Law firm

Kennedy Van der Laan advises on EU and Dutch financial regulation relating to insurance, as well as handling claims concerning casualty, property and engineering, and reviewing policies. The firm has a strong focus on claims and policy drafting, and clients include insurers, both domestic and international, insurance brokers, pools and loss adjusters. As a member of the international network of Global Access Lawyers, the firm has access to global expertise in insurance and liability law. The insurance practice is led by Chris van Dijk, Frits van der Woude, Peter van den Broek, Erik van Orsouw and Petra Oskam, with Jan Broekhuizen leading the regulatory insurance team. Marit van der Pool specialises in both defence and coverage work in professional indemnity and directors’ and officers’ liability matters.

Practice heads: Erik van Orsouw; Chris van Dijk; Frits van der Woude; Peter van den Broek; Jan Broekhuizen; Petra Oskam

Testimonials

'High knowledge regarding personal injury. They always seek to make the issues clear.’
‘Chris van Dijk: brilliant lawyer. Does a lot of investigation. Able to make difficult things easy to understand. A friendly personality, also towards the opponent.’
‘Erik van Orsouw knows exactly what I need as a client. He is practical, to the point, and creative in bringing solutions.’
‘Kennedy van der Laan has a great liability & insurance section, which includes both talented young associates and very experienced senior lawyers. All members of the team are pragmatic lawyers with high availability focused on the best possible outcome for their client.’
‘Peter Kramer is a highly experienced and very knowledgeable lawyer in the field of professional liability and insurance law. Peter is hands on, available and pragmatic. He always seeks the best possible resolution for his client while providing a realistic assessment of the merits of the case. I would without any reservation recommend Peter to clients seeking high quality legal advice in the field of professional liability and insurance law.’
‘Kennedy Van der Laan offers solid regulatory and commercial advice.’
‘Mark Wisse provides good quality commercially minded legal advice. Personable and able to apply legal issues into real business situations.’

Kennedy Van der Laan is a leader in franchising and distribution matters for a range of clients that include luxury, fashion and sports brands as well as innovative consumer goods manufactures and well-known retail chains. Head of the commercial and international trade practice, and an integral member of the EU competition law team Martine De Koning handles customs, trade and import issues as well as matters concerning digital transformations, online distributions and big data. Senior associate Jelle Blom handles international franchise and distribution and agency cases for global clients. Senior associate Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken is a disputes resolution practitioner with knowledge of the retail-related consumer, contract and e-commerce and geo-blocking laws.

Leading Individuals

Martine de Koning

Rising Stars

Isabel Van Tuyll Van Serooskerken
Jelle Blom

Other key lawyers

Renske Sinke
Lisa van Vliet
Lisa Lander
Daan van Lier
Hidde Kleijn
Noor de Werd
Tosca Bokhove

Testimonials

‘The team is very knowledgeable about Dutch law, flexible and agile, and able to adapt quickly to the needs of the client and the case. They are collaborative within and outside the firm and very easy to work with. They are clear writers and are able to explain complex concepts in a digestible way.’
‘Martine de Koning is a pleasure to work with and a talented lawyer with a keen eye. She is able to jump into an issue quickly and provide excellent advice that affects the strategy. She is practical and eminently responsive. You can trust her to get the job done.’
‘Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken is very helpful and is particularly skilled at making good use of evidence.’
‘Top notch firm, highly technical and with great service, from beginning till end. Perfect combination of experience and agility. There are excellent and skilled lawyers from junior level to head level. The firm provides accurate, timely advice.’
‘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 pricing.’
‘The team is very flexible, dedicated and efficient. Martine, Isabel & Jelle guarantee in depth but at the same time practical and straightforward advice with fast turnaround times.’
‘One of the leading franchise practices in the EU.’
‘Martine de Koning is the best in the Netherlands as regards retail – and combining retail with competition law! Jelle Blom excels too, especially in distribution and retail issues.’

Kennedy Van der Laan has a strong capability in handling mid-market M&A arising out of the healthcare and technology sectors, and counts corporate governance matters, management participations and restructurings in its workload. Gaby Heere, who advises on M&A and due diligence investigations, jointly leads the team alongside Jan-Berend Möller, who has experience of handling acquisitions and joint ventures.

Practice heads: Gaby Heere; Jan-Berend Möller

Other key lawyers

Robert Vodegel

Testimonials

'Hands on, pragmatic and fun to work with.’
‘Good communicators and extensive knowledge’
‘They are excellent.’
‘The team has broad knowledge of corporate contracting and can think out of the box.’
‘Individuals of KvdL were very knowledgeable. Jan-Berend Möller was efficient in setting up new forms of contracts.’
‘Integrated approach of various departments, short lines of communication with a strong account manager. Good communication of fees. Informal and pragmatic.’

The team at Kennedy Van der Laan covers the life cycle of real estate, including zoning and planning, development and construction, as well as property investment and management, with an increasing focus on circular building and sustainability matters. The team is led by Richard-Jan Roks.

Practice heads: Richard-Jan Roks

Other key lawyers

Eline Goemans

Testimonials

'Exceptionally pleasant cooperation with Kennedy Van der Laan. They have continuously assisted us in an acquisition in which hundreds of leases and building agreements had to be replaced. Speed, punctuality and the search for creative solutions immediately come to mind when I think of Kennedy Van der Laan.’
‘The personal approach and solution-oriented approach lead to a solution without litigation and going to court.’
‘Wide range of experts in real estate related business available.’
‘Eline Goemans is very client orientated; very responsive and great availability; excellent collaboration.’

Kennedy Van der Laan‘s telecoms practice is intertwined with its media offering. The group has a core focus assisting with frequency auctions and disputes; advising telecoms clients on administrative enforcement; and handling regulatory litigation. The experienced Quirine Tjeenk Willink is routinely involved in major spectrum auctions and is sought out by major broadcasters and telecoms companies for spectrum-related matters, including disputes and regulatory advice. Counsel Leon Mensink has extensive experience as a litigator in telecoms mandates, focusing on SMP, tariff regulations, network access, enforcements and zoning issues regarding transmission towers. Senior associate Elise Troll specialises in enforcement and regulatory law and associate Minke de Haan provides support on competition and regulatory matters.

Practice heads: Quirine Tjeenk Willink

Other Key Lawyers

Leon Mensink
Elise Troll
Minke de Haan

Testimonials

‘Quirine Tjeenk Willink is a seasoned professional who can draw upon her vast experience and in-depth knowledge. Quick thinking and excellent service, in a league of her own.’
‘Good industry knowledge; friendly and accessible lawyers; pragmatic.’
‘Quirine Tjeenk Willink is open, friendly, spot on, pragmatic and has good industry knowledge – an expert.’

Jointly led by healthcare expert Fenna van Dijk and life sciences specialist Maarten Schut, Kennedy Van der Laan's team handles the full breadth of mandates across the healthcare and life sciences segments. Combining a corporate background with a focus on healthcare, Van Dijk advises on market entry, licenses, clinical research, PPPs and drafting contracts with medical devices companies; she played a key role in the vaccine strategy concerning the Covid-19 pandemic. IP expert Schut advises multinational companies including Nutreco and Syngenta and not-for-profit institutions on conflicts relating to R&D and licensing. With the addition of Joran Spauwen, the practice has gained a specialist in IP-focused transactions in the advanced technologies sector, assisting healthcare service providers with medical devices regulation and negotiating contracts with AI suppliers. He also links the M&A practice to the healthcare and life sciences practice, focusing on innovative companies investing in the health tech industry. Counsel Sophie Van Loon specialises in contract drafting, advisory work and litigation within the life sciences field and associate Eline Lam focuses on corporate, healthcare and regulatory law.

