Houthoff > Rotterdam, Netherlands > Firm Profile

Houthoff
WEENA 365
3013 AL ROTTERDAM
Netherlands

Netherlands > Capital markets: equity Tier 1

Houthoff‘s well-established group has strong capabilities handling the array of complex matters, including structuring issuer-led transactions in both domestic and cross-jurisdictional contexts. Corporate re-domiciliation transactions are a particular area of specialism across the team, and it is also well placed to advise on significant SPACs transactions. ‘Exemplary’ team co-lead Jetty Tukker has an equity capital markets specialism; Tukker is supported at the helm by debt capital markets-focused Jessica Terpstra who works from the firm’s London office. Alexander Kaarls has international transactional expertise and July 2024-promoted partner Willem Liedenbaum is also a name to note.

Practice head(s):

Jetty Tukker; Jessica Terpstra

Other key lawyers:

Alexander Kaarls; Willem Liedenbaum; Emma Schutte; Jasmijn Harms; Eva Luna de Boer

Testimonials

‘Jetty Tukker supported by her team, namely Jasmijn Harms and Eva Luna de Boer, has exhibited an outstanding ability to navigate complex legal scenarios and deliver results that exceed expectations. Jetty and her team have a thorough understanding of equity capital markets, and have been instrumental in successfully managing a number of ECM transactions for us over the years.’

‘One of Jetty Tukker’s most commendable attributes is her proactive approach. She anticipates potential challenges and addresses them before they become critical issues, ensuring smooth and efficient processes. This foresight has not only mitigated risks but also provided our company with a seamless experience. Jetty consistently upholds the highest standards of professionalism.’

‘Jetty Tukker has impeccable work ethic, attention-to-detail, and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction, earning her the respect and trust of both my colleagues and our company’s suppliers alike. Jetty is an exemplary equity capital markets lawyer whose consistent performance, proactive nature, and professional demeanour make her a valuable asset to any organisation.’

‘They are very pragmatic, time competent and thorough.’

‘Very quick in response, kind and competent.’

‘This ECM practice has a superb knowledge of Dutch listing rules and practice. Aside from just knowing the rules, they have a great handle on Dutch market practice, which is invaluable in considering the pros and cons of a company listing on Euronext Amsterdam.’

‘Jetty Tukker is first-class. Extremely knowledgeable, very responsive and practical. A pleasure to work with. Alexander Kaarls is also excellent.’

Key clients

Ariston Holding N.V.

Brembo N.V.

Corre Energy B.V.

Davide Campari-Milano N.V.

Ease2pay N.V.

European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V.

The London Tunnels PLC

Meltwater N.V.

Renewi plc

Sopra Steria Group SA

WeTransfer / The Creative Productivity Group N.V.

Work highlights

  • Advised The London Tunnels PLC on its listing on Euronext Amsterdam and subsequent placing of new shares.
  • Advised Davide Campari-Milano N.V. on the €650m private placement of new ordinary shares through an accelerated bookbuild offering for the financing of the acquisition of Courvoisier Cognac.
  • Advised Brembo N.V. on its re-domiciliation, whereby the company relocated to the Netherlands and converted into a Dutch N.V.

Netherlands > Construction Tier 1

Houthoff fields a strong construction team spread over Amsterdam and Rotterdam that advises real estate developers, investors, construction companies and banks on contentious and non-contentious matters. The team is spearheaded by construction authority Michel Klijn who advises on complex construction projects, transactional issues and construction-related litigation. The sizeable team works on a number of large Dutch construction projects involving procurement and regulatory issues, while also fielding a claim prevention and claim management service and advises on developer and contractor issues. Dolf de Jong focuses on minimising risks related to development, investment and structuring processes. Also noted is Sander van den Boogaart who specialises in construction, infrastructure and energy projects.

Practice head(s):

Michel Klijn

Testimonials

‘The individuals are exceptional for their expertise, forward-thinking, and commitment to success. Partners and associates bring a mix of experience and fresh ideas, with standout qualities like clear communication, attention to detail, and a collaborative spirit.’

‘Houthoff’s construction practice stands out for its exceptional service orientation and commitment to delivering top-tier results. The team is always available and fully engaged, providing in-depth insights into every aspect of the case. Their ability to remain well-informed and up-to-date on complex industry matters ensures a high level of confidence in their advice. Overall, they offer unparalleled service, making them a trusted partner in the construction sector.’

‘Practical approach of the team is better than any other team I have worked with. The team has the ability to grasp corporate and legal problems and solve them in a way that is logical not only to fellow legal colleagues but also the business units who have no knowledge of the legal side. That approach leads to advices that can be used directly throughout the whole company.’

‘Sander van den Boogaart is calm in difficult meetings and his perfect knowledge of the case made him able to advise us on the different scenarios that we could face. He kept in mind the interest of us as client but was also able to look for compromises that led to a good solution.’

‘Houthoff’s construction management team excels in providing comprehensive legal support for complex construction projects, combining technical expertise with deep industry knowledge. The team is well versed in managing large-scale, multi-jurisdictional projects, ensuring that clients receive both sound legal guidance and practical solutions that address the specific challenges of the construction sector.’

‘Michel Klijn and Sander van den Boogaart stand out as exceptional professionals within Houthoff’s construction management practice, each bringing unique strengths that elevate their service above competitors. Michel is renowned for his strategic insight and ability to manage complex, high-stakes projects. Sander complements this with his technical expertise and meticulous attention to detail, especially in dispute resolution.’

‘Houthoff is a one-stop shop law firm. All legal disciplines that are involved in a large construction project can be accommodated by Houthoff.’

‘Michel Klijn is a seasoned lawyer who advises us on contractual issues and procurement law issues. He also litigates in extensive legal proceedings surrounding a large construction project. All of this is done to your complete satisfaction.’

Key clients

Bol.com

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

Royal Schiphol Airport

Bysteel S.A.

RED Company

Goodman Group

Attero

HagaZiekenhuis (Haga Hospital)

Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch National Railways)

EDGE

Jaarbeurs

Zadelhoff

FCC

VolkerWessels

Waterschap Aa en Maas

Maarsen Groep

Regionale Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij Drechtsteden N.V.

Milence

St Antonius Hospital

Twence

Kondor Wessels Vastgoed

Capgemini

Waternet

AXA IM

Work highlights

  • Represented Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield in the redevelopment of the Mall of the Netherlands, including successful representation in court.
  • Assisted Bysteel with the A-pier project, a new terminal at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol including successful representation in courts.
  • Advised FCC Construcción on the A9 Badhoevedorp – Holendrecht PFI project.

Netherlands > Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 1

The international arbitration team at Houthoff stands out for its work in cross-border claims and investment treaty disputes. The department acts both for and against sovereign states and state-owned entities, giving it unique insight into cases. Assisting with enforcement and annulment of arbitral awards also forms a part of the practice. In addition, the team is well placed to advise clients on oil and gas, construction, TMT, renewables and commercial arbitrations. The team is led from Rotterdam by arbitration heavyweight Dirk Knottenbelt, who handles a mix of international corporate, commercial and investment arbitrations. Thomas Stouten is known for his expertise in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and is currently one of the youngest members of the ICC Court of International Arbitration in Paris. Remme Verkerk represents sovereign states and investors in arbitration proceedings.

Practice head(s):

Dirk Knottenbelt

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Houthoff is one of the best Dutch law firms in international arbitration matters. Its expertise in challenge proceedings is particularly noteworthy.’

‘The Houthoff team is standout for their attention to client concerns. The team draws from a very strong and talented group of attorneys to address client needs, tapping into cross-practice collaborations when necessary. ’

‘Thomas Stouten is a true leader, both at Houthoff and to the international arbitration community at large. He is a very capable advocate with a strong knowledge of his client’s industries and the potential legal challenges facing their businesses.’

‘Absolutely the best arbitration team in The Netherlands. The team and the firm keep on improving in skills, knowledge and technology. The team is very well balanced, led by outstanding partners and with very eager, smart and ambitious associates. ’

‘Thomas Stouten is the best arbitration lawyer in The Netherlands. He is razor sharp and always on top of his game. His continuous ambition to improve himself and to win matters really stands out. Alongside his outstanding knowledge he is also very socially gifted and great with clients.’

