NautaDutilh > Luxembourg, Luxembourg > Firm Profile
NautaDutilh Offices
2 RUE JEAN BERTHOLET
1233 LUXEMBOURG
Luxembourg
NautaDutilh > The Legal 500 Rankings
Luxembourg > IP and IT Tier 1
Led by Vincent Wellens, who is ‘very experienced and knowledgeable across both IP and IT’, NautaDutilh‘s ‘knowledgeable and pragmatic’ team provides a ‘high-quality service’ to private and public sector clients in the context of commercial contracts, M&A-related due diligence and litigation. Leveraging vast private practice experience as well as insight derived from his previous in-house role at the historical telecom operator in Luxembourg, Wellens provides a ‘very well rounded’ service which encompasses IT outsourcing (for buyers and vendors), data protection and IP work, including a growing demand among clients for pre-litigation patents advice. Senior associate Sigrid Heirbrant provides ‘pragmatic and to-the-point advice’ to clients in relation to tech, IP and data protection commercial contracts.Practice head(s):
Vincent Wellens
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They are knowledgeable and pragmatic and provide a high-quality service.’
‘The team is holistic, innovative and pragmatic.’
‘The team is always up to speed and very much in control of your matters. They are highly engaged, committed and knowledgeable.’
‘Vincent Wellens is very experienced and knowledgeable across both IP and IT. It is clear that he is keeping himself constantly updated in respect of the most recent trends.’
‘Vincent Wellens provides a very well-rounded service.’
‘Sigrid Heirbrant provides pragmatic and to-the-point advice.’
Key clients
AirBnB
Aperam
ArcelorMittal
Azenta
BMW
Canal +
CNPD
Engie
European Commission
Fedex
Fendi
Fujitsu-Siemens
Goodyear
Luxair
Luxembourg State (Ctie, ministry of defence, ministry for interior security, ministry for mobility…)
Microsoft
O’Neil
Post Luxembourg
PWC
UBS
Work highlights
- Assisted several traders (including a few high-end fashion/luxury brands) in disputes with Amazon, both in the latter’s capacity as selling platform and in its capacity as a regular distributor of goods.
- Assists the CNPD, the Luxembourg national data protection authority, in the appeal procedure against the CNPD decision to impose several significant corrective measures and a fine of €746m.
- Assisting Microsoft with the compliance of its deployment of cloud services with EBA guidelines and the cloud and outsourcing specific regulations of the financial (CSSF) and insurance (CAA) sector regulators.
Luxembourg > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2
NautaDutilh provides a ‘hands-on, accessible and responsive’ service for a bank-focused client base across a range of finance mandates throughout the Benelux region. As well as work on fund and acquisition finance transactions, Josée Weydert regularly advises underwriters on debt capital markets mandates, including recently in a liability management context. Sara Gerling co-heads the team alongside Weydert and as part of her broad practice regularly handles real estate finance mandates with a German nexus.Practice head(s):
Josée Weydert; Sara Gerling
Other key lawyers:
Margaretha Wilkenhuysen; Romain Sabatier; Meliha Dacic; Ann Blato
Testimonials
‘They have a good presence in the market.’
‘Pleasant to deal with and keen to help.’
‘The first-class firm is at the top of their game and top of the market in Luxembourg and Netherlands.’
‘They display a hands-on, accessible and responsive approach.’
‘A highly knowledgeable and responsive team.’
Key clients
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
HSBC
IBM
IQ-EQ
Jefferies Finance LLC
Masonite International Corporation
Natixis
Onex Corporation
Orion Engineered Carbons
Postbank
Rabobank
Rothschild Bank
SS&C technologies
Work highlights
- Advised Gamuda Berhad in connection with an acquisition structure (including the establishment of a Luxembourg joint venture company) of a site at Hampstead along with a co-investor, Astir Living Limited.
- Assisted Edmond de Rothschild with the listing of a Luxembourg law-governed notes issuance programme on the professional segment of the EuroMTF market of the Luxembourg stock exchange and subsequently with its first loan investment in the UK.
