Instructed by leading insurers, reinsurers and brokers, Houthoff delivers ‘exceptional legal quality’ across the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious insurance work. The practice spans high-value coverage disputes, reinsurance litigation, regulatory enforcement, investigations, and M&A. Berry van Wijk leads the team and excels in handling the corporate and regulatory dimensions of insurance law, advising on life and non-life insurance regulation, portfolio transfers, distribution models, insurer product liability, and supervisory engagement with the DNB and AFM. ’Go-to lawyer’ Huib Lebbing and Lucas Dröge leverage longstanding experience in liability claims, particularly within the health and safety space. Gijs Hamelijnck is another key name to note.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Berry van Wijk and Gijs Hamelijnck are key representatives of the firm. They exemplify what one rightfully expects from a trusted advisor: expertise, commitment, and reliability.’
- ‘The team at Houthoff is knowledgeable, client-oriented, and genuinely wants to help you as a client.’
- ‘Berry van Wijk and Gijs Hamelijnck are genuinely committed, really personable, and incredibly knowledgeable.’
- ‘What makes this practice unique is that they have a really honest, straightforward approach.'
- ‘Huib Lebbing is a great leader and a good lawyer. Very reliable and calm.’
- ‘Huib Lebbing is the go-to lawyer for any international, complex, sensitive, multi party product liability matter. He has the experience and skills to resolve these issues. A true "problem solver".’
Key clients
- AIG
- Ammega Group
- ASR
- Achmea/Centraal Beheer
- AG Insurance
- Allianz
- Aon
- Atradius Credit Insurance
- Axa XL
- Axia Vegetable Seeds BV
- CNA
- De Goudse
Work highlights
Acting for Munich Re in a complex coverage dispute with Philips N.V. and Philips Respironics Ltd. following the global voluntary recall of Philips Respironics CPAP and BiPAP respiratory devices and mechanical ventilators after the discovery of design defects through which patients could ingest and inhale degraded polyurethane foam particles.
Representing and advising the Dutch State in high profile class action proceedings brought by the Dutch Trade Union Confederations FNV and CNV that requested an advance payment of damages in summary proceedings for a class consisting of thousands of healthcare workers.
Representing Achmea, one of the biggest insurers in the Netherlands, in landmark preliminary ruling proceedings pending before the Dutch Supreme Court over whether, and under what circumstances, Dutch civil courts must assess ex officio (ambtshalve) the insurer’s compliance with various related European directives.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Gijs Hamelijnck
Practice head
Berry van Wijk
Other key lawyers
Huib Lebbing; Lucas Dröge; Gijs Hamelijnck