Stibbe > Amsterdam, Netherlands > Firm Profile

Stibbe > The Legal 500 Rankings

Netherlands > Banking and finance: Financial services regulatory Tier 1

As one of the leading financial regulation teams on the Dutch market, Stibbe is an excellent source of advice for banks, insurance companies, electronic payment platforms, asset managers, and other financial institutions. Rogier Raas, who has decades of experience handling various regulatory and compliance matters, co-heads the team alongside Roderik Vrolijk. Vrolijk advises on Dutch licensing and notification requirements, financial supervision, and securities law; he is also skilled at handling cases within the fintech industry, including regulatory matters regarding e-money and payment platforms.

Netherlands > Capital markets: equity Tier 1

Stibbe’s equity capital markets cohort is experienced in handling the gamut of related work. In the matters it handles for its array of well-known clients from sectors ranging from chemical, to online entertainment, to telecoms, the team covers high-value and often cross-border work featuring takeovers, acquisitions, and combinations of businesses, as well as IPOs. Pieter Schütte is particularly experienced in handling the remit of high-stakes transactions and advising on investments, whilst Derk Lemstra has a strong reputation for his work in significant IPOs; the pair co-lead the practice. Nora Offergelt is a key practitioner amongst the cohort, appointed counsel in June 2022.

Netherlands > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

At Stibbe, the team is highly regarded for advising on high-profile domestic and cross-border corporate and M&A transactions. Other key drivers of work for the group include high-value business combinations and sales of companies. The ‘very commercial and pragmatic’ Björn van der Klip is a private equity and public M&A expert, and Heleen Kersten is well versed in advising on high-value M&A transactions and corporate governance matters. Eva Das' workload includes joint ventures, private equity and M&A matters.

Netherlands > Construction Tier 1

Leading construction firm Stibbe is heavily involved in the full gamut of construction mandates. The practice has been key to many landmark projects in the Netherlands ranging from PPP projects to heavy plant projects, and infrastructure. The team is well-equipped to assist with both advising on projects and litigating where necessary on complex construction disputes. The most notable work of the firm is in PPP/PFI projects. The practice is co-led by David Orobio de Castro and Ingmar de Groot, both well recognised names in the construction space. Orobio de Castro is an expert in procurement regulations and routinely assists with PPP/PFI matters. Construction expert de Groot advises on building contracts, PPP/PFI projects, and represents clients in construction-related disputes. Boris Cammelbeeck and Iris Hendriksen are also noted.

Netherlands > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 1

The litigation and arbitration practice at Stibbe is renowned for its skill in mass damages claims, including ESG-related litigation, antitrust damages cases, and shareholders’ claims. Class actions are another strength of the team, which is well versed in defending clients. The firm is also involved in a number of claims against auditors and international arbitration. Practice co-heads Jeroen Kortmann and Fons Leijten are dispute resolution experts, with Kortmann specialising in tort law, contractual liability, and collective redress, while Leijten is a corporate law specialist. Other primary team members consist of Tim de Greve, who handles complex commercial litigation, Branda Katan, who focuses on international disputes, and Matthijs Kuijpers, who acts as Dutch counsel in numerous arbitration and litigation matters.

Netherlands > Employment Tier 1

Employment expert Stibbe covers the full gamut of employment and pension issues, including advisory, contentious and transactional matters. The practice is at the forefront of employment law issues, representing clients in significant mass litigation proceedings relating to non-standard workers and disputes involving strikes in industries such as rail and aviation. Pensions litigation is another area of focus for the team, as well as advising on pension structures and directors’ liabilities, and the firm is also developing its practice in relation to platform economy issues. The practice is co-led by Jaap van Slooten, Paul Vestering, and Astrid Helstone. Van Slooten splits his time between pensions law and employment law, specialising in the finance and transport sectors, where he regularly represents clients in collective disputes and high-profile pensions cases. Vestering is the go-to for collective employment matters involving works councils and unions, and also handles pensions projects, while Helstone is an expert in complex remuneration and board-related matters.