‘Remme Verkerk is an impressive lawyer, his academic knowledge and deep experience ensures best results and solutions for clients. Thomas Stouten has gained a reputation of a superb arbitration lawyer who is well recognized globally. His knowledge, experience and reputation impress.’

‘The Houthoff arbitration team is a truly top-notch team. It is a focused arbitration team with also foreign associates to expand the bandwidth of their offering and one of the largest teams in The Netherlands. They deliver very high-quality work, are approachable and are litigators at heart. They truly enjoy their work and enjoy trying to find arguments and win proceedings.’

‘Thomas Stouten has rapidly made a name for himself and has become one of the household names in the field of arbitration in the Netherlands. He is smart and is extremely responsive. Thomas has got what it takes to win high-profile arbitrations. Dirk Knottenbelt is one of the senior statesmen in arbitration. He immediately sees the strengths and weaknesses in a case and is extremely convincing.’

Key clients

Eni

Surpass Commercial Corp. Ltd.

Wells Ultimate Service LLC

Heidelberg Cement

EcoDevelopment

AES Solar

Ampere Equity

Blasket Renewable Investment LLC

Perenco

The Republic of India

TotalEnergies

Heirs of the Sultan of Sulu

Siemens (Guris)

Republic of Peru

The Plurinational State Bolivia

Work highlights

  • Representing Mare/OIEG in the Dutch enforcement of a $600m ICSID award against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
  • Representing the Republic of Peru in a €600m investment dispute launched by the Swiss owners of a television network in Peru.
  • Representing AES Solar Energy, Ampere Equity and Blasket Renewable Investment in various proceedings against the Kingdom of Spain in Amsterdam as investors.

Netherlands > Dispute resolution: class actions Tier 1

Houthoff‘s class actions and mass claims practice is led from Amsterdam by Albert Knigge, who is an authority in the field, often leading on complex cross-border class actions and Supreme Court proceedings. The team was active in a number of collective damages, securities and competition-related claims in 2024. Other notable team members in Amsterdam include Rick Cornelissen, who focuses his practice on follow-on cartel and abuse of dominance damages claims, and Diederik van der Kooij, who is experienced in handling collective proceedings and mass claims in Supreme Court litigation. In Rotterdam, Paul Sluijter specialises in cross-border class actions and international mass claims, utilising his expertise in private international law to advise clients, while Huib Lebbing typically acts as defence counsel in sensitive cases involving health and safety.

Practice head(s):

Albert Knigge

Testimonials

‘Albert Knigge is one of the best lawyers I have ever worked with. He is extremely knowledgeable, always available and client focused, while at the same time no nonsense – he will not overpromise and is a very strong communicator. Rick Cornelissen is always willing to find a client-focused solution.’

‘The Houthoff team is right at the forefront on Dutch class action litigation, has a great team and offers top level expertise.’

‘We are very content with Houthoff’s work in our class action. The team is highly experienced, responsive, delivers high quality work and is pleasant to work with.’

‘Albert Knigge truly is a trusted advisor. We work with several law firms and lawyers, but to us Albert stands out in quality and expertise.’

‘In our class action, Houthoff did a great job getting to know about a complex case in a short time period with successful results. The collaboration was great.’

‘Rick Cornelissen did a great job in the hearing providing clear views about our case and providing always good solutions to the different problems we faced.’

‘I consider Houthoff to be one of the best law firms I work with, if not the best. It has an impressive structure, a great reputation and is able to carry out the best possible work in its client’s favour. The pleadings it prepares are excellent and often already correspond to what we consider pertinent to present in court, meriting few repairs. In short, Houthoff is always very approachable and really embraces what the client has in mind.’

‘Very professional litigation team with a client centric approach. The team consists of good litigators, applies a structured approach in preparing litigation and takes specific client requests into account with flexibility.’

Key clients

Petrobras

Volvo Trucks / Renault Trucks

Stellantis N.V.

Audi AG

Nationale-Nederlanden Levensverzekering Maatschappij N.V.

Trafigura

Singapore Airlines Limited

Singapore Airlines Cargo Pte Ltd

CBRE Investment Management

Royal FloraHolland

Cargolux Airlines International

Ennatuurlijk B.V.

The Dutch State (Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport)

Royal FloraHolland

Draad Nijmegen B.V.

Kone Oyj

Work highlights

  • Represented several car manufacturers, including Stellantis and Audi, as defendants against four class actions brought in the Diesel matter.
  • Represented Kone in two Supreme Court appeals concerning damages proceedings launched by two claims organisations following a European Commission decision over competition law infringements in the elevators and escalators industry.
  • Represented CBRE Investment Management and other lessors in the interim relief proceedings initiated by 540 tenants of residential units over changes to the regulations for standard rent adjustment clauses for residential space.

Netherlands > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 1

A 'go-to firm for Supreme Court litigation in the Netherlands', Houthoff assists clients with the full array of commercial litigation services. The team has a strong bench of litigators led by Jan Willem de Groot and Bart van der Wiel from Amsterdam. De Groot excels in representing clients in corporate litigation before the Enterprise Chamber and Amsterdam Court of Appeal, while van der Wiel leads the Supreme Court litigation team. Competition-related disputes are handled by Rick Cornelissen; David Heems is experienced in restructuring and insolvency disputes; and Remme Verkerk works together with van der Wiel in Supreme Court cases. The team has strong international ties and connections with overseas firms, enabling it to advise on complex multi-jurisdictional contentious matters. Albert Knigge is key to multi-party cross-border disputes and is often involved in high-profile litigation. Marjolein Heuten is noted for her skills in disputes before the Enterprise Chamber and in transaction-related litigation.

Practice head(s):

Jan Willem de Groot; Bart van der Wiel

Testimonials

‘Above all Houthoff provides the best quality. Very good from both a legal and a strategic point of view. Also nice people to work with. Just top of the league.’

‘Jan Willem de Groot is very on the ball, a sharp legal thinker and a great organiser of his team.’

‘Houthoff’s Supreme Court litigation practice excels in complex disputes. They also provide clear and practical advice from a cassation perspective to lawyers involved in first instance or appeal proceedings.’

‘Our main contact is Bart van der Wiel. He is one of the smartest lawyers in his field, very knowledgeable in legal and strategical aspects of a case. He handles cases with humour and respect.’

‘Houthoff’s Supreme Court litigation practice is excellent and they are our go-to firm for Supreme Court litigation in the Netherlands. The team is extremely knowledgeable and professional and at the same time very pleasant to work with. They have the capacity to get to the heart of the matter quickly and their submissions are to the point. We can only highly recommend them.’

‘Bart van der Wiel heads the Supreme Court litigation team and is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in Supreme Court litigation. Remme Verkerk is key for the Supreme Court litigation practice, with a focus on international arbitration related litigation for which we can highly recommend him. Laura van Gardingen is extremely talented, with great client skills and can handle large complex cases.’

‘The Houthoff team is our go-to team for litigation in the Netherlands, especially Supreme Court litigation. The team has profound knowledge of the real estate sector and always keeps an eye on the practical and commercial interests at hand.’

‘Jan Willem de Groot is an amazing litigator. He is great in court and possesses a sharp legal mind. Fun to work with.’

Key clients

BC Partners

HPS Investment partners

Dummen Orange

CBRE

Elliott Management

Trafigura

Avery Dennison

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Owens-Illinois, Inc.

Centerbridge

TotalEngergies

AIG

ING

LG

Volvo Trucks

LG Electronics

Volvo Trucks / Renault Trucks

Petrobras

Audi AG

Nexans S.A.

Sligro Food Group

Supervisory Board Imtech

Koninklijke Luchtvaartmaatschappij (KLM)

British Airways

Delta Air Lines

easyJet

United Airlines

Deutsche Lufthansa

International Air Transport Association

Fortenova

Fujifilm

Work highlights

  • Represented Huseyin Can Yildirim in his shareholder dispute with Yildirim Holding AS and Huseyin’s co-shareholders in Yildirim Group.
  • Represented several major airlines and aviation organisations in a case against the Dutch state to prevent a reduction of Schiphol airport’s yearly allowance of flights from 500,000 to 460,000.
  • Represented LG Electronics in its defence against a €2bn (plus interest) claim that was entirely dismissed by the Dutch court.

