Firm Profile > Simmons & Simmons > Amsterdam, Netherlands

Banking and finance: asset finance and structured finance Tier 1

Jeroen Bos heads the asset and structured finance team at Simmons & Simmons, and specialises in asset-backed transactions including supply chain financing, securitisation, and covered bonds, as well as acting for sellers and buyers on loan portfolio transactions. Elsewhere in the team, Rezah Stegeman has significant expertise in work pertaining to derivatives, focusing on trade documentation, clearing documentation and regulation. Also recommended is 'hands-on' associate Vincent Engel.

Capital markets: debt Tier 1

Simmons & Simmons handles high-profile matters for issuers and underwriters, with the international qualifications of practice head Peter Voorhees allowing the team to offer fully integrated advice on Dutch, US, and UK capital markets matters. Clients include major international banks, and notably the state of the Netherlands, which the firm advised on the issuance of green bonds. Other matters include bond and notes issues, including complex exchangeable bonds, alongside updates and restructuring work. Marieke Driessen and associate Shari Taylor Molloy, who is US and UK qualified, are other key names.

Industry focus: Food Tier 1

Banking and finance: Financial services regulatory Tier 2

Advising asset management companies on their relationships with UK dealers post-Brexit is the particular speciality of the team at Simmons & Simmons, where clients include Aegon, APG and Actiam. The firm also advises notable Dutch banks, among them Rabobank, BNG Bank, and NWB Bank, on a variety of other regulatory matters, including funds documentation, and the Payments Services Directive (PSD2). Rezah Stegeman leads the team, supported by associate Aron Berket. Pieter van Uchelen left the firm to join Florent.

Banking and finance: lender or arranger side Tier 2

At Simmons & Simmons, the team is 'very pleasant to work with'. It has been particularly active recently in financings related to the real estate sector, including advising ABN Amro Bank and ING Bank on the €460m bridge financing of the Woluwé shopping centre in Brussels and assisting ABN Amro with the financing provided for the acquisition of a portfolio of residential properties, known as Project Red. The firm is jointly headed by Jan-Joost van Rijsbergen, Marieke Driessen and counsel Frédérique Jacobse. Also recommended are managing associate Dirk-Jan Gerrits and senior associate Vincent Engel.

Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 2

Simmons & Simmons' dispute resolution team is instructed on a wide range of cases, but has particular experience in finance, medical and technology-related disputes. The firm also reports an uptick in post-M&A disputes and other corporate and shareholder disputes, with Bernard Verbunt a key figure for shareholder activism issues. Practice head Johan Polet is highly active across the spectrum of mandates undertaken by the firm, but is particularly notable in the fields of insurance litigation and mass claims, including follow-on damages. In the financial litigation space, counsel Robert Verburg is a key name.

Energy: transactional Tier 2

Simmons & Simmons' energy practice consists of three main pillars. Andrea Chao focuses on the development of energy plants, while Marieke Driessen and Frédérique Jacobse concentrate on the financing of such plants. Pieter van Uchelen and Rob Hendriks specialise in handling energy-related M&A transactions. The team is also active in litigation and arbitration cases related energy disputes.

Fraud and white-collar crime Tier 2

Simmons & Simmons assists clients with all areas of white-collar crime issues, including representation, compliance advice, internal and external investigations, and has great expertise in multiple industry sectors. The team acts for clients in cases related to corruption, money laundering, fraud, and international sanctions, representing major domestic and international banks, consultancies and companies. The practice is led by David Schreuders, who has great experience of multi-jurisdictional investigations and criminal defence.

Industry focus: healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Simmons & Simmons fields 'excellent lawyers capable of providing high-quality legal services' as part of a well-established life sciences and healthcare practice. With the ability to 'provide effective solutions', Machteld Hiemstra  has extensive expertise, which spans regulatory and commercial work including product liability matters and litigation. Bas Berghuis van Woortman, who is head of IP, handles patent litigation relating to antibody technology and small molecules, and Mattie De Koning is a patent litigator who has a chemical technology background. The group also advises on commercial transactions and competition issues in the medicine, medical devices and food supplement arenas.

Intellectual property: Patents Tier 2

Real estate Tier 2

The 'very committed' team at Simmons & Simmons provides 'sound legal advice and solutions' in a number of key real estate areas, namely M&A, project development, leasing, public tenders and disputes. The practice demonstrates 'good sector knowledge' in a wide range of industries, advising clients on real estate including office, retail, logistics, residential, and leisure space, as well as hotels, infrastructure and data centres. Practice heads Luc Cohen and Rob Hendriks, along with counsel Siemkje Batenburg, advised Hines on the €116.5m acquisition of business park ABC Westland, a major agricultural logistics park measuring 117,000 square metres.

Tax Tier 2

With the arrival of Monique van Herksen, the tax team at Simmons & Simmons has expanded its strength to include advising on transfer pricing controversies. Other focuses for the 'very experienced' practice include assisting investment funds with asset management, advising financial institutions, and acting for clients from the life sciences and technology sectors. The firm receives instruction from a number of domestic and international asset and hedge fund managers, including Amundi, AXA Investment Managers, and Nova Capital. Practice head René van Eldonk is recommended for his 'extensive knowledge', and Peter Flipsen is also a key contact.

