Firm Profile > Van Traa Advocaten > Rotterdam, Netherlands
Van Traa Advocaten Offices
MEENT 94
3011 JP ROTTERDAM
Netherlands
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Van Traa Advocaten > The Legal 500 Rankings
Transport Tier 1
Drawing on 'top-level expertise' and offering a 'pragmatic' approach, Van Traa Advocaten provides a comprehensive service covering all aspects of transport law. Head of the transport, shipping and logistics department and stand-out litigator Vincent Pool handled a number of complex, high-profile disputes in the sector in 2019, including representing a leading logistics service provider against a multimillion-dollar container demurrage and detention claim. Head of the aviation team Robert Pessers is advising Malaysia Airlines following the shooting down of flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. Robert de Haan, Olivier Böhmer, Jolien Kruit and Leendert van Hee are also key lawyers. Cargo specialist Richard Latten was a new arrival in 2020.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Based on the matter, they will advise quickly what the best approach is. I need a firm that understands the business we are in and handles cases accordingly. This is what Van Traa does.‘
‘Each member of the team has top-level expertise and this makes Van Traa a “one stop firm” for the transport and insurance industries. Leendert van Hee has a unique approach with clients, outstanding knowledge of the sector, is always straight to the point and industry oriented. The team is capable of immediately understanding the different needs of clients from various jurisdictions.‘
‘This team is very approachable. They always look for a practical solution. I find them very knowledgeable.’
‘Olivier Böhmer is trustworthy, knowledgable and approachable.’
‘The Van Traa transport teams stands out for their excellent knowledge of the market, exposure to complex cases and vast network. Jolien Kruit is a very knowledgeable lawyer who combines in-depth knowledge with a pragmatic approach. Robert de Haan is a very senior and seasoned partner who will always put his client first.’
Key clients
Mainfreight
Steinweg Handelsveem
DHL
ADM
AIG
CEVA
KLM
Port of Rotterdam
Malaysia Airlines
Kleijn
Traxys
ERG
Cobalt 27
Negmag
Lexington
Insurance Tier 2
The team at Van Traa Advocaten has 'a practical and commercial approach' to matters, focusing especially on insurance and complex liability cases within the transport and construction industries, and high-stakes personal injury claims. Robert de Haan carries out policy advisory work, as well as bringing 'a commercial approach to resolving all disputes', and has particular expertise in the marine sector. The key name to note for aviation claims is Gerbrich Oreel. Practice head Robert Pessers leads a team which is assisting all insurers handling claims, totalling over €50m, arising from a broken waterpipe leading to the complete evacuation of the VU Medical Centre.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Van Traa is very strong in all fields of insurance law but I believe they are the absolute number one when it comes to marine insurance and transportation law. Their size is big enough to allow them to handle large cases but small enough to retain a personal approach and this fosters very good relations with clients. Robert de Haan who is one of the Senior Partners at Van Traa is outstanding in marine and non-marine insurance law. He has a commercial approach to resolving all disputes including ones where the most complex and tricky issues arise (in a practical way). I have often met with him and with our clients who value his ability to distil the key issues in a case into a clear and simple understandable form. When it comes to law relating to marine casualties (and in particular relating to General Average) Jolien Kruit is the leading expert in the Netherlands in this field. As for up and coming junior lawyers, Leendert Van Hee is very knowledgeable on disputes relating to road carriage and carriage of goods by sea and has become our go-to lawyer.‘
‘The lawyers at Van Traa, in particular Robert de Haan and Leendert Van Hee, stand out for their speed of response and commercial approach to cases, including their fees. If our clients ever wish to discuss the level of fees Robert and Leendert are always willing to come to a commercial solution. Above all, however, their practical and commercial approach to disputes and the legal issues arising is what makes them stand out.‘
‘Strong (insurance) market performance and practical approach to cases.‘
‘Robert Pessers: working on various complex matters for a final resolution out of court.‘
‘Excellent in complex claims.‘
‘I work with Derk-Jan van der Kolk and Olivier Bohmer. Two most experienced lawyers who are aware of the balance between cost and revenue, so they look for solutions.‘
Key clients
AIG Europe
Ballast Nedam
ASR Schadeverzekeringen
Achmea Schadeverzekeringen
Marsh
Amlin
Clyde & Co
Zeeland Refinery
Centraal Beheer Achmea / Avéro
Markel International
Centraal Beheer; Interpolis
Van Ameyde Netherlands
HDI
Reme Rechtsanwalte
Nationale Nederlanden
NN, previous Delta Lloyd
AON
Aegon
Reaal
Allianz Int.
