Stibbe > Amsterdam, Netherlands > Firm Profile

Stibbe > The Legal 500 Rankings

Netherlands > Banking and finance: Financial services regulatory Tier 1

Noted for its breadth and depth of financial regulatory expertise, Stibbe‘s team is a first port of call for Dutch banks, insurance companies, stock exchanges and clearing houses, among various other clients. Rogier Raas heads up the practice, which covers all the regulatory aspects of M&A, private equity, debt finance and equity capital markets transactions. Beyond providing transactional support, the team is also instructed on a standalone basis for advice on regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering, governance issues and licence applications, as well as fintech-related matters. Internal investigations and financial services litigation are also key areas of strength for the team, which was bolstered by the arrival of Marieke Driessen from Simmons & Simmons in January 2021. The firm’s recent work included Raas, newly-promoted partner Roderik Vrolijk and senior associate Ingrid Viertelhauzen assisting private equity firm Astorg and IQ-EQ with the Dutch financial regulatory aspects of the contemplated restructuring of Astorg’s fund structure. In addition, the team is also advising ABN AMRO on the implementation of the EU Taxonomy Regulation.

Netherlands > Capital markets: equity Tier 1

Pieter Schütte and Derk Lemstra jointly lead Stibbe's ECM practice, which is mainly known for its focus on advising issuers, although it also generates mandates from selling shareholders and underwriters. In addition, work for private equity houses is another driver of activity. The team's first-rate reputation is underpinned by its breadth of experience, which spans high-profile IPOs, secondary equity issuances, dual-track exits and public M&A. With the firm being prominent in cross-border matters, it regularly works with international law firms. In one recent mandate, a group including Lemstra, Schütte, and senior associates Nora Offergelt, Emilie Renardel de Lavalette and Rik van Kessel, acted as lead counsel to Advent (the issuer and selling shareholder) on the IPO of InPost on Euronext Amsterdam; this represented the largest ever European tech IPO and the largest European cross-border IPO in a decade. Elsewhere, the firm is notably active in SPAC listings on Euronext Amsterdam; this recently included the listing of Odyssey Acquisition, which is a newly-formed SPAC focused on the European healthcare and TMT sectors.

Netherlands > Commercial, corporate and M&a Tier 1

The ‘excellent’ team at Stibbe acts for domestic and international entities on a wealth of corporate, M&A and dispute matters, including takeover and corporate control-related proceedings. Heleen Kersten, who previously practised in the US and UK, is a star name for corporate governance mergers, acquisitions, corporate law and governance affairs; she operates alongside Björn van der Klip, who is particularly well-versed in public company takeovers, and Duco de Boer whose expertise lies in restructuring, M&A and private equity matters. Also of note is Eva Das, a practitioner with a wealth of experience in both public and private transactions, joint ventures, general corporate law and related finance.

Netherlands > Construction Tier 1

Stibbe’s construction practice is led by David Orobio de Castro  and Ingmar De Groot, with Orobio de Castro handling a high number of PPP and private finance initiative (PFI) projects, and de Groot recommended for commercial developments. The practice is active across Benelux and has recently advised on industrial heavy plant projects, offshore facilities projects and the construction of several office buildings. It also handles disputes and acts for governments, developers, financiers, contractors and engineers.

Netherlands > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 1

Stibbe is particularly well-known for its strengths in mass damage actions, including collective actions brought on an opt-out basis, antitrust-related actions and cases concerning auditor professional liability. The firm has a strong track record acting for blue-chip multinational clients in high-stakes disputes. Fons Leijten, who is the head of the corporate litigation department, is experienced in matters concerning acquisitions, public offers and securities. He often acts for clients before Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal. The international litigation practice is led by Jeroen Kortmann, who acts as defence counsel in large commercial disputes and is prominent in cross-border litigation. Tim de Greve‘s workload includes contractual and tort disputes, as well as professional liability matters. Daphne Rijkers is also recommended.

Netherlands > Employment Tier 1

‘Service-oriented, very accessible, pleasant to work with and always available’, Stibbe’s employment, pensions and incentives team acts for large international brands on a broad range of employment matters. With a strong track record in strategic boardroom issues, the practice also handles disputes and litigation, and employment-related transactional matters. The team is headed by Jaap van Slooten , Paul Vestering  and Astrid Helstone . Van Slooten specialises in collective disputes and pensions; Helstone handles executive terminations, works council issues and restructurings; whilst vestering is recommended for pensions and corporate governance.

Netherlands > Energy: transactional Tier 1

Well known in the market for advising on high-profile M&A in the sector, Stibbe's energy and infrastructure group has recently handled wind farm, power plant, exploration and production (E&P), carbon capture and storage (CCS) and waste to chemistry (W2C) projects. The practice also undertakes the negotiation and drafting of commercial contracts, financing matters, litigation and regulatory issues. Practice head Martin In de Braekt acts for sponsors, developers, contractors and lenders on finance and construction matters. Counsel Li Wee Toh is recommended for on- and offshore-wind and energy-transition projects.