Banking and finance: Borrower side Tier 3

Simmons & Simmons is strong on cross-border financing work, often acting in collaboration with other elements of the firm's international network, particularly the UK office. The firm is particularly active in the field of real estate financing, spanning all sectors including residential, diverse portfolios, and more niche areas such as logistics hubs. Jan-Joost van Rijsbergen, Frédérique Jacobse, and Marieke Driessen jointly lead the group.

Capital markets: equity Tier 3

Peter Voorhees and Marieke Driessen head up the practice at Simmons & Simmons, which advises on all sides of equity and equity-linked transactions, including share issues and exchangeable bond issues. The group provides US and Dutch capital markets advice to underwriters, issuers, agents and investors. It is a popular choice for hedge funds, as well as businesses within the life sciences sector, a particular strength for the firm.

Construction Tier 3

Simmons & Simmons' construction team is instructed on many large redevelopment projects, and is experienced in the area of turnkey agreements, as well as other contracting and subcontracting issues. The firm is also recommended for international matters, working with its international offices. Luc Cohen heads the firm's broader real estate and construction practice, while 'efficient' managing associate Andrea Chao is another figure to note.

EU and competition Tier 3

Simmons & Simmons has a sector focus approach with significant cross-border capabilities, handling work in financial services, life sciences, TMT, energy and infrastructure sectors. The practice covers the entire range of competition law including anti-trust, merger control and state aid. The firm's regular clients include Aperam, Bridgestone, and Gilde Equity Management. Practice head Koen Platteau, who is based in Brussels, and Robert Hardy represented Aegon before the ACM in relation to its acquisition of Robidus from Avedon Capital Partners.

Intellectual property: trade marks, copyrights and design rights Tier 3

Paul Tjiam, who became partner in 2019 leads the soft-IP team at Simmons & Simmons. In addition to its highly rated patents practice, it offers the full range of  trade marks and designs expertise which includes application filing services and the management of portfolios of well-know brands.

Investment funds Tier 3

Simmons & Simmons' funds team is particularly focused on hedge funds and pension funds, acting on both sides of the aisle in matters concerning such funds. René van Eldonk specialises in international tax planning and fellow co-head Rezah Stegeman is a key contact on the regulatory side, particularly for work concerning MiFID II.

Private equity Tier 3

Simmons & Simmons' private equity team operates across a wide range of industry sectors, from asset management to life sciences. Led by Leo Verhoeff , the team typically works on mid-market transactions which recently included the acquisition of one of the largest fresh food hub logistics centers in Europe. Deal teams working on transactions tend to be relatively small providing further cost efficiency to clients. The firm also leverages its global reach, both through its 23 offices and relationships with other firms,  to provide legal advice across jurisdictions .

Project finance and PFI Tier 3

Simmons & Simmons fields a project finance team, which works closely with the firm's London office, where energy and infrastructure project specialist Andrew Petry leads advice on several large Dutch infrastructure projects. Within the local team, Marieke Driessen is the key project finance specialist, while counsel Frédérique Jacobse is also highly recommended. Driessen co-heads the practice with construction specialist Luc Cohen.

Transport Tier 3

Simmons & Simmons primarily handles the financing of transportation projects and assets. Several recent matters demonstrate the firm's capability to handle high-profile work in the transport sector, including advising ING on its role as lead manager on Royal Schiphol Group’s debut €500m green bond. Other work includes transport team head Marieke Driessen advising a number of major international banks and insurers on asset financing related to the transport industry.

Commercial, corporate and M&a Tier 4

Rob Hendriks leads the practice at Simmons & Simmons, which is 'commercial, pragmatic and decisive'. The team has a track record in asset management and investment funds work with a focus on the energy, infrastructure, life sciences and TMT sectors; it also assists clients with structuring transactions, tax issues and post-merger integration matters. Leo Verhoeff's broad expertise includes assisting private equity firms and management buy-out teams. Managing associate Martijn Stuart and supervising associate Michiel Boer are also cited for their expertise.

Employment Tier 4

Simmons & Simmons' Amsterdam-based employment team is often instructed by multinational clients in connection with cross-border work, frequently collaborating with other offices of the firm. Key sectors for the group include finance, TMT, and energy, and the team is highly experienced in remuneration advisory work. Joris Oster leads the practice, and his areas of expertise include collective and individual dismissal cases, works council issues and transfers of undertaking.

Industry focus: Media and entertainment Tier 4

At Simmons & Simmons, the team offers a 'pragmatic and practical approach' to a range of media-related issues. It advises on defamation and allegations of fake news, and fake reviews, advertising disputes as well as transactional work such as the negotiation of licences. Practice head Paul Tjiam brings a 'creative and solution-oriented approach' to soft IP and freedom of speech matters. The key contact for litigious issues is Bas Berghuis and counsel Machteld Hiemstra is also noted.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 4

The 'highly motivated and engaged' team at Simmons & Simmons makes an 'ideal sparring partner'. The firm assists both banks and corporate entities with restructurings, workouts, and liquidations, as well as representing clients in insolvency disputes. 'Sharp analytical lawyer' Erwin Bos , who is 'capable of rendering quick answers and results', advises various stakeholders, including creditors, management, shareholders and potential purchasers and investors, focusing particularly on the healthcare sector. Jeroen Bos has significant experience in asset backed finance, and distressed portfolio sales.