Information Technology

Kennedy Van der Laan continues to see growth in its digitalisation practice and an uptick in instructions relating to litigation and pre-litigation work. With a focus on transactional, regulatory, contentious, commercial and advisory work, the firm is active in the technology, financial, retail, telecoms and professional services sectors. Patrick Wit handles IT and tech M&A; Reinoud Westerdijk is the key name for commercial deals for Microsoft; and Joost Schmaal, who was recently promoted to the partnership, handles large IT projects and disputes. Christoph Jeloschek is noted for cross-border litigation and arbitration.

Practice head(s): Patrick Wit; Reinoud Westerdijk; Joost Schmaal
Other key lawyers: Christoph Jeloschek

• ‘Solid contract drafting, fast turnaround times and advice that can be used in practice’.
  
  ‘Joost Schmaal has done an exceptional job by helping out with complex contracts that require a deep technical understanding of IT and SaaS’.
  
  ‘Joost Schmaal is a smart and IT-savvy professional that makes collaborating with an outside counsel enjoyable.

Outstanding practice covering all aspects of IT, outsourcing, media and data protection. Remains highly sought after for its expertise in IT contracts and cloud services agreement negotiations, as well as advising on the establishment of new platforms.

One client enthuses that the "service is top" and particularly highlights the team's "in-depth knowledge."

Another declares that the team "fully understands our business and the problems we face with our customers - the lawyers speak our language."

Patrick Wit advises leading international and domestic companies on contractual matters, handling both contentious and non-contentious mandates.

Reinoud Westerdijk is well versed in assisting clients from the financial and technology sectors with outsourcing matters and the negotiation of agreements for cloud services. Westerdijk also handles the IT and e-commerce aspects of the development of digital platforms. One client praises his knowledge saying: "He has very deep IT contracting expertise and a great aptitude for thinking on his feet."

Reinoud Westerdijk is ranked by WWL as a Global Elite Thought Leader on Data - Information Technology.

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.

‘Kennedy Van der Laan is making an (in my view) exceptional effort to know our business and act as if the assisting lawyers are part of our internal legal function. They have direct contact with our internal and external stakeholders and know very well when to involve members of the legal team. They have a neat feeling for internal politics and with KVdL involved I know that our best interest is always taken into account.’

‘Joost Schmaal and his team have been providing high-quality support in relation to our IT contracting needs. Joost has tremendous insight in the IT landscape and understands our business very well. Due to a mixture of legal knowledge and technical understanding he is able to narrow down on key requirements. This, combined with his excellent negotiation skills, makes him a vital link in the successful closure of many IT projects. Joost is also very approachable and committed.’

‘I would also like to mention associate Esther van Genuchten who is very bright and capable.‘

Outstanding practice covering all aspects of IT, outsourcing, media and data protection. Remains highly sought after for its expertise in IT contracts and cloud services agreement negotiations, including IT-related disputes often involving multiple jurisdictions.

Clients report the team is "excellent, provides top-notch performance, is efficient and is interested in being productive for the client."
Interviewees also laud the team for being "client-driven and innovative."

The "very experienced" Joost Linnemann is recognised for his long-standing expertise in IT matters, including complex issues related to cryptocurrency and blockchain.

Clients are impressed by Patrick Wit's "fast delivery, IT knowledge and quality of work." He advises leading international companies on the regulatory and contractual aspects of digital transformation processes, including on the termination of outsourcing contracts and negotiation of settlements.

One client reports that Reinoud Westerdijk is "responsive and engaged throughout the negotiation, offering strong tactical advice, as well as substantive legal support." He is well versed in assisting clients from the financial sector with outsourcing matters and the negotiation of agreements for cloud services. Westerdijk also handles the IT and e-commerce aspects of the development of digital platforms.

Kennedy Van der Laan is highlighted for its 'fast and in-depth advice, ability to understand business problems, and for offering the right solutions'. In addition to outsourcing and other IT projects, the team also handles IT disputes, e-commerce mandates, cybercrime, and public procurement matters. Patrick Wit is in demand for his 'negotiation expertise', while other well-regarded partners include Joost Linnemann, Hester de Vries, and Christoph Jeloschek; senior associate Joost Schmaal is also a name to note. The team counts TNT, McDonald’s and Stichting BKR among its broad client base.

Outstanding practice covering all aspects of IT, outsourcing, media and data protection. Frequently handles IT infrastructure outsourcings for multinational corporate entities, with additional experience in disputes flowing from breaches of service contracts.

The team's market-leading position is reaffirmed by sources, one client explaining: "The team is an excellent mix of those with a lot of experience and relatively new lawyers, all of whom are fresh and energetic."

"The firm takes the lead when it comes to innovation, combining extensive knowledge about new technologies with legal knowledge about the risks and possibilities," states one source.

Joost Linnemann is an experienced practitioner, known for his varied work in IT and outsourcing. Clients praise him for "coming up with new ideas and connecting us with other companies going through the same types of innovation processes."

Patrick Wit is well known among market commentators for his advice on IT agreements. He has experience in cross-border outsourcings for international clients.

Kennedy Van der Laan’s team is led by Joost Linnemann, with support from Reinoud Westerdijk, outsourcing expert Patrick Wit and data protection specialist Hester de Vries. Microsoft, ABN Amro and Capgemini are clients. Litigator and arbitrator Christoph Jeloschek made partner in January 2017; Joost Schmaal is also recommended.

Outstanding practice covering all aspects of IT, outsourcing, media and data protection. Also handles IT litigation, e-commerce and licensing.

Clients are extremely impressed by the expansive nature of the firm's advice on IT matters: "They are super knowledgeable and able to give comprehensive answers even if we don't quite ask the right questions," adding: "They are thoughtful and expansive in how they think about things."

Joost Linnemann is an experienced practitioner, known for his varied work in technology, IT and outsourcing. He is seen by peers as a "smart lawyer" who is frequently involved in IT innovation issues and earns particular praise for his work on matters related to blockchain and developing areas of IT.

Patrick Wit is praised by clients for his "in-depth IT knowledge, commercial awareness" and"excellent counselling capabilities." He focuses on outsourcing projects and transactions and frequently acts for clients in the financial sector. One client notes: "He's very creative and never gives up. When he negotiates he really takes the place of a mediator between the parties, taking into account the interests of other parties, as well as our interests, and he aligns the interests by finding the overlap."