Netherlands > Environment and planning Tier 1

Houthoff’s environmental practice operates as a part of the firm’s wider public law team. The group regularly assists major private and public sector clients with a broad range of contentious and non-contentious environmental, planning, and public law issues. Key sectors of strength include transport, energy, and real estate, as well as heavy industry, and the department is equally adept at handling climate change and ESG matters. Practice head Marloes Brans is 'a sharp advisor', and Monica Sonderegger represents developers, investors, and major landowners in cases involving obtaining environmental permission for redevelopment work.

Practice head(s):

Marloes Brans

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Houthoff’s team is big on planning and sustainability.’

‘Marloes Brans is a very dedicated partner, present but humble, and a sharp advisor.’

Key clients

Royal VolkerWessels

PPG

Huntsman

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

Tata Steel

Milence

Feijenoord’s soccer stadium De Kuip

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate

Various municipalities

Province of Flevoland

National Police

Royal Dutch Schiphol

G&S&

CBRE

VDL Nedcar

Vereniging Afvalbedrijven

Work highlights

  • Providing ongoing advice to a range of corporates with heavy industrial activities in the Netherlands on contentious and non-contentious matters, including permitting, regulatory and enforcement issues.

Netherlands > Insurance Tier 1

The practice at Houthoff is well-equipped to assist its client roster on complex regulatory matters, including on insurance and reinsurance issues, on insurtech and product launches, and on the array of related commercial and corporate issues. Matters regarding the mis-selling of unit-linked insurance products is a particular area of expertise. The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Berry van Wijk oversees the practice and has noteworthy expertise handling financial regulatory work. Lucas Dröge and Huib Lebbing are experienced handling liability claims, including defending insurers in toxic chemical disputes and mass claims. Gijs Hamelijnck has expertise assisting insurtech companies.

Practice head(s):

Berry van Wijk

Testimonials

‘The team delivers quality on time and in doing so they think along with the customer. They combine this with a solid knowledge of the insurance industry.’

‘Berry van Wijk is an absolute added value. She carries the team, is extremely knowledgeable, pleasant to work with and is customer-oriented. Gijs Hamelijnck has good added value and is a rising star.’

Key clients

AIG

a.s.r.

Achmea

Centraal Beheer

Allianz

Aon

Atradius Credit Insurance

AXA XL

CNA

Generali

HDI-Gerling

Lifetri

Marsh

MS Amlin

NN Group

Onderlinge’s Gragenhage

Soderberg & Partners

Swiss Re

Work highlights

  • Acting as purchaser’s counsel to Onderlinge’s Gravenhage in the acquisition of the entire life insurance portfolio from NH1816 Verzekeringen.
  • Acting for the largest public housing corporation in the Netherlands in relation to a fraud insurance coverage dispute in relation to a fraud initiated by two former employees between 2015 and 2018.
  • Acting in a complex coverage dispute regarding the recall of respiratory devices through which it was found that patients could ingest and inhale degraded polyurethane foam particles.

Netherlands > Real estate Tier 1

Houthoff‘s real estate practice is led by expert Herman Lohman who excels in advising on international and cross-border transactions and redevelopments. The sizeable team is based across both Amsterdam and Rotterdam and advises both domestic and international real estate developers, investors, construction companies and banks. The firm has a strong team of notaries including Lohman, Jan Cees Kuiken, Lucas Louwerier and Dolf de Jong. Over the last year its been active in a number of large-scale urban renewable plans and developments as well as advising investors and funds on transactions involving turnkey developments and commercial tenancy law. Kuiken, Louwerier and Anna Wijnans stand out for their work in the transactional space, while de Jong handles issues involving property law, contract law and notarial law.

Practice head(s):

Herman Lohman

Other key lawyers:

Jan Cees Kuiken; Lucas Louwerier; Dolf de Jong; Anna Wijnans; Ester de Boer; Arno Boessenkool; Rosalie van der Sluijs; Sander van den Boogaart

Testimonials

‘The team of Jan Cees Kuiken is exceptional in my opinion as they function as a team should do. The team consists of 80% women and they are so good that it makes a real difference in transactions. In our opinion, the number one team by far of the Netherlands.’

‘We are working with Jan Cees Kuiken and his team for many years and they are really exceptional. Jan Cees is in my opinion by far the best notary in the real estate industry as he combines commercial with legal skills, without losing eye for one of the two sides. With in-depth knowledge he convinces parties on disputes that arise and solves them to the satisfaction of all parties. Ester de Boer is also exceptionally good.’

‘The main strength, in my experience, is the capacity of the Houthoff lawyers to quickly gather all the relevant and distinctive knowledge on a matter, and translate this in clear, easy to work with information. People are well aware of all new laws and legislation (2024 has had many changes in real estate legislation), enabling us to decide on strategy and communication.’

‘Strong knowledge in the real estate field backed by wide experience in the sector. Pro-active approach, clear communication on difficult topics.’

‘Herman Lohmann is well respected in his field and has strong knowledge due to his long experience. This provide excellent service in difficult transactions. Arno Boessenkool is a very strong lawyer, both from a technical perspective as well as communicative. Pleasure to work with on transactions and provides a lot of comfort on closing a transaction.

‘The individuals we work with are very knowledgeable in their work, are easily approachable, are concrete and know how to work with us as clients in a very practical and enlightening way.’

‘Houthoff’s versatile real estate team headed by Lucas Louwerier distinguishes itself in speed of action, professionalism, and client focus. The diverse team is very pleasant to work with, and advises us in all aspects of all of our real estate development projects. For us, their in-house expertise is key in all stages of the development process, whether it concerns acquisition of a (re)development site, plan development, construction, or leasing and/or selling a project.’

‘Lucas Louwerier is a highly valued partner overseeing all our real estate and corporate business for many years now. We appreciate his professionalism, dedication and scope of work very much. In addition, he works efficiently with his team. Lucas has been one of the best real estate advisors in the Netherlands for many years now. Stand-out colleagues of Lucas are Rosalie van der Sluijs, Sander van den Boogaart and Ester de Boer.’

Key clients

CBRE Global Investors

Unibail-Rodamco

Nuveen Real Estate

ASR Real Estate

Macquarie

UBS

Heimstaden

Syntrus Achmea Real Estate & Finance

Delta Lloyd / Nationale Nederlanden

VolkerWessels

Wereldhave

NSI

Commerz Real Investmentgesellschaft

Clarion Capital Partners

Greystar

La Française

EDGE

AMVEST

Time Equities, Inc

Buysse & Partners /BPSA Smart Assets

State Street

Hannover Leasing

Credit Suisse

AXA IM

Dudok

Orange Capital Partners

Time Equities Inc

LCN Capital Partners

State Street

Goodman

ABP

Work highlights

  • Advised Greystar Netherlands, AM, Synchroon, Lingotto, Janssen De Jong each as individual developers of separate projects and part of a consortium with other developers on all legal aspects of the development of Merwede.
  • Advised Amvest and COD on the development of The Dialog in Amsterdam.
  • Advised DELA Vastgoed on the €74m sale of the Polderplein shopping centre in Hoofddorp to Wereldhave Nederland B.V.

Netherlands > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

Houthoff‘s practice is considered ‘one of the best in the Netherlands’ by clients, the list of which features well-known names. On the non-contentious side, the team is well equipped to advise clients in financial distress on such transactions as acquisitions and subsequent structuring, and on general financial regulatory issues. Frédéric Verhoeven is a noteworthy practitioner with capabilities advising US and UK-based hedge funds, Dutch private equity firms and government entities in cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters of significant value. On the contentious side, David Heems is a key contact who harnesses particular expertise acting for both debtors and creditors in complex restructuring litigation cases. Karien van Boekel is a key contact in international restructuring matters. ‘Very bright technical lawyer’ Christiaan Zijderveld leads the practice.

Practice head(s):

Christiaan Zijderveld

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Very creative and the best in their field of expertise.’

‘The Houthoff team has great general breadth and can include additional experts at very short notice giving you confidence that you will be safe in any unexpected development. They interface well with other top-tier firms in other jurisdictions.’