Practice heads: Fenna van Dijk; Maarten Schut; Joran Spauwen

Leading Individuals

Fenna van Dijk

Other Key lawyers

Sophie van Loon
Eline Lam

Testimonials

The firm has a good life sciences non-contentious practice with good support for the intellectual property aspects of transactions.’
‘Maarten Schut is easy to deal with and good at focusing on the key issues.’
‘The webinars on new legislation and dilemmas are extremely informative and easy to follow for laymen and legal experts.’
‘The team consists of outstanding lawyers with a practical approach. The firm is our trusted partner for all sorts of health-related legal issues.’
‘Experts in tender management’
‘The professionality of Kennedy van der Laan is very high, the adequacy and speed in their answers suits my demands’
‘Good and nice working relationship with M. Schut. Very knowledgeable, has the ability to see the whole picture and at the same time see the devil in the detail. Good communication and negotiation skills, very nice to work with.’
‘Fenna van Dijk and Eline Lam are not only very involved, but also accurate and reliable and think ahead in solving problems. They see not only the legal obstacles, but also the solutions and possibilities.’

Advising on mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures, and handling abuse of dominance allegations in major litigations are all areas of experience for the EU and competition practice at Kennedy Van der Laan. It is equipped to handle matters in both domestic and international contexts. Annemieke van der Beek specialises in payment services work in particular, counsel Martijn van Bemmel has experience advising on matters across the financial, banking, retail, transport and IT sectors, and Martine de Koning has expertise handling commerce and trade work; the three oversee the team.

Practice heads: Annemieke van der Beek; Martijn van Bemmel; Martine de Koning

Hall of Fame

Annemieke van der Beek

Other key lawyers

Jelle Blom

Testimonials

‘Kennedy Van Der Laan’s team is oriented towards providing client-friendly and to-the-point advice, and has vast knowledge of competition law and is a pleasure to work with.’
‘We have primarily worked with Martine de Koning and Jelle Blom, and find both to be extremely professional, knowledgeable, and great at coordinating multi-jurisdictional matters.’
‘The commercial and international trade team has excellent knowledge of the broader EU and Dutch regulatory framework for consumers, in particular the regulatory framework relevant for product compliance, sustainability, advertising and greenwashing in commercial practices.’
‘The team members are very approachable and fun to work with.’
‘The team is flexible, efficient and has fast turnaround times.’
‘Martine de Koning and team are always ready to provide support where necessary.’
‘Martine de Koning makes the most complex law sound very understandable and knows how to advise and support franchise organisations through excellent advice re the Dutch Franchise Act and EU competition law.’

Kennedy Van der Laan has a strong focus on sectors including technology, financial services and healthcare, and has specific experience in employee governance, advising and representing employers and work councils. The firm is also active in restructurings and reorganisations, as well as employment-related data protection matters and #MeToo issues. The practice is led by Chris Nekeman, who specialises in employee participation and legal proceedings for works councils and employers, Soo-Ja Schijf, who primarily represents multinationals with European operations, and Ester Damen, who has expertise in employee participation and data protection in employment relationships.

Practice heads: Chris Nekeman; Soo-Ja Schijf; Ester Damen

Testimonials

Great partnership, always ready to assist, exceptionally professional and very accessible, with multicultural expertise. Very appropriate communication, critical thinking and ownership of the matter.’
‘Kennedy suit our company very well as they are used to working with big clients. They are professional, while keeping a practical, down-to-earth approach.’
‘We work mostly with Soo-ja Schijf. She is used to working for big international companies and helped us a lot in some complex legal matters.’
‘Very responsive, and clear and concise in their advice to cut through some of the more complex aspects of Dutch labour law.’
‘Ester Damen is calm and assured, with good commercial sense underpinned by strong technical skills.’
‘Good quality. Down-to-earth approach. Practical and quick advice that will help you to proceed.’
‘Chris Nekeman is a great sparring partner.’
‘Ester Damen is a true business partner to the client’s company and I have great trust in her abilities and intentions for our company. I trust her implicitly.’

Focusing on construction, procurement, architecture and property development, Kennedy Van der Laan’s practice covers a range of real estate and construction projects. Expanding its focus on sustainability and circular building, the practice, led by Richard-Jan Roks, is active in tendering, design and construction and post-construction disputes, as well as acquisition, leasing and property management. Roks is focused on construction and EU procurement law, specifically in the healthcare sector.

Practice heads: Richard-Jan Roks

Testimonials

'Straight forward, down to earth, pragmatic and knowledgeable.’

Kennedy Van der Laan represents high-profile clients active in a range of sectors, especially in the advanced technologies, life sciences, fashion and media industries. Maarten Schut is a key name for technology and innovative life sciences companies for trade mark and trade secret issues, while Alfred Meijboom is recognised for his intersecting IP and IT work, and also advises sports-sector clients and handles arbitration cases involving art. Joran Spauwen assists emerging companies and foreign clients with investments in innovative technologies, requiring licensing and IP transactions. Counsel Sophie Van Loon is a specialist in collective rights management issues and in copyright law, and senior associate Reindert Van Der Zaal leads on brand protection, anti-counterfeiting and trade mark infringement mandates for sports, luxury and fashion brands.

Practice heads: Alfred Meijboom; Maarten Schut; Joran Spauwen

Leading Individuals

Maarten Schut

Rising Stars

Reindert van der Zaal

Testimonials

‘KVDL lawyers are true legal and judicial experts who have the added advantage of being very pragmatic. They deliver effective, business-oriented advice and strategies and are smart experts before Courts and offices.’
‘Technically excellent with first-rate client service and a focus on the commercial imperatives.’
‘Maarten Schut is rightly highly rated in relation to brand protection and enforcement, as is Reindert van der Zaal. On the commercial side, Martine de Koning is superb.’
‘Alfred Meijboom brings superb legal analysis and works with commercial and tactical acumen.’
‘Maarten Schut and Sophie van Loon are both very easy to deal with and efficient in the conduct of matters.’
‘The individuals I work with are Reindert van der Zaal, Joran Spauwen and Jens van den Brink. All very specialised, pragmatic and always deliver on time.’
‘The firm has a good team for IP matters. They are approachable and provide a good service.’

Kennedy Van der Laan has extensive experience handling high-profile litigation matters for clients within the media and entertainment industry. The firm caters to a diversity of clients, including production companies, streaming services, broadcasters and social media platforms. Hailed for his ‘thorough understanding of media and journalism’, Jens Van den Brink heads the team. Joran Spauwen is another exceptional member of the team that has in-depth experience advising media clients on data protection regulations and online copyright requirements. Sophie van Loon and Lotte Oranje are also notable. Van Loon has experience handling copyright disputes, while Oranje regularly assists with some of the firm’s most prominent cases.

Practice heads: Jens van den Brink

Hall of fame

Jens van den Brink

Rising stars

Lotte Oranje

Other Key lawyers

Joran Spauwen
Sophie van Loon
Michiel Coops

Testimonials

‘There is a real variety of knowledge at the firm. They have been able to answer any legal questions we have.’
‘The associates are always quick to respond and offer useful advice. The advice is always thoughtful and considered.’
‘The media team of Kennedy Van der Laan is the best in class in the Netherlands.’
‘Jens van den Brink is an excellent litigator. He has a thorough understanding of media and journalism.’
‘The team has a lot of experience in media cases. They are easy to access and they are available in urgent matters. They are well prepared for any court case and they are flexible.’
‘Jens van den Brink and Lotte Oranje form a good, sharp and solid team in lawsuits. You really want them on a case.’
‘Lotte Oranje is down to earth and gives practical advice. She is proactive, realistic on issues and she’s a nice person to work with.'

With the arrival of Judica Krikke, former head of Stibbe‘s IT department, in March 2023, Kennedy Van der Laan continues to be a go-to for clients seeking advice on major projects. Krikke not only brings expertise on IT procurement processes and ERP contracting but also represents clients in disputes concerning failed IT implementations. Patrick Wit works on tech projects, IT contracting, cybersecurity and digital transformations. Reinoud Westerdijk specialises in IT contractual joint ventures and public procurements and acts for high-tech suppliers and service providers. Christoph Jeloschek acts for large Dutch and international companies on cross-border litigations and complex IT disputes concerning failed IT projects. Joost Schmaal assists with emerging technologies such as smart contracts and AI. Senior associates Astrid Sixma and Veerle van Dreunen provide outstanding support and lead on large-scale transactions involving the integration of technology in transport projects.

