Norton Rose Fulbright > Amsterdam, Netherlands > Firm Profile

Norton Rose Fulbright > The Legal 500 Rankings

Netherlands > Project finance and PFI Tier 1

Norton Rose Fulbright specialises in infrastructure and accommodation projects, with a focus on the power and renewable energy industries. The team regularly assists on both international and domestic PPP projects and continues to be a driving force of PPP transactions in the Netherlands. As a go-to for projects regarding biomass power plants, solar energy parks, wind farms and tank storage terminals, the team stands out for its skills in advising on the life cycle of a project, from construction contracts to management agreements and financing. Notably, it has recently advised lenders on hybrid financing of a bioplastics plant and has continued to expand into other inventive plants involving biofuels and hydrogen. Wouter Hertzberger chairs the team alongside Daphne Broerse. Hertzberger leads on structured finance transactions and project finance related to energy and infrastructure, while Broerse combines her background in administrative and civil law to advise private companies and government authorities on large-scale energy, infrastructure and commercial developments. She has also been actively involved in offshore wind projects. Joris Ravelli is experienced in advising on data centre projects.

Netherlands > Banking and finance: Financial services regulatory Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright frequently advises on regulatory matters relating to ESG compliance, the fintech sector, banking and financial services, insurance companies, and trading firms. The team is especially skilled at advising on multi-jurisdictional compliance matters, with key clients including notable international banks and proprietary trading firms. With more than two decades of experience in the financial services market, Floortje Nagelkerke leads the team. She advises on a variety of regulatory and compliance issues, and Dutch licensing and notification requirements, and possesses in-depth knowledge of cryptocurrencies. Nikolai De Koning frequently handles cross-border regulatory mandates as well as matters concerning trading and digital payments.

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

Norton Rose Fulbright houses an ‘excellent’ team that advises some of the largest financial institutions in the country. Wouter Hertzberger is at the forefront of the firm’s banking practice and represents lenders and sponsors across a variety of financing transactions, with a particular emphasis on project finance, including mandates within the energy and shipping sectors. Joris Ravelli has experience of advising lenders on financing arrangements, project documentation, lease agreements, and refinancing matters. Marjolein Pichel is another standout lawyer noted for her work in handling financing transactions for both commercial and non-commercial lenders.

Netherlands > Industry focus: Food Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright's food and agribusiness team is led by corporate law expert Saskia Blokland, she advises producers, processors, traders, and financial institutions on food and beverage-related transactional issues. The practice has been active in food production company acquisitions, as well as advising producers on labelling regulations and carrying out investigations involving food corporations. The team is also able to advise on data privacy issues related to the food industry, as well as financing of soft commodities. Heimon Smits focuses on complex cross-border M&A transactions.

Netherlands > Insurance Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright takes a ‘proactive and dynamic approach’ to a broad range of insurance matters, working in close proximity to the firm’s London office to tackle cross-border D&O, W&I and professional liability coverage disputes, in addition to matters of suspected fraud. On the non-contentious side, the team assists with regulatory compliance and such transactions as M&As and joint ventures. Leading the practice is ‘key name for insurance parties’ Jan Duyvensz, a litigator who represents insurers, brokers and corporate clients on D&O and W&I matters, including claims arising out of private equity transactions. Regulatory queries are handled by Floortje Nagelkerke, who also handles the drafting of critical documentation.

Netherlands > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

The ‘exceptionally good’ Omar Salah heads up the restructuring and insolvency practice at Norton Rose Fulbright which is well regarded for its abilities advising on the remit of complex matters. Its client portfolio features a plethora of well-known banking institutions. The team has impressive expertise advising such lenders on high-stakes restructuring processes, frequently involving values in the multi-millions and multiple jurisdictions. Salah is supported by the firm’s project finance specialist Wouter Hertzberger.

Netherlands > Transport Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright’s transportation group, with a specialisation in aviation and ship financing, is well versed in M&A transactions in the transport sector and caters to a diverse range of clients including ship owners, banks, export credit agencies, leasing companies, and fund lenders. Wouter Hertzberger, who steers the transportation practice and heads the banking department, is skilled in structured finance transactions, particularly in shipping. Joris Ravelli represents both Dutch and international banks and institutional investors in ship finance, while Stefanie Walthaus and Joep Duinker contribute aviation asset finance expertise to the team.