‘Christiaan Zijderveld is not only a great lawyer, he is also a calm consensus-builder and true team leader for his colleagues. Having worked closely with him on high-stakes and high-stress transactions over the years, the guy does not quit. Paul Sluijter provides great insight. In the courtroom setting, Jan Willem de Groot is really a heavyweight combining great legal acumen with persuasiveness in arguments.’

‘One of the best teams in the Netherlands with an in-depth knowledge of insolvency law, WHOA and restructuring techniques. They are leading with an excellent team. My go-to firm for restructuring. An excellent reputation with the courts too.’

‘Frédéric Verhoeven is a leading lawyer – user-friendly, pragmatic and excellent in the cross-over of commercial fix and legal implementation. His partner Christiaan Zijderveld has a similar profile, is a very bright technical lawyer with an excellent knowledge of insolvency law.’

‘The team is smart, pragmatic, reliable and, in particular, creative.’

‘An excellent combination of diversity in terms of seniority, communication and personal styles. Much more warm, personal and empathetic compared with other firms. Besides that, they are best in class concerning knowledge.’

‘A more than excellent level of industry knowledge and experience. Strategy, communication, process management and personal attention stand out from David Heems and Nadir Koudsi in particular.’

Key clients

Steinhoff International Holdings N.V.

Fortenova Group

HPS Investment partners LLC

Loyalty Ventures Inc.

Brand Loyalty Group

BC Partners

Dümmen Orange

DSB Bank

Lehman Brothers

Goldman Sachs

ING Group

CBRE

AIG

Supervisory Board Imtech

Sogestran Shipping

Indofin

Amvest

ABNAMRO

Bomo (Hotels van Oranje)

Directors of Fortress Group

Lumileds Group

Farfetch Group

Unigel Brazil

Work highlights

  • Advising HPS in multiple proceedings against Sportcity, a major Dutch gym chain to which HPS financed €130m following Sportcity’s court approval restructuring scheme, for not properly reporting or accounting their figures.
  • Acted as court-appointed observer in the highly publicised Dutch Scheme/ WHOA of Vroon Shipping, a complex restructuring ran through both a Dutch and UK Scheme.
  • Advising DSB Bank in a successful offering of a composition plan to a committee of representatives, involving the €650m distribution of post-bankruptcy interest claims to more than 280,000 creditors.

Netherlands > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

The practice at Houthoff ‘brings a global experience to M&A transactions’ and handles the gamut of corporate and private equity work for its noteworthy portfolio of clients. Bram Caudri helms the group and has particular proficiencies representing strategic parties and private equity investors in cross-border transactions. Michiel Pannekoek leads across many of the team’s most pre-eminent cases, harnessing experience in business as well as private equity transactions. Handling large-scale transactions for publicly listed companies is an area of focus of Alexander Kaarls, while Philip van der Eijk can handle carve-out matters of considerable value. Margriet Kros departed in December 2023.

Practice head(s):

Bram Caudri

Other key lawyers:

Alexander Kaarls; Michiel Pannekoek; Djotika Bissesseur; Philip van der Eijk; Josephine de Bok; Richard Witvliet; Willem Liedenbaum

Testimonials

‘The team of Houthoff has been a valuable M&A partner in several acquisitions, divestments and refinancing exercises. They are fast, have a good overview of all the different interests and provide excellent work.’

‘We’ve especially worked with Bram Caudri and Djotika Bissesseur. They stand out as they have full knowledge of all different interests involved, also when complexity is high due to simultaneous projects going on. They are able to discuss complex situations in a clear manner, while working diligently when it comes to the details.’

‘While a Netherlands-based firm, Houthoff brings a global experience to M&A transactions for ECI, with staff having done deals around the world. This experience allows Houthoff to provide legal advice to US companies with broader implications and needs.’

‘Alexander Kaarls is a pragmatic and savvy advisor and negotiator, knowing where to “dig in” and where to “move on” to help us get deals done. He also has experience working for a US firm previously, which is a major asset. Also, Josephine de Bok on his team is an excellent fast-rising lawyer with a similar skill set and a trusted advisor.’

‘Philip van der Eijk is a very hands-on M&A lawyer that is likeable, flexible and listens to his clients. Would highly recommend him.’

‘Houthoff has a solid M&A practice. The firm covers all aspects effectively and in a hands-on, no-nonsense manner.’

‘Bram Caudri runs a team that one enjoys working with. Hands-on, no-nonsense attitude that puts emphasis on that what matters. Josephine de Bok is the one to watch.’

‘Bram Caudri is my go-to contact: consistently on top of things, pleasant and confident personality, always available, good contact with the client. He and his team are a safe pair of hands for all matters.’

Key clients

Sopra Steria Group

ORTEC International

Waterland Private Equity

CrestviewPartners

Atlas Holdings

Torqx Capital Partners

H2 Equity Partners

Bridgepoint

Meltwater

Ardonagh Europe

Söderberg & Partners

AddSecure

Sasol & Topsoe

SPS International

ECI Software Solutions

Argos Wityu

Baosso Global

IK Investment Partners

Exact Software Group

Norsk Hydro ASA

Lumileds

Castik

CSC Global

Work highlights

  • Advised SPS Commerce on its €68m takeover of the business of AEX-listed TIE Kinetix N.V.
  • Advised the client on its transition to a new ownership structure, with the sale of Fortenova Group MidCo B.V. to Iter BidCo B.V.
  • Advised in the sale of a synthetic turf business to affiliates of Leonard Green & Partners (LGP).

Netherlands > Employment Tier 2

Houthoff combines employment and pensions law expertise in its practice, assisting with executive dismissals and appointments following M&A transactions and restructurings as well as trade union negotiations and collective labour agreements. Naomi Dempsey is very experienced in representing clients in litigation at Supreme Court level, while Anouk Boutens focuses on pensions matters. Practice head Jet Stolk has extensive expertise in corporate employment law.

Practice head(s):

Jet Stolk

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Very experienced and skilled lawyers with extensive legal knowledge, who offer both practical and creative solutions. It is always a pleasure to work with the talented partners and team members. ’

‘Anouk Boutens is a very pragmatic and experienced lawyer who is able to clarify legally complex matters very efficiently. She knows what the client needs and provides quick and effective responses. It is always a pleasure to work with Anouk.’

‘Good collaboration within the team. ’

‘Down to earth, clear communicators with business practicality.’

Key clients

Hearst Netherlands

Danone/Nutricia

HEMA

Tata Steel Nederland

Pension fund PGB

Royal IHC

Unibail Rodamco Westfield

Samsung Electronics Airconditioning

Nexperia

Stellantis

Tesla

DAS Rechtsbijstand

Miro

InsingerGilissen

Ford

Honda

KIA

Volvo

BYD

Torqx

H2

Egeria

ISquared Capital

Söderberg & Partners and Platinum

Work highlights

  • Represented Pensioenfonds PGB in complex litigation arising from a mass transfer of pensions.
  • Advised Danone on reorganisations and works council processes.

Netherlands > Energy Tier 2

Houthoff’s energy practice is headed up by Kirsten Berger, who is highly regarded for her expertise in handling M&A transactions, project development work and regulatory issues relating to energy transition projects and work in the oil and gas sector. The group advises on a broad range of matters, including low carbon projects. Marc Van Beuge left for Eversheds Sutherland in March 2025.

Practice head(s):

Kirsten Berger

Testimonials

‘Excellent responsiveness, business and strategy oriented, very good knowledge of the sector.’

‘Houthoff has a very professional team, but is approachable and pragmatic at the same time. They feel like an extension of our own team, which makes the cooperation very pleasant. They anticipate, understand the interests of all parties involved and are able to find creative solutions to overcome obstacles when they arise.’

‘The individuals communicate well, are flexible, and are very knowledgeable. They had a very good understanding of the industry and were always available when needed.’

Key clients

Porthos

ENGIE

Royal Schiphol Group

Ocean Winds

TotalEnergies S

Huntsman

Petrogas

Vitol

Ennatuurlijk

NOGEPA, VEN, VGN, VLNG

DCC

Corre Energy

Titan

Arkema

Varo Energy

Van Oord

Plastic Energy

Shareholders Alliander and Shareholders ZEH

VTTI

Work highlights

  • Advising Porthos on the development of a large-scale, open access offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure in the Netherlands.
  • Advised Corre Energy on the establishment of a joint venture with SemperPower for the realisation of a large battery storage facility.
  • Acted for the shareholders of Alliander on the sale of Kenter to ABP and OMERS Infrastructure.

