’
‘Marit Bosselaar is clever and stands out from her peers.’
‘The Loyens & Loeff disputes team has proven a very pleasant team to work with. Dedicated, thorough legal insights and open to other views.’
‘Diverse knowledge, client focused and pragmatic.’
Key clients
A former CEO of Airbus
ICAP plc and ICAP Europe Ltd
Avenue Asset Management S.à r.l.
Stichting Pensioenfonds Rail & Openbaar Vervoer
Heineken Holding N.V.
Ernst & Young Auditores Independentes S.S. (EY Brazil)
Pharmaceutical Research Associates Group B.V.
PlantLab
VvE ‘t Loon
Work highlights
- Acting for the former CEO of Airbus SE in a class action suit brought against it by Stichting Investor Loss Compensation, seeking compensation for alleged inflated share prices purported to have resulted from late or misleading disclosure of alleged fraud to the market.
- Defending ICAP plc and ICAP Europe Ltd in a class action suit brought against four international banks and ICAP in its role as a broker concerning the alleged manipulation of interest rate benchmarks.
- Representing Ernst & Young Auditores Independentes S.S. in litigation against Chinese state-owned company COFCO, concerning EY’s audit of the financial statements of trading house Nidera, prior to its acquisition by COFCO.
Bird & Bird
Evelyn Tjon-En-Fa chairs the dispute resolution practice at Bird & Bird, bringing expertise in insurance and liability law, mass claims, and construction disputes. She is also skilled in Supreme Court litigation and is regularly engaged by clients to handle complex commercial disputes with international aspects. High-tech clients and companies in regulated industries favour the firm for cases relating to breaches of regulations and claims for compensation from the state or governmental bodies. Olaf Trojan is known for insolvency matters and is also specialised in media and technology litigation.
Practice head(s):
Evelyn Tjon-En-Fa
Other key lawyers:
Olaf Trojan; Laura Grijpma; Marieke van den Heuvel; Jeffrey Maalderink; Wouter Kroeze; Shima Abbady; Arent van Gent
Testimonials
‘A very knowledgeable team. They have great cooperation with Bird & Bird colleagues abroad in cases involving cross-border issues.’
‘A very focused and knowledgeable team. Proactive but also practical in complex litigation.’
‘Evelyn Tjon-En-Fa is a highly competent and pragmatic lawyer who is excellent to deal with.’
‘Great understanding of our industry and its common practices. They bring specific subject matter knowledge to the table in dispute resolution to the benefit of their clients.’
‘Evelyn Tjon-En-Fa is a highly experienced professional, with a great understanding of the playing field in a complex environment. She applies her oversight to the benefit of her clients, to achieve optimal outcomes.’
‘Bird and Bird’s Netherlands dispute resolution practice is exceptionally talented, with a real strength in depth and focus across all the partners I have come across. They have a breadth of experience across issues such as data privacy and insolvency.’
‘Evelyn Tjon-En-Fa has a fantastic commitment to service and engaging with clients on their business needs. Jeffrey Maalderink strategically sets an end goal down in complicated cases and prioritises the needs of the client at all times.’
‘Fantastic team, from associate level to partner level. Great communication, very business oriented and good at applying risk-based approaches. Always on top of things and readily available.’
Key clients
T-Mobile
Veolia
Volker Wessels
Exact Software
SunExpress
Palladyne International Asset Management
Chiquita
TomTom
YELO Enterprises Ltd
TradeTracker International B.V.
Lagerwey
Innovative Water Care Global Solutions
GroenLeven
Trustpilot
Koninklijke Post NL B.V.
Work highlights
- Representing Palladyne Asset Management in six connected cases before the Amsterdam court of first instance, interim injunction court and Court of Appeal in a dispute with three Libyan investment funds it set up for Libyan state investors.
- Representing Veolia in appeal proceedings regarding a tendering procedure, in which the client is claiming full compensation for services rendered to thirty municipalities.
- Representing the postal services incumbent PostNL in litigation against the municipality of Rotterdam.
bureau Brandeis
The corporate litigation practice at bureau Brandeis is notable for its experience in climate change litigation and ESG-related cases, as well as acting for foundations in class actions and handling shareholder disputes. The team is accustomed to taking over cases at the appeal stage and acting as co-counsel. Frank Peters and Louis Berger jointly lead the practice; Peters is heavily involved in hedge fund activism and climate change litigation, and Berger is engaged by clients for his skills in collective redress procedures. Floor Eikelboom is the go-to for shareholder disputes, while Wesley Vader handles liability cases.
Practice head(s):
Frank Peters; Louis Berger
Other key lawyers:
Floor Eikelboom; Wesley Vader; Michelle Krekels; Stefan Campmans
Testimonials
‘The team are highly knowledgeable and work well together. They are particularly impressive in their knowledge of privacy law and regulations.’
‘Floor Eikelboom is an excellent and creative sparring partner in complex corporate litigation.’
‘Frank Peters is a first-rate lawyer. Besides his mastery of Dutch securities law, he’s a strong strategist. He’s well connected to the political and business community. In short, the full package.’
‘Michelle Krekels is a top-tier advocate and an especially strong legal drafter. Overall, first-rate counsel.’
‘The lawyers of bureau Brandeis can act in a variety of styles (ranging from subtle and friendly to forceful) depending on what the case needs. However, their approach is always inventive, knowledgeable and tailor-made for the case, never opting for the cookie-cutter approach.’
‘Louis Berger is a trusted advisor and strong litigator. He is able to help coordinate complex cases that require a delicate touch.’
‘Bureau Brandeis is the litigation boutique law firm in the Netherlands! Highly skilled lawyers who are down to earth, extremely knowledgeable and very much hands-on. Above all, great people to work with.’
‘Wesley Vader is an outstanding lawyer with an exceptional knowledge of Dutch civil procedural law. He is someone who immediately understands the needs of his clients.’
Key clients
Ralph Palm, Abdallah Andraous
Raedthuys
Grant & Eisenhofer, KTMC
Parem & Monolith
ClientEarth
Boudewijn Poelmann
West Coast Supply Group
Work highlights
- Representing Diesel Emissions Justice Foundation in five diesel fraud cases against Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Skoda and Porsche, amongst others.
- Representing Fossiel Vrij Nederland and ClientEarth in a collective action against KLM for ‘greenwashing’ in its advertising.
- Representing a founder in a governance dispute relating to the holding owning the Postcode Lottery franchise.
Stek
The energy sector is where the dispute resolution practice at Stek stands out. The team works together with the firm's energy regulatory and energy project groups to regularly assist energy companies, electricity network operators, and developers of renewable energy projects in disputes related to infrastructure projects, energy supply contracts, and installations. The team is also sought out by clients from the retail, aviation, and finance sectors. Competition litigation is another area of strength; the firm handles high-stakes multi-jurisdictional cartel cases and follow-on damages claims. Corporate litigator Jan Bart Van De Hel and contract law and tort disputes expert Gerben Smit co-lead the practice. Newly promoted partner Simon Boersen focuses on competition litigation.
Practice head(s):
Jan Bart van de Hel; Gerben Smit
Other key lawyers:
Simon Boersen; Max Hetterscheidt; Tanja Schasfoort; Barbara Elion
Testimonials
‘Jan Bart van de Hel is always accessible, has a pragmatic mindset and an efficient approach. His availability and quick responses have been instrumental in keeping our legal cases on track and ensuring effective communication within the team. His pragmatic approach to problem-solving has not only streamlined our processes but also provided innovative solutions when we needed them the most. His efficiency is truly commendable, as he consistently delivers high-quality results in a timely manner.’
‘The Stek team consists of top-notch litigators who have a proactive and pragmatic approach to the high-profile cases they run. Compared to some of their peers, the Stek team are focused on getting the job done and on delivering results for the client, all in an extremely user-friendly way. The team is a pleasure to work with.’
‘Jan Bart van der Hel is an excellent litigator. Simon Boersen brings experience from the major litigation matters he has been involved in. Tanja Schasfoort is instrumental to the delivery of cases by the team at Stek.’
‘Stek’s dispute resolution team has excellent knowledge of competition litigation. The team has a lot of experience with complex antitrust damages litigation in the Netherlands, both on the claimant and the defendant side. They are responsive, down to earth and fun to work with.’
‘Tanja Schasfoort is a talented lawyer who can get quickly to the core of an issue. She is very knowledgeable, energetic and a real pleasure to work with. Gerben Smit is a very experienced and trusted lawyer. He is also a great negotiator with great commercial awareness. Simon Boersen is a very organised and bright lawyer. He is also very responsive and reliable.’