Netherlands > Environment and planning Tier 1

The environment and planning team at Stibbe consists of ‘a large group of people with all kinds of specialisms, who are truly outstanding to work with’. It provides high-level advice on major planning applications and infrastructure projects, and also handles contentious issues and litigation. Jan Reinier van Angeren acts for public and private sector clients on planning, permits and general public law matters, and Anna Collignon advises energy and chemical-sector clients on litigation and compliance issues. Jan van Oosten is the name to note for development and infrastructure projects; Tom Barkhuysen and Tijn Kortmann are other key practitioners.

Netherlands > EU and competition Tier 1

Stibbe has an enviable reputation in the competition arena, with its team demonstrating strong credentials in major domestic and EU/global conduct investigations and merger control. In addition, it also has an excellent record acting as defence counsel in follow-on damages actions in the Netherlands. In 2020, Floris ten Have and practice head Rein Wesseling led the advice to Viatris on the EU competition aspects of its $50bn merger with Pfizer’s Upjohn business. They are also working with Christof Swaak to represent Credit Suisse in the European Commission’s investigation into an alleged cartel in relation to foreign exchange benchmarks, as well as an investigation into an alleged cartel in the SSA bonds markets. Elsewhere, other work includes acting for Schindler in antitrust damages litigation at the Utrecht District Court, which follows the European Commission’s fining decision in the elevator and escalator sector; Swaak and Jeroen Kortmann are representing the client in this matter. Counsel Marieke Bredenoord-Spoek left the firm in 2022.

Netherlands > Fraud and white-collar crime Tier 1

Under the leadership of Daan Doorenbos  and Muriël Rosing, Stibbe’s corporate criminal law team continues to handle advisory work and litigation for large corporate clients and senior executives. The practice is ‘able to combine the strength of a large firm with niche capabilities in criminal law’ and is well versed in internal investigations and those brought by regulatory authorities, which are often international in scope. Doorenbos is recommended for financial crime matters, including money laundering and market abuse, while Rosing handles compliance, fraud and corruption matters.

Netherlands > Tax Tier 1

Stibbe‘s first-rate tax team works closely with other departments to provide seamless support on high-profile and complex M&A, reorganisations and capital markets transactions. In addition, one of the members of the group is Maarten de Bruin, who is sought after for real estate and finance-related tax matters. In a recent highlight, Jeroen Smits and senior associate Lotte Boon advised InPost (as the issuer) and selling shareholder Advent on the tax aspects of the IPO of InPost on Euronext Amsterdam. Beyond undertaking transactional work, the tax team assists clients with investment fund structurings, and it also advises on EU law and tax treaties, as well as VAT and executive management schemes. Elsewhere, tax controversies are another key area of strength; Reinout de Boer is a name to note in this space. Michael Molenaars is the head of the team, which also includes counsel Johan Vrolijk.

Netherlands > Banking and finance: asset finance and structured finance Tier 2

On the asset finance side, Stibbe is widely recognised for its strengths in aircraft and ship finance transactions, as well as sale and leasebeack transactions. Energy sector borrowing base transactions are another driver of activity. Elsewhere, the team is equally adept at handling a myriad of structured finance and securitisation transactions; the workload in this space includes matters involving real estate securitisation (residential and commercial), life insurance portfolios, commodities, tax receivables and CDOs, as well as whole business securitisation. In a key development, the group was strengthened by the arrivals of Marieke Driessen and Niek Groenendijk from Simmons & Simmons in January 2021. Driessen co-heads the practice with Rein van Helden and Maarten de Bruin, who are advising Crédit Agricole as arranger on the trade receivables securitisation programme for OCI.

Netherlands > Banking and finance: Borrower side Tier 2

Stibbe has a highly active borrower-side practice, with it advising clients on transactions involving acquisition finance, syndicated lending, real estate finance, project finance and debt refinancing, among other areas. In a key development, the firm made a significant investment in its banking and finance offering by hiring Marieke Driessen and senior associate Niek Groenendijk from Simmons & Simmons in January 2021. Driessen, who is dual-qualified to practise English and Dutch law, co-heads the team with Maarten de Bruin and Rein van Helden. Reflective of the firm’s strength in cross-border mandates, recent highlights included van Helden and senior associate Barbra Bulsing assisting Adevinta with the finance aspects of its $9.2bn acquisition of eBay Classifieds Group.

Netherlands > Banking and finance: lender or arranger side Tier 2

Stibbe is prominent in large deals in the Netherlands and further afield in Europe, with it being able to advise on Dutch, EU and English law on the ground in Amsterdam and in joint collaboration with London-based firms. The transactional and advisory practice was strengthened by the arrivals of Marieke Driessen (who is Dutch and English-law qualified) and senior associate Niek Groenendijk from Simmons & Simmons in January 2021. Driessen co-heads the group with Maarten de Bruin and Rein Van Helden. The team has extensive expertise in areas such as real estate finance, syndicated lending, leveraged finance, project finance, corporate finance and restructurings, among various others. In a recent mandate, van Helden and Groenendijk advised JP Morgan on the financing aspects of TA Associates’ acquisition of Unit4, in addition to advising private debt asset management firm Arcmont on a debt and equity investment related to the acquisition.