Netherlands > EU and competition Tier 2

Houthoff‘s ‘dedicated’ team is well known for advising on a broad spectrum of complex EU and competition matters, including multi-jurisdictional cartel cases. Practice head Yvo de Vries is an experienced litigator, with established strength in handling complex merger control issues, cartel investigations and state aid matters. Walter van Overbeek and Rick Cornelissen are ‘both authorities in the Dutch automotive industry‘. Victorine Dijkstra and Murat Duman left the firm in December 2023 and January 2024 respectively.

Practice head(s):

Yvo de Vries

Other key lawyers:

Walter van Overbeek; Rick Cornelissen; Gerrit Oosterhuis; Jori de Goffau; Lumine van Uden; Eline Groen

Testimonials

‘Cooperative attitude, quick responses to questions and relevant legal knowledge about key subjects. A dedicated team and a reliable business partner.’

‘Walter van Overbeek and Rick Cornelissen are both authorities in the Dutch automotive industry.’

‘A sophisticated team that provides practical advice in high-stakes, complex transactions. In my opinion, they have a deeper understanding of the law and of international matters than other Dutch firms. They are flexible and creative and offer practical solutions.’

‘Rick Cornelissen is a bright lawyer who offers excellent advice for complex situations. He is articulate and has strong knowledge. He is a good negotiator and often explores non-traditional options.’

‘The team at Houthoff stands out for their professionalism and ability to navigate complex, fast-changing dynamic situations. I have worked closely with several lawyers, and each individual was approachable, knowledgeable, and proactive. One of the team’s most impressive strengths is their agility.’

‘Throughout our collaboration, they adapted seamlessly to shifting requests and evolving priorities. They delivered thoughtful and timely advice, which was crucial given the tight deadlines we faced. The lawyers also worked smoothly with regulators, facilitating open and cooperative communication.’

‘Both partners and associates demonstrate professionalism, responsiveness, and a solution-oriented mindset. They consistently adapted to evolving circumstances, showing agility under tight deadlines.’

‘In particular, Gerrit Oosterhuis and Jori de Goffau stood out for their knowledge and their ability to manage shifting priorities without losing focus on the bigger picture. Their proactive communication and ability to engage constructively with regulators were crucial assets.’

Key clients

Imperial Brands

Nexans

Volvo Trucks

Renault Trucks

Nexperia

EY

TotalEnergies

Cordes & Graefe Gruppe

Bergman Clinics

Shell

TotalEnergies

EBN

Gasunie

Milence

Equipe Zorgbedrijven

VodafoneZiggo

T-Mobile

KPN

Delta Fiber

Cargolux International Airlines

LG Electronics

Kia Nederland

Volvo Car Corporation

Volvo Car Nederland

Bugaboo International

Work highlights

  • Advising Nexans et al. on its defence strategy against cartel damages claims filed by multiple parties, including the Electricity & Water Authority of the Government of Bahrain; Saudi Arabia’s GCC Interconnection Authority; the Kuwait Ministry of Electricity and Water; and the Oman Electricity Transmission Company SAOC.
  • Defending Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks in complex cartel damages cases.
  • Representing Imperial Brands in its appeal before the Trade and Industry Appeal Tribunal (CBb) against a record fine of €82m by the ACM on tobacco manufacturers for alleged collusion.

Netherlands > Fraud and white-collar crime Tier 2

Houthoff‘s investigations and public enforcement team is led by Vincent Affourtit, who acts for corporate clients and financial institutions in regulatory enforcement matters. The group has solid experience in handling sensitive investigations. Other key areas of instruction for the group include environmental criminal matters and sanctions cases. Marianne Bloos is a key contact for advising on fraud investigations.

Practice head(s):

Vincent Affourtit

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Credit Agricole Consumer Finance B.V.

Babboe B.V.

Fortenova Group

Hef Wonen (formerly Vestia)

Work highlights

  • Advised Babboe on administrative enforcement actions by the Dutch regulators, concerning a stop use order for its products.

Netherlands > Industry focus: healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Houthoff‘s practice, which is jointly led by Huib Lebbing and Freeke Heijne, is well known for representing the Ministry of Public Health and other prominent clients in a wide range of healthcare and hospital-focused matters. Lebbing is 'very knowledgeable, with a highly developed analytical mind', and Heijne draws on her public law expertise to advise healthcare providers, insurers, and investors on civil proceedings. Murat Duman left the firm in January 2024.

Practice head(s):

Huib Lebbing; Freeke Heijne

Testimonials

‘Huib Lebbing is very knowledgeable, with a highly developed analytical mind.’

‘An excellent knowledge of the relevant sector, the applicable law and the sensitivities that relate to a case.’

Key clients

Amsterdam UMC

Bergman Clinics

Equipe Zorgbedrijven

ZKN

GIMV

Leger des Heils

ONVZ

The Ministry of Public Health

William Schrikker Groep

Ottobock

Zorgservice XL

Work highlights

  • Representing Novartis in patent litigation before the Dutch Supreme Court against Mylan.
  • Defending the Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport against claims for damages brought by the Dutch Trade Union Confederations FNV and CNV on behalf of several healthcare workers.
  • Advising FDI B.V., a Dutch investment fund, on the acquisition of Intravacc from the Ministry of Health.

Netherlands > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyrights and design rights Tier 2

The practice at Houthoff is well-placed to handle the array of complex IP litigation in both domestic and cross-border contexts, particularly in relation to copyright enforcement and infringement. The team assists clients across the broad array of industry sectors, including multinational cosmetics companies, renowned automotive names, and tech companies. It represents such clients before the Dutch Supreme Court, amongst others. Thomas de Weerd heads up the cohort, key members of which include agri-tech and life sciences specialist litigator Fleur Tuinzing-Westerhuis. Thijs van Aerde departed in 2024.

Practice head(s):

Thomas de Weerd

Other key lawyers:

Nicole Bilderbeek; Fleur Tuinzing-Westerhuis

Key clients

HP

Dell

BumaStemra

Nexperia

VolkerRail

Omnis Power

OFM

PMG

Anne Frank Foundation

Work highlights

  • Representing HP and Dell in a major copyright test case before the Dutch Supreme Court.
  • Represented an online perfume store in trade mark proceedings before The Hague Court of Appeal against Silk Cosmetics, an exclusive licensee for luxury brand perfumes.
  • Representing BumaStemra, the Dutch collecting society for composers and music publishers, in copyright litigation against Disney.

Netherlands > Investment funds Tier 2

Houthoff‘s practice has noteworthy experience assisting its roster of clients on various aspects of high-value funds, in both domestic and international contexts. The team is helmed by ‘genius’ in the sector Oscar van Angeren who works between the firm’s London and Amsterdam offices. Marthe Bollen is an asset management specialist and is particularly well regarded for her ‘strong knowledge of AIFMD-regulated firms’, while Sylvia Dikmans is particularly equipped to advise on international tax matters, private equity and fund structuring.

Practice head(s):

Oscar van Angeren

Other key lawyers:

Marthe Bollen; Charlotte Lahaije; Sylvia Dikmans

Testimonials

‘The team really listens to our needs, is pragmatic, tries to find solutions, and is fast and fun to work with.’

‘I love to work with the senior associates in the team, they are empathic, pragmatic and understand our business very well.’

‘My experience with Houthoff’s investment management practice is that they are very open and proactive in working with me as the financial conduct authority. We have open discussions with them on specific regulation and how to interpret it.’

‘They support start-up financials with adjusted fees which encourages market entry. They maintain a high standard of client support and guidance during the license application process with the financial regulator.’

‘Marthe Bollen is a legal counsel within the investment management practice at Houthoff. She is easy to deal with, has an open mind and strong knowledge of AIFMD-regulated firms. She knows what we require from a regulator’s perspective and delivers on that.’

‘What makes this practice unique is the genius of Oscar van Angeren. He is a strong thinker with an indisputable memory of all information needed to come to a well-funded conclusion in cases. Oscar works quickly and clearly.’

