Stek > The Legal 500 Rankings

Netherlands > Energy: regulatory Tier 1

Stek's energy and utilities practice offers a combination of regulatory, transactional and financing expertise. It continues to advise electricity and gas distribution companies on a broad range of regulatory matters and business-critical issues. The team is at the forefront of regulatory developments and often represents clients before the Dutch regulatory authority in the Administrative High Court for Trade and Industry. Practice head Jan Erik Janssen acts for international and national energy household names on administrative and civil litigation matters.

Netherlands > Energy: transactional Tier 2

Stek’s energy and utilities team offers a mix of regulatory, transactional and project finance capabilities. It is well-placed to handle M&A and energy contracts. The group is also sought out in energy projects, and has recently been involved in a variety of renewables projects, in particular; the scope of its experience includes solar, wind, biomass and geothermal developments. Reijnoud Homveld acts for energy companies, financial institutions, and equity funds and investors, on transactions, joint ventures and projects. Herman Wamelink and Sharon Kaufmann handle financing matters. Jeroen Timmermans is another name to note.

Netherlands > Transport Tier 2

Aviation specialists Stek advise national and international clients including commercial operators, owners, financiers, and leasing companies on the lease, acquisition, and sale of aircraft, with work spanning Europe, Asia, and the US. The 'pragmatic' and 'hands on' Jeroen Timmermans heads up the team, and is widely respected as an expert in aviation financing, repossession of aircraft, and wider contractual issues

Netherlands > Banking and finance: lender or arranger side Tier 3

Stek remains highly active in the Dutch lending market, particularly for domestic clients, frequently acting for several of the largest banks including ING, Rabobank, and ABN Amro. Key figures within the team include leveraged financing specialist Herman Wamelink, Maarten van der Graaf, who is frequently involved in matters with a cross-border nexus, Frans Haak and Sharon Kaufmann, who is highly active in the healthcare sector.

Netherlands > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 3

A mid-sized but growing team at Stek comprises four experienced partners including co-heads of practice Jan Bart van de Hel and Gerben Smit, described as 'both great lawyers and litigators'. The practice has expanded considerably at associate level during the past year, in keeping with some impressive client gains, while its standout strength in competition law litigation is evidenced in its continued work on behalf of LitFin in the trucks cartel matter.

Netherlands > EU and competition Tier 3

Stek’s team, which is ‘young, talented and on top of its game’, is a key name in the market for antitrust litigation and cartel and consumer protection investigations. The group is also noted for its healthcare, technology, travel, energy, consumer goods and maritime sector expertise; clients include Atlas Air, L’Oréal and Samsung. Ruben Elkerbout and Berend Reuder jointly lead the competition team, and Jan Erik Janssen heads up the regulated markets group.

Netherlands > Private equity Tier 3

Stek ‘proves to be a good sparring partner’ for mid-market transactions, acting for Dutch private equity funds, portfolio companies and management teams as well as international funds. The group also receives a variety of cross-border instructions from notable international firms. Key practitioners include Eelco Bijkerk, who handles private equity and venture capital matters, co-founder Maarten van der Graaf and the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Ruben Tros.

Netherlands > Project finance and PFI Tier 3

Stek assists with the negotiating and drafting of finance and project documentation, often working alongside foreign firms and local counsel on multi-jurisdictional and domestic mid-market financing transactions. Biomass, solar and geotherm project financing are the main areas of activity. Key contacts Herman Wamelink and Sharon Kaufmann have 'extensive experience' in the sector. Reijnoud Homveld is also noted.

Netherlands > Banking and finance: Borrower side Tier 4

Stek is highly active in the field of leveraged and acquisition financing, primarily for Dutch corporates, with a strong track record in the healthcare sector. The team is led by Maarten van der Graaf, Herman Wamelink, Frans Haak and Sharon Kaufmann, with van der Graaf and Wamelink focusing mainly on the firm's cross-border work in collaboration with international firms.

Netherlands > Commercial, corporate and M&a Tier 4

Stek handles a variety of corporate mandates involving M&A for private equity houses, issues with strategic elements, leasing matters in the energy sector, and cross-border corporate work. The group is also able to assist clients with the competition and finance elements of various transactions. Key practitioners include Eelco Bijkerk, Dierik Cras and Maarten van der Graaf.