De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek boasts ‘strong intellectual firepower’ within its banking and finance practice, which is noted for its strength in cross-border loan matters, debt portfolio financings and leveraged buyouts. The team is jointly headed by Ferdinand Hengst, who boasts a strong track record in the media, food and private equity sectors, and Bas Boutellier, who is sought-after for his ’responsive, knowledgeable and pragmatic’ advice. Lisa de Boer is known for her ‘strong attention to detail’, excelling in both amended and restated revolving credit facilities. Ben O’Docherty is a further name of note in the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- De Brauw stands out for its deep expertise in complex financing structures and pragmatic, solution-driven approach. The team combines technical excellence in SFA documentation and security arrangements with strong coordination across stakeholders, ensuring smooth execution under tight timelines. We valued their responsiveness, ESG experience, and ability to manage the transaction in an adequate way.
- Partner Bas Boutellier combines deep technical expertise in complex financing structures with strategic board-level insight, making him a trusted advisor for high-stakes transactions.
- ‘Bas Boutellier is responsive, knowledgeable, and pragmatic.'
- ‘Real depth of expertise. Strong intellectual firepower.’
- ‘Bas Boutellier and Lisa de Boer are both stand-out performers in their sector.’
- ‘De Brauw stands out for its in-depth market knowledge and practical, actionable advice - qualities that have proven immensely valuable to us as a client.’
- 'De Brauw stands out for its deep expertise in complex financing structures and pragmatic, solution-driven approach.'
- 'We valued their responsiveness, ESG experience, and ability to manage the transaction.'
- ‘We have worked with the banking and finance team on several occasions, always to our full satisfaction. Highly responsive, engaged, and accessible. Their knowledge and expertise are of an excellent standard. ’
Key clients
- Nuclear Reactor Pallas
- Fugro
- BCD
- National grid operator TenneT
- Just Eat Takeaway N.V.
- APAX Partners
- BME Group
- Royal BAM Group N.V.
- AkzoNobel N.V.
- The Dutch Railways
- G Square Capital
- Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten
- Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs
- Netherlands Ministry of Finance
- BC Partners
- Bracebridge Capital
- Parcom Capital
- Waterland Private Equity
- Alimentation Couche-Tard
- Siemens AG
Work highlights
Advissing TenneT on new funding structure, including the envisaged transfer of over €60bn debt portfolio and Dutch State guarantee.
Acting on a $1.2bn acquisition financing for H.I.G. Capital subsidiary Axiom.
Assisting on TenneT's €44bn+ loan facility from the Dutch State.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Ferdinand Hengst; Bas Boutellier
Other key lawyers
Lisa de Boer; Ben O'Docherty