- Assisted Deutsche Bank and the other purchasing banks on a €700m secured senior notes issue by Merlin Entertainment, via a Luxembourg issuing vehicle, Motion Finco Sarl.
Luxembourg > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2
Private equity is the centrepiece of NautaDutilh's transactional offering, with the flexible and adaptable team providing ‘technical, business-oriented, and efficient’ advice across corporate structuring, financing requirements and restructuring matters. The ‘outstanding’ Romain Sabatier provides ‘pragmatic and reactive’ advice both at the front end of deals, as well as in any pursuant distressed matters, including on matters within the technology space. The ‘client-oriented’ Margaretha Wilkenhuysen heads the team, which has strong relationships with US and UK law firms and is also able to provide a holistic service on Benelux matters by virtue of its network in the region.Practice head(s):
Margaretha Wilkenhuysen
Other key lawyers:
Caroline Notte; Romain Sabatier; Geraldine Leonard; Aline Nassoy
Testimonials
‘The firm displays a client-oriented and business-minded approach and combines a deep understanding of the business and risks.’
‘The team is technical, business-oriented, and efficient.’
‘Margaretha Wilkenhuysen: highly competent senior partner with a human touch. Very client oriented.’
‘The outstanding Romain Sabatier is pragmatic and reactive.’
‘Caroline Notte always provides pragmatic solutions, and generally presents several solutions.’
‘Unique, extremely capable lawyers.’
‘Romain Sabatier has great contacts and is responsive and commercial.’
‘Great team that collaborates well. Meticulous and timely.’
Key clients
Altisource
Mid Europa Partners
Oaktree Capital Management
Goodyear
Otis
Oak Hill Advisors
RTL Group
Schwarz Group
Engie
BenevolentAI
Azenta
Gamuda Berhad
Raytheon Technologies Corporation
Leon Grosse
Lapperre
Arc International
Icon Infrastructure
TPG
Work highlights
- Advised Léon Grosse on its acquisition of Willemen Construction.
- Advised ENGIE on the carve-out of its client solutions business and assisted with preparations for the subsequent divestment thereof in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
- Assisted Azenta Inc on the acquisition of B Medical Systems ‘B Med.’
Luxembourg > Dispute resolution Tier 2
The ‘knowledgeable and pragmatic’ team at NautaDutilh provides a ‘high quality service’ to clients across a range of high-stakes commercial litigation and arbitration. As part of the eclectic mix of work, which also includes shareholder and insolvency litigation, the firm regularly handles high-profile investor-state disputes on behalf of both private and public sector entities, most regularly in the context of enforcing the awards which have been granted. Vincent Wellens heads the team and is often involved in contentious IP and IT disputes, as well as public law-related matters. Antoine Laniez left the firm in June 2024.Practice head(s):
Vincent Wellens
Testimonials
‘The team is knowledgeable and pragmatic and provides a high-quality service.’
Key clients
State of Luxembourg (Ministry of Public Works and Mobility)
Zurich Insurance
Leidos
Bahlsen
Equans
Flos Spa
Goodyear
Chemin de Fer Luxembourgeois (Groupe CFL)
ABN AMRO
Aperam
Norax
Petronas
9REN
Apex Group
Work highlights
- Advised Petronas on the lifting of a $15bn attachment on its assets in Luxembourg.
- Advised 9REN against an application for anti-suit injunction in the context of the enforcement of an ICSID/ECT arbitral award against Spain.
- Advised CFL on complex cross-border disputes in relation with their freight and transport activities.
Luxembourg > Fintech Tier 2
Drawing upon the firm’s strong banking, IP and TMT offerings, NautaDutilh is well-placed to advise large financial institutions, challengers and service providers across a range of fintech projects, compliance and advisory work. IP practitioner Vincent Wellens is ‘business-oriented, passionate and smart’ and co-heads the de facto fintech team alongside banking head Josée Weydert.Practice head(s):
Josée Weydert; Vincent Wellens
Other key lawyers:
Meliha Dacic
Testimonials
‘The team provides a business-oriented service.’