‘Charlotte Lahaije takes care of the research and also delivers fast and according to our expectations. This is what one should act like when advice is requested!’

Key clients

Amvest REIM

Man Group

CBRE European Co-Investment Fund

InsingerGilissen

Capstone Investment Advisors, LLC

BpfBOUW, Builders Pension Fund

Volt Investment Holdings

Metalektro Industry Pension Fund

Aqua-Spark

ASR RE

Scotch Whisky International

Transport Industry Pension Fund

MSMEDA

Nexperia

Painters Industry Pension Fund

Pension Fund Smurfit Kappa

Pension Fund Medical Specialists

PGB

CBRE Investment Management

Polestar Capital

Westlake

Work highlights

  • Advising Man Group on the ongoing restructuring of its flagship Dutch fund, Man AHL Diversified Markets EU.
  • Advising CBRE European Co-Investment Fund on the full-range of regulatory and transactional Dutch matters, including advising on distributions to investors and ongoing restructuring of the CBRE European Co-Investment Fund and the related co-investment funds.
  • Advising InsingerGilissen on the restructuring of InsingerGilissen Asset Management N.V., its the AIFMD licensed fund manager in the Netherlands.

Netherlands > Private equity Tier 2

Noted for his ‘wealth of experience’ in the range of private equity matters, Bram Caudri heads up the team at Houthoff which is considered ‘a top team in the Netherlands’. The range of transactions the team advises its roster of private equity clients on includes cross-border acquisitions which cover US, UK and European markets; such work forms a significant portion of the team’s workload. Michiel Pannekoek is well equipped to assist on such significant acquisitions, and Alexander Kaarls also harnesses notable M&A expertise.

Practice head(s):

Bram Caudri

Other key lawyers:

Alexander Kaarls; Michiel Pannekoek; Richard Witvliet; Jeanne Beck; Guillette van Grinsven; Jasmijn Harms; Esmee de Bos; Ivar Brouwer; Jessica den Dekker

Testimonials

‘Richard Witvliet has been a valued partner in both fast-paced transactions where we had to compete at speed and also on slower deals where reasoning and emotional intelligence have been important. Jeanne Beck has helped also in navigating these complexities.’

‘Houthoff is great at supporting their clients with a high-quality, professional, bespoke and tailored approach. Overall, the people are the differentiator through how they collaborate with each other and us as client, their strong mix of backgrounds and diversity, and their pragmatic approach.’

‘A very healthy and positive DNA across the teams; with a full-service proposition. Top team in the Netherlands.’

‘Bram Caudri is the stand-out individual who has guided me through my professional developments as an investor. He is capable, technical, and very pragmatic in his approach. Whenever there is a situation with an entanglement, I can rely on Bram to unpack it between parties and solve it positively for all involved, whilst keeping my interest at front of mind.’

‘Ivar Brouwer is a reliable support and a great technical sparring partner with an opinion combined with a pleasant way of collaborating. An extension of my team.’

‘Bram Caudri is a strong dealmaker who gets things done, Guillette van Grinsven has the content-driven ability to build strong interpersonal relations with counterparts; Jasmijn Harms is pragmatic and problem-solving; and Esmee de Bos is a high-quality hard worker who understands the job.’’

‘There is a high commitment from the Houthoff team for you to be successful and they are always on-hand when needed. This ensures that you receive prompt advice, no matter the complexity or time sensitivity of the matter. This creates a seamless experience overall.’

‘Bram Caudri’s wealth of experience is visible in all strategic elements of the process. Bram can simplify complex situations and get to the core of what is relevant to address. While deals go through intense and sometimes demanding phases, Bram is always calm, down-to-earth and keeps complete oversight of what is relevant and what’s not.’

Key clients

Crestview Partners

I-squared Capital

Avedon capital partners

HG Capital

ECI capital partners

IceLake

IK Partners

Castik Capital Partners

3i Group

Waterland Private Equity

HIG Capital

Torqx Capital Partners

KKR

Bridgepoint

First Dutch Innovations

Parkland N.V

Egeria

TA Associates

Argos Wityu

Magnus I B.V

Atlas Holdings

Agilitas Private Equity

H2 Equity partners

Work highlights

  • Advised Crestview and the seller, a global market leader in artificial grass for sport and outdoor living, in the sale of TenCate Grass to affiliates of Leonard Green & Partners (LGP).
  • Advised funds managed by Castik Capital S.à r.l on acquiring a majority stake in the Andra Tech Group, a leading group of manufacturers of high-tech precision components and sub-modules.
  • Advised 3i on the sale of the Weener Plastics group to US manufacturing company Silgan Holdings.

Netherlands > Tax Tier 2

Fielding a team of ‘highly skilled professionals‘, Houthoff comfortably operates across the full range of transactions, restructurings, and tax litigation with a track record in multijurisdictional acquisitions and joint ventures. Jeroen van Mourik chairs the practice and focuses on supporting clients from Asia and the US with investments and business operations in the Netherlands. Sylvia Dikmans is lauded for advising on international structuring, M&A deals, private equity matters, and fund structuring, while Chantal Presilli excels in tax litigation.

Practice head(s):

Jeroen van Mourik

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Very good and hands-on team.’

‘Sylvia Dikmans is very good and recognised by clients as a trusted adviser.’

‘The team stands out for being proactive and delivering innovative solutions even in highly complex matters. The team is particularly skilled in corporate tax matters and transfer pricing, and they are the one you would like to have on a file in complex M&A transactions.’

‘Sylvia Dikmans is very skilled, proactive, and always available. If there is any issue in a transaction she will always find a way to solve it smoothly. She is one of the best corporate tax lawyers in the Netherlands.’

‘They have much experience with tax matters in the Netherlands, having direct contact with the tax authorities, which contributes to a more precise and technical tax advice to the client.’

‘Sylvia Dikmans is an outstanding professional who, in addition to being a very technical tax expert, is very well related to other jurisdictions, which allows her to provide deeper and more comprehensive tax advice to her clients.’

‘Houthoff’s Tax practice stands out due to its exceptional blend of expertise, innovation, and client-focused approach. The team is composed of highly skilled professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Their ability to navigate complex tax issues with precision and creativity is truly commendable.’

‘The tax team is at the top of the game in complicated cross-border tax matters. ’

Key clients

Apollo Global Management

Torqx

Veon Ventures

TMF

Volker Wessels

Attestor Capital

Prio

ASR

Heimstaden

BC Capital

Landal

Lumileds

Argos Wityu

TK Maxx

Schroders Capital

Amplifon

Sopra Steria

Work highlights

  • Advised Campari on the tax aspects of its issuance of shares and convertible bonds for the acquisition of Courvoisier.
  • Advised Sopra Steria on the public bid on all Ordina shares, including tax due diligence and acquisition structuring.
  • Advised the private equity group Argos Wityu on the tax aspects of its acquisition of an 89.7% stake in Ijssel Technology which helps develop production processes.

Netherlands > Banking and finance: Borrower side Tier 3

Houthoff offers expertise in real estate and other corporate loans, including bridging and revolving credit facilities, and is also tasked with the restructuring and refinancing of existing facilities. Practice head Loet Venrooy specialises in cross-border facilities and loan restructuring, covering real estate and asset finance, acting for both private equity and corporate clients. Jeroen Vossenberg, who was promoted to partner in July 2024, provides assistance with the arrangement of both real estate and acquisition financing, with Sjors Panis providing further capacity on this front.

Practice head(s):

Loet Venrooy

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Cooperative attitude, quick response to questions, relevant legal knowledge about key subjects (automotive industry), small dedicated team, fixed contact person, reliable business partner.’

Key clients

DSB N.V.

Banque J. Safra Sarasin

AXA Investment Management

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

Credit Suisse

Bank of America

Royal De Heus N.V.

Keter Group B.V.

Tristan Capital Partners

Farfetch

Commerz Real AG

Orange Capital Partners

Dümmen Orange

Fortenova

Work highlights

  • Advised Nexperia on its first sustainable financing consisting of a $800m facility and a $200m accordion facility.
  • Advised Tata Steel on financing transactions to help finance the decarbonisation of its Dutch steel-making facilities.
  • Assisted Tristan Capital Partners in relation to the  €185m financing of a portfolio of logistical assets and office buildings throughout the Netherlands.