‘There are several reasons that make Stek remarkable. Stek analyse complex matters meticulously and provide practical solutions from their unique perspective. Another element that makes Stek stand out is its young, dynamic team, consisting of talented lawyers with multi-dimensional and rich perspectives, who combine their deep business understanding with extensive legal skills. It acts in the most efficient ways when solving a legal matter with brilliant strategies.’
‘Jan Bart van de Hel has extensive experience in follow-on cartel damages claims. He identifies legal issues thoroughly and implements practical solutions effectively. He also provides high-quality service with exceptional communication.’
‘Specific thanks to Simon Boersen and Gerben Smit for their unwavering guidance, strong communication, level headedness, and all around good humour and positivity in working with a global company with many personalities and requirements.’
Key clients
Atlas Air/Polar Air Cargo
COFCO
Corendon
easyJet
Fokker Techniek
LitFin Capital Limited
Müller
Publishers/Google
Samsung SDI
Targus
Unitel
Vattenfall
VolkerWessels
Work highlights
- Representing online publishers in a pan-European collective damages claim exceeding €1 billion against Google for its abuse of dominance in online advertisement technology (Adtech).
- Representing a major airline in a claim for damages against the Amsterdam airport, Royal Schiphol Group, resulting from the operational disarray in 2022.
- Representing Unitel Angola in relation to its more than €450 million complex international dispute with Angolan billionaire Isabel Dos Santos and various of her companies.
Wijn & Stael Advocaten N.V.
Wijn & Stael Advocaten N.V.‘s dispute resolution practice is led by Noor Zetteler, Thijs van Zanten, and Remco Vermaire. The firm's client base consists of major Dutch companies, including financial institutions, and financial litigation and insolvency proceedings, as well as liability cases involving directors and accountants, are highlights of the practice. Many of the firm’s cases are handled at Supreme Court level, which is led by insolvency expert and Supreme Court litigator van Zanten, and the team is also involved in proceedings before the Enterprise Chamber. Zetteler is regularly appointed as a trustee and leads in accountancy-related disputes, while Vermaire acts for financial institutions.
Practice head(s):
Noor Zetteler; Thijs van Zanten; Remco Vermaire
Other key lawyers:
Ida Lintel
Testimonials
‘Excellent people in the team. Seamless internal operations. Timely responses. Knowledge. Added value.’
‘They are excellent listeners and are able to handle complex cases involving large quantities of information. They don’t jump too early to conclusions without the due facts and figures.’
‘Determined people who are always available, explain legal strategy and are creative and protect clients. They feel like real partners – someone who cares and delivers.’
‘Thijs van Zanten is very responsive, does not shy away from discussion and is legally sharp and flexible.’
‘The team truly operates as a team, drawing on each other’s strength. They provide personal attention and endless patience. The guidance given to each individual stakeholder is superb.’
‘Noor Zetteler is an efficient lead partner, and is 100 percent involved and dedicated.’
‘The Wijn and Stael legal team regularly hosts webinars on various noteworthy topics. With in-depth knowledge of the content, they are very capable of providing the best advice. In our day-to-day business they prove to be a reliable partner, always looking to outperform expectations.’
‘Remco Vermaire is very engaged and quick to pinpoint the issue and possible routes to resolve or tackle.’
Key clients
Riverty GmbH
R.C.F.E. Houben (SNS)
Trustees in bankruptcy of Conservatrix
Trustees in bankruptcy of Heiploeg
The Municipality of Hoorn
Brogema Real Estate B.V.
Rabobank
Work highlights
- Successfully represented R.C.F.E. Houben, one of the expropriated bondholders of the nationalised SNS Bank, in the state’s appeal against the Enterprise Chamber’s decision that the Dutch government had to pay damages to the bondholders.
- Represented the trustees in bankruptcy of Conservatrix in proceedings before the Supreme Court concerning the grounds for setting aside arbitral awards.
Ysquare
Litigation and arbitration boutique Ysquare builds its practice on high-profile disputes. The firm represents clients in commercial and corporate litigation, including post-M&A and joint venture disputes. Arbitration, set-aside proceedings and enforcement also form part of the firm’s practice; in addition, the team has recently been involved in a number of class actions. Margriet de Boer is the go-to for civil proceedings and arbitration, as well as cross-border disputes. Commercial litigation is handled by Bregje Korthals Altes, who also is key in construction arbitration, while Rufus Abeln and Jan van Nass focus on M&A and joint venture-related disputes. Robbert Jan van der Weijden is sought out by clients in civil proceedings and class actions.
Other key lawyers:
Margriet de Boer; Bregje Korthals Altes; Rufus Abeln; Jan van Nass; Robbert Jan van der Weijd
Testimonials
‘Robbert Jan van der Weijden is a great commercial litigator and increasingly active in the field of class actions. He is very approachable, while his technical skills are outstanding. Robbert Jan is knowledgeable and I am extremely confident in referring high-end matters to him and his firm.’
‘Rufus Abeln has proven himself as our main lawyer in potential dispute cases. Rufus has an extremely deep understanding of all details in the case while maintaining a tactical overview of the process. He takes a position and advises us as a client on the steps and decisions to take. Rufus and his team are fast in responding, very reliable, diligent and results oriented.’
‘Rufus Abeln has in-depth knowledge of all aspects of a case and works closely together with his associates. That translates into excellent team work, a diligent process and speed in execution, in turn translating into a strong negotiation position.’
Key clients
Oracle
Waterland Private Equity
ExxonMobil
Bankruptcy Trustees of ATB Bank
MAD Atelier International B.V.
Renault
Steinhoff Recovery Foundation
TKH Group N.V.
FORsettlement
Brande & Verheij LLP
Litigation-focused Brande & Verheij LLP handles a wide range of cases, including collective redress and cartel damages claims, as well as commercial litigation. The team is experienced at handling matters before the Supreme Court, often representing claimants. Co-founding partners Jeroen van den Brande and Theodoor Verheij lead the dispute resolution practice. Competition litigation, a key focus of the firm, is handled by Verheij, who is well versed in cartel damages actions and is also known for his expertise in financial and securities litigation. Commercial disputes specialist van den Brande excels in representing claimants. Other notable team members are Bas Megens and co-founders Bas Lem and Barbara van der Ven.
Practice head(s):
Jeroen van den Brande; Theodoor Verheij
Other key lawyers:
Bas Megens; Bas Lem; Barbara van der Ven
Testimonials
‘Brande & Verheij is one of the exceptional boutique litigation firms in the Netherlands that can handle big cases. It is one of my preferred referral firms. They always have an eye on the ball and are strategically very strong.’
‘I love to work with Theodoor Verheij. He is very approachable and easy going, but the main thing is that he always has a top-notch strategy.’
‘Jeroen van den Brande is an excellent lawyer – always very well prepared, precise and direct.’
Key clients
Stichting Cartel Compensation
Stichting Trucks Cartel Compensation
Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals
Samruk-Kazyna JSC
BAM Infra B.V.
Municipality of Rotterdam (Gemeente Rotterdam)
Ryanair DAC
Qatar Airlines S.A.
Vueling Airlines S.A.
LOGSTOR Denmark Holding ApS (Kingspan)/Logstor Nederland B.V.
Work highlights
- Representing Stichting Cartel Compensation, a group of more than 250 companies which suffered damages in the hundreds of millions as a result of a worldwide cartel in respect of air cargo services, in competition litigation.
- Representing Stichting Trucks Cartel Compensation, a group of thousands of companies and governmental entities which suffered damages in the hundreds of millions as a result of the European trucks cartel, in competition litigation.
- Representing Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals in follow-up damages proceedings brought by Dutch pig farmers after proceedings before various courts and the Dutch Supreme Court in respect of an alleged unlawful act.
CMS
As a part of CMS‘s pan-European dispute resolution team, the practice is skilled at handling multi-jurisdictional cases, especially within the ESG space. The team is split into domestic and international groups and takes a sector-focused approach, specialising in banking, insurance, real estate, and energy. Leonard Böhmer leads the litigation and insurance team with Peter Soede, who focuses on liability law. ESG task force head Aukje Haan handles related litigation and mediation. Bart-Adriaan de Ruijter chairs the corporate litigation and arbitration practice and regularly represents multinationals in corporate disputes. Petra Heemskerk is sought out for her public law litigation expertise, while Anita Canta handles franchising disputes. Andries Polkerman and Simon Polkerman both joined from De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek in March 2023, strengthening the practice's commercial litigation capabilities.