‘The team is client-oriented and provides for a wide range of deliverables.’
‘Vincent Wellens knows his clients’ businesses, constraints and processes well. He acts as a bridge between the legal and operational worlds to find reasonable and acceptable solutions.’
‘High technical knowledge. They think above what was asked of them and deliver on time.’
‘They work in the interest of the customer.’
Key clients
ABN Amro
Banco Santander
Belfius
BTIG
Caceis
Ekonoo
European Investment Bank
Generali
i-Hub
Intesa Sanpaolo
John Deere Bank
Le Foyer
Luxhub
Microsoft
POST Finance
Rabobank
Royal Bank of Canada
UBS
Work highlights
- Assisted one of the largest crypto platforms on the launch of a stablecoin with a Luxembourg-licensed bank.
- Advised Microsoft on the update of CAA (Commissariat aux Assurances) and CSSF (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier) local guides to outsourcing and cloud regulation.
- Assisted two major Japanese banks in assuring compliance with the 2019 EBA guidelines on outsourcing arrangements, the CSSF Cloud circular and DORA.
Luxembourg > Private equity Tier 2
NautaDutilh provides a ‘solutions-driven approach’ to private equity sponsors, including Oaktree and Thomas H Lee Partners, on the Luxembourg structuring associated with their cross-border M&A transactions. In this context, as well as advising on corporate issues, the firm offers its strong tax structuring prowess. Key members of the team include Caroline Notté, who ‘provides pragmatic solutions’, and the ‘excellent’ Romain Sabatier, whose transactional expertise also includes restructuring mandates such as work for distressed debt funds. Margaretha Wilkenhuysen heads the team.Practice head(s):
Margaretha Wilkenhuysen
Other key lawyers:
Jean-Marc Groelly; Romain Sabatier; Caroline Notté; Geraldine Leonard; Aline Nassoy; Audrey Derep
Testimonials
‘The team provides a solutions-driven approach.’
‘Caroline Notté always provides pragmatic solutions, and generally presents several solutions.’
‘Romain Sabatier is excellent.’
Key clients
8VC
Alchemy Partners
Apex Group
KBC securities
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
Oaktree Capital
Thomas H. Lee Partners
Work highlights
- Advising Basecamp with the sale of its portfolio to Xior.
- Advising Circular Resources, a plastic waste recycling company, on the acquisition of DSD – Duales System Holding GmbH & Co KG.
- Advising a leading global alternative asset manager on the tax aspects of its acquisition from a leading private equity firm of a majority stake in a process management and automation company.
Luxembourg > Tax Tier 2
The ‘technically excellent, responsive and very user-friendly’ team at NautaDutilh provides domestic and international tax law advice primarily in the context of alternative fund structuring, as well as in the subsequent downstream transactional work. In this regard, team head Jean-Marc Groelly is appreciated for his ability to ‘structure investments in a tax-efficient manner but without over-complicating things’. ‘Fiercely intelligent and very personable’ counsel Audrey Derep is also a key member of the team, both for transactional structuring work as well as on standalone advisory and transfer pricing matters.Practice head(s):
Jean-Marc Groelly
Other key lawyers:
Audrey Derep; Isabelle Absalon
Testimonials
‘The team is knowledgeable and eager to help no matter the topic.’
‘The team is technically excellent, responsive and very user friendly.’
‘Jean-Marc Groelly picks up new deals and gets to the nuts and bolts in seconds. He helps me structure our investments in a tax-efficient manner but without over-complicating things, and it’s value for money.’
‘Audrey Derep is inspirational. She is fiercely intelligent and very personable.’
Key clients
RiverRock European Capital Partners
Accelero Capital
Ara Venn
Horizon Equity Partners
SAF-Holland SE
Schwarz Group
Evernex
Work highlights
- Assisted major investment funds, including Hayfin, Angelo Gordon, Arcmont, Cross Ocean, BofA, HSBC and Barclays, with the restructuring of their debt investment in Covis Pharma, a global speciality pharmaceutical company.
