NautaDutilh > London, England > Firm Profile

NautaDutilh
2 COPTHALL AVENUE
LONDON
EC2R 7DA
England

Netherlands > Insurance

NautaDutilh provides excellent end-to-end support to clients such as Dutch and international insurance companies, reinsurers, intermediaries and corporates. Jointly led by Stijn Franken and Sjoerd Meijer, the team is seen as a first port of call across a wide range of high-profile and complex insurance disputes, such as multi-party (particularly consumer-led) claims, D&O cases, product liability matters and claims relating to insurance distribution. Elsewhere, the group is trusted to provide strategic support to insurance companies and intermediaries on business-critical contractual relationships, and it also has extensive expertise in regulatory issues. Franken and senior associate Erik Poorthuis (whose practice is split between the Amsterdam and London offices) are currently defending GSK against a product liability claim, where it is alleged that the client provided inaccurate information on the side effects of one of its medications.

Practice head(s):

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Unique knowledge of Dutch insurance sector.’

‘Very pragmatic and responsive. Provided good reliable commercial advice understanding of the context.’

‘Erik Poorthuis provided excellent, speedy and responsive advice. Always available and understanding of the commercial context in which the advice on Dutch law was sought.’

Key clients

Allianz

ASR

AIG

Aegon

Shell

Achmea

HDI Gerling

Allianz

Dutch Association of Insurers

GSK

Sanofi

TPG

UK P&I Club

Monuta

DSM

AMLIN

VvAA (Dutch Association of Doctors Motorists)

Strukton, Hurks

Nouryon

Chubb

Peak Re

Work highlights

  • Represented ASR in mass damage claim proceedings relating to unit-linked life insurance product.
  • Representing the former board members of Imtech in multiple claims under Imtech’s D&O policies.
  • Representing Urgenda in landmark climate change proceedings before the Dutch Supreme Court, and the follow-on litigation where Urgenda claims a penal sum.

Luxembourg > Banking, finance and capital markets

Leveraging its Benelux presence and also deriving a considerable amount of US and UK-based instructions, where it is aided by established Luxembourg desks in London and New York, the ‘very responsive’ team at NautaDutilh excels in handling cross-border mandates for a varied mix of banks, asset managers and corporates. The team, which is headed by Josée Weydert, was strengthened by the arrival of Sara Gerling in October 2020 from Arendt & Medernach and also includes Margaretha Wilkenhuysen, who is adept at handling a broad spectrum of banking and capital markets mandates. Counsel Ann Blaton has been pivotal to the firm’s success in engendering strong ties with UK-based clients and she heads up the firm’s Luxembourg desk from London. Jad Nader joined Ogier in July 2020.

Practice head(s):

Testimonials

‘There is a high level of integrity throughout the entire team.’

I enjoy the firm’s continuing support as regards to Dutch law input to my German financing matters. They have a broad bench and are well accepted on the panels of my German clients.’

‘The team provides a personalised, yet competent approach to task and documentation.’

‘The lawyers are extremely responsive, knowledgeable and very pleasant to work with.’

‘Sara Gerling is excellent with regard to Luxembourg law. Sara speaks fluent German, which is of big support to my German lending clients.’

Key clients

Albacore Partners

Altisource Portfolio Solutions SA

Barclays Bank

Bawag Group

Credit Suisse

Deutsche Bank Securities

Goldman Sachs International

HSBC

Jefferies Finance LLC

Masonite International Corporation

Minerva Luxembourg S.A.

Morgan Stanley

Natixis

Nueva Elektra Del Milenio SA de CV

Onex Corporation

Orion Engineered Carbons

Postbank

SAF-HOLLAND S.A.

Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P.

U.S. Bank National Association

Wells Fargo

Work highlights

  • Advised Nueva Elektra del Milenio, a subsidiary of Grupo Elektra, in connection with the creation of a cross-border remittances securitisation programme and its first USD-denominated 144A/Reg S Senior Notes offering for $500m.
  • Advised the underwriter banks with regard to Altice France’s issuance of $475m aggregate principal amount of its high yield notes, guaranteed by, among others, YPSO Finance S.à r.l. and YPSO Finance BIS S.A.
  • Advised a mixed consortium of banks and an insurance company led by Deutsche Hypothekenbank (Actien-Gesellschaft) on the financing of four construction phases of the Heidestrasse urban quarter.

Netherlands > Industry focus: retail

The broad practice at NautaDutilh advises on M&A, competition, insolvency, data protection, IP/IT, financial regulatory, tax and real estate matters related to the retail sector. Clients include investors, retail chains, start-up companies, e-commerce companies and real estate companies. Barbara Rumora-Scheltema specialises in corporate and commercial litigation, insolvency law and international arbitration. She co-heads the team with recently-promoted partner Willianne van Zandwijk.

Key clients

Amazon.com

Bakerstreet

Blokker Holding

Bose

Coolblue

Cooperative Forever 21

Decathlon

ECCO

Fedex Corporation

Foot Locker

Groupon

HAL Investments

Hornbach

Jumbo

Lego

Mattel

Media Markt / Media Markt Saturn

Mediq

Nestlé (e.g. Nespresso)

Petrol Industries

Picnic

Samsonite

Work highlights

  • Assisting the Dutch Forever 21 companies in their orderly wind down, following the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of the US parent company.
  • Advised HAL on the sale of its 76.72% ownership interest in global optical retailer GrandVision N.V. to EssilorLuxottica (global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses; brands include Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol and Vogue Eyewear) at a price of approx. €5.5bn.

NautaDutilh’s London office is recommended for its advice on the Dutch and Luxembourg law aspects of finance deals, M&A deals, restructurings and insurance.

