Van Benthem & Keulen > Utrecht, Netherlands > Firm Profile

Van Benthem & Keulen
Archimedeslaan 61
PO BOX 85005
3508 AA UTRECHT
Netherlands

Netherlands > Banking and finance: Financial services regulatory Tier 4

Van Benthem & Keulen‘s regulatory practice grew in January 2024, with Dennis Apperloo joining from HVG Law LLP and augmenting the firm’s AML and sanctions advice. He joins as team co-head alongside Frank Richel, whose speciality lies in supporting a broad range of financial service providers, ranging from banks to insurers and funds on supervisory regulations and regulatory litigation.

Practice head(s):

Frank Richel; Dennis Apperloo

Other key lawyers:

Micky Peters

Testimonials

‘Delivering timely, practical and high quality advice that’s also understandable for staff without a legal background.’

‘They are very much willing to think with us. We see good quality in services, which are in line with our company language.’

‘The team is very accessible and always on standby to assist if a legal problem escalates and we seek external litigation support. Since we have collaborated frequently, they know how we operate and what we need. Furthermore, I notice that the firm has a friendly and cooperative culture and differs from typical Zuidas offices.’

‘Van Benthem & Keulen’s FSR practice excels in understanding our unique business offering and therefore goes the extra step in our collaboration to ensure that our products remain compliant in the changing regulatory environment. This understanding of our business logic ensures that time can be saved upfront when starting new projects.’

‘We have had the privilege to work with Dennis Apperloo. During that period he and VBK have expertly advised us through our initial hurdles regarding litigation matters and AML compliance.’

‘Frank Richel has a broad level of knowledge, gives adequate legal opinions, has pleasant personality and has given good performances in court cases.’

‘VBK has good expertise and the ability to apply this practically with attention to the client’s position. The down-to-earth culture within VBK fits well with the culture of our company. The personal approach makes cooperation pleasant and approachable.’

‘Frank Richel is a highly valued partner with whom we have worked for a long time.’

Key clients

ING Bank N.V.

Revolut Bank UAB

Triodos Bank N.V.

BNP Paribas Personal Finance B.V.

BNP Paribas SA

BNP Paribas Cardif Schadeverzekeringen N.V.

Scildon N.V.

De Volksbank N.V.

Citibank Europe Plc

Arval B.V.

equensWorldline N.V.

Work highlights

  • Advised ING Bank N.V. on the launch of new products and services and fraud-related matters.
  • Advised Revolut Bank UAB on its obligations under the Dutch AML regulations to perform KYC checks on minors using a sub-account of an adult user.
  • Advised several BNP Paribas branches in the Netherlands on matters including inducement legislation, insurance distribution and the launch of new products and services.

Netherlands > Industry focus: Information technology Tier 4

Praised for its ‘very hands-on, solution-driven approach’, Van Benthem & Keulen is a key contact for clients from the financial sector on cloud-sourcing transactions. The practice is led by Robert Boekhorst. Elze ‘t Hart left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Robert Boekhorst

Testimonials

‘They have a very hands-on, solution-driven approach.’

‘Robert Boekhorst’s knowledge and expertise significantly contribute to ensuring thorough and robust contracting arrangements.’

‘This practice stands out due to its exceptional combination of deep legal expertise and client-centred approach. One of its key strengths lies in its ability to handle complex, multidisciplinary matters, offering comprehensive solutions tailored to client needs. The team excels in areas such as IT and IP law and is known for its ability to provide clear, strategic guidance on even the most challenging cases.’

‘I especially value the team’s strong communication, responsiveness, and commitment to delivering results, often surpassing expectations.’

‘The presence of Robert Boekhorst makes VBK’s IT practice stand out.’

‘Robert Boekhorst is highly experienced, exudes senior partner presence in negotiations, and is a pleasure to work with.’

‘Van Benthem & Keulen is our preferred supplier for legal matters in the IT field. My experience in recent years working with Van Benthem has been very positive, with the ultimate output being good.’

‘A hands-on team with a focus on IT & outsourcing.’

Key clients

ING Bank

PostNL

APG

Triodos Bank

Odido

KLM

SAP

SHV Energy

Transdev

Buma/Stemra

SHV Holdings

VvAA

Scildon

Dutch National Railways

Sanoma

Air Traffic Control the Netherlands

Sanquin

Work highlights

  • Advised SHV Holdings on a global outsourcing contract agreement for cyber security services encompassing all SHV companies worldwide.
  • Advised VvAA on the outsourcing of its key insurance platform.
  • Advised Buma and Stemra on a business-critical outsourcing of a music rights management platform.

Netherlands > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 5

Van Benthem & Keulen‘s group is well placed to advise noteworthy clients on corporate transactions including significant acquisitions, sales and investments across industry sectors. The team is helmed by corporate and M&A specialists Sander Marges and Steven Storm alongside Mariel Vrielink, who also harnesses notarial expertise. Maaike Kamps is also a ‘highly competent practitioner’.