Netherlands > Banking and finance: Financial services regulatory Tier 3

Houthoff‘s ‘eye for detail’ allows it to oversee clients’ ongoing regulatory obligations, handling matters of AML compliance and risk assessments for their Dutch and European operations. Berry van Wijk steers the team’s efforts, helping financial services clients implement regulatory requirements and liaising with regulators on their behalf. Lisanne Haarman assists with regulations governing payment services and cryptocurrencies.

Practice head(s):

Berry van Wijk

Other key lawyers:

Juan Vervuurt; Lisanne Haarman

Testimonials

‘Prompt action and reaction, with an eye for thoroughness.’

‘Good, clear communication and an eye for detail.’

‘The team really works together. Our main contact is a partner specialised in banking an finance. She works efficiently together with her associates. If we have a question related to contract law or employment law for instance, it can also be answered quickly and efficiently.’

‘The people of Houthoff know a lot about existing laws and legislation, and the developments and the positions the most important stakeholders take. But they also have a very good understanding of the unique position our company holds in the market. Their knowledge and know-how and our effective brainstorm sessions really helps our company grow.’

‘The team has a great deal of knowledge in this field.’

Key clients

Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance/Interbank

Credit Suisse

U.S. Bank

eToro

Stellantis Financial Services Nederland

De Goudse N.V.

Nationale Nederlanden

DAS Rechtsbijstand

Corporation Service Company

Qonto

Chainanalysis

Worldcoin

Barclays Bank plc

Quintes

Ergo Direkt

Backmarket

Matis

Work highlights

  • Advised Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance NL on various financial regulatory matters being discussed with supervisors following the approval to cease its business in the Netherlands.
  • Advised eToro on the governance of knowledge and screening procedures for the board of directors.
  • Advised Qonto on digital invoicing solutions and its under-consideration expansion of its business into other EU Member States, including the Netherlands.

Netherlands > Banking and finance: lender or arranger side Tier 3

Houthoff advises a client base consisting of Dutch and German banks and alternative lenders on the provision of acquisition financing, syndicated facilities and the refinancing of existing facilities. The latter falls within the practice of team head Loet Venrooy, who is also adept at overseeing transactions concerning loan portfolios. Jessica Terpstra splits time between the firm’s Amsterdam and London offices, advising clients on leveraged and project finance facilities.

Practice head(s):

Loet Venrooy

Other key lawyers:

Jessica Terpstra; Jan Veeningen

Testimonials

‘Houthoff is an outstanding firm with a strong market knowledge and specialised teams for issues including structured finance, restructuring, corporate loans and regulatory compliance. For the Netherlands we believe they have few peers.’

I consider Jessica Terpstra an extremely good and clever lawyer providing accurate legal advice in an efficient and pragmatic way. Her broad knowledge of the sector makes her one of the most remarkable practitioners of the banking and finance sector in the Netherlands.’

‘Houthoff is capable of turning documentation around swiftly. They are friendly, yet firm in negotiations. They are proactive and can advise us on what is required for the purpose of our bank requirements while also having an eye for the market standard.’

‘They provide on-point service, flagging specific risks and taking up a proactive role.’

‘Very pragmatic team, easy way of working together.’

‘Always available to brainstorm to improve financial structures for the clients of the bank; willing to think along with optimisation of templates used. Thinking along with the business of the bank. Providing useful trainings for the colleagues within the bank.’

‘Houthoff has good sector knowledge, wide coverage on a variety of law areas, and provides interesting training sessions.’

Key clients

ING Bank N.V.

Crédit Agricole

NIBC Bank N.V.

Deutsche Hypo

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

Münchener Hypothekenbank

Oldenburgische Landesbank

Bayerische Landesbank

Credit Europe Bank N.V.

DZ HYP

Berlin hyp

ING DiBa AG

Work highlights

  • Advised ING Bank on €175m sustainability-linked term and revolving loan facilities for the Dutch subsidiaries of Swedish AB Sagax.
  • Advised Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as administrative agent, on a $300m financial restructuring for the McDermott Group.
  • Advised NIBC Bank N.V. on the financing and structuring of its subsidiary, Beequip B.V.

Netherlands > Data privacy and data protection Tier 3

Sitting within the TMT practice, the privacy and data protection team at Houthoff handles data protection-related litigation and provides clients with regulatory advice. The team has been litigating on issues such as data subjects’ rights and information requests. Automotive, transport and insurance sectors are all key focus areas for the firm. Jurre Reus was recently promoted to counsel in July 2024 and continues to represent clients in data-related litigations and assist clients with setting up data compliance frameworks. Team lead Thomas de Weerd advises on data protection matters and IT law.

Practice head(s):

Thomas de Weerd

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Marktplaats and 2dehands.be

RDW

XPeng

VolkerWessels

Hyundai

Nexperia

Mazda

Kia

Miro

Ford

Spencer Health Solutions

Jaguar Land Rover

Chery Automobile

Hearst

Stellantis Financial Services

Huawei

Nationale-Nederlanden

Petrobras

Work highlights

  • Represented RDW in a litigation before the Council of State regarding a complaint lodged with the Dutch DPA over automated comparisons of vehicle registration databases for the purpose of imposing administrative fines.
  • Advised VolkerWessels on its cybersecurity response.
  • Assisted Hyundai with setting up a new CRM platform, including all issues regarding the use of cookies, the design of user interfaces, and the use of profiling and behavioural advertising.

Netherlands > Industry focus: Information technology Tier 3

With the support of the firm’s dispute resolution, financial law, M&A and competition teams, the TMT practice at Houthoff has vast experience in IT contracting, outsourcing, and technology matters. Thomas de Weerd heads the practice and specialises in technology and outsourcing contracts, with a strong focus on digital platforms, cybersecurity, mobility and financial services. Jurre Reus has significant expertise in new technology legislation, consumer protection, digital platforms and IT disputes, while Nicole Bilderbeek focuses on data protection and intellectual property law.

Practice head(s):

Thomas de Weerd

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Marktplaats

2dehands.be

Royal Schiphol Group

eBay International

Tesla

PayPal

Kia

Verisure

BYD

Nexperia

Huawei

Hyundai

DAF Trucks

XPeng

SIDN

VolkerWessels

Bloomberg

Capgemini

Work highlights

  • Advised Marktplaats and 2dehands.be on the full range of IT and technology matters, including compliance with the Digital Services Act.
  • Assisted Royal Schiphol Group with the drafting of an extensive set of IT and non-IT procurement agreement templates and general conditions.
  • Advised SIDN on a joint venture partnership with CIRA.

Netherlands > Industry focus: telecoms Tier 3

Under the leadership of Thomas de Weerd, Houthoff‘ has developed an impressive track record of assisting clients with the full range of telecoms matters. Freeke Heijne, a specialist in public law, is highly recommended for her work on the enforcement of existing regulations, the impact of proposed legislation, and related legal issues.

Practice head(s):

Thomas de Weerd

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Royal Schiphol Group

Glaspoort

Work highlights

  • Assisted Royal Schiphol Group with its litigation against a decision by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate on the division of radio spectrum for the upcoming 5G auction.
  • Assisted Glaspoort, a joint venture of APG and Royal KPN N.V., with the acquisition of part of the fibre network of DELTA Fiber.

Netherlands > Project finance and PFI Tier 3

Houthoff‘s Amsterdam and Rotterdam-based project finance team is led by Jessica Terpstra who is based in London but spends a large portion of her time in the Netherlands leading on financing and refinancing matters for infrastructure investments. The team advises lenders and sponsors on green energy and renewable projects and is also well-versed in advising on transport infrastructure financing. Michel Klijn resides in Rotterdam and excels in advising on construction projects and PPP.  

Practice head(s):

Jessica Terpstra

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

OpenIJ B.V.

Kaltun Madencilik A

FCC Construcción

Milence

Work highlights

  • Advised the senior lenders, including JBIC, EIB, UK Infrastructure Bank, on the Dutch aspects of the £2.2bn financing of the 1.4 Gw NeuConnect Inter connector project.
  • Advised OpenIJ B.V. on finance and project related legal questions relating to the to the largest sea lock in Europe with a matter value of over €700m.
  • Advised FCC Construcción on the A9 Badhoevedorp – Holendrecht PFI project.