Netherlands > Capital markets: debt Tier 2

Stibbe‘s debt capital markets practice was significantly strengthened by the arrivals of Marieke Driessen and senior associate Niek Groenendijk from Simmons & Simmons in January 2021. Driessen, who is Dutch and English law-qualified, has almost 25 years of experience in this space. She co-heads the practice with Rein van Helden, who recently advised SBM Offshore and its subsidiary Guara Norte on an $850m bonds issuance; this was SBM Offshore’s first issuance of a 144A/Reg S bond. Elsewhere, the group’s workload covers EMTN and commercial paper programmes, Eurobonds and convertibles, among other matters.

Netherlands > Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

Stibbe’s digital economy team leverages experts from the firm’s civil and administrative, IT and employment teams to handle a broad range of data issues with particular expertise in cloud contracting work; it recently advised the Dutch State on its move towards cloud computing methods. Judica Krikke leads the department and established the team with employment group head Jaap van Slooten. Astrid Helstone is also recommended for employment-related work and Tom Barkhuysen handles issues combining data and administrative law.

Netherlands > Energy: regulatory Tier 2

The energy and industry department at Stibbe handles both transactional and regulatory matters. Well-known for its experience in M&A, the practice also handles projects work, contracts, financing and disputes. On the regulatory side, the practice is known for its expertise in licensing, subsidies, electricity and gas sector regulation, CO₂ taxes, climate change policy and emissions allowances. Martin In de Braekt  heads the practice and counts sponsors, developers, contractors and lenders among his clients.

Netherlands > Industry focus: Information technology Tier 2

Judica Krikke, the head of TMT and co-head of the digital economy group at Stibbe, can ‘detangle any complicated issue’. The team handles a range of ICT contracting for government agencies and medium to large private companies ranging from outsourcing contracts to the IT aspects of corporate and financing deals. The practice is especially adept at software licensing coupled with advising on the attendant copyright complications. Krikke also acts as arbitrator in ICT arbitration cases. In addition to its strong fintech expertise, the practice advises clients from a broad range of industries, including the automotive, energy and insurance sectors. Online payment platform operators also turn to the practice. Senior associate Roderik Vrolijk is noted for his specialism in financial/securities regulatory matters and advising on fintech; payment cards, consumer credit and e-money lending.

Netherlands > Private equity Tier 2

With offices in London, New York and the Benelux region, Stibbe serves as lead counsel in both local and cross-border private equity transactions, acting on an array of investment, acquisition and exit transactions. Practice head Björn van der Klip, a specialist in company takeover and equity capital market deals, is routinely instructed on cross-border M&A, leveraging his experience of practising in the US and UK in the process.

Netherlands > Project finance and PFI Tier 2

Stibbe provides experience in a range of project finance issues and combines expertise in banking, construction, procurement and regulatory matters. The firm is active in the key areas of infrastructure, data centres, public buildings, energy issues and water ways, both nationally and internationally. The team is co-led by David Orobio de Castro, who specialises in projects, project finance work, real estate issues and tenders; energy and industry sector specialist Martin In de Braekt; Ingmar de Groot, who focuses on projects; banking and finance expert Rein Van Helden; and Marieke Driessen, who joined from Simmons & Simmons in 2021 and brings expertise in banking, capital markets, structured finance and project finance work.

Netherlands > Real estate Tier 2

The real estate team at Stibbe is often involved in high-value and high-profile real estate projects in the Benelux region. It has a strong focus on transactional work, financings and leasing issues, and also handles tax structuring, administrative law, construction law and procurement matters. The team, which has considerable experience both domestically and internationally, is headed up by David Orobio de Castro , who is particularly experienced in project finance transactions. Counsel Boris Cammelbeeck advises on real estate developments, and counts multinational retail chains, banks, developers and foreign investors among his clients.

Netherlands > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

The restructuring and insolvency team at Stibbe provides advisory and litigation services to both domestic and international clients. Members of the team are often appointed by the courts to act as a bankruptcy trustee or administrator in suspension of payment proceedings. With an international network, the firm is well equipped to handle cross-border matters and is active in the financial, energy, healthcare, retail and real estate sectors. Toni van Hees  focuses on financing, liability and insolvency mandates, while Job Van Hooff is recommended for cross-border financial restructurings. Marieke Driessen joined from Simmons & Simmons.

Netherlands > Investment funds Tier 3

Belgium > Tax

Stibbe‘s tax offering encompasses transactional and funds taxation, real estate, and indirect taxation, as well as transfer pricing issues, with strong domestic and international capabilities thanks to the firm’s Benelux and global platforms. As such, clients include a combination of Belgian and international companies and investment funds, with work including standard M&A, real estate and other asset investments, and capital markets-related work including listings and private placements. The team is led by Wim Panis, a specialist in real estate and indirect taxation, while Henk Verstraete has a strong record in transactional tax, and is active in the funds sector. Counsel Giovanni Smet advises on international tax treaties and transfer pricing. Lizelotte De Maeyer was promoted to counsel in January 2022, and has particular expertise in tax procedure.