NautaDutilh > London, England > Firm Profile
NautaDutilh Offices

2 COPTHALL AVENUE
LONDON
EC2R 7DA
England
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NautaDutilh > The Legal 500 Rankings
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):
Other key lawyers:
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.Practice head(s):
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 > Firm Profile
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
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Finance/ Restructurings | Marc Orval | Marc.Orval@nautadutilh.com | +44 7960 778 790 |
Corporate M&A | Willianne van Zandwijk | Willianne.vanZandwijk@nautadutilh.com | +44 7506 020 623 |
Finance | Ann Blaton | Ann.Blaton@nautadutilh.com | +44 7961 770 363 |
Insurance | Miryam Lassalle | Miryam.Lassalle@nautadutilh.com | +44 7884 261 200 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Ms Ann Blaton | Counsel in Banking & Finance practice and head of the Luxembourg Desk… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Miryam Lassalle | Counsel and heads the Insurance and Reinsurance practice group within our Banking… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Erik Poorthuis | Senior Associate | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Willianne van Zandwijk | Partner | View Profile |
Languages
English Dutch FrenchDiversity
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>
Press Releases
NautaDutilh appoints three new partners
1st April 2021We 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
18th February 2020 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
13th February 2019NautaDutilh 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
5th October 2017NautaDutilh 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
13th April 2017NautaDutilh 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
20th March 2017NautaDutilh 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
20th March 2017NautaDutilh 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.
17th February 2017NautaDutilh 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.
Legal Developments
Sustainable Investing as a Driver of Change
21st April 2020 A disruptive cultural shift is driving change in the financial industry. Investors and new sources of deals are redesigning the fundamentals of the asset management business.In the asset management sector, trends have generally evolved to keep pace with the need to identify new ways of delivering alpha, as investors have traditionally been focused mainly on return. Today, however, investors are increasingly concerned with the social impact of their investments.The communication on the European Green Deal recently issued by the European Commission is representative of this changing environment. Indeed, the EU aims to become climate neutral by 2050. On a more global scale, similar sentiments were voiced at the last UN Climate Change Conference (COP 25) in Madrid. Initiatives at the European and national levels focusing specifically on the financial industry are also being taken, such as Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 on sustainability‐related disclosures in the financial services sector. In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, there is already a legal framework for green covered bonds linked to renewable energy projects; in addition, a new bill (no. 7433) on sustainable finance aims to introduce more favourable rules for inter alia funds with environmental, social and governance (“ESG”), green or similar investment strategies. Finally, the Luxembourg Stock Exchange has issued guidelines for reporting on ESG aspects that address “the specific scope and needs of its three main stakeholders: companies, issuers of sustainable debt instruments, and asset managers active in sustainable & responsible investment funds”.The real economy is influencing the financial economy and forcing portfolio managers to develop products that are more in line with investors’ expectations. Unless they have a positive impact on, for example, the environment, the healthcare system or access to affordable housing, strategies will not be considered in line with current trends, regardless of whether they take a short or long approach, relate to a correlated or uncorrelated investment approach or public or private debt.There is indeed growing demand for the industry to participate in resolving questions and respond to real-life needs.ESG investing takes into account both ethical factors and financial elements in the decision-making process and has become increasingly common worldwide in recent years. Once a niche approach thought to come at the expense of returns, such strategies have proven that they can be market-beating. As ESG momentum builds, it is argued that companies can no longer afford to ignore ESG ratings. Last year, record amounts were invested in so-called sustainable funds.Within the overarching category of sustainable investing, strategies include ESG integration, socially responsible investing and impact investing. In brief, the primary factor in ESG integration is still financial performance, while impact investing is meant to maximise, with a quantifiable impact, social reach. Socially responsible investing can be considered to fall somewhere in the middle.The first priority for ESG integration strategies remains financial performance, while impact investing focuses on achieving the greatest possible social reach.Performance measurement is coming under increasing scrutiny by investors, and asset management firms need to be able to report on financial and social results in a transparent manner.Digital transformation In the financial sector, digital transformation tops the list of priorities of a majority of financial institutions and actors. The integration of digital technologies into all areas of business, including human resources and finance, entails a cultural shift and requires organisations to constantly question themselves and the way they operate and deliver value to customers. In practice, we may expect increasing adoption of digital operating models, including integrated cross-functional teams, better use of artificial intelligence and machine-learning processes, greater reliance on the public cloud, encompassing a more detailed legal and regulatory framework, and finally continuous investment in data storage in order to synthesise data and facilitate their use.Luxembourg, the frontrunner in anticipating and driving changeThe Luxembourg financial sector is already investing in new standards and processes and revamping its service offering in order to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape. One of the keys to the success of the Luxembourg financial sector is the speed at which participants (i.e. service providers, credit institutions, auditors, lawyers and authorities) invest in and purchase new skills and technologies to ensure they are seen as modern, mature and competent business partners by the international markets.As has been the case in the past for other strategies, knowledge and expertise in new areas of investment and services, to anticipate and drive change, will enable the Grand Duchy to remain a location of choice for investors and asset managers.Law firms need to consider all aspects of digital transformation as well as ESG issues and impact-investing asset classes and understand the various components and models in order to be able to assess them adequately in the due diligence process and ensure that they are reflected in contractual and legal documentation.As global front-runners, Luxembourg financial sector players have not only an opportunity but also a duty to stay on top of these trends. Understanding ESG and digital transformation entails implementing appropriate processes within each organisation and constantly innovating by adopting an open-minded, ESG-oriented approach in all areas of business.Comparative Guides
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Luxembourg: Lending & Secured Finance
Published: April 2022
Authors: Nicolas Bonora Audrey Derep
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Lending & Secured Finance laws and regulations that may occur in Luxembourg.
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Luxembourg: Mergers & Acquisitions
Published: April 2022
Authors: Margaretha Wilkenhuysen Romain Sabatier Caroline Notté Aline Nassoy
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Mergers & Acquisitions laws and regulations that may occur in Luxembourg.