The EMEA rankings for 2025 are published by The Legal 500. The purpose of The Legal 500 is to help in-house lawyers and legal teams find the right advisors through these law firm rankings. The rankings are based on feedback from 300,000 in-house peers and the access of Legal 500 to law firms deals and confidential matters, which are independently assessed by researchers. The Legal 500 compiles a list of lawyers’ teams per area of law.
We are proud to present the results we have achieved and our thanks go out to our clients for their feedback and recommendations. With our Privacy, Media, IT, Retail, Insurance and Intellectual Property teams we have achieved the highest level, being placed in ‘Tier 1’. Explore these and other department rankings below. We congratulate our colleagues with this great achievement!
DATA PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION - TIER 1
The privacy, cybersecurity and regulated markets team at Kennedy Van der Laan is known for its sector expertise across finance, transport and logistics, telecoms, entertainment and healthcare. The team is noted for its expertise in assisting clients with investigations and enforcement proceedings locally and abroad. Internal investigations, legal proceedings against data subjects exerting thier rights under data protection law, and obtaining permits under Dutch data protection law are all key pillars of the practice. The sizeable team is led by Hester de Vries, Quirine Tjeenk Willink, Rosalie Brand, and Judica Krikke. De Vries is a data protection authority and assists technology multinationals and public sector institutions with data protection law issues. Enforcement matters are handled by specialist Tjeenk Willink, Brand is the go-to for cybersecurity matters, and Krikke advises on IT aspects of data protection issues.
Hall of Fame
Hester de Vries
Leading Partners
Quirine Tjeenk Willink
Judica Krikke
Leading Associates
Rosalie Brand
"The data privacy and data protection team of Kennedy van der Laan has extensive knowledge of privacy law and knows how to translate this knowledge into practice in relation to our company. The team is broadly composed with older and younger lawyers. They are well informed of developments in the dynamic field of privacy law as well as jurisprudence. The strength of the team is the rapid response to requests for advice."
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - TIER 1
Kennedy Van der Laan has a particularly strong presence in the financial services, healthcare and retail sectors, and has notable expertise in IT outsourcing, technology projects, cyber security, and digital transformation. Judica Krikke heads the IT practice and has extensive experience in cloud sourcing, software licensing, and data protection, Patrick Wit takes the lead on IT outsourcing and ESG matters, and Reinoud Westerdijk has expertise in handling IT contracting, AI, tech cooperation, and IT public procurement. Joost Schmaal and Christoph Jeloschek are well-versed in IT-related litigation and arbitrations.
Leading Partners
Judica Krikke
Patrick Wit
Reinoud Westerdijk
Next Generation Partners
Joost Schmaal
Other Key Lawyers
Christoph Jeloschek; Veerle van Druenen
"Kennedy Van der Laan offers a unique combination of legal expertise and communication skills, and their attorneys are commercial and very often passionate about technology."
MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT - TIER 1
Kennedy Van der Laan provides comprehensive legal support to a diverse range of clients in the media and entertainment sector, including production companies, streaming services, broadcasters, and social media platforms. The team handles both contentious and non-contentious matters, with expertise covering defamation law, platform cases, environmental issues, copyright litigation, and regulatory compliance. Jens van den Brink, head of the practice, specialises in media litigation and provides counsel on a broad spectrum of issues, with a particular focus on free speech, copyright, and digital matters. Other key members include Joran Spauwen, a specialist in content and technology, and Lotte Oranje, who is frequently sought by clients for advice on press publications and online content.
Hall of Fame
Jens van den Brink
Leading Associates
Lotte Oranje
Next Generation Partner
Joran Spauwen
"Kennedy Van der Laan's team is highly knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated to serving the client's needs; moreover, they are excellent litigators. They are friendly and accessible."
RETAIL - TIER 1
The Amsterdam-based commercial, competition and trade group at Kennedy Van der Laan stands out for its expertise in franchising, distribution and litigation for international retail, manufacturing and consumer goods clients. Practice head Martine de Koning is well-respected as a leading specialist in international franchising, distribution and agency agreements. She is a strong litigator and assists clients across fashion, retail, manufacturing, hospitality and healthcare. The practice is regularly sought out for its skills in Dutch and EU competition law, advising clients on compliance, abuse of dominance, joint ventures and a myriad of other issues. Annemieke van der Beek focuses on competition law issues related to payment services, manufacturing and retail sectors. Franchise and commercial contracts expert Jelle Blom is well-versed in drafting and negotiating complex international agreements, while Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken is the go-to for cross-border and domestic litigation. Renske Sinke is noted for her expertise in commercial matters related to supply chains, distribution, franchise, agency and logistics.