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

The team at Norton Rose Fulbright, led by Wouter Hertzberger, regularly advises ECA-backed facilities, exporters, and international banks. The firm acts for both borrowers and lenders on asset-based transactions and specialised in shipping and aviation financing. With English lawyers located in the Amsterdam office, the team is readily available to advise on transactions within Dutch and English jurisdictions. Mei Land Man has over a decade of experience handling both domestic and cross-border structured finance transactions, including asset finance restructuring within the shipping sector. Omar Salah is also recommended for complex restructuring matters.

Netherlands > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s commercial, corporate and M&A team is adept at handling M&A, joint ventures, business combinations and corporate restructuring matters. The group draws on the strength of the firm's wider global network to assist clients with domestic and international work. Corporate law expert Saskia Blokland is 'highly responsive, organised, knowledgeable, and very supportive'; she heads up the practice, in which the ‘thorough’ senior associate Joeri Noteborn and counsel Florian Fehres are key contacts.

Netherlands > Construction Tier 3

With a primary focus on infrastructure, Norton Rose Fulbright handles all issues related to projects and are regularly mandated to handle project finance and PPP projects, concession contracts, and construction contracts. A growing area for the firm it its work on renewable energy construction projects, including advising lenders, financiers, and developers. Daphne Broerse utilises her background in administrative and civil law to advise both public and private sector clients on energy and infrastructure projects. Annemarie Ver Loren van Themaat-Creutzberg is also noted for her work with energy companies.

Netherlands > Energy

The energy team at Norton Rose Fulbright is equipped to assist its client base on key project developments in energy contexts, including solar, wind and green hydrogen. Banking and finance specialist Wouter Hertzberger heads up the practice, in which Matthijs Van Leeuwen is a key name to note. On the regulatory side, Floortje Nagelkerke and associate Julia van der Grint advise on the range of matters, including those pertaining to the energy transition.

Netherlands > Environment and planning Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s ‘diverse and open’ planning and environment team has significant expertise advising its portfolio of clients on the gamut of matters related to infrastructure and commercial projects, in particular. This includes advice regarding environmental permits, due diligence, contracts and compliance. Experienced practitioner in civil and administrative law Daphne Broerse heads up the practice. Former co-head of the team, counsel Bart Vis, departed the team in October 2022.

Netherlands > Fraud and white-collar crime Tier 3

The team at Norton Rose Fulbright is part of the firm’s global regulatory, compliance, and investigations group, allowing for a comprehensive service regarding international matters. The firm handles a variety of investigations, including bribery, money laundering, workplace safety, fraud, and corruption. Sharon Oded heads the practice and regularly handles economic sanctions, international investigations, and global risk compliance risk assessments, among other matters. Britt van Breda is also noted for her ability to navigate sensitive and complex compliance and investigation projects.

Netherlands > Tax Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s tax group maintains its own standalone practice, in addition to supporting the firm’s M&A, banking and projects practices, by providing advice on the structuring of cross-border transactions and funds. The team is also sought after for representation in tax disputes. Bart Le Blanc provides ‘clear and tailored tax advice’ on M&A transactions, restructurings and financings.

Netherlands > Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s dispute resolution practice is led by insurance expert and litigator Jan Duyvensz and stands out for its specialism in insurance disputes. Duyvensz acts for insurers, brokers, and corporations in product liability, contentious warranty and professional liability cases, and in claims arising from M&A transactions. In addition, contentious restructuring and insolvency matters are handled by Koen Durlinger. The team's experience spans representing clients before the courts of first instance and in appeal and emergency relief proceedings.

Netherlands > Real estate Tier 5

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s real estate team combines real estate and finance expertise to assist clients with real estate project financing and refinancing, acquisitions and divestments. Practice head Daphne Broerse advises on the sale, purchase and lease of real estate for a range of clients, including property developers and property funds.