act Fort Advocaten > Amsterdam, Netherlands > Firm Profile
act Fort Advocaten Offices
Teniersstraat 1
1071 DX Amsterdam
Netherlands
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act Fort Advocaten > The Legal 500 Rankings
Netherlands > Industry focus: retail Tier 2
Real estate and corporate advice form the key pillars of act Fort Advocaten's retail practice, which covers transactional matters, franchising, employment issues and disputes. Members of the team act for clients in the food and household goods sectors, in addition to investors with holdings in the retail sector. Practice co-head and managing partner Katinka Verdurmen handles both transactional and contentious real estate transactions and leases, and acts for both franchisors and franchisees on franchise agreements. Petrol sector specialist Dirk van den Berg co-heads the team, handling leasing matters for retailers.Practice head(s):
Katinka Verdurmen; Dirk van den Berg
Testimonials
‘Personal, engaged, persistent, accurate, agreements are met.’
‘Katinka Verdurmen is a charming and very persistent lady who can think strategically. She understands well that it is not about one stroke, but about the end result.’
Key clients
Association of franchisees of Albert Heijn
Nespresso Nederland B.V.
Subway International B.V.
Bagels & Beans B.V.
Mirage Retail Group B.V.
Wave International B.V./Provalliance Netherlands B.V.
Association of franchisees of McDonald’s
Oogwereld B.V.
Ball Wholesale ApS
JD Sports Fashion B.V./Sports Unlimited Fashion B.V.
Yves Rocher Nederland B.V.
Søstrene Grene
Den Hartog B.V.
Manhave Investments B.V.
Blauwdruk Investeringen B.V.
Work highlights
- Acted for the association of franchisees of Albert Heijn on a complex dispute with franchisor Albert Heijn on the annual financial settlements from 2008 onwards and the interpretation of the agreed financial arrangements for the future.
- Advised leading retail chain Mirage Retail Group (Blokker, Intertoys, MINISO and BCC) on the process of formula transformation and on various rental, real estate and franchise-law related matters.
Netherlands > Real estate Tier 4
Specialists in corporate and real estate law, act Fort Advocaten is known for its work in the retail, hotel and leisure segments. The practice handles both contentious and non-contentious issues, and is jointly led by Pieter Twaalfhoven, Katinka Verdurmen, Dirk van den Berg and Mirre Vermeer, who excel in a broad range of real estate matters. Asmara Kalter assists the team with civil real estate law issues and commercial contracts.Practice head(s):
Pieter Twaalfhoven; Katinka Verdurmen; Dirk van den Berg; Mirre Vermeer
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Due to their niche position within the real estate and business practice, they have in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in the real estate market. They are extremely well informed about all new regulations and consistently deliver high-quality work. What really sets Fort apart is their quick response and their accessibility. All lawyers we work with are strong both substantively and socially. We are therefore extremely satisfied with our collaboration with them. ’
‘Pieter Twaalfhoven is extremely sharp, accurate, proactive and has the ability to come up with practical solutions that fit seamlessly with business operations.’
‘Katinka Verdurmen is a very qualified lawyer in the field of real estate and especially in lease law. Easy access and great sparring partner. Aware of latest knowledge.’
‘Qualified in real estate. Client friendly firm. Easy access and involvement from lawyers and partners. Can compete with the large law firms with their expertise. ’
Key clients
Amrâth Hotels & Restaurants B.V.
Nedstede Retail B.V.
Mirage Retail Group B.V. (Blokker, Intertoys, MINISO, BCC)
Metroprop B.V.
JD Sports Fashion B.V. / Sports Unlimited Retail B.V.
Corendon Hotels & Resorts B.V.
Wisdom Holding Netherlands B.V
De Vijf Heeren B.V.
CASA 23 B.V.
IHM Group Holding B.V.
Spring Real Estate B.V.
Blauwdruk Investeringen B.V.
Manhave Investments B.V.
Nespresso Nederland B.V.
SynVest Dutch Real Estate B.V.
Søstrene Grene
Vastwas B.V.
PATRIZIA Netherlands B.V.
Segesta Groep B.V.
Work highlights
- Advised real estate investor Nedstede Holding on a large dispute related to the monthly rental payments with regard to Covid-19.
- Advised Amrâth Hotels & Restaurants on the acquisition of the Airport Hotel Rotterdam, the Berghotel in Amersfoort and Hotel Bigarré in Maastricht.
- Advised real estate developer De Vijf Heeren on a dispute regarding the execution of a building contract with Ballast Nedam with regard to a 154-metre residential tower in Rotterdam.
Netherlands > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 5
Retail disputes, conflicts between real estate developers, and disputes arising out of construction projects are all matters handled by act Fort Advocaten. The firm specialises in corporate and real estate law and is largely sought out by Dutch companies for assistance with contentious issues. Practice head Berth Brouwer is experienced in both commerical and corporate litigation and is adept at resolving potential conflicts prior to any proceedings, as well as representing clients in court.Practice head(s):
Berth Brouwer
Testimonials
‘Practical and very experienced.’