Netherlands > Industry focus: Media and entertainment Tier 4

Under the leadership of Thomas de Weerd, the experienced team at Houthoff specialises in IP, broadcasting, and regulatory law. Thijs van Aerde departed in 2024.

Practice head(s):

Thomas de Weerd

Key clients

Spinnin’ Records

Buma Stemra

Hearst Netherlands

Work highlights

  • Represented Buma Stemra, the Dutch collecting society for composers and music publishers, in litigation before the Amsterdam District Court against The Walt Disney Company (Benelux) BV.
  • Represented Spinnin’ Records in copyright contracting litigation before the Supreme Court against one of the world’s most popular DJs, Martin Garrix.
  • Represented AVROTROS, a major Dutch broadcaster, in a Supreme Court case against Magnetic Fields Research Medical Centre.

Netherlands > Intellectual property: Patents Tier 4

Houthoff‘s practice is well-equipped to assist its clients with complex IP litigation. At the helm is Thomas de Weerd who has capabilities handling the remit of IP matters from trade secrets to non-contentious licensing and transactional matters, especially in outsourcing, data protection, and IT contexts. Agritech specialist Fleur Tuinzing-Westerhuis is considered a ‘preeminent expert’ in litigation by clients. Thijs van Aerde departed in 2024.

Practice head(s):

Thomas de Weerd

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Renowned for their unparalleled expertise and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction, this esteemed firm continues to exceed expectations. With a team of highly skilled attorneys possessing an in-depth understanding of IP, Houthoff offers a level of proficiency that is truly exceptional.’

‘An excellent team which has a broad IP offering. We have been working with this team for many years.’

‘Fleur Tuinzing-Westerhuis is a very smart lawyer – excellent at strategy and handling projects.’

‘Houthoff is a wise choice of team for its professionalism, considerable experience and extensive knowledge in various areas of law. The lawyers are proactive and provide excellent service. It is a pleasure to work with them.’

‘Fleur Tuinzing-Westerhuis is an agritech patent expert. Fleur is an experienced patent litigator and a preeminent expert in litigating cases concerning national and community plant variety rights. She has excellent procedural knowledge and is strategist in litigation relating to national and community plant variety rights.’

‘Fleur is a lawyer with outstanding motivation and dedication to the case at hand. She has impressive ideas and finds excellent solutions. She is responsive, readily available, and pleasant to work with.’

Key clients

HP

Dell

Dummen Orange

Netherlands Vehicle Authority

Nexperia

VolkerRail

Novartis

Omnis Power

Work highlights

  • Representing the client in patent litigation before the Dutch Supreme Court against the American multinational pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS).
  • Representing the client in a patent and trade secret dispute at the Court of North Netherlands, division Leeuwarden.
  • Representing the Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company Novartis in patent litigation before the Dutch Supreme Court against against Pharmathen, a leading complex drug delivery and formulation developer.

Making our clients and people successful
We place the client at the heart of everything we do. Whatever their market, strategy or ambition, our clients trust our people to be behind them every step of the way, just as much as they trust our advice to take them where they desire to go. We are Houthoff – an independent full-service Dutch law firm.

Today’s clients gravitate towards trusted advisers who are collaborative and extremely capable in every aspect of their highly complex and strategic transactions or disputes. Advisers who are as proactive, innovative and commercial as they are – not just as lawyers, but as business advisers and sector experts. Whether our clients are local or global corporations, financial institutions, private equity firms or governments, we concentrate on bringing energy, insight and integrity to every conversation. We combine this with an expert grasp on the opportunities and challenges our clients face today and in the future, helping them manage risk and reward.

We have a clear focus on our mission, purpose and values, which reflect those of our clients and their environment. Like them, we also believe in giving back to the communities we live and work in and the world we all share.

We make our people successful and provide a culture in which our employees can thrive and grow, because of, not in spite of our differences. Diversity of thought and approach is essential to us commercially and culturally. We mirror our client base as we collectively strive towards ensuring an inclusive and supportive attitude, with trust at its heart.

With offices in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, London and New York, as well as representatives in Houston, Tokyo and Shanghai, we are able to offer an extensive global service network. Leading legal directories acknowledge in depth our strengths. As the exclusive member firm in the Netherlands for Lex Mundi and TechLaw, we can provide our clients seamless access to some of the world’s finest law firms. In addition to our own extensive and highly prized network of experts, we work collaboratively with our clients to ensure their international success.

Climate change
One of the biggest challenges facing businesses today in dealing with new or changing climate legislation. This is significant for all sorts of businesses. Whether clients have questions about liability issues, funding, competition cases or new business models, dealing with the impact of new national and international environmental laws requires extensive knowledge and expertise. Whatever the area of law or sector, Houthoff has the specialists to interpret these laws, reduce risks and explore opportunities.

Sustainability
Houthoff goes beyond reducing its paper consumption and constantly strive to make their operations more sustainable. The firm takes part in different initiatives, such as the Green Business Club Zuidas (GBC) and are one of the many parties to put its name to the Zuidas 2021-2025 ambition statements. In addition, the firm provides advice on various innovative sustainable energy projects and sustainability initiatives.

Sponsorship
Houthoff is head sponsor of the Dutch national Opera & Ballet. Houthoff’s core values – craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, leadership and team spirit – reflect those of Dutch National Opera & Ballet. With the sponsorship Houthoff not only supports one of the largest cultural organisations in the Netherlands, the firm also commits themselves to the top of the international ballet and opera world.

Social commitment
The firm is involved in several social organisations and projects including:

  • Forward Foundation, the first LGBT network in the Dutch legal landscape that strives for acceptance and recognition of the LGBT community in the legal world Houthoff was one of the founding firms of the network
  • Johan Cruyff Foundation
  • Stedelijk Museum
  • JINC job trainee programme for economically disadvantaged young people

Diversity/community
The firm gives room to ambitious people who see value in their own uniqueness and talents and who wants to provide the best service for our clients. This requires a culture in which everyone has the freedom to be themselves and an environments that makes everyone feel included. Houthoff was the first firm in the Netherlands to sign the ‘Diversity in the legal profession’ declaration of the Netherlands Bar Association.

Pro bono
The firm’s commitment to social responsibility is demonstrated by the considerable value they place on doing pro bono work for organisations and people that pursue or support the public interest. Houthoff is a co-founder of Pro Bono Connect, a platform that links NGOs with law firms, and allows them to work together on pro bono cases. The firm regularly take on cases through Pro Bono Connect.

Department Name Email Telephone
Managing partner Alexander Kaarls
Managing partner Edward de Bock
Managing partner Lucas Louwerier
Photo Name Position Profile
Bram Caudri photo Mr Bram Caudri Partner (Corporate / M&A)
Jasmijn Harms photo Jasmijn Harms Partner (Corporate / M&A)
Dirk Knottenbelt photo Mr Dirk Knottenbelt Partner (Arbitration)
Jacques Kröner photo Mr Jacques Kröner Partner (Corporate / M&A)
Huib Lebbing photo Mr Huib Lebbing Partner (Insurance and Healthcare)
Lucas Louwerier photo Mr Lucas Louwerier Partner (Real Estate)
Angenita Pex photo Mrs Angenita Pex Counsel (Corporate / M&A)
Monica Sonderegger photo Monica Sonderegger Counsel (Public Law)
Thomas Stouten photo Mr Thomas Stouten Partner (Arbitration)
Remme Verkerk photo Remme Verkerk Partner (Arbitration and Supreme Court Litigation)
Anna Wijnans photo Anna Wijnans Partner (Real Estate)
Ester de Boer photo Mrs Ester de Boer Counsel (Real Estate)
André de Neve photo Mr André de Neve Partner (Banking & Finance)
Berry van Wijk photo Mrs Berry van Wijk Partner (Insurance and Financial Services)
Rosalie van der Sluis photo Rosalie van der Sluis Senior Associate (Real Estate)
Number of lawyers : 310
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Lex Mundi
Other offices : Amsterdam
Other offices : Brussels
Other offices : London
Other offices : New York