Practice head(s):
Leonard Böhmer; Peter Soede; Aukje Haan; Bart-Adriaan de Ruijter
Other key lawyers:
Petra Heemskerk; Anita Canta; Andries Polkerman; Simon Polkerman; Maurits Rabbie; Akin Aslan
Testimonials
‘Bart-Adriaan de Ruijter is resourceful and tenacious and does not let go until the client’s goals are achieved.’
‘Andries and Simon Polkerman are excellent litigators in the field of commercial litigation. Their performance on their feet in court is exceptionally good, and their drive and commitment to achieve the optimal result for their client is extremely impressive.’
‘Good availability and very good knowledge and experience in certain areas – such as Anita Canta’s knowledge of franchise law.’
‘Big international team with skilled litigators. Nice and pleasant people to work with.’
‘Andries and Simon Polkerman are top-notch litigators. They were born as lawyers and I have referred various cases to them.’
‘Very skilled professionals with a passion for the work. Swift responses.’
‘They handle cases very professionally and carefully, and are good at looking for various possibilities, evaluating them, and giving timely recommendations. I like this kind of legal team.’
Key clients
Mitsui
Hitachi
Canal+
Teamblue
ArcelorMittal
Decathlon
Hubei Forbon Technology Co Ltd
QBE
Markel
Chubb European Group Limited
Viscon Group
Work highlights
- Representing Hubei Forbon Technology in complex international corporate litigation concerning the acquisition of Holland Novochem B.V, a subsidiary of HNC Holding B.V.
- Representing Circle Media Group in a complex post-international M&A dispute concerning the sale of the Dutch top holding in CPI to private wealth company Elpis.
- Representing the Dutch subsidiary of ArcelorMittal in several complex international corporate and commercial disputes.
Finch Dispute Resolution
Finch Dispute Resolution is a dispute resolution boutique founded in October 2022 and has been steadily establishing its presence as a go-to firm for commercial, corporate, and financial litigation. The Utrecht-based firm is well versed in class actions and often handles cross-border international disputes. The practice is co-led by Koen Rutten, Stefan Holterman, Maarten Mussche, and Dieuwertje de Leeuw. Rutten often represents investors and handles proceedings before the Enterprise Chamber, Mussche is a commercial disputes specialist focused on business contracts and represents clients in inquiry proceedings, Holterman is the main contact for shareholder disputes, and lastly de Leeuw handles contractual and M&A-related disputes.
Practice head(s):
Koen Rutten; Stefan Holterman; Maarten Mussche; Dieuwertje de Leeuw
Testimonials
‘They are litigators at heart – fast, independent, down to earth, pragmatic, on the ball, respected among colleagues in the market and well connected.’
‘No matter what happens in a case, you know that Koen Rutten is there for you as his client. He really has your back. Koen never misses a deadline and always delivers state-of-the-art work. He communicates proactively and in a clear and understandable way. He is also easy to reach.’
‘The combination of – almost real time – strategic thinking and accurate practical support makes Finch a unique practice. In my experience, Finch has an outstanding network of specialists in different fields of expertise. This helps to find out-of-the-box solutions for different tasks. A top niche practice, with dedicated and very experienced people in their fields of expertise.’
‘Dieuwertje de Leeuw is a great lawyer – sharp, analytical and subtle in her approach, with a very thorough understanding of Dutch proceedings and the way Dutch judges and courts handle cases.’
‘Maarten Mussche is very skilled and also good in court. What I like about him is that he is open to debating his points of view and that I can discuss my views on the matter in detail.’
‘Koen Rutten is highly technically capable and trusted by our clients on complex and aggressive cross-border matters. Koen has an innate ability to make the right judgement call on difficult matters where other lawyers would be more equivocal. Maarten Mussche has shown himself to be consistently brilliant with his technical analysis.’
‘Dieuwertje de Leeuw has a calm attitude, with a broad perspective on the subject matter. She is analytical and her style is very convincing. An excellent negotiator as well.’
‘Stefan Holterman has extensive knowledge of corporate law and has extensive litigation experience. This gives him a good overview of the playing field and he is decisive, even when the pressure is high. He has a pleasant, persuasive style, both verbally and in writing. In addition, he is a very nice person to deal with and is approachable.’
Key clients
Deminor Recovery SARL
Stichting Antitrust Action Truck Cartel
Simetra Investments B.V. and Mr. Anisimov
Members of the board of Estro
EIG Global Energy Partners
GoBaxter B.V.
Stichting Belangenbehartiging Gedupeerden ECP
Upper Brook (A) Ltd, Upper Brook (F) Ltd and Upper Brook (I) Ltd
K. Berkleef
SleeperCharger Holding
Work highlights
- Advising institutional investors on a substantial claim for damages worth EUR 1.4 billion against Steinhoff.
- Acting for Upper Brook (I), (A) and (F) in a large number of connected cases involving global asset manager Palladyne and action taken against the clients in relation to the Libyan Investment Authority, UN and EU sanctions law and international asset tracing.
- Acting for clients who bought trucks from truck manufacturers involved in a long-running cartel which incurred record fines of around EUR 3 billion from the European Commission.
Florent
Boutique firm Florent represents both claimants and defendants and is a strong choice for semi-public organisations, industrial engineering firms, and financial institutions. Yvette Borrius is well versed in high-stakes proceedings before the Dutch courts, including mass claims and class actions. Emille Buziau leads the practice and represents shareholders, directors, and supervisory board members in both corporate and commercial litigation. Managing partner Chris Jager represents both domestic and international clients in litigation and arbitration proceedings. Bart Jan Hermans is also noted.
Practice head(s):
Emille Buziau
Other key lawyers:
Yvette Borrius; Chris Jager; Bart Jan Hermans
Testimonials
‘We had the opportunity to work with Bart Jan Hermans and he was always very helpful, attentive and concerned about meeting the clients’ worries and needs. It was a very rewarding experience.’
‘Emille Buziau can read the other side and has a good instinct for the right time for de-escalation or escalation, always serving the end goal.’
‘The Florent team are unique in that they combine top-level advice and knowledge with a personal and pragmatic approach.’
‘Emille Buziau is always available, has a great eye for details, and is highly knowledgeable, quick to respond and pragmatic. Yvette Borrius is very high regarded within the legal market.’
‘Bart Jan Hermans is a very dedicated and experienced trial lawyer – he has excellent preparation for court dates, with all contingencies taken into account, and is convincing in court.’
‘It is a pleasure to work with Bart Jan Hermans and his team. He understands the key issues in a dispute very well and can write very well-founded argumentation and dispute documentation.’
‘Yvette Borrius is very knowledgeable and highly esteemed. Chris Jager is very hands-on and service minded.’
‘Yvette Borrius and Emille Buziau are exceptional lawyers handling complex litigation cases. They are down to earth and know how to convince the court.’
Key clients
Hydro S.R.L.
Renault SA and group companies
CNC U.A.
Deus Ex Machina (DEM)
European Pharmaceuticals International B.V. and Medstone Holding B.V.
The trustee of Simed Healthcare Group
Geodan B.V.
Van Nieuwpoort
McLarnon & Son
Monitor Management
Work highlights
- Representing Renault SA and several (primarily foreign) group companies as lead counsel in class actions initiated under the WAMCA regime.
- Representing European Pharmaceuticals International B.V. and Medstone Holding B.V. in a dispute regarding their investment in an online pharmacy, in terms of a bankruptcy and restart of business without the clients, orchestrated by fellow shareholders and co-directors.
Höcker Advocaten
Centred on commercial and corporate litigation, the dispute resolution practice at Höcker Advocaten is led by litigator Marc Wolters, who is known for his strength in corporate disputes, especially concerning the nationalisation of banks. The other primary team member is Jolien van Woudenberg, who is experienced in handling contractual disputes and is frequently appointed by the Enterprise Chamber in relation to mismanagement and director’s liability cases. The two collaborate in representing clients ranging from listed companies to NGOs and semi-public organisations, as well as individuals.
Practice head(s):
Marc Wolters
Other key lawyers:
Jolien van Woudenberg; Diederik van Tuyll
Testimonials
‘Personal approach, fast analysis of the (mostly complex) issues. Easily accessible both by email and telephone.’
‘The team consists of very passionate litigators who are involved in the matter at hand.’
‘I worked with Marc Wolters, who is a very knowledgeable lawyer and a good strategic thinker. It is a pleasure to work with him.’
