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De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

More information

Netherlands

1

Energy

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek demonstrates ‘excellent knowledge’ across the energy sector. Leadership is split between three practice co-heads: Martje de Vries Lentsch, who leverages a litigation and arbitration background and specialises in commercial, public law, and regulatory disputes across the renewables and oil and gas segments; Michael Schouten, who is a go-to advisor on public and private M&A, equity transactions, and strategic investments, particularly concerning the development of Dutch grid; and Jasper van Uden , who focuses on the permitting, environmental, and public law aspects of major energy transition projects. Josefien Vreeken supports on energy regulatory and public law matters.

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Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • An excellent team that puts excellent knowledge, skills, and drive into practice. Flexible and service-oriented. Work is approached in a structured manner and organized at the necessary level. We truly operate as a team (lead, senior, and junior lawyers).
  • The team members have up-to-date knowledge of not only M&A, but also a good understanding of other areas like W&I insurance and competition.
  • I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the individuals at De Brauw. The team combines deep legal insight with strong oversight of complex matters, and their collaboration — both internally and with our own team — is smooth and highly effective. Everyone is given the space to contribute, and each person is fully committed to our shared goal. This creates a strong sense of joint ownership and focus throughout the process. The partners, in particular, operate at an exceptional level — combining strategic thinking with hands-on involvement, and setting a high standard for the entire team. It has been a pleasure to work with such dedicated and capable professionals.
  • The team is hands-on and well-organized.
  • Individuals with long-lasting relationships with our company and experience in our industry. 100% commitment.
  • The team is very responsive, detailed, and accurate in the work that is produced. The quality and speed combined are really the strengths.
  • As a lead, Jasper van Uden is always in control, maintains an overview, and is effective in advising clients and their relationships with government agencies and other organizations. He's friendly, yet decisive. Welmoed Willemse is our first point of contact, and we couldn't ask for better. She's incredibly sharp on the content and also has a strong understanding of the process between organizations and individuals.
  • Actively thinking along with the client on the best strategy to use, providing clear insights on pros and cons. Proactive in defining, planning, and executing actions to be taken. Keeping a sharp eye even in times of very serious workloads and the pressure of deadlines in multiple workstreams.
  • I've worked closely with Mr. Jaap Barneveld and Mr. Jasper van Uden. The first one in the field of M&A and the other in the field of public law. Both combine their theoretical knowledge very well with practical work. Always looking for the best result for the customer, but also always aware of risks or sensitivities.
  • Well-informed, thorough, client-based, and reliable on goals and targets.

Key clients

  • Gasunie
  • Porthos - consortium of Port of Rotterdam, Gasunie and EBN
  • TenneT
  • Shell
  • GasTerra
  • NAM (Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij)
  • NEA / Gemeenschappelijke Kernenergiecentrale Nederland (GKN)
  • Foundation Preparation Pallas reactor (PALLAS)
  • Kingdom of the Netherlands
  • Aramis (EBN, Gasunie, Shell & TotalEnergies)

Work highlights

Acting as lead counsel to TenneT on the financing of the expansion of its German onshore and offshore high voltage electricity grid.
Advising both Porthos (Port of Rotterdam, Gasunie & EBN) and Aramis (EBN, Gasunie, Shell & TotalEnergies) on the realisation of two multibillion CCS projects in the Netherlands.
Advising the Dutch government on complex negotiations with Tata Steel regarding a potential government support package to enable and accelerate Tata Steel's transition to sustainable steelmaking.

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.

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Josefien Vreeken
Josefien Vreeken
Practice head

Martje de Vries Lentsch; Michael Schouten; Jasper van Uden

Other key lawyers

Bommel van der Bend; Josefien Vreeken; Welmoed Willemsen