- Assisted Edmond de Rothschild Real Estate Investment Management on the setup in Luxembourg of an intra-group Euro-denominated bond issuance platform, funded by its Luxembourg alternative investment fund, and the listing of the bonds issued by the platform.
Luxembourg > Investment funds Tier 3
A small team in comparison to some of its higher-ranked peer firms, nevertheless, NautaDutilh is able to leverage broader tax, corporate and financing expertise to good effect on behalf of UK, US and EU-based managers across a range of legal and regulatory matters related to Luxembourg-based funds. Team head Géraldine Léonard advises clients across a fairly balanced mix of UCITS and alternative funds matters.Practice head(s):
Géraldine Léonard
NautaDutilh > Firm Profile
The firm: NautaDutilh is an international law firm specialising in Luxembourg, Belgian and Dutch law. The firm was founded in 1724 and is one of the largest in the Benelux. More than 400 lawyers, notaries and tax advisors work at the firm’s offices in Luxembourg, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, London and New York.
NautaDutilh Avocats Luxembourg is a key player on the Luxembourg legal market, providing high-quality advice and services in the areas of banking and finance, corporate and M&A, investment funds, taxation, insurance and reinsurance, dispute resolution and intellectual property and ICT law. Recommended by the world’s leading legal directories such as The Legal 500 and Chambers, the firm’s team of 55 lawyers serves a range of national and international clients, from key local players to global market leaders.
Adaptive thinking is the firm’s tool of choice when it comes to staying relevant for clients. This subtle art is all about learning how to think instead of being taught what to think. It allows lawyers to deal with change, learn from new situations, and think on their feet when faced with problems. This approach enables the firm to foster long-term client relationships.
Areas of practice
Banking and finance: NautaDutilh is recognised as a leading banking and finance law firm. Its team has outstanding expertise in the full range of banking and finance services, including capital markets (both debt and equity), structured finance, securitisation structures, financial products, securities legislation, international finance, leveraged lending, acquisition finance, fund finance, and insolvency and restructuring. In the area of debt capital markets, the team has extensive experience dealing with a wide range of complex high value senior and high-yield note programmes as well as covered bond issues. On the equity side, cross-border IPOs involving Luxembourg issuers are an area in which it is particularly strong.
Corporate and M&A: NautaDutilh handles all aspects of corporate M&A and private equity deals including (leveraged and management) buy-outs, public to-private transactions, exits through IPOs, secondary and other private transactions, and acquisition finance. The firm is regularly involved in major multi-jurisdictional deals, acting for investors, finance providers, sellers and management, complex migrations, mergers and internal reorganisations for multinational groups.
Dispute resolution: NautaDutilh is the law firm of choice in the Benelux for all types of high-stakes commercial litigation and arbitration. It advocates a multi-disciplinary approach and has an excellent track record representing clients at all levels of the judicial system. It has handled cases involving professional liability, intellectual property, insurance, commercial contracts, restructurings in the context of and outside bankruptcy, and class actions.
Investment funds: NautaDutilh has extensive experience advising on all aspects of investment funds, including fund structuring, regulatory compliance, investor negotiations and fund due diligence (when acting for the LP side). Its team advises fund managers and promotors on the structuring and launch of RAIFs, SIFs, SICARs, SCSs or SCSps without a wrapper and UCITS.
IP and ICT: NautaDutilh’s IP and technology team assists clients in all areas of intellectual property law (in particular trademark, copyright, patent, design and trade name matters), advertising, unfair competition and trade secret disputes, as well as in IP and technology-driven transactions and with the negotiation and drafting of IT and outsourcing contracts.