Practice heads: Patrick Wit; Reinoud Westerdijk; Joost Schmaal; Christoph Jeloschek

Leading Individuals

Judica Krikke
Patrick Wit

Next Generation Partners

Joost Schmaal

Other key lawyers

Astrid Sixma
Veerle Van Druenen

Testimonials

‘Super-fast and quick thinkers; are able to make a relatively simple overview on complex contracts and deviations.’
‘Joost Schmaal is always enthusiastic and able to deliver.’
‘Impressive market presence – leading practice.’
‘Patrick Wit is very confident, convincing and result oriented.’

Kennedy Van der Laan has ‘unique expertise in the area of cybersecurity’. Head of the data protection practice Hester de Vries is testament to this, advising public sector and private sector clients, operating in complex new digital ecosystems, such as digital payments and gaming, on data protection governance. De Vries also represents clients against imposed fines by the Dutch Data Protection Authority and is a key contact for public sector clients investigating data-related issues. Experienced litigator Quirine Tjeenk Willink is known for representing clients in enforcement and fining procedures. Senior associate Elise Troll advises clients on the implementation of privacy compliance in healthcare apps, data sharing platforms and smart traffic solutions. Senior associate Rosalie Brand adds another layer to the practice, specialising in cyber incidents. The arrival of Judica Krikke from Stibbe, where she led the IT, IP and data protection teams, strengthens the practice further.

Hall of Fame

Hester de Vries

Leading individuals

Quirine Tjeenk Willink
Judica Krikke

Rising stars

Rosalie Brand
Elise Troll

Testimonials

'Strong expertise in cybersecurity and especially Ransomware incidents. Also, highly professional and flexible.’
‘Unique expertise in the area of cybersecurity.’
‘The lawyers in the privacy team of Kennedy van der Laan are extremely knowledgeable in the field of privacy. Their advice meets the needs of our organization in this field.’
‘The practice is unique due to the possibility of a multidisciplinary approach in a file. Potential clients want to know the experience of the lawyers in their field of attention. Compared to other firms Kennedy van der Laan is in our opinion one of the top firms.’
‘Hester de Vries, Elsie Troll and Cees Plaizer all stand out because of their personal approach, with a detailed attention to the client combined with their experience and knowledge in the field of privacy.’

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan offers a distinguished employment team with experience acting for big-name clients in sectors such as transport, technology and financial services. The firm has a distinguished reputation for its work advising employers on employee participation issues, workforce reorganisations and post-transactional harmonisation. It also represents clients in employment litigation, including in cases relating to diversity and inclusion issues.

Strengths

"They are very, very responsive and have a client-friendly approach."

"They always provide practical solutions and advice."

Notable practitioners

Chris Nekeman advises companies on negotiations with works councils, as well as disputes with executive employees and post-M&A restructuring. His wider practice sees him provide guidance on transfer of undertaking procedures. "He's an impressive legal adviser."

Up-and-coming partner Soo-ja Schijf has a broad international client base that includes major names from sectors as diverse as financial services and medical technology. Her experience encompasses matters relating to non-compete clauses and instances of sexual harassment. "She is a person who knows how to combine commercial skills with technical skills."

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan boasts market-leading expertise in several areas of TMT, particularly regarding media regulations and IT outsourcing. The law firm handles a number of high-profile media disputes relating to the publication of misinformation, defamation claims and advertising litigation. The team is also highly esteemed for its work in the technology sector, advising on outsourcing and procurement agreements, the launch of new platforms, opening new data centres and licensing contracts. Kennedy Van der Laan also represents clients in contentious matters, including disputes with suppliers. It also acts on data privacy matters, advising clients on the use of biometric data and data sharing agreements, as well as representing clients regarding alleged breaches of GDPR.

Strengths

"Kennedy Van der Laan's service levels are excellent and the response to our questions is within reasonable time."

"The team work well together and therefore have broad expertise."

Notable practicioners

Hester De Vries is well regarded in the field of privacy and data protection. In addition to her experience in data sharing mandates, she regularly represents clients in GDPR disputes and advises on the use of biometric data under data privacy regulations. "Hester is an expert on privacy matters."

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan boasts market-leading expertise in several areas of TMT, particularly regarding media regulations and IT outsourcing. The law firm handles a number of high-profile media disputes relating to the publication of misinformation, defamation claims and advertising litigation. The team is also highly esteemed for its work in the technology sector, advising on outsourcing and procurement agreements, the launch of new platforms, opening new data centres and licensing contracts. Kennedy Van der Laan also represents clients in contentious matters, including disputes with suppliers. It also acts on data privacy matters, advising clients on the use of biometric data and data sharing agreements, as well as representing clients regarding alleged breaches of GDPR.

Strengths

One interviewee reports that Kennedy Van der Laan "holds its own in the Dutch scene, and its lawyers are always quite innovative."

A client reports that the team "has a strong capacity" and highlights the "great quality of advice."

Notable practitioners

A client appreciates Judica Krikke for her ability to "understand and interpret our questions and wishes." She represents clients in technology sector disputes and in the negotiation of supply agreements and outsourcing contracts. She has experience in procurement tenders and advising on regulatory compliance.

Joost Schmaal assists clients with both contentious and non-contentious matters in the technology sector, representing clients in drafting IT contracts, as well as in disputes with suppliers. Additionally, he advises on outsourcing of services and IT infrastructure, including cloud-based software delivery.

Patrick Wit often advises on technology procurement mandates and IT outsourcing agreements, as well as assisting with the regulatory aspects of launching new technology platforms.

Reinoud Westerdijk assists clients from the technology sector with negotiating licensing agreements and opening new data centres. Additionally, he advises on data-related matters such as access requests.

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan boasts market-leading expertise in several areas of TMT, particularly regarding media regulations and IT outsourcing. The law firm handles a number of high-profile media disputes relating to the publication of misinformation, defamation claims and advertising litigation. The team is also highly esteemed for its work in the technology sector, advising on outsourcing and procurement agreements, the launch of new platforms, opening new data centres and licensing contracts. Kennedy Van der Laan also represents clients in contentious matters, including disputes with suppliers. It also acts on data privacy matters, advising clients on the use of biometric data and data sharing agreements, as well as representing clients regarding alleged breaches of GDPR.

Strengths

One interviewee reports that Kennedy Van der Laan "holds its own in the Dutch scene, and its lawyers are always quite innovative."

A client reports that the team "has a strong capacity" and highlights the "great quality of advice."

Notable practitioners

A client appreciates Judica Krikke for her ability to "understand and interpret our questions and wishes." She represents clients in technology sector disputes and in the negotiation of supply agreements and outsourcing contracts. She has experience in procurement tenders and advising on regulatory compliance.

Joost Schmaal assists clients with both contentious and non-contentious matters in the technology sector, representing clients in drafting IT contracts, as well as in disputes with suppliers. Additionally, he advises on outsourcing of services and IT infrastructure, including cloud-based software delivery.

Patrick Wit often advises on technology procurement mandates and IT outsourcing agreements, as well as assisting with the regulatory aspects of launching new technology platforms.

Reinoud Westerdijk assists clients from the technology sector with negotiating licensing agreements and opening new data centres. Additionally, he advises on data-related matters such as access requests.

What the team is known for:

The Media team of Kennedy Van der Laan stands at the forefront of legal expertise across four pivotal areas: defamation/free speech, reigning with the largest nationwide practice; internet-related litigation and counsel for major social media platforms, holding a distinguished position nationally; a thriving entertainment practice, characterized by a consistent flow of production work; and regulatory media work, showcasing an intimate comprehension of the intricate legal frameworks governing the media landscape. Their portfolio boasts numerous high-profile litigation cases, including notable #metoo cases involving political entities, significant environmental litigation entangled with questionable lobbying by former cabinet members, and pivotal platform cases, notably representing Meta and Twitter.

Strengths

"Kennedy Van der Laan can quickly familiarise itself with complex and extensive files thanks to its available team."

"I like that the lawyers are quick to understand our approach to risk; their expertise goes without saying, and for me what they do goes even further than being pragmatic."

"The team are always on time, proactive and responsive."

Notable practitioners

Jens van den Brink is regarded as one of the leading media law specialists in the Netherlands. He has a strong focus on contentious matters, representing clients in defamation cases, attempts to prevent the publication of misinformation and disputes relating to advertising.