Leading Partner
Martine de Koning
Next Generation Partners
Isabel Van Tuyll Van Serooskerken
Jelle Blom
Leading Associates
Renske Sinke
Other Key Lawyers
Annemieke van der Beek
"The commercial & international trade team is top class in this field because they combine excellent knowledge of the EU and Dutch regulatory framework for consumers, competition and products with a lot of market experience. They are leading for example in matters pertaining to digital commerce, product recalls, sustainability, greenwashing, advertising, loyalty schemes and promotions."
INSURANCE - TIER 1
The practice at Kennedy Van der Laan has strong capabilities advising its insurance sector clientele on the gamut of EU and Dutch regulatory matters, as well as assisting with intricate aspects of policy formation. In addition, the team is well-placed to handle complex contentious matters, including product liability cases spanning industry sectors from property to engineering, and handling fraud-related issues. A number of specialists sit at the team’s head, being Erik van Orsouw whose expertise includes professional liability, D&O claims and international coverage disputes; liability specialist Chris van Dijk; ‘smart and modest lawyer’ Peter van den Broek; regulatory expert Jan Broekhuizen; Petra Oskam who assists insurers in PI cases; and professional indemnity and liability specialist Marit van der Pool.
Hall of Fame
Erik van Orsouw
Leading Partner
Peter van den Broek
Next Generation Partner
Marit van der Pool
Other Key Lawyers
Chris van Dijk; Jan Broekhuizen; Petra Oskam
"They know the insurance market perfectly, have in-depth knowledge, good communication and are easy to work with."
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: TRADE MARKS, COPYRIGHTS AND DESIGN RIGHTS - TIER 1
Kennedy Van der Laan‘s ’dynamic, forward-thinking’ offering has noteworthy expertise assisting its portfolio of renowned clients in the tech and advanced tech, media and internet, and fashion and luxury sectors in particular. The team’s IP capabilities includes handling high-profile trade mark infringement litigation, representing clients in complex and high-stakes matters regarding remuneration for inventions, and providing advice regarding brand protection on an ongoing basis. Maarten Schut specialises in tech and life sciences-related trade mark work, and Joran Spauwen‘s areas of focus include advising on IP aspects of complex transactions and contracts; the pair oversee the team. Sophie van Loon acts for international clients in copyright matters, Reindert van der Zaal is experienced in brand protection, and Alfred Meijboom has expertise in IT.
Leading Partners
Maarten Schut
Next Generation Partners
Reindert van der Zaal
Sophie van Loon
Other Key Lawyers
Alfred Meijboom
"The IP section is a team of professionals with extensive knowledge in IP law who are very pleasant to cooperate with. They have helped us with several copyright, trade mark and patent law cases, all with success."
TELECOMS - TIER 2
Kennedy Van der Laan is renowned for its expertise in frequency law, radio spectrum auctions, and related regulatory matters, including market dominance and procedural administrative enforcement law. The telecoms practice is housed within the firm’s regulatory department, jointly led by Quirine Tjeenk Willink and Leon Mensink. Willink is highly sought after for her ‘extensive experience in telecoms’ and frequency law, and has played a pivotal role in major spectrum auctions for both telecom and strategic radio frequencies. Mensink brings a strong background in civil and administrative proceedings, as well as a wealth of knowledge in tariff regulation, market dominance, network access, and market entry issues.
Leading Partner
Quirine Tjeenk Willink
Other Key Lawyers
Leon Mensink
"Kennedy Van der Laan’s telecoms practice has specific and practical expertise on a wide range of issues related to Dutch and EU telecommunications law. These include issues including spectrum licensing, number allocation, open internet regulation, interconnection, privacy and data protection as well as competition and administrative law."
CONSTRUCTION - TIER 3
Kennedy Van der Laan‘s real estate and construction team assists clients with the full scope of construction projects including tender phases, design construction and post-construction litigation. The team is led out of Amsterdam by Richard-Jan Roks who is experienced in building contracts, property development and public-private relationships as well as construction litigation.
"The firm has a broad general knowledge of matters and can go into depth where necessary."