‘Höcker Advocaten has a very good team with diverse specialists who also can work together very well. If someone is on holiday, we do not have to wait, but a colleague takes over in a very capable way. They are quick and pleasant to work with, and also able to deal with the many strategic questions that we have.’
‘Marc Wolters is an excellent lawyer – a very good strategic thinker, quick and not afraid.’
‘Jolien van Woudenberg is very service oriented and an excellent lawyer with broad skills.’
Key clients
Stichting Urgenda
Recalcico
Stichting GOWP
Omnicom
TCC Global
Stichting de Thuiskopie
European Commission
Swapschade
Sony Interactive Entertainment Benelux
Buma/Stemra
Bondis
Momo
Stichting Brein
Work highlights
- Representing two bankruptcy trustees in various lawsuits against Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos stemming from corruption.
- Representing 45 international investors in a case concerning the compensation of bond holders in the amount of €800 million in connection with the 2013 nationalisation of SNS Reaal.
- Represented Stichting GOWP on behalf of 320 parties in four separate proceedings before the Courts of Appeal in Amsterdam, Arnhem-Leeuwarden and Den Bosch against ABN AMRO Bank, Rabobank, SNS Bank and Van Lanschot Bank.
Kennedy Van der Laan
One of the new areas of growth for Kennedy Van der Laan has been collective actions, where the team represents both claimants and defendant. Commercial litigation expert Christoph Jeloschek leads the practice, focusing on cross-border litigation and IT-related disputes. The team was strengthened at senior level by the promotions of practice co-head Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken, Jelle Blom and Veerle van Druenen in January 2023. Van Tuyll van Serooskerken is frequently engaged by clients for her expertise in corporate litigation, and has bolstered the firm's capabilities in post-M&A disputes and disputes between directors and executive boards. Blom is a go-to for pre-litigation and injunction proceedings, while van Druenen specialises in contractual and technology disputes.
Practice head(s):
Christoph Jeloschek; Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken
Other key lawyers:
Jelle Blom; Veerle van Druenen
Testimonials
‘Isabel Van Tuyll van Serooskerken was very responsive and very attuned to the needs of the client. Her advice was prompt and very practical.’
‘Christoph Jeloschek is one of most impressive attorneys I have met. He is not only focused on the legal issues at hand and how to master them, but also the political, financial and public dynamics of cases and the people involved as well. I have had the opportunity to work with many international firms and individuals and have not met or worked with such capable, smart and kind, yet assertive and savvy, individuals as at Kennedy van der Laan.’
‘The team are very engaging, understanding and professional in their approach to clients. They are well spoken, they explain things in layman’s terms for clients without being patronising or condescending, and they are very friendly and helpful. We have found that they give us all the required time and information and they do not pressure us, but rather give us a relevant timeframe to decide on things and move forwards. We have enjoyed the advice and support from Kennedy van der Laan.’
‘Isabel Van Tuyll has been fantastic at giving advice, explaining things about Dutch law where we are unfamiliar and has been assertive but reasonable in her approach to following up on our disputes with the third parties. This has been a welcome breath of fresh air.’
‘Kennedy Van Der Laan bring detailed scrutiny to the conduct of litigation. What makes the team stand out is that it has a very collaborative approach with clients. They get to know the sector and really drill into the issues.’
‘Christoph Jeloschek is an outstanding advocate. He has an engaging and confident rapport with the court. Veerle van Drueren applies a forensic approach to cases. She is an experienced advocate.’
‘Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken has a client-friendly approach and is extremely responsive and diligent. What clients also appreciate about her is that she provides advice in a digestible and highly commercial manner.’
‘Christoph Jeloschek is a very good lawyer for cross-border cases and is very knowledgeable in international and European procedural law. He has a hands-on approach, and is very easy to work with.’
Key clients
Nike and Converse
Greenpeace
Microsoft
VodafoneZiggo
UPS
Polaroid
Syngenta
Azerion
Marriott
ABN Amro Bank
Rabobank
Trouw Nutrition
UCI (Union Cyclists Internationale)
Work highlights
- Represented Azerion in a highly publicised conflict with its partner Bidstack Ltd.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright‘s dispute resolution practice is led by insurance expert and litigator Jan Duyvensz and stands out for its specialism in insurance disputes. Duyvensz acts for insurers, brokers, and corporations in product liability, contentious warranty and professional liability cases, and in claims arising from M&A transactions. In addition, contentious restructuring and insolvency matters are handled by Koen Durlinger. The team's experience spans representing clients before the courts of first instance and in appeal and emergency relief proceedings.
Practice head(s):
Jan Duyvensz
Other key lawyers:
Koen Durlinger
Key clients
AIG
Airborne
AmTrust at Lloyd’s Limited
Bugaboo
Bureau Veritas
Chubb
Deliveroo
Emerald Kalama
GasCon
Gate Gourmet
Hamilton
Helios Market, Product & Production Development B.V.
ING Bank N.V.
John Bean Technologies
Purus Marine
Riskpoint
Riverstone
RSA
Société Générale
Sompo
Stichting Uniconsult
Vader Piet
Work highlights
- Representing Noord-Nederlandse Assurantiemakelaars B.V. (NNAM) as defence counsel in relation to a EUR 1m claim brought by Forestwave Navigation B.V. (FW) in respect of damage suffered as a result of a pirate attack on one of FW’s ships.
- Acting for a syndicate of lenders, consisting of Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., Development Bank of Japan Inc., KFW IPEX- Bank GmbH, ING Bank, a branch of ING DiBa AG and Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A, to HES Hartel Tank Terminal B.V. (HHTT) in the restructuring and insolvency of HHTT.
- Assisting Allied World and several other excess insurers with a claim from VolkerWessels under their professional indemnity policies.
Simmons & Simmons
The September 2023 arrival of George Driessen and his team from HVG Law LLP has expanded Simmons & Simmons‘s capabilities in commercial litigation. Driessen handles a range of post-M&A, shareholder and joint venture disputes, as well as being experienced in corporate governance cases. Team lead Paul Tjiam draws on his expertise in IP when acting in commercial and tort cases. Cartel litigation and financial and healthcare disputes have all been recent areas of focus for the firm. Machteld Hiemstra, who joined in May 2023 from Pinsent Masons LLP, is the name to note for finance and pharmaceutical industry-related disputes.
Practice head(s):
Paul Tjiam
Other key lawyers:
George Driessen; Machteld Hiemstra; Andrada Tiru; Kim van Wesel; Daniël Verduin; Edwin van der Velde
Testimonials
‘George Driessen is like a visionairy general to his team. Highly strategic and master on the play. However never faul play and always a fair sportmen. It is a pleasure to work with him and an absolute joy to work against him.’
‘Paul Tjiam is a very strong litigator and strategist. His personal approach is much appreciated by me. Edwin van der Velde has the same approach and they work very well together. They both take their time to explain their choices but always take my view into consideration and listen to me.’
‘The firm has shown great willingness to support us on a pro bono basis and has invested much energy and time into doing so.’
Key clients
Kingdom of Spain
MUFG Bank Ltd & MUFG, Inc. / MUFG Securities (Europe) N.V.
Nippon Cargo Airlines Ltd.
Wintershall AG
Air Liquide Healthcare Nederland B.V.
Northwharf Nominees Limited (subsidiary of Barclays)
Booking.com
Binance
Foris Dax (Crypto.com)
Becton Dickinson
Ms. Van Egten
GS-Star
Terumo
Lamb Weston-Meijer
Unicef
Doctors without Borders
Transporeon Group
LMEY Group
Zondag Bouwgroep Ontwikkeling
Van Nieuwpoort groep
Majority shareholder of the Severs Breeman group
WeAreBrain
Pancreas en Stak Kloosterboer
HOYER Logistics
Bond voor Belastingbetalers (Dutch Taxpayers Alliance)
RGF Staffing / Unique
Protix
Coöperatieve Nederlandse Bloembollencentrale
Q-Park
Dutch Medical Group
I3D.net
Capricorn Capital Group
VCSW
Founding shareholder of Imkerij De Traay
Kenda Health
Founding shareholder of Priogen Energy
Ropapharm International
Translink
Founding shareholder of PAIX Holding
Founding shareholder of Vedder & Vedder
Work highlights
- Represented an individual in 9 court cases against Gerard Sanderink and his companies Strukton and Centric.
- Representing MUFG in follow-on cartel damages claims regarding the FX spot trading market.
- Representing Crypto.com in numerous proceedings before the Dutch courts.