Joran Spauwen is well regarded in the field of media and communications. He advises clients on contentious matters such as anti-piracy action, media regulations and defamation. He also assists with matters relating to freedom of information.

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan assists financial sector clients with competition matters, including obtaining approval for joint ventures. The law firm also represents clients in contentious competition law matters, including investigations and collective action damages claims. The team further acts for clients from the fashion and luxury goods industries on contentious distribution matters. Additionally it has clients from the healthcare sector.

Strengths

"It is a very responsive team that always provides very thorough advice."

"The advice we have received from Kennedy Van der Laan has always been of high quality, relevant and rapid."

"The team has always provided an in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the questions at stake."

Notable practicioners

Annemieke van der Beek is a popular choice with clients from the financial services sector for advice on competition law compliance. She further represents clients in investigations before the ACM and assists with obtaining competition law clearance for proposed business combinations.

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan boasts market-leading expertise in several areas of TMT, particularly regarding media regulations and IT outsourcing. The law firm handles a number of high-profile media disputes relating to the publication of misinformation, defamation claims and advertising litigation. The team is also highly esteemed for its work in the technology sector, advising on outsourcing and procurement agreements, the launch of new platforms, opening new data centres and licensing contracts. Kennedy Van der Laan also represents clients in contentious matters, including disputes with suppliers. It also acts on data privacy matters, advising clients on the use of biometric data and data sharing agreements, as well as representing clients regarding alleged breaches of GDPR.

Strengths

One interviewee reports that Kennedy Van der Laan "holds its own in the Dutch scene, and its lawyers are always quite innovative."

A client reports that the team "has a strong capacity" and highlights the "great quality of advice."

Notable practitioners

A client appreciates Judica Krikke for her ability to "understand and interpret our questions and wishes." She represents clients in technology sector disputes and in the negotiation of supply agreements and outsourcing contracts. She has experience in procurement tenders and advising on regulatory compliance.

Joost Schmaal assists clients with both contentious and non-contentious matters in the technology sector, representing clients in drafting IT contracts, as well as in disputes with suppliers. Additionally, he advises on outsourcing of services and IT infrastructure, including cloud-based software delivery.

Patrick Wit often advises on technology procurement mandates and IT outsourcing agreements, as well as assisting with the regulatory aspects of launching new technology platforms.

Reinoud Westerdijk assists clients from the technology sector with negotiating licensing agreements and opening new data centres. Additionally, he advises on data-related matters such as access requests.

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan often assists clients with the negotiation of intellectual property licences. The law firm also handles a number of contentious matters, including representing clients in trade mark infringement and invalidity proceedings, as well as advising on trade secrets litigation and copyright disputes. The team has experience in anti-counterfeiting mandates and regulatory compliance obligations.

Strengths

One commentator reports that the lawyers are "super responsive and good value."

Notable practitioners

Maarten Schut often advises clients on IP licensing as part of R&D agreements. He also represents clients in trade secrets and trade mark litigation. "Maarten Schut has the ability to understand the technical questions well."

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan is an established name in the insurance market, with a large team in the Netherlands. The firm's dedicated insurance regulatory practice advises major national and international insurers and brokers on matters including market entry and business expansion. The team also possesses the capacity to act on contentious mandates, including product liability, business interruption and D&O liability cases.

Strengths

"Kennedy Van der Laan manage to bring complex matters back to the basics, providing the client with brief but to-the-point and readable advice."

"Kennedy Van der Laan are very solution-oriented."

"It is an experienced team with substantial knowledge."

"The firm is excellent to work with in every way."

Notable practitioners

Chris Van Dijk advises domestic insurers on regulatory issues and claims in the healthcare sector. "Chris Van Dijk is a unique lawyer with a lot of knowledge and a sharp vision."

Erik van Orsouw advises on complex financial lines and property liability cases, as well as offering regulatory advice to insurers. "Erik is fast and accurate. His legal knowledge is very good." "He's a good-quality lawyer and knows his stuff."

Frits Van der Woude represents clients in insurance and liability mandates, particularly focusing on D&O and professional indemnity matters. "The fact that Frits used to work for an insurance broker means that he really understands the questions of the client." "Frits is a deep thinker and strategically really strong."

Peter van den Broek specialises in contentious coverage mandates, with a particular focus on business interruption and product liability disputes. He also acts for clients on professional indemnity matters. "Peter has a great track record. His work is very good and he is solution-oriented."

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan often assists clients with the negotiation of intellectual property licences. The law firm also handles a number of contentious matters, including representing clients in trade mark infringement and invalidity proceedings, as well as advising on trade secrets litigation and copyright disputes. The team has experience in anti-counterfeiting mandates and regulatory compliance obligations.

Strengths

"The team at Kennedy Van der Laan is very strong, pragmatic, reactive and knowledgeable."

"The lawyers do an outstanding job and provide clear advice."

Notable practitioners

Maarten Schut often advises clients on IP licensing as part of R&D agreements. He also represents clients in trade secrets and trade mark litigation. "Maarten Schut is a very knowledgeable lawyer and pleasant to contact."

Work Highlights

Kennedy Van der Laan advised VodafoneZiggo on trade mark infringement litigation against O2.

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan enters the rankings this year following a strong showing in litigation and arbitration matters. The firm handles a broad range of litigation including class actions, contractual and shareholder disputes. Team members have notable experience with ESG litigation and professional liability proceedings.

Strengths

"Kennedy Van der Laan lawyers are quick to schedule calls, give feedback and address documents or materials where required. Their service, communication and responsiveness is very good."

"The team is very fast and will grasp something very quickly, is able to provide strategic advice and make sense of the case."

"The advice is very easy to understand and not too formal and legalistic. The team is very pragmatic and good on law.

Notable practitioners

Christoph Jeloschek and Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken are key contacts at the firm.

Work Highlights

Kennedy Van der Laan advised Greenpeace on proceedings against the Dutch State and pertaining to the impact of climate change on the Caribbean island, Bonaire.

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan is an independent Dutch law firm with market-leading practices in technology contracting, data protection and financial services regulation. It has one of the largest dedicated FinTech teams in the Netherlands and is able to assist large financial institutions and scale-up FinTechs.

Work Highlights

Kennedy Van der Laan advised Rabobank on payments, embedded finance and FinTech-related contracting.

Strengths

"Kennedy Van der Laan responds quickly and delivers on promise."
"The team is very communicative and responsive, they are a quick phone call away when needed. Also when certain topics are on hold due to third-party involvement, they keep us posted of ongoing exchanges and their status."
"The team provides clear communication and has the ability to handle complex scenarios without losing the focus for business needs. Kennedy Van der Laan is very business-focused and practical."
"The partners respond fast and provide the right level of legal content and an eye for practical application. Kennedy Van der Laan has excellent knowledge and expertise."

Notable Practitioners

Emanuel van Praag has a strong reputation and is experienced in advising financial institutions and FinTech companies on crypto assets and payments solutions.

Kennedy Van der Laan has a strong capability in handling mid-market M&A arising out of the healthcare and technology sectors, and counts corporate governance matters, management participations and restructurings in its workload. Gaby Heere, who advises on M&A and due diligence investigations, jointly leads the team alongside Jan-Berend Möller, who has experience of handling acquisitions and joint ventures.

Practice heads: Gaby Heere; Jan-Berend Möller

Other key lawyers

Robert Vodegel

Testimonials

'Hands on, pragmatic and fun to work with.’
‘Good communicators and extensive knowledge’
‘They are excellent.’
‘The team has broad knowledge of corporate contracting and can think out of the box.’
‘Individuals of KvdL were very knowledgeable. Jan-Berend Möller was efficient in setting up new forms of contracts.’
‘Integrated approach of various departments, short lines of communication with a strong account manager. Good communication of fees. Informal and pragmatic.’

The team at Kennedy Van der Laan covers the life cycle of real estate, including zoning and planning, development and construction, as well as property investment and management, with an increasing focus on circular building and sustainability matters. The team is led by Richard-Jan Roks.