RSA
Donatus Insurance
AFC Ajax Amsterdam
Van Traa Advocaten > Firm Profile
Van Traa Advocaten is a boutique law firm, based in Rotterdam. Since its establishment in 1898, the firm has specialised in the practices of International Trade, Transport and Logistics and Insurance and Liability.
Van Traa’s clients include both national and international companies, such as trading companies, transport and Logistic Service Providers, Financial Service Providers such as banks, brokers and insurers, aviation companies, construction companies and contractors and shipping companies.
The firm’s ethos is to provide clarity for their clients and solve even complex problems quickly and efficiently. Van Traa’s team of experts is almost 30 strong, and they are an agile and flexible firm able to designate specialised teams to large cases or provide tailored, expert legal advice for smaller lawsuits.
Many of Van Traa’s lawyers remain actively involved in academic research, meaning they are continually well-informed of the latest developments within their areas of legal expertise.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
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Transport and logistics | Shipping: dry shipping | Railroad law | Marine Insurance | Insurance: general and personal liability, property and construction | Robert de Haan | ||
Transport and logistics | Shipping: dry shipping | Vincent Pool | ||
Aviation (aircraft financing, passenger and cargo claims, regulatory matters, accidents, insurance, licences and charters) | Insurance: general and personal liability, property and construction | Professional indemnity (lawyers, brokers, contractors and architects) | Robert Pessers | ||
International Trade and Commodities | Aviation (aircraft financing, passenger and cargo claims, regulatory matters, accidents, insurance, licences and charters) | Marc van Maanen | ||
Maritime accidents: hull and machinery (hull and machinery: collision, salvage, offshore and shipbuilding contracts) | Marine insurance | | Olivier Böhmer | ||
Insurance and Liability | Personal injury | Professional indemnity (lawyers, brokers, contractors and architects) | Derk-Jan van der Kolk | ||
Transport and logistics | Shipping: dry shipping | Leendert van Hee | ||
Transport and logistics | Shipping: dry shipping | Maritime accidents: hull and machinery (hull and machinery: collision, salvage, offshore and shipbuilding contracts) | Jolien Kruit | ||
Transport and logistics | Aviation (aircraft financing, passenger and cargo claims, regulatory matters, accidents, insurance, licences and charters) | Gerbrich Oreel | ||
Professional indemnity (lawyers, brokers, contractors and architects) | Peter Drion | ||
Transport, logistics and liability | Jan Willem Bruidgeom | ||
International trade and commodities | Steven Oude Alink |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Mr Olivier Bohmer | Partner (Shipping and Maritime casualties) | View Profile |
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Mr Jan Willem Bruidegom | Lawyer | View Profile |
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Mr Peter Drion | Lawyer | View Profile |
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Mrs Jolien Kruit | Partner | View Profile |
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Mrs Gerbrich Oreel | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Robert Pessers | Partner | View Profile |
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Mr Vincent Pool | Partner transport (road and railway), logistics and shipping | View Profile |
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Mr Robert de Haan | Managing partner, transport and Insurance law. | View Profile |
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Mr Leendert van Hee | Partner Shipping and Transport | View Profile |
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Mr Marc van Maanen | Partner International Trade | View Profile |
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Mr Derk-Jan van der Kolk | Partner Insurance & Liability | View Profile |