Taxation: taxation is a key practice of NautaDutilh. Its tax team has a strong transactional focus and provides invaluable support to the firm’s other departments. The team advises on all aspects of Luxembourg and international tax law, with a particular focus on the tax aspects of M&A, structured finance (securitisation), real estate and private equity deals.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Taxation | Jean-Marc Groelly | jean-marc.groelly@nautadutilh.com | +352 26 12 29 95 |
Dispute Resolution | Antoine Laniez | antoine.laniez@nautadutilh.com | +352 26 12 29 17 |
Corporate and M&A, Insolvency and Restructuring, Private Equity | Romain Sabatier | romain.sabatier@nautadutilh.com | +352 26 12 29 47 |
Investment Funds | Luc Courtois | luc.courtois@nautadutilh.com | +352 26 12 29 74 21 |
Intellectual Property, Information and Communication Technology, Litigation and Arbitration, EU and Competition | Vincent Wellens | vincent.wellens@nautadutilh.com | +352 26 12 29 34 |
Banking & Finance, Capital Markets | Josée Weydert | josee.weydert@nautadutilh.com | +352 26 12 29 97 |
Corporate and M&A, Capital Markets, Insolvency and Restructuring, Private Equity | Margaretha Wilkenhuysen | greet.wilkenhuysen@nautadutilh.com | +352 26 12 29 32 |
Corporate and M&A, Private Equity | Caroline Notté | caroline.notte@nautadutilh.com | +352 26 12 29 91 |
Banking & Finance, Capital Markets | Sara Gerling | sara.gerling@nautadutilh.com | +352 26 12 29 74 52 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Ms Ann Blaton | Counsel in Banking & Finance practice and head of the Luxembourg Desk… | View Profile | |
Mrs Sara Gerling | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Jean-Marc Groelly | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Antoine Laniez | Partner | View Profile | |
Mrs Geraldine Leonard | Partner | View Profile | |
Mrs Caroline Notté | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Romain Sabatier | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Vincent Wellens | Partner | View Profile | |
Mrs Josée Weydert | Managing partner of NautaDutilh Luxembourg | View Profile | |
Mrs Margaretha (Greet) Wilkenhuysen | Partner | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 433 At this office : 55Languages
Dutch English French German Luxembourgish Italian Romanian Russian ArabicOther
Other offices : Amsterdam Other offices : Brussels Other offices : London Other offices : New York Other offices : RotterdamDiversity/Community
At NautaDutilh, we aim to meet our clients’ needs, contribute to their success and create an inspiring and challenging working environment for our employees. We embrace independence and integrity towards our clients, employees, stakeholders and society at large.
Taking responsibility for the effects of our activities from a social, ecological and economic perspective is a fundamental part of how we think and act. We are firmly rooted in society and actively contribute to the way it functions, based on our specific competences and our diversity, in a way that is true to our character. That same mission was of equal importance to one of our founders, Tobias Asser, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1911.
Today, we are involved in and support a wide range of activities, such as the Lawyers for Lawyers Foundation where we sit on the board, and are the exclusive legal advisers to the SI² fund, which invests in innovative, socially responsible companies. We also participate in Pro Bono Connect and are among the 13 law firms that support the public interest clearinghouse. We set aside time to contribute to new legislation and regulations through consultation procedures, and encourage the relatively large number of academics in our ranks to take part in them. In addition to various internal initiatives, many of our people are active in political, social and/or cultural activities and events outside of work.
Sustainability
Sustainable development has always been high on NautaDutilh’s list of priorities. The Think Green Committee has played a key role in fostering environmental awareness within thefirm since 2004. The committee’s aim is to raise environmental awareness through actionswhich involve everyone, such as the reduce of paper and energy consumption and the useof public transport or bike.
Diversity Committee
We are firmly convinced of the benefits of a diverse workforce. It has been on our priority list since 2001. A more active approach was taken in 2005 by the establishment of a firmwide Diversity Committee. Together with other law firms, we’ve also created the Women in Law (WIL) Program, a training program for young female lawyers intended to improve their soft skills and provide them with the tools they need to succeed in the legal profession.
Children and Law
We are especially dedicated to playing an active role in society for children who have poor access to ‘law’. One of the organisations we support in this light is KidsRights, which promotes the well-being of vulnerable children across the world and advocates for the realization of their rights. We also support JINC, giving young people a better chance for the future, and introduce children from underprivileged neighbourhoods to the concept of ‘law’ at the IMC Weekend School. We also provide legal services the Kindertelefoon (Child Helpline) on a pro bono basis.
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