Practice heads: Richard-Jan Roks

Other key lawyers

Eline Goemans

Testimonials

'Exceptionally pleasant cooperation with Kennedy Van der Laan. They have continuously assisted us in an acquisition in which hundreds of leases and building agreements had to be replaced. Speed, punctuality and the search for creative solutions immediately come to mind when I think of Kennedy Van der Laan.’
‘The personal approach and solution-oriented approach lead to a solution without litigation and going to court.’
‘Wide range of experts in real estate related business available.’
‘Eline Goemans is very client orientated; very responsive and great availability; excellent collaboration.’

Jointly led by healthcare expert Fenna van Dijk and life sciences specialist Maarten Schut, Kennedy Van der Laan's team handles the full breadth of mandates across the healthcare and life sciences segments. Combining a corporate background with a focus on healthcare, Van Dijk advises on market entry, licenses, clinical research, PPPs and drafting contracts with medical devices companies; she played a key role in the vaccine strategy concerning the Covid-19 pandemic. IP expert Schut advises multinational companies including Nutreco and Syngenta and not-for-profit institutions on conflicts relating to R&D and licensing. With the addition of Joran Spauwen, the practice has gained a specialist in IP-focused transactions in the advanced technologies sector, assisting healthcare service providers with medical devices regulation and negotiating contracts with AI suppliers. He also links the M&A practice to the healthcare and life sciences practice, focusing on innovative companies investing in the health tech industry. Counsel Sophie Van Loon specialises in contract drafting, advisory work and litigation within the life sciences field and associate Eline Lam focuses on corporate, healthcare and regulatory law.

Practice heads: Fenna van Dijk; Maarten Schut; Joran Spauwen

Leading Individuals

Fenna van Dijk

Other Key lawyers

Sophie van Loon
Eline Lam

Testimonials

The firm has a good life sciences non-contentious practice with good support for the intellectual property aspects of transactions.’
‘Maarten Schut is easy to deal with and good at focusing on the key issues.’
‘The webinars on new legislation and dilemmas are extremely informative and easy to follow for laymen and legal experts.’
‘The team consists of outstanding lawyers with a practical approach. The firm is our trusted partner for all sorts of health-related legal issues.’
‘Experts in tender management’
‘The professionality of Kennedy van der Laan is very high, the adequacy and speed in their answers suits my demands’
‘Good and nice working relationship with M. Schut. Very knowledgeable, has the ability to see the whole picture and at the same time see the devil in the detail. Good communication and negotiation skills, very nice to work with.’
‘Fenna van Dijk and Eline Lam are not only very involved, but also accurate and reliable and think ahead in solving problems. They see not only the legal obstacles, but also the solutions and possibilities.’

Led by Annemieke van der Beek, senior associate Martijn van Bemmel and Martine de Koning, Kennedy Van der Laan assists clients with compliance, regulator investigations and enforcement proceedings. Handling EU and competition law, including sanctions, trade controls and financial regulation, as well as abuse of dominance, follow-on litigation and merger control, the firm stands out for its sector-specific experience in manufacturing, fashion, retail and hospitality, with an additional focus on banking and finance particularly in relation to the payment services market.

Practice heads: Annemieke van der Beek; Martijn van Bemmel; Martine de Koning

Leading Individuals

Annemieke van der Beek

Other key lawyers

Jelle Blom

Testimonials

The team has multiple qualities: easy to approach, hands-on mentality, high level of knowledge and provides good quality advice that is easy to apply in practice.’
‘The team is so experienced and on top of all developments so it is a pleasure to work with them.’
‘I especially have contact with Martine de Koning. Her quality is to interpret the law and see what the effects may be on the business side. And even though her agenda must be busy, she always makes time to have a call or meeting. She has been very helpful and informative.’
‘The team, and in particular Jelle Blom who we have worked with, is really clear in its communication and keen to provide hands-on advice to its clients.’
‘Jelle Blom is a young practitioner, yet is very capable and knowledgeable in the field of distribution and competition matters. I also very much like to work with Martine de Koning, be it with respect to distribution or franchising.’
‘Martine de Koning is the best in the Netherlands as regards combining distribution, franchise and competition law! A true expert and creative thinker. Jelle Blom excels too, especially in distribution matters, in particular in an international context.’
‘Client-focused, practical, strong project management.’

Kennedy Van der Laan has a strong focus on sectors including technology, financial services and healthcare, and has specific experience in employee governance, advising and representing employers and work councils. The firm is also active in restructurings and reorganisations, as well as employment-related data protection matters and #MeToo issues. The practice is led by Chris Nekeman, who specialises in employee participation and legal proceedings for works councils and employers, Soo-Ja Schijf, who primarily represents multinationals with European operations, and Ester Damen, who has expertise in employee participation and data protection in employment relationships.

Practice heads: Chris Nekeman; Soo-Ja Schijf; Ester Damen

Testimonials

Great partnership, always ready to assist, exceptionally professional and very accessible, with multicultural expertise. Very appropriate communication, critical thinking and ownership of the matter.’
‘Kennedy suit our company very well as they are used to working with big clients. They are professional, while keeping a practical, down-to-earth approach.’
‘We work mostly with Soo-ja Schijf. She is used to working for big international companies and helped us a lot in some complex legal matters.’
‘Very responsive, and clear and concise in their advice to cut through some of the more complex aspects of Dutch labour law.’
‘Ester Damen is calm and assured, with good commercial sense underpinned by strong technical skills.’
‘Good quality. Down-to-earth approach. Practical and quick advice that will help you to proceed.’
‘Chris Nekeman is a great sparring partner.’
‘Ester Damen is a true business partner to the client’s company and I have great trust in her abilities and intentions for our company. I trust her implicitly.’

Focusing on construction, procurement, architecture and property development, Kennedy Van der Laan’s practice covers a range of real estate and construction projects. Expanding its focus on sustainability and circular building, the practice, led by Richard-Jan Roks, is active in tendering, design and construction and post-construction disputes, as well as acquisition, leasing and property management. Roks is focused on construction and EU procurement law, specifically in the healthcare sector.

Practice heads: Richard-Jan Roks

Testimonials

'Straight forward, down to earth, pragmatic and knowledgeable.’

Kennedy Van der Laan represents high-profile clients active in a range of sectors, especially in the advanced technologies, life sciences, fashion and media industries. Maarten Schut is a key name for technology and innovative life sciences companies for trade mark and trade secret issues, while Alfred Meijboom is recognised for his intersecting IP and IT work, and also advises sports-sector clients and handles arbitration cases involving art. Joran Spauwen assists emerging companies and foreign clients with investments in innovative technologies, requiring licensing and IP transactions. Counsel Sophie Van Loon is a specialist in collective rights management issues and in copyright law, and senior associate Reindert Van Der Zaal leads on brand protection, anti-counterfeiting and trade mark infringement mandates for sports, luxury and fashion brands.

Practice heads: Alfred Meijboom; Maarten Schut; Joran Spauwen

Leading Individuals

Maarten Schut

Rising Stars

Reindert van der Zaal

Testimonials

‘KVDL lawyers are true legal and judicial experts who have the added advantage of being very pragmatic. They deliver effective, business-oriented advice and strategies and are smart experts before Courts and offices.’
‘Technically excellent with first-rate client service and a focus on the commercial imperatives.’
‘Maarten Schut is rightly highly rated in relation to brand protection and enforcement, as is Reindert van der Zaal. On the commercial side, Martine de Koning is superb.’
‘Alfred Meijboom brings superb legal analysis and works with commercial and tactical acumen.’
‘Maarten Schut and Sophie van Loon are both very easy to deal with and efficient in the conduct of matters.’
‘The individuals I work with are Reindert van der Zaal, Joran Spauwen and Jens van den Brink. All very specialised, pragmatic and always deliver on time.’
‘The firm has a good team for IP matters. They are approachable and provide a good service.’

Kennedy Van der Laan advises on EU and Dutch financial regulation relating to insurance, as well as handling claims concerning casualty, property and engineering, and reviewing policies. The firm has a strong focus on claims and policy drafting, and clients include insurers, both domestic and international, insurance brokers, pools and loss adjusters. As a member of the international network of Global Access Lawyers, the firm has access to global expertise in insurance and liability law. The insurance practice is led by Chris van Dijk, Frits van der Woude, Peter van den Broek, Erik van Orsouw and Petra Oskam, with Jan Broekhuizen leading the regulatory insurance team. Marit van der Pool specialises in both defence and coverage work in professional indemnity and directors’ and officers’ liability matters.