Marc Orval and Willianne van Zandwijk co-head the firm’s London office. Marc Orval focuses on financing transactions and restructurings, which usually have cross-border elements. Willianne van Zandwijk focuses on cross border mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buy-outs and corporate finance transactions for both financial investors and corporate clients.

Practice heads: Marc Orval, Willianne van Zandwijk

Other key lawyers: Ann Blaton, Miryam Lassalle

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Finance/ Restructurings Marc OrvalMarc.Orval@nautadutilh.com+44 7960 778 790
Corporate M&A Willianne van ZandwijkWillianne.vanZandwijk@nautadutilh.com+44 7506 020 623
Finance Ann BlatonAnn.Blaton@nautadutilh.com+44 7961 770 363
Insurance Miryam LassalleMiryam.Lassalle@nautadutilh.com+44 7884 261 200
PhotoNamePositionProfile
Ann Blaton photoMs Ann BlatonCounsel in Banking & Finance practice and head of the Luxembourg Desk…
Miryam Lassalle photoMs Miryam LassalleCounsel and heads the Insurance and Reinsurance practice group within our Banking…
Erik Poorthuis photoMr Erik PoorthuisSenior Associate
Willianne van Zandwijk photoMs Willianne van ZandwijkPartner
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Corporate Social Responsibility; Empowering the Next Generation

Social engagement and corporate responsibility are inextricably bound up with NautaDutilh’s day-to-day legal practice. We help companies in a wide range of sectors to resolve the issues they are or will be facing in an equitable and practical manner.

Sharing knowledge and working in concert are paramount. We feel that corporate social responsibility entails so much more and have taken “Empowering the next generation” as our main motto. We are committed to strengthening the position of the next generation by giving them opportunities in a sustainable world.

A diverse and safe working environment

An important part of our strategy is our diversity policy. We aim to promote a safe working environment in which employees feel free to be themselves. Gender diversity, LGBT+ diversity, and cultural diversity are of primary concern. We believe that diversity makes a team stronger.

The current male to female ratio in our partner population is approximately 30/70. Although this makes NautaDutilh one of the top 5 Dutch law firms in terms of diversity, our goal is 50/50, which we hope to achieve by actively recruiting and retaining talented women with, among other things, effective career coaching and by preventing subconscious prejudice from rearing its head in performance reviews. In terms of up-and-coming talent, we are already at 50/50.

In 2014, NautaDutilh became the first independent law firm in the Benelux to have its own LGBT+ network. We are one of the co-founders of Stichting Forward, which aims to promote the acceptance, recognition, and visibility of LGBT+ in the Dutch legal profession.

NautaDutilh also strives for a greater influx of culturally diverse talent. To implement this in practice, we, for example, work with Diversity Dinner. We have partnered this initiative since its launch in 2016.

You can find a more in-depth overview of our CSR policy <a href=”https://www.nautadutilh.com/sites/nautadutilh.com/files/inline-files/CSR%20Policy%20NautaDutilh_1.pdf”>here</a>

NautaDutilh appoints three new partners

We are pleased to announce the appointment of three new partners as of 1 April 2021. These appointments further strengthen several of our practice groups, including our Data, Cybersecurity & IT law team, our Banking & Finance team and our Corporate M&A team. With a new partner appointed in each of our three home jurisdictions, NautaDutilh underlines its position as a leading Benelux law firm.


NautaDutilh welcomes new investment funds partner Luc Courtois

On 3 February 2020, NautaDutilh strengthened its Luxembourg funds practice with the arrival of investment funds partner Luc Courtois. Prominent in his field, Luc has more than 25 years' experience on the Luxem-bourg legal market, with a strong focus on investment management. His practice covers the full range of Luxembourg-based UCITS and alternative funds as well as all legal aspects of investment funds, man-agement companies and their activities.

NautaDutilh Avocats Luxembourg establishes Insurance and Reinsurance practice

NautaDutilh is pleased to announce the establishment of its Luxembourg Insurance and Reinsurance practice, another big step in the firm's ongoing expansion. The new practice group reflects increased client demand for legal services in the insurance field.


NautaDutilh opens Luxembourg Desk in New York

NautaDutilh expands its New York office with a Luxembourg desk headed by Jad Nader, who recently has been named local partner. The firm's New York satellite team advises US clients on Dutch, Belgian, and Luxembourg law, particularly in regard to cross-border banking and finance and corporate M&A transactions. The arrival of a Luxembourg partner will increase the firm's capacity to handle Dutch and Luxembourg matters locally.


Outsourcing in the Financial Sector

NautaDutilh Luxembourg is organising a breakfast seminar on outsourcing in the financial sector, which will take place on Wednesday, 10 May 2017.    


NautaDutilh defended Fendi against Coach

NautaDutilh Avocats Luxembourg defended the interests of luxury fashion house Fendi in proceedings against US-based Coach for infringement by the latter of Fendi's EU design rights in its Peekaboo handbag.


Breakfast Seminar – The financing of Luxembourg Investment Funds – 6 April 2017

NautaDutilh Luxembourg is organising a breakfast seminar on the financing of Luxembourg investment funds, to be held on Thursday, 6 April 2017 at the Waldorf Hilton.


NautaDutilh assisted Raizen Fuels Finance S.A.

NautaDutilh assisted Raizen Fuels Finance S.A., as issuer on its USD 500 million 5.3% senior notes offering which successfully closed on 20th January. The issuer is part of the Brazilian Raizen group, the world largest individual producer of sugar cane. The Raizen group also operates a network of more than 5,800 Shell-branded stations in Brazil.