Loyens & Loeff

Mirjam van de Hel-Koedoot has been appointed as President of the Dutch Arbitration Association (DAA), an appointment that highlights her dedication and expertise in the field of arbitration. As a partner within our Dispute Resolution team, Mirjam brings a wealth of experience in both national and international arbitration proceedings. Her new role gives her the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the further development of arbitration in the Netherlands and beyond. The DAA is a professional association that brings together lawyers, in-house counsel, academics, arbitrators, and staff of arbitration institutes, all with a shared interest in arbitration in the Netherlands. The association plays a key role in promoting arbitration as a reliable method of dispute resolution and in strengthening the position of the Netherlands as a preferred location for both national and international arbitration. We wish Mirjam every success in her new role and look forward to the impact she will make.

We are proud to announce that Lizelotte De Maeyer has joined Loyens & Loeff’s Belgium office as a partner in our Tax practice. Lizelotte is a highly respected tax lawyer with extensive experience in tax controversy - including audits, litigation, dispute resolution, recovery measures and state liability claims - and advise on strategic risk management in contentious tax matters. Her experience covers corporate and personal income tax, as well as indirect taxes and criminal tax law. Lizelotte is particularly renowned for her expertise regarding the fundamental rights of taxpayers. Her expertise spans both domestic and international tax matters, and she is known for her strategic insight, technical excellence, and client-focused approach.  “We are pleased to welcome Lizelotte to our team,” says Nicolas Lippens, a fellow Tax partner at Loyens & Loeff Belgium. “Her outstanding expertise in tax litigation, combined with her international experience, will significantly strengthen our tax litigation capabilities and reinforces our position as a go-to firm for high-stakes tax disputes in Belgium. I’m confident she’ll bring valuable insights and solutions to our clients’ most complex tax challenges.”  Prior to joining Loyens & Loeff, Lizelotte held senior roles at leading law firms and regularly represented clients in high stake tax litigations. She is also an active contributor to the tax law community, serving as vice-treasurer of the Belgian branch of the International Fiscal Association, regularly publishing on tax procedural matters, and regularly speaking at domestic and international conferences.  “We are very happy to welcome Lizelotte to our partnership,” says Christophe Laurent, Managing Partner of the Belgium office. “Her arrival reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in top-tier talent and delivering exceptional value to our clients. Lizelotte’s expertise and energy will be a great asset to our team and to the clients we serve.”  Lizelotte’s appointment enhances our ability to provide tailored, forward-thinking tax solutions that support our clients’ ambitions in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. We look forward to the valuable contributions she will bring to our clients and our team in Belgium.   

Loyens & Loeff is pleased to announce the appointment of Lieselot Oosterkamp to its Executive Board, effective 1 January 2025. She will join Harmen Holtrop, Managing Partner, and Roderik Beckers, Senior Partner. This extension of the board is a consequence of the organisational changes being made to optimise the structure and governance of the firm and improve knowledge sharing and collaboration. Other changes include reduction in the number of leadership roles and the formation of a new Executive Committee, which brings together representatives from across our home markets, sectors, and expertise areas. Oosterkamp brings a wealth of experience and vision perfectly aligned with Loyens & Loeff's ambitions. Oosterkamp has had a distinguished career in professional services and executive management, including key roles at Schiphol Group and a well-known international law firm. Her expertise spans strategic planning, organisational transformation, and client-focused innovation. As a seasoned leader, she has successfully implemented strategies that drive growth, enhance organisational effectiveness, and foster collaboration. With her proven track record in managing cross-border teams and enhancing operational efficiency, Oosterkamp’s expertise will be invaluable as Loyens & Loeff continues to strengthen its position in the legal and tax market. "We are thrilled to welcome Lieselot to our Executive Board," said Harmen Holtrop. "Her strategic vision and leadership experience will be instrumental in driving our firm's growth and success. Her addition to the board is part of our efforts to further streamline our leadership structure and enhance cross-functional collaboration." Oosterkamp added, "I am excited to join Loyens & Loeff and contribute to its innovative and client-centred approach. The unique combination of high-quality legal and tax advice, coupled with a strong focus on collaboration and sustainability, truly sets the firm apart. I am honoured to work alongside my colleagues to shape the future of this leading organisation."  

During the annual shareholders meeting on 13 December 2024, Stéphanie De Smedt, Youssef el Harchaoui, Pierre-Antoine Klethi, Michaël Maters, and Victor van Nuland were appointed partners, effective 1 January 2025.Our new partners each bring immense skill, knowledge, and experience to the role as partner, and will all play a pivotal role in their respective departments. Stéphanie De Smedt – Stéphanie heads the Tech & Commercial practice, including the Belgian chapter of the firmwide Data Protection and Life Sciences teams. Stéphanie is an expert in commercial and technology law, with ample experience in guiding clients through complex contract drafting, contract negotiations, and advising on pre-litigious matters. Her thorough background in commercial law makes her the go-to person for clients active in the technology and digital economy industry. Stéphanie has also developed a keen expertise for regulatory compliance and represents clients in court. Moreover, she regularly publishes articles, speaks at conferences and (internal and external) seminars, and has participated as a legal expert to hackathons in her areas of expertise. Youssef el Harchaoui – Youssef is part of the Employment & Benefits team in the Netherlands. He has a wealth of experience in all-round employment law, with specialised focus on employment law aspects of M&A deals and restructurings, co-determination procedures, and other sensitive employment law matters. Besides his professional accomplishments, Youssef contributes to his field further by regularly (co)publishing articles and comments in various employment case law journals, and co-authoring to the Chambers Global Guide Employment, the Netherlands section. Pierre-Antoine Klethi – Pierre-Antoine is a member of the Tax & Investment Management practice groups in Luxembourg. He focuses on fund and deal restructuring and corporate tax advice, and he jointly leads the Luxembourg Tax Controversy Team. Pierre-Antoine is also a member of the IFA and participates in the work of several tax groups in industry-representative bodies such as AmCham, UEL (Luxembourg business union) and ALFI (Luxembourg’s fund industry association). He is furthermore a member of the editorial board of the Luxembourg tax review "Revue Générale de Fiscalité Luxembourgeoise". Michaël Maters – Michaël is in the Investment Management team in The Netherlands, focusing on Dutch partnerships, corporate fund structures and AIFMD-related matters specialising in the civil, corporate, and regulatory aspects of (international) fund formation. He acts both on behalf of managers in the formation of their alternative investment funds as well as on behalf of (institutional) investors assisting them with their investments in such alternative investment funds. Additionally, Michaël also publishes on the various civil, corporate, and regulatory aspects of fund formation (such as asset segregation and management participation structures). Victor van Nuland – Victor works in Energy & Infrastructure in The Netherlands. He has immense experience in M&A transactions and renewable energy projects and specialises in international energy & infrastructure transactions. He has a particular focus on energy transition projects and assists in ongoing project development as well as transactions. His recent transactions include the sale of Kenter from Alliander to a consortium of APG and OMERS, the acquisition of Groendus by APG and OMERS and the sale of a portfolio of solar projects by Chint Solar. Victor has been recognised in Legal500 and in Chambers & Partners for his exceptional work. Harmen Holtrop, Managing Partner, comments: "We are delighted to welcome these outstanding professionals to our partnership. Their dedication, expertise, and leadership have been instrumental in delivering exceptional results for our clients. These appointments are a testament to their hard work and our commitment to fostering a culture of excellence."