Practice heads: Erik van Orsouw; Chris van Dijk; Frits van der Woude; Peter van den Broek; Jan Broekhuizen; Petra Oskam

Leading Individuals

Peter van den Broek

Hall of fame

Erik Van Orsouw

Rising Stars

Marit van der Pool

Other key lawyers

Peter Kramer
Mark Wisse
Marit van der Pool

Testimonials

'High knowledge regarding personal injury. They always seek to make the issues clear.’
‘Chris van Dijk: brilliant lawyer. Does a lot of investigation. Able to make difficult things easy to understand. A friendly personality, also towards the opponent.’
‘Erik van Orsouw knows exactly what I need as a client. He is practical, to the point, and creative in bringing solutions.’
‘Kennedy van der Laan has a great liability & insurance section, which includes both talented young associates and very experienced senior lawyers. All members of the team are pragmatic lawyers with high availability focused on the best possible outcome for their client.’
‘Peter Kramer is a highly experienced and very knowledgeable lawyer in the field of professional liability and insurance law. Peter is hands on, available and pragmatic. He always seeks the best possible resolution for his client while providing a realistic assessment of the merits of the case. I would without any reservation recommend Peter to clients seeking high quality legal advice in the field of professional liability and insurance law.’
‘Kennedy Van der Laan offers solid regulatory and commercial advice.’
‘Mark Wisse provides good quality commercially minded legal advice. Personable and able to apply legal issues into real business situations.’

Kennedy Van der Laan is a leader in franchising and distribution matters for a range of clients that include luxury, fashion and sports brands as well as innovative consumer goods manufactures and well-known retail chains. Head of the commercial and international trade practice, and an integral member of the EU competition law team Martine De Koning handles customs, trade and import issues as well as matters concerning digital transformations, online distributions and big data. Senior associate Jelle Blom handles international franchise and distribution and agency cases for global clients. Senior associate Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken is a disputes resolution practitioner with knowledge of the retail-related consumer, contract and e-commerce and geo-blocking laws.

Leading Individuals

Martine de Koning

Rising Stars

Isabel Van Tuyll Van Serooskerken
Jelle Blom

Other key lawyers

Renske Sinke
Lisa van Vliet
Lisa Lander
Daan van Lier
Hidde Kleijn
Noor de Werd
Tosca Bokhove

Testimonials

‘The team is very knowledgeable about Dutch law, flexible and agile, and able to adapt quickly to the needs of the client and the case. They are collaborative within and outside the firm and very easy to work with. They are clear writers and are able to explain complex concepts in a digestible way.’
‘Martine de Koning is a pleasure to work with and a talented lawyer with a keen eye. She is able to jump into an issue quickly and provide excellent advice that affects the strategy. She is practical and eminently responsive. You can trust her to get the job done.’
‘Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken is very helpful and is particularly skilled at making good use of evidence.’
‘Top notch firm, highly technical and with great service, from beginning till end. Perfect combination of experience and agility. There are excellent and skilled lawyers from junior level to head level. The firm provides accurate, timely advice.’
‘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 pricing.’
‘The team is very flexible, dedicated and efficient. Martine, Isabel & Jelle guarantee in depth but at the same time practical and straightforward advice with fast turnaround times.’
‘One of the leading franchise practices in the EU.’
‘Martine de Koning is the best in the Netherlands as regards retail – and combining retail with competition law! Jelle Blom excels too, especially in distribution and retail issues.’

Known for its freedom of speech and internet-related media practice, Kennedy Van der Laan is sought out by Dutch news outlets, broadcasters and production companies for advice on defamation claims and pre-publication reviews. Team head Jens van den Brink represents national and international media companies in free speech, copyright and digital matters. Content and technology specialist Joran Spauwen counsels the firm’s internet platforms and ISP clients on IP and transactional mandates. Counsel in the IP and media practice Sophie Van Loon is a key contact for social media platforms, Associate Lotte Oranje regularly acts for clients in disputes concerning press publications and online content.

Practice heads: Jens van den Brink

Hall of fame

Jens van den Brink

Rising stars

Lotte Oranje

Other Key lawyers

Joran Spauwen
Sophie van Loon
Michiel Coops

Testimonials

‘Kennedy Van der Laan have provided us fast, timely and valuable advice on a wide variety of legal topics for over two years now. Their service is invaluable, and they have helped us navigate often complicated queries on media law, employment law, copyright, GDPR and much more.’
‘Focused deep knowledge of media law. The firm has done high profile cases that attracted a lot of publicity for us. We always work with Jens van den Brink. We have a trusting relationship.’
‘If Jens van den Brink is involved, then we know the matter is in good hands. Lotte Oranje is one of the newcomers. She’s a real talent, sharp, engaged and works hard.’
‘Jens van den Brink and Lotte Oranje take a practical view on matters. Also, they are a good sparring partner for smaller issues. They are down to earth and have good knowledge of the media field and knowhow of jurisprudence. They keep calm in difficult situations.’
‘Kennedy Van der Laan has the best media lawyer of the Netherlands. His name is Jens van den Brink.’
‘Good industry knowledge, good litigation-skills, pragmatic.’
‘Joran Spauwen and Jens van den Brink are both strong litigators and have good industry knowledge.’
‘Joran Spauwen stands out as being able to translate tech in an understandable way.’

With the arrival of Judica Krikke, former head of Stibbe‘s IT department, in March 2023, Kennedy Van der Laan continues to be a go-to for clients seeking advice on major projects. Krikke not only brings expertise on IT procurement processes and ERP contracting but also represents clients in disputes concerning failed IT implementations. Patrick Wit works on tech projects, IT contracting, cybersecurity and digital transformations. Reinoud Westerdijk specialises in IT contractual joint ventures and public procurements and acts for high-tech suppliers and service providers. Christoph Jeloschek acts for large Dutch and international companies on cross-border litigations and complex IT disputes concerning failed IT projects. Joost Schmaal assists with emerging technologies such as smart contracts and AI. Senior associates Astrid Sixma and Veerle van Dreunen provide outstanding support and lead on large-scale transactions involving the integration of technology in transport projects.

Practice heads: Patrick Wit; Reinoud Westerdijk; Joost Schmaal; Christoph Jeloschek

Leading Individuals

Judica Krikke
Patrick Wit

Next Generation Partners

Joost Schmaal

Other key lawyers

Astrid Sixma
Veerle Van Druenen

Testimonials

‘Super-fast and quick thinkers; are able to make a relatively simple overview on complex contracts and deviations.’
‘Joost Schmaal is always enthusiastic and able to deliver.’
‘Impressive market presence – leading practice.’
‘Patrick Wit is very confident, convincing and result oriented.’

Kennedy Van der Laan has ‘unique expertise in the area of cybersecurity’. Head of the data protection practice Hester de Vries is testament to this, advising public sector and private sector clients, operating in complex new digital ecosystems, such as digital payments and gaming, on data protection governance. De Vries also represents clients against imposed fines by the Dutch Data Protection Authority and is a key contact for public sector clients investigating data-related issues. Experienced litigator Quirine Tjeenk Willink is known for representing clients in enforcement and fining procedures. Senior associate Elise Troll advises clients on the implementation of privacy compliance in healthcare apps, data sharing platforms and smart traffic solutions. Senior associate Rosalie Brand adds another layer to the practice, specialising in cyber incidents. The arrival of Judica Krikke from Stibbe, where she led the IT, IP and data protection teams, strengthens the practice further.

Hall of Fame

Hester de Vries

Leading individuals

Quirine Tjeenk Willink
Judica Krikke

Rising stars

Rosalie Brand
Elise Troll

Testimonials

'Strong expertise in cybersecurity and especially Ransomware incidents. Also, highly professional and flexible.’
‘Unique expertise in the area of cybersecurity.’
‘The lawyers in the privacy team of Kennedy van der Laan are extremely knowledgeable in the field of privacy. Their advice meets the needs of our organization in this field.’
‘The practice is unique due to the possibility of a multidisciplinary approach in a file. Potential clients want to know the experience of the lawyers in their field of attention. Compared to other firms Kennedy van der Laan is in our opinion one of the top firms.’
‘Hester de Vries, Elsie Troll and Cees Plaizer all stand out because of their personal approach, with a detailed attention to the client combined with their experience and knowledge in the field of privacy.’