EMPLOYMENT - TIER 3
The labour and employment team at Kennedy Van der Laan centres its practice on advising clients in the technology and financial sectors on a range of matters, including restructuring and reorganisation projects, privacy issues and co-governance law. The client base includes large international technology companies, financial institutions and works councils. The group is also recognised for its strength in representing healthcare institutions in remuneration matters. Ester Damen acts for works councils and employers, and has niche expertise in advising on unethical workplace behaviour; she co-heads the practice with Chris Nekeman, who is well versed in advising on employee participation law, and Soo-Ja Schijf, who focuses on outsourcing, reorganisations and collective and individual dismissals work.
Leading Partners
Soo-Ja Schijf
Other Key Lawyers
Chris Nekeman; Ester Damen; Eylard van Fenema; Ilse Baijens; Quirine van Boxtel; Lisa Klumperink
"For us, Kennedy van der Laan really feels like a partnership. Their approach is an extension of our own and they are always keeping our company culture and view in mind in their advice. They are available when we need them and offer clear and useful advice."
EU AND COMPETITION - TIER 3
Kennedy Van der Laan‘s 'dynamic' and 'client-focused' team fields extensive experience in advising on investigations, enforcement and compliance issues in the competition law space, with noted expertise in the banking and finance sector. The practice is jointly led by the triumvirate of Annemieke van der Beek, Martijn van Bemmel, who handles abuse of dominance, merger control and state aid matters, and the 'sharp advisor' Martine de Koning. Jelle Blom assists with the competition aspects of international trade cases.
Hall of Fame
Annemieke van der Beek
Other Key Lawyers
Martijn van Bemmel; Martine de Koning; Jelle Blom
"Dynamic, client-focused, and very experienced in related Dutch civil law aspects in distribution matters. They provide clear advice."
HEALTHCARE AND LIFE SCIENCES - TIER 3
Kennedy Van der Laan's practice houses 'an involved team with broad and excellent knowledge'. The group is well versed in handling the full spectrum of transactional issues within the healthcare sector. Practice co-head Fenna van Dijk draws on her corporate law expertise to assist healthcare institutions and medical device suppliers, while co-head Maarten Schut has longstanding experience in assisting with R&D collaborations and license agreements. Other key practitioners include Eline Lam, who advises on collaboration matters in the healthcare sector.
Leading Partner
Fenna van Dijk
Leading Associate
Eline Lam
Other Key Lawyers
Maarten Schut
"The healthcare and life sciences team of Kennedy Van der Laan stands out for its expertise in both the sector and the legal aspects that may arise within it. The team combines speed, accuracy, and practical applicability, ensuring that the advice provided is immediately useful. ’
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION - TIER 4
Kennedy Van der Laan has expanded the scope of its practice following the new class actions regime in the Netherlands and represents plaintiffs in a number of collective actions related to abuse of dominance and ESG issues. The team handles a mix of corporate and commercial work, with Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken handling post-M&A cases and disputes between shareholders and boards of directors. The team is co-led by Christoph Jeloschek, who handles cross-border litigation and IT disputes, and Martine de Koning, who is the go-to for commercial disputes such as trade disputes as well as competition law litigation.
Next Generation Partners
Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken
Other Key Lawyers
Christoph Jeloschek; Martine de Koning
"They are knowledgeable, helpful, and easy to work with. They know the law but also are commercially savvy and know how to adapt their expertise to the needs of the case."
REAL ESTATE - TIER 5
Kennedy Van der Laan‘s real estate and construction practice advises on zoning and environmental law, construction law, procurement law and lease law for domestic and international clients. The team also assists with post-construction litigation and (turnkey) sale and purchase of property. Practice head Richard-Jan Roks is a construction expert, while co-head Eline Goemans leads on real estate issues including acquisitions and (re)developments.
"The people at Kennedy van der Laan are knowledgeable, down to earth and socially strong."
COMMERCIAL, CORPORATE AND M&A - TIER 6
With specialisms across M&A, private equity, corporate transactions and restructuring matters, Gaby Heere and Jan-Berend Möller helm the practice at Kennedy Van der Laan which advises in large part on significant sale and acquisition matters domestically and internationally. Further names to note include Frans Langerak who joined the team in March 2024 and Lukas Suijkerbuijk who is described as a ‘rising star’ by clients.
"The M&A practice is very knowledgeable and knows how to get a deal done. Pragmatic with the right sense of urgency."