‘The Fort team are originally specialists in the real estate and corporate practice areas and this specialisation is clearly reflected in the way they deal with us as clients. What really sets Fort apart is their quick response and their accessibility. All the Fort lawyers we work with are also strong both substantively and socially. We are therefore extremely satisfied with our collaboration with them.’
‘The team deliver excellent work, and they respond quickly and adequately.’
‘Berth Brouwer is a very competent lawyer – he knows what it takes to win a case and gives solid advice. On top of this he is very likeable.’
Key clients
Amrâth Hotels & Restaurants B.V.
YTO Express Holdings Ltd./OTX Logistics B.V.
Vlietmark Beheer B.V.
Stichting Ymere
Hein Schilder Groep B.V.
Marggraff Stichting
Schiphol Taxi
Sports Unlimited B.V./JD Sports Fashion B.V.
Metroprop B.V.
VAHFR (Association of Albert Heijn Franchisees)
Torn B.V.
Howden Insurance Brokers Nederland B.V.
CASA 23
Stadion Arnhem (Nedstede Holding)
De Vijf Heeren B.V.
Work highlights
- Acted for real estate investor Nedstede Holding in a significant dispute over the monthly rental payments stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Representing De Lelie Vastgoed B.V. in disputes with pension fund Rail & OV and Ballast Nedam regarding the construction of the Galaxy Tower project.
- Acted for real estate developer De Vijf Heeren B.V. in a dispute regarding the execution of a building contract with Ballast Nedam with regard to a residential tower in Rotterdam.
Netherlands > Commercial, corporate and M&A
act Fort Advocaten > Firm Profile
The firm: act Fort Advocaten (“act FORT”) is a law firm located in Amsterdam, specialised in real estate law and corporate law and all related legal areas with a leading position in the retail, real estate and hotels and leisure industries.
Our 35+ expert lawyers (of which 10 are partners) advise on a wide range of legal issues, ranging from rental matters, real estate transactions and acquisitions to corporate disputes, employment and franchise related matters and restructuring.
We work for (international) corporate companies, mid-sized enterprises, governments, investors and regularly act as official receiver for the Amsterdam Court. Our mission is to help our clients make the best decisions and we do so with dedication, spirit and expertise.
act FORT was ranked as leading firm in the The Legal 500 EMEA edition in the section Industry focus: Retail in 2018-2024, in the category Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation in 2019-2024 and in Real Estate in 2020-2024. In 2024 act FORT was also ranked as Firm to Watch in the section Commercial, Corporate and M&A.
How we work: Our lawyers are highly specialised in their jurisdiction and always keep abreast of recent developments and follow specialist training courses in their field of law.
The lawyers in our various practice groups work together closely in multidisciplinary teams. By pooling our knowledge and being alert to our clients’ needs, we are able to achieve the best results and help them make the best decisions.
Our clients are our key focus. Every client has a dedicated contact at partner level. act FORT values creativity and seeks ways to build solutions, providing top quality service at competitive rates. We accomplish more by working together and favour short lines of communication, fully focused on our client’s case.
European alliance act legal: act FORT is part of act legal, a growing European law firm with offices in 12 markets.
act legal offers international companies operating in the European market high-quality advice, at local and international level. This way act legal also forms, especially for American and Asian companies, an efficient one-stop solution for excellent legal support in Europe.
act legal represents a team of more than 300 first-class corporate and commercial lawyers, tax consultants and business experts to service demanding corporate clientele. We offer the market the best of all legal consultancy worlds, by combining top partner-led, local law firms with international professionalism.
act legal stands for high quality, fair pricing, efficient bespoke processes, strong partner involvement and a personal approach, all of which make it an attractive alternative to major international law firms.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real estate | Pieter Twaalfhoven | pieter.twaalfhoven@actlegal-fort.com | +31.20.664 5111 |
| Real estate | Mirre Vermeer | mirre.vermeer@actlegal-fort.com | +31.20.664 5111 |
| Dispute resolution: corporate & commercial litigation | Berth Brouwer | berth.brouwer@actlegal-fort.com | +31.20.664 5111 |
| Commercial, corporate and M&A | Terry Steffens | terry.steffens@actlegal-fort.com | +31.20.664 5111 |
| Commercial, corporate and M&A | Harro Schulz | harro.schulz@actlegal-fort.com | +31.20.664 5111 |
| Franchise, real estate | Katinka Verdurmen | katinka.verdurmen@actlegal-fort.com | +31.20.664 5111 |
| Franchise, real estate | Dirk van den Berg | dirk.vandenberg@actlegal-fort.com | +31.20.664 5111 |
| Employment | Elias van Kampen | elias.vankampen@actlegal-fort.com | +31.20.664 5111 |
| Restructuring and insolvency | Derk van Geel | derk.vangeel@actlegal-fort.com | +31.20.664 5111 |
| Litigation, corporate and commercial contracts | Tony Vermeulen | tony.vermeulen@actlegal-fort.com | +31.20.664 5111 |