Netherlands > Energy

Stibbe‘s energy team, which is highly regarded for its ‘deep knowledge of both energy and industry markets’, handles a broad range of transactional work in both domestic and cross-border contexts. It advises on the development, expansion and operation of large-scale projects, as well as on the structuring of related joint ventures. Mandates are often of ultra-high-value and span sectors from oil and gas to wind and nuclear.  Martin In de Braekt, a ‘powerhouse lawyer in whose hands any complex energy project is safe’, leads the group; he has a strong reputation for his experience in the energy and industrial sectors, where he acts for key clients on a range of business and financial matters. Other key practitioners in the team include counsel Li Wee Toh and associate Jaap Waverijn.

Netherlands > Environment and planning Tier 1

The planning and environment group at Stibbe is well-equipped to handle an array of complex mandates, particularly in a public law context. The team advises various reputable companies on high-stakes matters surrounding the enforcement of environmental regulations; on permit applications; and on contentious, high-profile cases in connection with topics such as ESG and zoning. Overseeing the practice are planning, mobility and administrative law specialist Jan Reinier van Angeren; Anna Collignon, who acts for several heavy-industry companies and has expertise in nitrogen-related cases; renewables-focused Jan van Oosten; ‘expert lawyer’ Valérie van ’t Lam; Tijn Kortmann, who handles matters with enforcement and government liability aspects; and Tom Barkhuysen. Senior associates Liesbeth Berkouwer and Rut Molenaar-Wingens support on many of the team’s most prominent mandates.

Netherlands > EU and competition Tier 1

Stibbe‘s EU and competition team has noteworthy expertise advising its roster of key clients on the plethora of complex matters. Team lead Rein Wesseling is described as ‘exceptional and among the most intelligent and effective competition lawyers’; his focus is predominantly on complex competition litigation cases, namely defending clients in cartel cases, and merger control matters. Antitrust expert Jeroen Kortmann has experience handling complex international litigation for key clients, and newly co-leads alongside Wesseling. ‘Strategic mastermind’ Stijn De Jong is a key senior associate. The team’s caseload varies and includes representing key clients in matters involving such aspects as alleged abuses of dominance, cartel infringement decisions, and merger controls. Floris ten Have departed practice in January 2024.

Netherlands > Fraud and white-collar crime Tier 1

Stibbe continues to prove itself as a market-leading firm for white-collar crime and fraud. With a ‘powerful litigation team’, the firm is fully capable at handling all aspects of corporate criminal law cases. In addition to assisting with domestic and international internal investigations, the team regularly advises on tax fraud, market abuse, environmental crimes, and violations of working conditions, among other matters. Daan Doorenbos is ‘an outstanding defense lawyer’ with more than three decades of experience. He leads the team alongside Muriël Rosing, who specialises in economic offences such as corruption, fraud, and money laundering. Other key members of the team include Monique van der Linden, who frequently advises high-profile companies, and Jakoline Winkels for her contributions to some of the firm’s most significant cases.

Netherlands > Project finance and PFI Tier 1

The project finance group at Stibbe advises a myriad of international companies on banking, infrastructure, energy, transport and mining project financing matters. The team includes experts in banking, construction, procurement and regulatory issues, enabling it to regularly assist with major PPP projects as well as innovative energy projects. Real estate specialist David Orobio de Castro is well versed in PPP, PFI and DBFMO issues, while Martin In de Braekt leads on energy and industrial matters. Ingmar de Groot is the go-to for construction and infrastructure expertise; Rein van Helden routinely acts for financial institutions and corporate clients; and Marieke Driessen is a key contact for financing deals.

Netherlands > Tax Tier 1

Stibbe's tax practitioners utilise their ‘excellent technical expertise’ to provide tax advice in relation to transactions, focusing on private equity investments and subsequent reorganisations, while also representing clients in tax disputes. Transactional tax specialists Michael Molenaars and Reinout de Boer lead the group, with the latter also heading the firm’s tax controversy practice. Jeroen Smits handles the tax aspects of capital markets and structured finance deals, in addition to fund structuring.