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan assists financial sector clients with competition matters, including obtaining approval for joint ventures. The law firm also represents manufacturing sector clients in cartel damages claims. The team further acts for clients from the fashion and luxury goods industries on contentious distribution matters. Additionally it has clients from the healthcare sector.

Strengths

"The lawyers understand our business very well and so are able to react and respond very quickly to our queries and requirements."

Notable practicioners

Annemieke van der Beek is well reputed for her expertise assisting financial institutions with competition cases spanning compliance procedures and proceedings before the ACM.

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan offers a distinguished employment team with experience acting for big-name clients in sectors such as transport, technology and financial services. The firm has a distinguished reputation for its work advising employers on employee participation issues, workforce reorganisations and post-transactional harmonisation. It also represents clients in employment litigation, including in cases relating to diversity and inclusion issues.

Strengths

"They are very, very responsive and have a client-friendly approach."

"They always provide practical solutions and advice."

Notable practitioners

Chris Nekeman advises companies on negotiations with works councils, as well as disputes with executive employees and post-M&A restructuring. His wider practice sees him provide guidance on transfer of undertaking procedures. "He's an impressive legal adviser."

Up-and-coming partner Soo-ja Schijf has a broad international client base that includes major names from sectors as diverse as financial services and medical technology. Her experience encompasses matters relating to non-compete clauses and instances of sexual harassment. "She is a person who knows how to combine commercial skills with technical skills."

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan is an established name in the insurance market, with a large team in the Netherlands. The firm's dedicated insurance regulatory practice advises major national and international insurers and brokers on matters including market entry and business expansion. The team also possesses the capacity to act on contentious mandates, including product liability, business interruption and D&O liability cases.

Strengths

"Kennedy Van der Laan manage to bring complex matters back to the basics, providing the client with brief but to-the-point and readable advice."

"Kennedy Van der Laan are very solution-oriented."

"It is an experienced team with substantial knowledge."

"The firm is excellent to work with in every way."

Notable practitioners

Chris Van Dijk advises domestic insurers on regulatory issues and claims in the healthcare sector. "Chris Van Dijk is a unique lawyer with a lot of knowledge and a sharp vision."

Erik van Orsouw advises on complex financial lines and property liability cases, as well as offering regulatory advice to insurers. "Erik is fast and accurate. His legal knowledge is very good." "He's a good-quality lawyer and knows his stuff."

Frits Van der Woude represents clients in insurance and liability mandates, particularly focusing on D&O and professional indemnity matters. "The fact that Frits used to work for an insurance broker means that he really understands the questions of the client." "Frits is a deep thinker and strategically really strong."

Peter van den Broek specialises in contentious coverage mandates, with a particular focus on business interruption and product liability disputes. He also acts for clients on professional indemnity matters. "Peter has a great track record. His work is very good and he is solution-oriented."

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan often assists clients with the negotiation of intellectual property licences. The law firm also handles a number of contentious matters, including representing clients in trade mark infringement and invalidity proceedings, as well as advising on trade secrets litigation and copyright disputes. The team has experience in anti-counterfeiting mandates and regulatory compliance obligations.

Strengths

One commentator reports that the lawyers are "super responsive and good value."

Notable practitioners

Maarten Schut often advises clients on IP licensing as part of R&D agreements. He also represents clients in trade secrets and trade mark litigation. "Maarten Schut has the ability to understand the technical questions well."

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan boasts market-leading expertise in several areas of TMT, particularly regarding media regulations and IT outsourcing. The law firm handles a number of high-profile media disputes relating to the publication of misinformation, defamation claims and advertising litigation. The team is also highly esteemed for its work in the technology sector, advising on outsourcing and procurement agreements, the launch of new platforms, opening new data centres and licensing contracts. Kennedy Van der Laan also represents clients in contentious matters, including disputes with suppliers. It also acts on data privacy matters, advising clients on the use of biometric data and data sharing agreements, as well as representing clients regarding alleged breaches of GDPR.

Strengths

"Kennedy Van der Laan's service levels are excellent and the response to our questions is within reasonable time."

"The team work well together and therefore have broad expertise."

Notable practicioners

Hester De Vries is well regarded in the field of privacy and data protection. In addition to her experience in data sharing mandates, she regularly represents clients in GDPR disputes and advises on the use of biometric data under data privacy regulations. "Hester is an expert on privacy matters."

What the team is known for:

Kennedy Van der Laan boasts market-leading expertise in several areas of TMT, particularly regarding media regulations and IT outsourcing. The law firm handles a number of high-profile media disputes relating to the publication of misinformation, defamation claims and advertising litigation. The team is also highly esteemed for its work in the technology sector, advising on outsourcing and procurement agreements, the launch of new platforms, opening new data centres and licensing contracts. Kennedy Van der Laan also represents clients in contentious matters, including disputes with suppliers. It also acts on data privacy matters, advising clients on the use of biometric data and data sharing agreements, as well as representing clients regarding alleged breaches of GDPR.

Strengths

"Kennedy Van der Laan's service levels are excellent and the response to our questions is within reasonable time."

"The team work well together and therefore have broad expertise."

Notable practitioners

Jens van den Brink is regarded as one of the leading media law specialists in the Netherlands. He has a strong focus on contentious matters, representing clients in defamation cases, attempts to prevent the publication of misinformation and disputes relating to advertising. "Jens is driven, skilled and practical."

Joran Spauwen is well regarded in the field of media and communications. He advises clients from the technology sector on contentious matters such as data disclosures and defamation. He also assists with matters relating to freedom of information. "He is very strong on defamation law."

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan boasts market-leading expertise in several areas of TMT, particularly regarding media regulations and IT outsourcing. The law firm handles a number of high-profile media disputes relating to the publication of misinformation, defamation claims and advertising litigation. The team is also highly esteemed for its work in the technology sector, advising on outsourcing and procurement agreements, the launch of new platforms, opening new data centres and licensing contracts. Kennedy Van der Laan also represents clients in contentious matters, including disputes with suppliers. It also acts on data privacy matters, advising clients on the use of biometric data and data sharing agreements, as well as representing clients regarding alleged breaches of GDPR.

Strengths

One interviewee reports that Kennedy Van der Laan "holds its own in the Dutch scene, and its lawyers are always quite innovative."

A client reports that the team "has a strong capacity" and highlights the "great quality of advice."

Notable practitioners

A client appreciates Judica Krikke for her ability to "understand and interpret our questions and wishes." She represents clients in technology sector disputes and in the negotiation of supply agreements and outsourcing contracts. She has experience in procurement tenders and advising on regulatory compliance.

Joost Schmaal assists clients with both contentious and non-contentious matters in the technology sector, representing clients in drafting IT contracts, as well as in disputes with suppliers. Additionally, he advises on outsourcing of services and IT infrastructure, including cloud-based software delivery.

Patrick Wit often advises on technology procurement mandates and IT outsourcing agreements, as well as assisting with the regulatory aspects of launching new technology platforms.

Reinoud Westerdijk assists clients from the technology sector with negotiating licensing agreements and opening new data centres. Additionally, he advises on data-related matters such as access requests.

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan often assists clients with the negotiation of intellectual property licences. The law firm also handles a number of contentious matters, including representing clients in trade mark infringement and invalidity proceedings, as well as advising on trade secrets litigation and copyright disputes. The team has experience in anti-counterfeiting mandates and regulatory compliance obligations.

Strengths

"The lawyers are super responsive and good value."

Notable practitioners

Maarten Schut often advises clients on IP licensing as part of R&D agreements. He also represents clients in trade secrets and trade mark litigation. "Maarten Schut has the ability to understand the technical questions well."

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan is an independent Dutch law firm with market-leading practices in technology contracting, data protection and financial services regulation. It has one of the largest dedicated FinTech teams in the Netherlands and is able to assist large financial institutions and scale-up FinTechs.