Windt Le Grand Leeuwenburgh
Windt Le Grand Leeuwenburgh has a four-partner-strong dispute resolution team, with Irene Tax, Richard le Grand, Ruben Leeuwenburgh, and Bart Gerretsen all spearheading the practice. Gerretsen is well respected in the commercial litigation space, while founding partner and corporate litigator Leeuwenburgh handles insolvency, directors’ liability, and shareholder disputes. Co-founding partner Le Grand specialises in the heavylift and vertical transport sector. Tax focuses on complex commercial and corporate litigation, as well as handling arbitration.
Practice head(s):
Irene Tax; Richard Le Grand; Ruben Leeuwenburgh; Bart Gerretsen
Testimonials
‘A well-rounded team of highly experienced partners and ambitious talent.’
‘Richard le Grand has excellent knowledge of our specific industry. He is easy to reach and provides us with the advice we need at the time, whether it be a short discussion on a specific matter or more extensive legal advice. Excellent litigator.’
‘Ruben Leeuwenburgh is an experienced litigator with a good strategic perspective. He is pleasant and reliable to work with.’
‘Highest quality standards. Outstanding professional and analytical skills, respond very quickly and very realistic and practical approach.’
‘Profound knowledge and skills, well established team, healthy client base.’
‘Irene Tax is a very smart, quick and experienced procedural law expert. She has a great and reliable team to work with.’
‘This team has a practical approach, stating clearly the pros and cons of any dispute. They are easily approachable and fast in their responses.’
‘They give clear insights into disputes and they give good advice on how they would approach the matter – no woolly language.’
Key clients
Tennor Holding B.V.
Republic of India
Ad hoc group of creditors
Restaurant Groep Topholding
Founder of EasyHotel Benelux Group
BB Capital Management B.V.
Staples Nederland B.V.
Former D&Os of Darion Capital Management
L. Baars Beheer Sliedrecht B.V.
SRK Rechtsbijstand
Work highlights
- Representing BB Capital Investments in its successful defence of an appeal, which finally brought its long-running dispute with a trustee in bankruptcy to a close.
- Representing the Republic of India in the Dutch piece of a complex, cross-border, $1bn+ dispute arising from the 2012 revocation of telecoms licences by the Supreme Court of India.
- Representing Tennor Holding in multiple high-stakes cases with an aggregate value of around €5bn.
act Fort Advocaten
Retail disputes, conflicts between real estate developers, and disputes arising out of construction projects are all matters handled by act Fort Advocaten. The firm specialises in corporate and real estate law and is largely sought out by Dutch companies for assistance with contentious issues. Practice head Berth Brouwer is experienced in both commerical and corporate litigation and is adept at resolving potential conflicts prior to any proceedings, as well as representing clients in court.
Practice head(s):
Berth Brouwer
Testimonials
‘Practical and very experienced.’
‘The Fort team are originally specialists in the real estate and corporate practice areas and this specialisation is clearly reflected in the way they deal with us as clients. What really sets Fort apart is their quick response and their accessibility. All the Fort lawyers we work with are also strong both substantively and socially. We are therefore extremely satisfied with our collaboration with them.’
‘The team deliver excellent work, and they respond quickly and adequately.’
‘Berth Brouwer is a very competent lawyer – he knows what it takes to win a case and gives solid advice. On top of this he is very likeable.’
Key clients
Amrâth Hotels & Restaurants B.V.
YTO Express Holdings Ltd./OTX Logistics B.V.
Vlietmark Beheer B.V.
Stichting Ymere
Hein Schilder Groep B.V.
Marggraff Stichting
Schiphol Taxi
Sports Unlimited B.V./JD Sports Fashion B.V.
Metroprop B.V.
VAHFR (Association of Albert Heijn Franchisees)
Torn B.V.
Howden Insurance Brokers Nederland B.V.
CASA 23
Stadion Arnhem (Nedstede Holding)
De Vijf Heeren B.V.
Work highlights
- Acted for real estate investor Nedstede Holding in a significant dispute over the monthly rental payments stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Representing De Lelie Vastgoed B.V. in disputes with pension fund Rail & OV and Ballast Nedam regarding the construction of the Galaxy Tower project.
- Acted for real estate developer De Vijf Heeren B.V. in a dispute regarding the execution of a building contract with Ballast Nedam with regard to a residential tower in Rotterdam.
Buren
Buren holds a unique position thanks to its offices in Amsterdam and The Hague, as well as in Beijing and Shanghai, enabling the firm to specifically represent both Chinese and Dutch companies in cross-border litigation. The firm has expanded its scope to include corporate governance disputes, shareholder litigation, and post M&A-related conflicts. Philip ter Burg, Jan Holthuis, and Paul Josephus Jitta jointly lead the practice. Li Jiao is also noted for her experience in insurance subrogation claims.
Testimonials
‘Professional, active and careful.’
Key clients
Milgro
Den Hartogh
Tienplusmedical
Cathay Pacific Airways
WEH GmbH
Royal IHC
Hebei Huatong Wires and Cables Group Co., Ltd
IQIP
Rapid Logistics
HZPC Holding
Work highlights
- Acted for Tienplusmedical in a dispute with the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.
- Representing IQIP Shanghai Co., Ltd. in the legal proceedings relating to offshore exploitation facilities.
- Representing Cathay Pacific Airways in long-running follow-on damages proceedings in the Netherlands in relation to the alleged air cargo cartel.
Eversheds Sutherland
The litigation and dispute management practice at Eversheds Sutherland handles commercial, corporate governance, insurance, and financial litigation. ESG-related disputes are another focus of the firm, which acts for both local and international clients. Leading the practice is Yuri Wehrmeijer, who can draw on five years’ experience as a cassation lawyer at the Supreme Court when representing clients in both commercial and corporate disputes. New team lead Marie-Hélène Berghuijs joined the practice as a partner in January 2023 from TOON Advocaten and is adept at handling complex civil disputes and is well versed in securities and insolvency cases.
Practice head(s):
Yuri Wehrmeijer; Marie-Hélène Berghuijs
Other key lawyers:
Lars van Amsterdam; Lennart Baijer; Marije van de Langemheen
Testimonials
‘They accurately analyse the corresponding legal issues of the case, provide a detailed description of the pros and cons of possible future measures, and provide appropriate suggestions and timely and professional feedback.’
‘Everyone’s professionalism is very strong, and their consideration of legal issues is very comprehensive, which has played a very important role in meeting our demands.’
‘Proactive at dealing with tricky commercial matters, making sensible and creative suggestions in order to reach a resolution. Appropriate resourcing with very good senior associates.’
‘The strengths of the team are keeping clients proactively up to date, providing clear advice on litigation chances, drafting structured and high-quality documentation and a memo indicating the potential cost of the proceedings. They are unique and the way they work is a big plus for me.’
‘Marije van Langemheen is the kind of lawyer I trust. She has a very diligent way of approaching cases. She is always calm and very sharp in relation to the content of the discussion. Her way of working means that when I need her she is there and really becomes part of the team. She is an external lawyer but thinks and acts as if she is an internal colleague. Her views and knowledge of the case, including with large files, is impressive.’
‘The lawyers in this firm work well as a team and together find the best strategies for their cases.’
‘Eversheds Sutherland are really taking the time to get to know our internal team and understand our business, which enables them to better support us and act as a true extension of our in-house team. It also enables them to focus on the big picture and deliver pragmatic business solutions to complicated legal issues.’
‘Yuri Wehrmeijer really understands our business and has a wealth of experience in this area, which has been instrumental in helping us to manage this dispute. Yuri gave us incredibly helpful, commercially focused, pragmatic advice.’
Key clients
Stichting Cycling for Climate
Safran
Sodexo
Mark Four Enterprises B.V.
Gibson
Johnson Controls
DNV
Urenco
Azalea Maritime Services
Foncière d’Or
Work highlights
- Representing Foncière d’Or as a partner in a Dutch joint venture in a EUR 170 million shareholder dispute before the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Appeal Court.
- Representing US-based Gibson in a high-value distribution contract dispute.
- Representing on a pro bono basis Stichting Cycling for Climate, a foundation that, by means of cycling events, raises awareness for climate change.
Greenberg Traurig LLP
Greenberg Traurig LLP is led by litigator Allard Huizing and is able to assist clients in corporate and commercial disputes. Cases the firm handles are often internationally focused, with the firm well versed in representing international clients in proceedings against Dutch companies, or on behalf of or against the Dutch state. Finance law specialist Wietse de Jong handles securities litigation and class actions.
