Netherlands 2025
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Senior Director - Global Antitrust, AI & EU Affairs | Uber
Executive Director Legal & Compliance | General Counsel | Rituals Cosmetics Enterprise B.V.
Head of contract management and legal | VolkerWessels Bouw & Vastgoedontwikkeling
General Counsel Corporate Affairs | Darling Ingredients International
General Counsel | Amvest Investment Management B.V.
General Counsel, Mauer Consultancy | Mauer Management Consultancy B.V.
Head of Legal, Europe and Global Privacy Counsel | Tata Consultancy Services
General Counsel, Group Manager Risk & Compliance | Fourthline
General Counsel, Procurement Operations Sustainability | Danone
Ocom BV Global Group General Counsel | LeaseWeb Global B.V.
Head of legal business, head of corporate and financial law | Philips
General Counsel Unilever Foods Europe & Head Legal the Netherlands | Unilever
Vice president, general counsel, ethics and compliance officer | Capgemini
General Counsel EMEA & LatAm | Spencer Stuart
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | Port of Rotterdam
Legal, Compliance and Governance Assistant | Booking.com BV
Head of Legal Netherlands, Google Netherlands B.V. | Google Netherlands B.V.
General Counsel, Senior Director | JTC Group
General Counsel EBSC and SSA | COFCO International Netherlands B.V.
I am delighted to introduce the inaugural edition of Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Netherlands 2025, and extend my congratulations to all those featured in this year’s list.
I would also like to thank everyone who contributed to the research process and took the time to speak with us. Our GC Powerlist initiative aims to provide a platform for general counsel to exchange knowledge, insights and expertise, fostering an environment in which individuals can learn from each other and share their experience.
Amid rapid geopolitical shifts and technological change, these shared experiences are becoming increasingly valuable. As Ernst van de Weert, general counsel at Heineken N.V., points out: ‘one significant trend is the increasing importance of digital transformation and the integration of technology in legal processes.’ His peers, across all sectors, are quick to agree. Eva de Vries, Meta’s associate general counsel, warns that ‘there will be more overlapping regulation and a bigger focus on tech and AI’, something that will have a particular impact on legal counsel.
Discussions around digitalisation and the use of AI are therefore essential – and taking place in almost every in-house team on a global scale. Harnessing AI is key, Vanessa Vilar, general counsel at Unilever Ice Cream, reminds us. If general counsels’ decision-making process ‘can be powered by technology and AI, the in-house counsel becomes even more efficient and impactful, allowing more time dedicated to high value activities’, she says.
It is these high value activities where general counsel shine. What distinguishes in-house legal professionals, as many of our interviewees agree, is their ability to embed themselves within the organisation, offering guidance not just as legal advisors, but as trusted business partners: general counsel ‘are also strategic partners who contribute to the overall success of the organisation,’ points out Kyong Soon Rijnders, general counsel and ethics and compliance officer at Capgemini Netherlands.
This level of involvement means that general counsel have to adapt, taking on roles well beyond their formal job descriptions. The list of the most important attributes for a general counsel is a long one: as Jantine Bos, legal director at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, candidly puts it, ‘what qualifies a modern in-house counsel… is a lot’. While legal expertise is a given, today’s general counsel must also possess a deep understanding of the business, a proactive approach to risk, the ability to translate complex issues into clear advice, and the agility to adapt and communicate with clarity.
The GC Powerlist: Netherlands 2025 is a testament to the vital role in-house counsel play in every organisation. As Bos succinctly reflects, ‘the work of a lawyer always lingers’.
The GC Powerlist Peru 2025 brought Lima’s legal elite together in the elegant setting of the Belmond Miraflores Park, in a night that buzzed with connection, insight, and recognition. Sponsored by leading Peruvian law firm Estudio Muñiz, the evening shone a spotlight on the most innovative and influential general counsel in the region.
Silvana Rosso, Directora Legal y de Asuntos Públicos at Nestlé Perú y Bolivia, delivered a heartfelt and forward-thinking address. Reflecting on her journey and the evolving role of legal professionals, she said:
“Being part of the GC Powerlist is an honour—but also a responsibility. As legal leaders, we have the power to shape not just policy, but culture. Equity, diversity, and inclusion must be more than aspirations; they should be embedded in how we lead, hire, and serve our communities. Our work doesn’t stop at risk management—it starts with creating spaces where everyone belongs.”
Her words struck a powerful chord, earning nods from peers across industries.
Mauricio Olaya, Socio Principal at Estudio Muñiz, underscored the firm’s dedication to collaboration and innovation:
“We at Estudio Muñiz are proud to support the GC Powerlist because it reflects the very values we strive for—excellence, partnership, and resilience. In-house counsel are no longer reactive players; they’re strategic architects, building bridges between compliance, reputation, and growth. Tonight, we celebrate that transformation.”
The evening closed with a toast to the awardees, the legal teams behind them, and the ever-evolving legal landscape in Latin America. GC Powerlist Peru 2025 didn’t just honour legal brilliance—it celebrated a community that continues to drive meaningful impact from the boardroom to society at large.