Netherlands > Banking and finance: Borrower side Tier 2

Stibbe has experience of representing high-profile clients in complex cross-border transactions, with particular strengths in acquisition and real estate finance. The banking and finance team is co-led by Maarten de Bruin, Marieke Driessen, and Rein van Helden. Valued for her keen insights and negotiating skills, Driessen has established herself as a go-to lawyer within the financial sector with more than two decades of experience. Located in London, Van Helden is recommended for his impressive track record of handling high-value international banking and finance mandates for clients such as JP Morgan, Frigoglass, and Basic-Fit. Niek Groenendijk is another prominent member of the team, having worked on many significant refinancings and facility agreements.

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

Stibbe has established itself as a strong firm that is fully capable of navigating the financial markets in the Netherlands as well as abroad. Marieke Driessen and Niek Groenendijk are both recommended for their expertise in sustainable finance. Based in London, Rein van Helden is well placed to advise on cross-border mandates and has ample experience of handling high-value financial transactions for international clients such as JPMorgan and Absa Bank. Maarten de Bruin is also noted for his expertise in advising lenders on debt restructuring matters.

Netherlands > Real estate Tier 2

The real estate transactions group at Stibbe is well positioned to handle large-scale real estate transactions, acquisitions, leases and property developments. The team acts for real estate companies, domestic and international property developers, financial institutions, private equity firms and governmental agencies. Boris Cammelbeeck and Maarten de Bruin co-lead the practice, with Cammelbeeck specialising in real estate transactions, including purchase, sale and financing deals, while de Bruin focuses on both the industrial and real estate sectors, handling both finance and tax issues. Real estate expert David Orobio de Castro is experienced in dealing with real estate projects, project finance and real estate and concession contracts. Ingmar de Groot, Jan van Oosten, and Johan Vrolijk are also integral to the team.

Netherlands > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Stibbe‘s restructuring and insolvency group is well equipped to advise its client roster of high-profile borrowers and lenders on the plethora of complex work. The team is noted as harnessing ‘real depth of experience in the restructuring sphere’; its workload features a broad range of work, from advising on high-value recapitalisations and high-stakes bankruptcies to assisting clients in relation to their compliance with relevant case law. ‘Brilliant lawyer’ Rein van Helden, who splits his time between London and the Netherlands, is key to the practice, which is led by Job van Hooff who has particular expertise advising on cross-border financial restructurings, including schemes of arrangement and distressed transactions. Counsel Daisy Nijkamp is experienced in related contentious work.

Netherlands > Banking and finance: asset finance and structured finance Tier 3

Stibbe has experience in a broad range of asset and structured finance matters, including inventory-backed transactions, real estate securitisation, asset-backed commercial paper structures, tax receivables, and auto loans. The firm is home to various financial experts, making it well-suited to advise banks, credit rating agencies, and investors, alongside other financial institutions. The team is co-lead by Marieke Driessen, Rein van Helden, and Maarten de Bruin. Senior associate Niek Groenendijk is another notable member of the team with his experience in structured finance and securitisation.

Netherlands > Capital markets: debt Tier 3

The debt capital markets practice at Stibbe is headed up by ESG and sustainable finance-focused practitioner Marieke Driessen; London-based Rein van Helden; and real estate work-related specialist Maarten de Bruin. The team advises on the range of work, including in matters involving issuances of structured noted, regulatory capital instruments and green bonds, in often multi-jurisdictional contexts. It also advises banks on securitisations.

Netherlands > Data privacy and data protection Tier 3

Stibbe mainly advises clients on data compliance regulations and ensuring that clients can keep up-to-date with new legislative requirements. The team assists the firms’ finance, employment, and administrative law practices with data privacy and data protection aspects of their work. Cyber insurance is also a notable focus of the practice. Team lead Nynke Brouwer is a specialist in cyber security and cyber insurance issues, she handles advisory and contentious work for clients such as insurers, brokers, healthcare, and public authorities. Frederiek Fernhout is also noted.

Netherlands > Private equity Tier 3