Practice head(s):
Allard Huizing
Other key lawyers:
Wietse de Jong; Monisha Sardjoe; Ellen de Jong-van den Bogaard; Jasper van Gameren
Testimonials
‘Thorough knowledge of the specific business at hand, experienced and expert litigation practice, good strategic advice and perfect client communication.’
‘Long-lasting and very pleasant collaboration.’
‘Highly experienced team, which is dedicated and client oriented, providing efficient and comprehensive advice, and clear billing.’
‘They have great expertise, and are client focused, reachable and highly engaged. They are easy to communicate with, listen to the customer, are capable of explaining complex legal matters to the non-initiated, and efficient.’
Key clients
Digital Turbine Media, Inc./Fyber N.V.
IDEMIA The Netherlands B.V.
GroeiVermogen N.V. (BNP Paribas)
BRF/Thermotraffic
Ilka A.G.
Work highlights
- Represented GroeiVermogen as lead counsel in a class action regarding financial instruments distributed to about 100,000 persons.
- Represented Fyber N.V. in squeeze-out proceedings against the minority shareholders of Fyber N.V. before the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal.
- Representing Thermotraffic Holland B.V. in a dispute with the Dutch state, more specifically Dutch customs, regarding the (re)payment of import duties.
Lennox Litigation
Founded in 2021, Lennox Litigation is a six-partner litigation boutique which focuses on commercial, shareholder, and professional liability cases. Practice head Gerard Endedijk co-founded the firm and specialises in insurance and liability law, leading on matters involving professional indemnity. Co-founders Maarten Vink, Willemijn van den Berg, and Romée Reitsma are all experienced litigators, specialising in commercial and civil disputes. Litigators Olav Heuts and Friso Serraris joined the firm in 2024 from CORP. advocaten | attorneys at law and Blaisse Advocaten respectively.
Practice head(s):
Gerard Endedijk
Other key lawyers:
Maarten Vink; Willemijn van den Berg; Romée Reitsma; Friso Serraris; Olav Heuts
Testimonials
‘Gerard Endedijk is regularly recommend by professional liability insurers to assist their clients. He is very responsive, accessible and extremely dedicated to his clients.’
‘Great litigation boutique law firm. Very hands on with short communication channels. All lawyers have a long track record within the liability and insurance field and provide an excellent service. Great price to added value ratio. An innovative approach is that their lawyers work in our office once every month.’
‘Gerard Endedijk is solid and very persuasive. His broad experience as a lawyer and a member of the Disciplinary Appeals Tribunal has provided him with a keen eye for what makes a winning case.’
‘Maarten Vink hits the sweet spot of being super on the ball and a genuinely nice guy at the same time. Pleasure to work with, approachable and very sharp.’
‘The lawyers of Lennox Litigation all have a background at large international law firms and are highly skilled, but what I think makes them unique compared to other firms is their personal and practical approach and responsiveness. Their key capability and focus is litigation in commercial matters in which they are highly specialised. This focus enables the lawyers of Lennox Litigation to quickly provide me with hands-on advice regarding my legal position and to present my cases in court in a very convincing manner.’
‘What I appreciate most about Maarten Vink is that he is able to win my cases. Apart from that, I really enjoy working with him because he is business-savvy, to the point and determined to obtain the best possible outcome for me. He is down to earth and able to easily explain complicated legal matters. Furthermore, I appreciate the informal way in which we cooperate, as well as Maarten’s genuine interest in our company.’
‘Gerard Endedijk is very well versed in insurance law and knows everyone that matters in the area of professional misconduct matters. He has the gravitas to influence judges with his legal argument.’
‘Willemijn van den Berg knows facts and details while at the same team keeping the overall strategy in sight.’
Key clients
Allianz
Innophos Holdings Inc
City of Amsterdam
Veolia
Skins Cosmetics
Mr. Marvis
Arnold Jäger Holding GmbH
AIG
Generali
Trustees of Imtech
Huizenmij
Work highlights
- Acting on behalf of property carriers in a dispute regarding severe damages caused to an Amsterdam hospital complex by flooding due to the lack of maintenance of water pipe systems by the public water company.
- Representing Innophos before the District Court of Amsterdam in a complex indemnity case.
- Acting for the court appointed trustees in the bankruptcy of Imtech.
Lexence
Lexence focuses on individual representation, often acting for shareholders and management in disputes with a specialism in director’s liability and cases related to corporate governance. The firm has also been involved in litigation over EU sanctions related to the Russia-Ukraine war, corporate conflicts and disputes over the termination of projects. Corporate law experts Bram Thomas Craemer and Timo Jansen lead the practice.
Practice head(s):
Bram Thomas Craemer; Timo Jansen
Testimonials
‘The team helped me a lot with identifying possible options to take. Very flexible and creative.’
‘Bram Thomas Craemer is a top-notch litigator and always fair and honest with his clients. He doesn’t go to litigation for litigation’s sake, but litigation when needed and mediation or dispute resolutions outside the court when it is the better option.’
‘Lexence works in small diverse teams. Its small teams and open culture makes the lawyers easy accessible. They are creative in their solutions and not afraid to give their opinion. Although they are often very busy, they always make time for us and react quickly on urgent matters.’
Work highlights
- Represented the former statutory directors of Petrobras in a securities class action brought by Stichting Petrobras Compensation Foundation.
- Representing Boskalis in injunctive relief proceedings against Saren before the Amsterdam Court of Appeal regarding termination of contract due to the invasion of Ukraine.
- Represented a managing partner of Bencis in mismanagement proceedings brought by the counterparty before the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeals.
Osborne Clarke
Osborne Clarke‘s dispute resolution practice has recently grown its client base, expanding into the technology, media, communication, and retail sectors, and has handled a number of investigations into technology companies, as well as retail-related disputes and post-closing disputes. Commercial and corporate litigator Jeroen Bedaux leads the team and has specific expertise in representing football players, football clubs, race car drivers, and Olympic athletes in investigations by regulators. Paul Brouwer acts for the firm’s financial clientele in banking and commercial disputes.
Practice head(s):
Jeroen Bedaux
Other key lawyers:
Paul Brouwer
Testimonials
‘A lean and mean team who work super efficiently. They have in-depth case knowledge.’
‘Jeroen Bedaux is involved, hands on and has the ability to lead the client to the best decision. He is pragmatic in his approach but at the same time a lion when representing his clients.’
‘The team is young, dynamic and proactive.’
‘Paul is very approachable and communicates well – he is focused and to the point, keeping calls short and delivering on time.’
‘It is an expert team that communicates well, monitors timelines and provides unsolicited advice.’
‘Good substantive conversations in understandable language without unnecessarily reverting to text from the law books.’
Key clients
Nyck de Vries
Amsterdam Energy and Waste Company (AEB)
Procornea
Coca Cola Europacific Partners
Capgemini
Sonos
Bose Corporation
GoPro
Jumbo Supermarkten B.V.
Toolstation
Reckitt Benckiser
Starbucks
Leaseplan
Dyson
Nobian
Sun Chemical
October
Danone
NewCold
HEMA
Achmea Bank
ADG Dienstengroep
Work highlights
- Representing Formula 1 race car driver Nyck de Vries in a dispute with Dutch investment company Investrand concerning the entitlement to 50% of his proceeds as a Formula 1 driver, amounting to tens of millions of euros.
- Representing Procornea in a dispute concerning the termination of a distribution agreement and damages claims for €31 million.
- Assisting Mout Investments with a shareholder dispute regarding a multimillion-euro company.
OSK Advocaten
Advocacy firm OSK Advocaten combines its civil litigation experience with knowledge of criminal defence, white-collar crime, and corporate disputes. Practice head Jurjen De Korte handles commercial litigation and is often instructed on cases involving cross-border issues and debt collection actions. Criminal defence lawyer Geertjan van Oosten focuses on business crime and trade fraud cases.
Practice head(s):
Jurjen de Korte
Other key lawyers:
Geertjan van Oosten; Geert Wilts
Testimonials
‘OSK Advocaten’s dispute resolution practice is truly remarkable and distinguishes itself in several key ways. What sets them apart is their exceptional ability to not only understand but also prioritise the unique needs of their clients. They consistently go above and beyond to ensure that every action taken is in the best interests of the client.’
‘Jurjen de Korte and Geert Willts truly stand out as exceptional legal professionals. Their remarkable qualities distinguish them from competitors. Jurjen impresses with his precision in tackling complex legal issues and his talent for translating them into actionable strategies. Geert’s seasoned perspective, negotiation prowess, and consistent track record of favourable outcomes make him a standout in dispute resolution.’
