The Legal 500 has published its rankings for 2020. On the basis of annual extensive research on the market and among clients, The Legal 500 compiles a list of lawyers’ teams per area of law.
We are proud to present the results we have achieved. In ‘Information Technology’, ‘Mediation’, ‘Retail’ and 'Media' we have achieved the highest level once again, being placed in ‘Tier 1’. This year, ‘Data privacy and data protection’ has its own official ranking within the Legal 500 and we have ranked ‘Tier 1’ as well. We congratulate our teams with another great accomplishment.
Find a complete overview of our rankings on our profile on the website of Legal 500.
Data privacy and data protection Tier 1
The Kennedy Van der Laan team is noted for combining its legal expertise with a thorough understanding of the technologies involved. The practice assists clients with all the various uses of commercial data, including big data, and advises on contractual and regulatory matters as well as investigations and enforcement cases. Its broad client roster includes those in the financial, healthcare and transport and logistics sectors. Hester de Vries, who has a background at the Dutch Data Protection Authority, is highly recommended and Quirine Tjeenk Willink is considered 'best in class' for complicated cases.
Leading individuals
Hester de Vries
Quirine Tjeenk Willink
Dispute resolution: Mediation Tier 1
Eva Knipschild heads the practice at Kennedy Van der Laan, which mediates in cases relating to employment law, insurance liability, and financial losses, among others. The team has been engaged in high-profile mediation in Dutch and English.
Industry focus: Information technology Tier 1
Kennedy Van der Laan provides sound advice combined with an understanding of current technologies. The team, which is led by Patrick Wit, handles the full gamut of transactional, regulatory and contentious work, which extends to e-commerce, blockchain, smart contracts and cybersecurity mandates. Wit's client roster encompasses financial and retail sector clients undertaking digital transformations and fintech start-ups. Reinoud Westerdijk and associate partner Joost Schmaal, who has 'tremendous insight into the IT landscape', are other key team members.
Next Generation Partners
Industry focus: Media and entertainment Tier 1
At Kennedy Van der Laan, Jens van den Brink litigates on behalf of national and international media companies, often at the intersection of IP, privacy, and free speech. He also regularly handles entertainment law issues, varying from image rights to format and licensing issues. Emiel Jurjens provides expert advice on media regulation to Dutch and international online platforms. Counsel Christien Wildeman, who has a strong focus on defamation cases, is also recommended.
Leading individuals
Next Generation Partners
Christien Wildeman
Industry focus: retail Tier 1
The Kennedy Van der Laan practice fields 'one of the leading teams in the Netherlands'. Martine de Koning heads up the group and, alongside her EU competition expertise, she is considered 'one of the best franchise lawyers'. Associate partner Bart-Adriaan de Ruijter handles a range of transactions, contentious matters and Brexit-related issues for retail clients, while senior associate Jelle Blom focuses on commercial and international trade matters. Acting for household-name clients, the team handles domestic and cross-border matters including joint ventures, distribution and licence agreements, competition and anti-trust work, and real estate mandates alongside the related litigation and arbitration proceedings.
Leading individuals
Construction Tier 2
Kennedy Van der Laan advises all parties in construction matters, from contractors and developers to large corporates, handling all aspects of work from the initial tender phase through to turn-key purchase agreements and post-construction litigation and arbitration. The practice is jointly headed by Richard-Jan Roks, who is highly regarded for procurement and contract matters, and Nico Jacobs, who is especially strong in the hospitality sector.
Insurance Tier 2
The team at Kennedy Van der Laan 'provides practical solutions' and also stands out for its 'strong personal relationship' with clients. The firm has a strong record in advising on all aspects of Dutch and European financial services regulation applicable to insurers, brokers and other insurance distributors, as well as assisting with claims and reviewing policy wordings. The 'experienced' Peter van den Broek specialises in product recall. For corporate insurance matters, Jan Broekhuizen is the name to note and Erik van Orsouw leads on work with insurance brokers and intermediaries. Also recommended are Chris van Dijk, Frits van der Woude, Petra Oskam and senior associate Mark Wisse.
Intellectual property: trade marks, copyrights and design rights Tier 2
Kennedy Van der Laan's IP practice handles both contentious and non-contentious work in the areas of trade marks, copyright, designs, licensing, R&D, trade secrets and patents. The firm has a strong presence in the technology, media, and fashion and luxury sectors. Alfred Meijboom and Maarten Schut lead the department and both advised a telecommunication multinational on trade mark infringement matters. Sophie van Loon specialises in copyright law and is representing a leading healthcare organisation in a major dispute with a collecting society. Also recommended are senior associates Reindert van der Zaal and Joran Spauwen.
Employment Tier 3
Kennedy Van der Laan's three-partner employment team provides the full range of employment law services for both national and international clients. Chris Nekeman focuses primarily on employee co-governance, union negotiations, and outsourcing mandates for Dutch companies. Eva Knipschild is high recommended for work involving flexible employment, and Soo-Ja Schijf is a key contact for international clients seeking advice on cross-border matters involving restructuring and TUPE. Employment-focused data protection specialist Ester Damen was appointed as an associate-partner of the firm in July 2019.
Environment and planning Tier 3
The Kennedy Van der Laan environment and planning team cover spatial administrative, environmental, and nature conservation law. The firm advises Dutch municipalities on areas such as the construction of wind farms and the realization of business parks. Practice head Anita Nijboer is particularly active in environment and permitting law and is assisting multiple municipalities with the development of business parks.
EU and competition Tier 3
Kennedy Van der Laan displays deep expertise in the banking and financial sector, regularly advising the three largest Dutch banks. A notable matter highlight involved practice head Annemieke van der Beek and Martijn van Bemmel advising a huge payment association regarding a dawn raid and the following procedure. Martine de Koning is another key member of the team and leads cases on abuse of dominance, vertical restraints and transfer of technology. Clients praise the competition team for its 'high-quality work' and 'professional, knowledgeable and practical lawyers'.
Industry focus: healthcare and life sciences Tier 3
At Kennedy Van der Laan, Fenna van Dijk assists healthcare clients with corporate matters, and IP specialist Maarten Schut advises on a range of issues in the life sciences arena including R&D collaborations, licensing work and the protection of trade secrets. The team also acts for its healthcare clients on mergers, the establishment of joint ventures, medical liability cases, disciplinary actions and data protection mandates.
Real estate Tier 4
The team at Kennedy Van der Laan advises on all stages of the life cycle of real estate projects from area development, due diligence and the acquisition of property, through redevelopment and construction, to property management and leasing, as well as the disposal of property. The firm's 'deep insight into the business model of hotel operators' gives it particular expertise in the hospitality sector. The recent arrival of Anita Nijboer from Ekelmans & Meijer Advocaten strengthens the practice's ability to assist with environmental and zoning matters. Richard-Jan Roks and Nico Jacobs jointly head the practice.
Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation Tier 5
A notable list of clients, including multiple known brands and multinationals, turn to the team at Kennedy Van der Laan for assistance with commercial litigation. Work handled by the firm spans contract disputes, interim relief proceedings, and pre-trial actions. A team led by Martine de Koning is representing a leading multinational corporation in cross-border litigation regarding online sales restrictions in its selective distribution policy. Also recommended are joint practice heads Christoph Jeloschek and Bart-Adriaan de Ruijter; the latter specialises particularly in matters concerning D&O liability.
