AKD appreciates that the US/Netherlands partnership is one of the oldest and deepest global
business relationships in the world.
Our firm advises a substantial number of United States-based clients active in both the
financial, manufacturing, and services industries. Our in-depth knowledge of both the
American and the Dutch corporate culture is highly appreciated by our clients.
Supported by our approx.240 lawyers, tax lawyers and civil-law notaries, AKD’s United
States Desk renders advice to US-based clients on an integrated and full-service basis. The
wide range of issues our firm advises on includes corporate structuring and restructuring of
US entities with a global presence structured through the Benelux, but also finance
transactions, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, international holding and financing
entities, employment law, shipping, and offshore and real estate investments.
Nearly all of the designated partners and associates of the US Desk have lived and worked
in the United States or have been seconded to US law firms or institutions, are fluent in
English and have a profound knowledge of the US market, business practice, and American
culture. We pride ourselves on a 24/7 mentality and responsiveness.
A non-exhaustive list of transactions performed for US-based clients in the last financial
year includes:
- Assisting large US financial funds in a Chapter 11 restructuring of an NYSE listed USbased chemicals and paints multinational;
- Assisting the borrowing entities in the refinancing of an NYSE listed multinational in
the field of battery power; - Structuring and implementing the legal and tax structure supporting the
international expansion of a US-based cosmetics group; and - Designing transfer-pricing policies for one of the world’s leading music publishing
groups.
Our contact person for the US Desk for corporate matters is Vincent Bettonville. A partner
within, and practice head of, AKD’s Amsterdam finance & structuring department, Vincent
has ample experience advising United States clients.
Vincent worked as a lawyer in New York for 16 years and is highly experienced in
(syndicated) loan and security transactions, advising on LMA documentation and general
corporate advice. Vincent is also a member of AKD’s legal opinion committee, the American
Bar Association and the International Bar Association.
References
Several leading independent guides to commercial legal firms recommend Vincent
Bettonville. IFLR1000, edition 2016, recommends Vincent as Leading Lawyer. A previous edition of this legal listing of financial leading lawyers in the world stated about Vincent:
“Vincent Bettonville at AKD helped us in securing a deal, it wouldn’t have happened without
him being involved – he was very good in highlighting danger areas, we are happy with the
level of expertise at this firm.” Chambers’ edition 2016 ranks Vincent as “Foreign legal
expert”. The Legal 500, edition 2015, mentions Vincent as “Leader in his field”.
Our contact person for the US Desk for tax matters is Ivo Vreman. One of AKD’s
Amsterdam-based tax partners, Ivo specializes in providing tax advice to internationally
operating companies the vast majority of which have US nexuses. As such, Ivo has been
involved in a substantial number of transactions and restructurings undertaken by US-based
companies.
Ivo worked as an in-house tax lawyer for Credit Suisse (Switzerland) and Royal Philips
Electronics. His combined experience in international corporate environments and tax
advisory affords him a swift and thorough understanding of international business processes
and adds value to the advice he provides on our clients’ everyday activities and their
strategic business decisions.
Ivo is a member of the International Bar Association, American Bar Association, Dutch
Association of Tax Advisers (Nederlandse Orde van Belastingadviseurs – NOB) and the
International Fiscal Association (IFA).
Contact details
For more information about AKD, our United States Desk, and our services, please contact
Vincent Bettonville or Ivo Vreman at:
T: +31 88 253 5210/ T : +31 88 253 5170
F: +31 88 253 5260/ F : +31088 253 5258
E: [email protected] E: [email protected]
Our Amsterdam office address:
Gustav Mahlerlaan 2970
1081 LA Amsterdam
The Netherlands