‘Even though OSK is a relatively small outfit, it is accustomed to dealing with international conflicts with exceptionally large interests. In addition, since they have a criminal defence origin, they are not risk adverse, and are used to high pressure from authorities and the press.’
Key clients
Hudson’s Bay Company
Promsvyaz Capital
Ms Isabel dos Santos
Clintel
U-Diagnostics Laboratory
Kenya Airways
IB Capital FX
Royal Dutch Hunting Association and Royal Dutch Sport Shooting Association
Dutch Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Work highlights
- Acted for Hudson’s Bay Company in numerous proceedings before the Dutch courts relating to over EUR 500 million in claims by landlords following the bankruptcy of its Dutch business.
- Acting for Promsvyaz Capital in the defence of an application to enforce two Russian court judgments awarding RUB 40 billion and USD 505 million to Russian nationalised Promsvyazbank, potentially blocked by EU sanctions.
Ploum
Ploum mainly acts for clients in insurance, contractual, product liability, and insolvency-related disputes. Health and safety issues are also a focus of the firm, which combines expertise from multiple practice areas such as criminal, insurance, and real estate to assist on these matters. Practice head Maurice Verhoeven is engaged by clients for cases related to professional and D&O liability, as well as shareholder disputes. Insurance specialist Natalie Vloemans handles all related contentious matters. Michel Jacobs and Dorine ten Brink are also noted.
Practice head(s):
Maurice Verhoeven
Other key lawyers:
Natalie Vloemans; Michel Jacobs; Dorine ten Brink; Matthijs Gardien
Testimonials
‘Very hands-on approach with a wide range of expertise.’
‘Well informed, business like, fast when needed but always precise.’
‘In-depth legal knowledge, great skillset and a very good understanding of the business of the client and the very complex environment in which the client is operating. They don’t leave a stone unturned and their case preparation is excellent.’
‘Individuals are very pleasant to work with and very knowledgeable.’
‘Collaboration with the partner in the team, very quick response times and good business understanding, which is being translated into excellent contract drafting.’
‘Everyone can read laws and jurisprudence, but true involvement and empathy are the keys to good cooperation and legal services. As a lawyer, you should really care for the problem of your client that needs to be solved. The people of Ploum had that kind of involvement.’
‘Dedicated and responsive.’
Key clients
Deloitte Accountants B.V.
AIG Europe Limited, Netherlands
HDI Global Speciality
Chemours/DuPont
GEA
SAAone B.V.
Koninklijke Volker Wessels Stevin N.V.
Koole Tankstorage Botlek B.V./Odfjell Terminals B.V.
Peterson Control Union
No Risk B.V.
QBE UK
Bergbanket B.V.
Liander N.V.
Xenics
ATM B.V./Renewi Nederland B.V.
Sman Business Value
TUI Nederland N.V.
Liesker Procesfinanciering B.V.
Witlox VCS
JOI Gaming Ltd.
Inspec
NKM Reel
SJR
Work highlights
- Acting for No Risk in several cases related to Covid-19, successfully completing one case with two proceedings pending at the Court of Appeal.
- Representing Chemours and DuPont in C8 and GenX exposure claims brought against the clients following similar US litigation.
Pot Jonker Advocaten
Haarlem-based firm Pot Jonker Advocaten‘s commercial litigation team is led by litigation expert Floris Diepraam and public procurement specialist Babette Blaisse-Verkooijen. The team mainly handles civil proceedings and is well versed in directors’ and officers’ liability cases. Oscar van der Pol aids clients in cases related to civil and administrative law, including public procurement disputes. Robbert Boesveld is an expert in government liability law and is a Supreme Court litigator.
Practice head(s):
Floris Diepraam; Babette Blaisse-Verkooijen
Other key lawyers:
Robbert Boesveld; Oscar van der Pol
Testimonials
‘They are very approachable and know how to quickly get to the main point and make it very clear. Through experience, they often know how to estimate the outcome, but also how to sketch out possible scenarios.’
‘Pragmatic and very strong in terms of content. The client is central and it is all about how they can best be represented.’
‘Hands-on lawyers with good knowledge of the business and excellent litigation skills in the commercial legal field, particularly Floris Diepraam.’
‘Legally very sound and good in litigation. Open to finding the best possible practical solutions. Good communicators.’
‘With Oscar van der Pol, we are dealing with a very knowledgeable and skilled person. He is very pleasant to deal with, easy to approach and well informed about what is going on in the industry. It is very clear what Oscar is going to do for us and what the outcome will be.’
‘The team are very pleasant to work with – they are quick in responding, provide up-to-date, quality advice, they know their client and billing is competitive.’
Key clients
ABN AMRO Bank
Ballast Nedam
BEL Combination (organisational combination of the Blaricum, Eemnes and Laren municipalities)
Centraal Beheer
Dutch Flower Group
Municipality of Haarlem
Municipality of Haarlemmermeer
Klooster Euphrasia/Zusters van O.L.V. van Liefde van de Goede Herder
PreZero
Q-Park
Randstad
Royal Ahold Delhaize (Albert Heijn, Etos, Gall & Gall)
Royal BAM Group
Royal PostNL Group
Selmers Group
Snap-on Tools
Vattenfall
VBM Ontwikkeling
Municipality of Zandvoort
Work highlights
- Represented the Congegratie van OLV van de Goede Herder in multiple cases in the Netherlands related to several women who started proceedings against the Congregate claiming to have been the victims of forced labour during the time in their youth the Congregate took care of them.
- Assisted the Royal PostNL group with a wide range of civil proceedings.
- Assisted a client in the infrastructure sector with a large European public tender, with respect to possible litigation.
Russell Advocaten B.V.
Independent law firm Russell Advocaten B.V. focuses on commercial litigation for international clients within the retail, fashion and luxury, IT, and art sectors. The practice is particularly notable for its expertise in art-related cases, particularly involving the trade and ownership of artwork. Practice head Paul Russell is the leading force behind high-profile, often international cases, drawing on his expertise in art, commercial, and corporate law.
Practice head(s):
Paul Russell
Rutgers & Posch
Rutgers & Posch centres its practice on corporate disputes and has recently been extending its scope to include international disputes in addition to commercial litigation before the Dutch courts. Department co-head Rik Analbers is often appointed by the Enterprise Chamber in inquiry proceedings, representing works councils and supervisory boards. Also heading up the practice are Huib Schrama and Loek Kerstens, who are key to corporate disputes.
Practice head(s):
Huib Schrama; Loek Kerstens; Rik Analbers
Testimonials
‘Huib Schrama is in my view perfectly able to translate the relevant aspects of Dutch law and civil procedure into the language of lawyers from other legal systems and he always stays focused on the client’s goals in litigation, while also understanding the business challenges the client is facing.’
‘Rutgers & Posch are an excellent boutique player in commercial disputes. They benefit from their equally strong corporate disputes practice and I would recommend them where a combination of these specialisms is required.’
‘Huib Schrama is excellent, strong on the law, but also very relaxed and easy to deal with. He is a calming presence despite his young age – one to watch.’
‘The team are experienced, always sharp minded, and keep an eye on the commercially relevant issues when developing litigation strategies. On top of that, they are also nice to work with.’
‘Huib Schrama is a very experienced litigator and a trusted advisor. From the client’s perspective, it is easy to rely on him, because he knows good strategy, and is approachable and honest while remaining very professional.’
‘Huib Schrama is great as he is able to fight for us and get the best possible outcome. He is also able to settle matters in a decent manner. He absolutely knows how to play out litigation and achieve the best possible outcome for our business. There is no other litigation partner at another firm that reaches this level of competency in my view.’
‘Very knowledgeable, dedicated team, with quick, to-the-point communication.’
Key clients
Oranjewoud N.V. and Strukton Groep N.V.
Somaschini/CIE Automotive Group
Dorbat/First Advisory Group
Rabo Participaties and Opportunity Partners
Banco Intesa Sanpaolo
MacD Helicopters Inc.
Works Council of Centric Holding B.V.
Sami & Co
Maas International B.V.
Holding van Cranenbroek Budel B.V.
Corvallis Navigation Panama SA
Selten B.V.
Clean Holding B.V.
Equiom
Former CEO of Kales Group B.V.
Viktor & Rolf
Work highlights
- Acting as counsel to the supervisory board of Oranjewoud N.V. and Strukton Groep N.V. in highly publicised inquiry proceedings.
- Representing MacD Helicopters in appeal proceedings against the state of the Netherlands in an ongoing dispute regarding eight helicopters that were purchased for the Dutch national police.