Practice head(s):

Sander Marges; Steven Storm; Mariel Vrielink

Other key lawyers:

Gijs van Rooijen; Maaike Kamps

Testimonials

‘Strong, hands-on cooperation with local boots on the ground. They have an entrepreneurial spirit ensuring swift and close cooperation with all key stakeholders in M&A processes including owners, directors, M&A teams of corporates and their advisers.’

‘It was a pleasure to work with Gijs van Rooijen on this transaction, sharing creative solutions to various challenges in a pragmatic way, bolstering the cooperation with the buy-side while improving the positions for the sell-side.’

‘The team is very capable of providing corporate support on cross-border transactions. They demonstrate a high-level of expertise and understanding of the commercial drivers of a deal as well as the legal requirements. The team is also very responsive and nothing is ever too much trouble.’

‘Sander Marges and Maaike Kamps are both highly competent practitioners, combining their specialist corporate advice with a deep understanding of private equity structures, which is all overlaid with their commercial approach to problem solving.’

‘VBK’s team is very approachable. Their legal approach is well thought-out.’

‘When asked, they not only give their professional opinion but also their personal take. That helps in aligning on the case at hand and the course to follow.’

Key clients

Emil Frey

The Sweco Group

The Merapar Group

Vetpartners Limited

Groendus

SecureW2 B.V.

Sempergreen

3D Metal Forming B.V.

Satelliet Meubelen B.V.

Tipografic Limited

Praxis stores

Festos

Eurofiber Holding B.V.

Work highlights

  • Advised Emil Frey on more than 15 acquisitions of car dealer companies in the Netherlands, including the recent acquisition of Mercedes-Benz Dealer Bedrijven with locations in Den Haag, Leiden, Maasdijk, Naaldwijk and Roelofarendsveen.
  • Advised the majority shareholder on the sale of all shares in Satelliet Meubelen to VE Partners, its reinvestment into the acquiring company as well as on the restructuring of Satelliet Meubelen’s Belgian subsidiary during the transaction process.
  • Advised the founders and sole shareholders of SecureW2 B.V. on an investment by Insight Partners inter alia to accelerate the company’s growth strategy with a view on growing annual revenues to $100m and beyond.

Firm overview: Van Benthem & Keulen is a full service firm in the legal and notarial practices and one of the top 20 largest law firms in the Netherlands. With more than 100 legal professionals, Van Benthem & Keulen focus on large and medium-sized businesses and organisations. They have a strong presence in the retail, healthcare, financial, energy and government sectors.

Van Benthem & Keulen is characterised by their transparency, pragmatism and solution-oriented approach. They have built a worldwide network of leading independent law firms that all share their values, high standards and commitment to client service. As part of their worldwide network of international services, Van Benthem & Keulen is part of SCG Legal: an international network with more than 120 law firms in over 60 countries. In 2019, 2021 and 2023 the firm was chosen as the best legal services provider in the Netherlands (MT1000 best service providers in the Netherlands).

Department Name Email Telephone
Banking & Finance Frank Richel [email protected] +31302595652
Cartel damage & Private enforcement Joost Möhlmann [email protected] +31302595616
Commercial Contracting & Dispute Resolution Marcel Ruygvoorn [email protected] +31302595646
Commercial Contracting & Dispute Resolution Mariska Nijenhof-Wolters [email protected] +31302595618
Commercial Tenancy Law Justine van Lochem [email protected] +31302595572
Corporate/M&A Steven Storm [email protected] +31302595616
Employment & Pensions Pieter Mantel [email protected] +31302595552
Employment & Pensions Anne Haverkort [email protected] +31302595528
Healthcare & Social Domain Wouter Koelewijn [email protected] +31302595553
Information Technology & Privacy Robert Boekhorst [email protected] +31302595578
Liability & Insurance Petra klein Gunnewiek [email protected] +31302595726
Procurement Law Walter Engelhart [email protected] +31302595572
Restructuring & Insolvency Alice van der Schee [email protected] +31302595567
Restructuring & Insolvency Frank Nowee [email protected] +31302595546
Notarial Company Law Practice Mariel Vrielink [email protected] +31302595733
Notarial Company Law Practice Martijn van Steensel [email protected] +31302595731
Real Estate Civil-Law Notaries Departement Mervyn Odink [email protected] +31302595708
Corporate/M&A Sander Marges [email protected] +3130259577
Healthcare & Social Domain Bastiaan Wallage [email protected] +3130259553
Environmental Law Alrik Bijkerk [email protected] +31302595549
Gijs van Wijgerden : CEO
Dave Venmans : COO
Wouter Koelewijn : Managing Partner
Alice van der Schee : Managing Partner
Steven Storm : Managing Partner
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