- Acting for Clean Holding B.V. in relation to an investment in bankrupt car manufacturer Lightyear and acting for the bankruptcy trustee Friends of Lightyear in legal proceedings.
Scott + Scott
Scott + Scott‘s dispute resolution practice is co-led by Jan-Willem de Jong, Carlijn van Rest, and Robert Verburg, all of whom work closely with the New York branch of the firm in class actions and antitrust and competition cases. The firm acts for claimants and its clients mainly comprise of multinational corporations.
Practice head(s):
Jan-Willem de Jong; Carlijn van Rest; Robert Verburg
Testimonials
‘Innovative, forward thinking and dynamic. The team are really the leaders in claimant group claims in the Netherlands.’
‘Jan-Willem De Jong is a stand out. He is pragmatic, thorough, diligent and very client friendly.’
‘Carlijn van Rest is an excellent litigator, very smart. Always has mastery of the facts and details. Always well-prepared.’
Key clients
Unilever
Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA)
Electricity & Water Authority of the Government of Bahrain
Kuwait Ministry of Electricity and Water
Oman Electricity Transmission Company SAOC
Stichting Consumenten Competition Claims
Stichting Take Back Your Privacy
Airbus Investors Recovery Stichting
Work highlights
- Representing SCCC in its class action claim before the Amsterdam District Court against Apple.
- Representing TBYP in a collective action on behalf of 1.5 million Dutch children that have used the TikTok app since 25 May 2018.
- Representing four major utility providers from the Gulf states in litigation before the Amsterdam Court of Appeal against various power cables cartel members (Prysmian, Nexans, Pirelli, Goldman Sachs, and ABB).
STAUNCH
STAUNCH has a partner-focused approach within its commercial litigation practice; the team is jointly led Malte Malycha and Jochem Vlek, who are supported by the firm’s founder Stefan Derksen. Malycha is the go-to for pension law, food law, product liability, and director's liability cases. Vlek focuses on proceedings related to enforcement of foreign judgments and awards; he is also well versed in class actions. Lastly, Derksen is an experienced trial lawyer before Dutch courts and is known for his expertise in insurance, technology, and investor disputes.
Practice head(s):
Malte Malycha; Jochem Vlek
Other key lawyers:
Stefan Derksen; Lútsen de Vries
Testimonials
‘The partner involvement and seniority of the lawyers makes Staunch unique. We have worked with several other firms before but Staunch has another approach that makes us very satisfied.’
‘A small but enviable team. Lútsen de Vries is an excellent litigator. He maintains a good overview of very complex cases, and is clear-eyed on strategic key points in a case. Jochem Vlek is extremely knowledgeable about private international law.’
‘The partners are all of great quality, each capable of handling complex litigation. Though all are capable of handling general litigation matters, each has notable addition strengths. Malte Malycha for disputes with insolvency aspects, Jochem Vlek for disputes involving international private law aspects, and Stefan Derksen for construction matters.’
Key clients
Achmea Pensioenservices
Athora
Caterpillar
Computershare
Pon.Bike
Cornu Group
Kraken (Payward Group)
Soitec S.A.
Work highlights
- Represented Dutch pensions insurer SRLEV N.V. successfully in a EUR 45 million dispute.
- Representing Caterpillar in a multi-jurisdictional dispute for the recovery of more than USD 120 million from a South American industrial conglomerate.
Stonewater B.V
Stonewater B.V has a specialised practice that is often engaged by clients, ranging from individuals to Dutch and international companies, for commercial and corporate litigation, including proceedings before the Supreme Court. Practice co-head Bart Zandbergen, a cassation lawyer at the Supreme Court, representing clients not only in proceedings before the Supreme Court, but also before the district courts and courts of appeal, in shareholder disputes and litigation relating to acquisitions and financing arrangements. Co-head Marc van Rijswijk is the go-to for corporate disputes before the Enterprise Chamber, and he is an expert in inquiry proceedings and D&O and other liability cases.
Practice head(s):
Marc van Rijswijk; Bart Zandbergen
Other key lawyers:
Jelger de Boer
Key clients
Sedlex Advocats
Selvi Attorney Partnership
Axivate Capital
ZND Draad
Realiance
Vleems
Heredium Facility
Vert Asia
Stichting ‘t Kastheel
Stichting Zaanse Schans
Giebros Technics Operations
Kempenaer Holdings
DM Real Estate Investments
FPA Capital
Global State
Tribecca Advocaten
AX Advocate
Work highlights
- Represented Vleems in cassation proceedings before the Supreme Court on the question of whether Vleems was obliged to take over all personnel from a deal in bankruptcy that, according to the claimant, Dutch labour union FNV, was pre-cooked.
- Represented Vert Asia in its damages claim against G-Star due to G-Star’s sudden termination of supply agreements.
- Represented Heredium Facility in a request against Rabobank et al for pre-trial witness hearings taking place in the Netherlands.
Taylor Wessing LLP
The disputes and investigations practice at Taylor Wessing brings together experience in IP law and disputes to handle litigation relating to technology, patent infringements, and the termination of a variety of agreements. Commercial litigator Wim Maas leads the practice and is assisted by Nick Kampschreur, who focuses on disputes related to financial and investment issues. Promoted to partner in May 2023, Vera Jurgens is also key to the team and focuses on acting for financial companies and disputes relating to commercial contracts.
Practice head(s):
Wim Maas
Other key lawyers:
Nick Kampschreur; Vera Jurgens; Mark Goorts
Testimonials
‘They have a personal approach, and the lawyer you are working with can be reached directly by mobile. Because it is a large office, many areas of expertise are available and there is mutual contact about current affairs in order to provide each other with other information. You do not get a different lawyer every time, unless it is a different legal area.’
‘The personal contacts make it very nice to work with them. Their steadfastness is also a very good quality.’
Key clients
Ericsson
Pfizer
Van Loon Group
Funding Circle Nederland B.V.
Timeline Global Telecom Solutions B.V.
De Meeuw Groep B.V.
Work highlights
- Representing Pfizer in a dispute with Moderna over allegations that Pfizer and BioNTech copied two key features of Moderna’s patented technologies.
- Assisted Leen Bakker in a dispute relating to terminating its franchise agreements in the Netherlands.
- Assisted Ericsson with its attempt to prevent its licence agreements being disclosed to employees of Nokia (Ericsson’s biggest competitor) by a third party (Opp) in proceedings in the United Kingdom.
Van der Feltz Advocaten
Based in the Hague, boutique firm Van der Feltz Advocaten is a dispute resolution and Supreme Court litigation-focused practice that handles a range of civil and public law-related disputes. The firm stands out for its public sector expertise and is active in cases concerning environmental, construction, and real estate law. Jacques Sluysmans and Ruben Wiegerink co-lead the team, with the former specialising in litigation involving water companies and the realisation and exploration of cables and pipelines, while the latter represents clients before the Supreme Court in cases involving expropriation law, public sector private law, and state aid law.
Practice head(s):
Jacques Sluysmans; Ruben Wiegerink
Other key lawyers:
Mirella Peletier
Testimonials
‘It was pleasant to work with Van der Feltz. I found them to be client focused and highly responsive.’
‘Ruben Wiegerink’s in-depth knowledge and breadth of experience in the area of expropriation law is unsurpassed on the Dutch market – we can always count on Ruben’s expertise and his availability to deliver concise and accurate advise on Supreme Court proceedings.’
‘Ruben Wiegerink truly stands out in Supreme Court litigation in tax law and expropriation matters. He is a true lawyer and in the shortest possible time provides strategic and highly to-the-point counsel in high-end Supreme Court litigation matters.’
Key clients
Magazijn De Bijenkorf B.V.
Brabant Water
FrieslandCampina B.V.
Evides N.V.
Stedin Netbeheer B.V.
Boele & van Eesteren B.V.
Gebr. Van Kessel Speciale Technieken en Producten B.V.
Intégrale Gemeenschappelijke Verzekeringskas (currently called ‘Monument Assurance Belgium SA.’)
Kennemerland
Carinova
Work highlights
- Acting for Intégrale Gemeenschappelijke Verzekeringskas in compensation proceedings relating to a bank expropriation decision made by the Dutch Minister of Finance in 2013.
- Acting for Kennemerland Beheer in cassation proceedings relating to the expropriation of its parcel parts.
- Representing the municipality of Zoetermeer in cassation proceedings concerning the municipality’s decision, as bare owner, to grant permission to the superficies holder to transfer a superficies right.