Strengths

“Kennedy offered quick answers whilst working in lines of the agrees timelines.”
“Kennedy really know what they are talking about and come with ideas to help the business.
“Kennedy know how to unravel complex issues and bring them back to the core.”
"We had a good experience and they are definitely to be recommended.”

Notable practitioners

Joris van Horzen heads the FinTech team and specializes in payments, alternative lending and the regulatory elements relevant to IT contracting in the FinTech space. An interviewee describes him as "Joris is a very nice lawyer to work with, knows what is needed and delivers.”

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan is an independent Dutch law firm with offices in Amsterdam and Eindhoven. It has market-leading practices in the areas of technology contracting, data protection and financial services regulation. With one of the largest dedicated FinTech teams in the Netherlands, the firm is able to assist large financial institutions alongside a suite of scale-up FinTechs. In addition, Kennedy Van der Laan has a portfolio of LegalTech solutions available to clients.

Strengths

"The firm has a multi-team approach and is well positioned as a tech law firm."
"The team is skilled, their knowledge unmatched and they understand our aims."

Notable practitioners

Joris van Horzen heads the FinTech team and specialises in payments, alternative lending and the regulatory elements relevant to IT contracting in the FinTech space. A peer says: "Joris van Horzen is a great professional. If conflicted on a matter, I would refer payments work to him. He has good knowledge of the market." This is echoed by a client who notes: "He succeeds well in innovative thinking on topics that are changing in real time."

Kennedy Van der Laan recently welcomed Gaby Heere and Jan-Berend Möller; the pair jointly head the corporate and M&A practice which is reputed for its work on mid-market cross-border M&A, particularly within the healthcare and technology fields.

Kennedy Van der Laan handles the full life-cycle of real estate projects, including zoning and planning, development and redevelopment, design and construction, leasing and disposal mandates. It has particular experience in the hospitality, housing, retail and construction sectors. Nico Jacobs and Richard-Jan Roks lead the team.

Practice head(s): Nico Jacobs; Richard-Jan Roks

Testimonials

‘What makes the real estate practice and Nico Jacobs unique is a very good understanding of what clients expect, want and don’t want, combined with great industry knowledge’.
‘Kennedy van der Laan always works with small teams, with close involvement of the partners’.
‘Lower fees, combined with optimal services and the best advice possible’.

Kennedy Van der Laan continues to build on its key areas of specialism; technology, media/the internet and the fashion/luxury goods sectors. It has attracted an impressive number of new clients in these areas and its ‘success rate has been remarkable throughout the years‘ in respect of trade mark protection matters. Maarten Schut, who heads the group with Alfred Meijboom, has extensive trade marks expertise, particularly in the areas of life sciences and advanced technologies and is also a deputy judge at one of the four courts of appeal. Founding partner, Meijboom is known for his work where IP and IT interface and for ‘complex multi-jurisdictional‘ cases. Joran Spauwen became a partner in 2021 – his focus is on internet-based disputes and transactions and he is noted for his cyber security expertise. The ‘exceptional‘ senior associate Reindert Van Der Zaal's focus is brand protection and entertainment law. Sophie Van Loon and Gaya Schultz are other core team members.

Practice head(s): Alfred Meijboom; Maarten Schut

Other key lawyers: Reindert van der Zaal; Sophie van Loon; Gaya Schultz; Joran Spauwen

Leading Individuals

Maarten Schut

Rising Stars

Reindert van der Zaal

Testimonials

'KVDL lawyers are true legal and judicial experts who have the added advantage of being very pragmatic. They deliver effective, business-oriented advice and strategies and are perfectly adapted to their interlocutors: concise and pragmatic for operational clients, and legal smart experts before Courts and offices.’
‘Alfred Meijboom is a smart and experienced lawyer, capable of handling complex multi-jurisdictional intellectual property cases. Gaya Schultz, who assists Alfred on cases, is very well versed in trademark law and office practices.’
‘Marteen Schut is a proven expert in anti-counterfeiting and trademark protection, with extensive experience in the fashion and retail sectors. Reindert van der Zaal, in Maarten’s team, is also excellent in this field.’

Reflective of Kennedy Van der Laan‘s presence in the insurance market, it generates mandates from a wide variety of clients, notably insurance companies active in the Netherlands, insurance brokers, loss adjusters, insurance brokers and corporates. The firm is highly active in insurance regulatory matters (an area that is led by Jan Broekhuizen), and it also provides assistance with policy drafting and reviews of policy wording. In addition, insurance claims are another key pillar of the practice; a name to note in this space is Peter van den Broek, whose workload includes international claims and construction-related coverage disputes. Frits van der Woude focuses on policy disputes and professional indemnity claims, and he is also an expert in in D&O liability and professional liability. Chris van Dijk and Petra Oskam are particularly well-known for their personal injury expertise. Erik van Orsouw is another experienced practitioner at the firm.

Practice head(s): Erik van Orsouw; Chris van Dijk; Frits van der Woude; Peter van den Broek; Jan Broekhuizen; Petra Oskam

Other key lawyers: Maurits Oudenaarden; Peter Kramer; Marit van der Pool; Mark Wisse

Leading Individuals

Peter van den Broek

Erik van Orsouw

Rising Stars

Marit van der Pool

Testimonials

The team’s lawyers are accessible and provide practical and understandable advice. They also organize meetings and lectures in which insurance practice matters are discussed in an informal atmosphere.’
‘Kennedy van der Laan have a great team (no matter who you get to work with) who are very easy to access and they understand your needs perfectly. They think along with you by being pragmatic and proactive.’
‘Mark Wisse – He is quick on his feet in terms of thinking and providing solutions, replies fast and provides tips and tricks. He also sees the bigger picture and making you aware of this and possible consequences.’

Kennedy Van der Laan has a ‘highly-skilled team capable of coordinating multijurisdictional matters for clients’. It has ‘excellent knowledge of the broader EU and Dutch regulatory framework for consumers and competition, in particular the regulatory framework relevant for product compliance, sustainability, advertising and greenwashing in commercial practices’. Practice head Martine de Koning is a leading authority on international franchising, distribution and agency, and her ‘knowledge about competition law is phenomenal’. Also recommended in her team is senior associate Jelle Blom, whose strengths include franchise and agency, commercial contracts, distribution, procurement, sourcing and EU competition law.

Practice head(s): Martine de Koning

Other key lawyers: Nico Jacobs; Jelle Blom

Leading Individuals

Martine de Koning

Rising Stars

Jelle Blom

Testimonials

‘Highly skilled team capable of coordinating multijurisdictional matters for clients and through cooperation with other law firms in Europe, providing succinct advice on issues covering large number of jurisdictions.’
‘I have worked with Martine de Koning who is an excellent lawyer. She has high-level and demonstrable expertise and she has excellent writing/drafting skills. Martine is personable and easily gains the trust of the people that she works with.’
‘This office is really well known in the retail sector. Really a top office. They also have an incredible client base and are very commercial and pragmatic towards their retail clients. It is one of the strongest firms in the Netherlands in retail.’

The ‘large team of media and entertainment law specialists’ at Kennedy Van der Laan ‘always delivers in often sensitive cases’. Fielding ‘very good litigators’, the firm specialises in internet-related litigation and defamation/free speech cases, as well as providing expertise in content production and transaction matters, including film and media productions and content transactions. Team head Jens Van Den Brink is a renowned media litigator with many years of experience in media defence work. Another key name is Christien Wildeman, who focuses on major defamation and copyright litigation matters in the Netherlands.

Practice head(s): Jens van den Brink

Leading Individuals

Jens van den Brink

Testimonials

Real diversity of expertise that has helped our company in a variety of ways. They have offered guidance over a number of sensitive subject areas, often to extremely tight time frames and deadlines. This assistance has been invaluable. It’s not an exaggeration to say that we would not have been able to do some of the most prominent work we have done in recent times without them.’
‘They have a genuine passion for the work they do, something that really shines through in the way they have engaged with us. They have also helped guide us through some extremely tricky legal queries and opened up their network of contacts in a number of countries around the world when questions regarding different jurisdictions arise.’
‘Creative approach, good business sense and knowledge, strong litigation skills, proactive.’

The depth of Kennedy Van der Laan‘s sector expertise is confirmed by clients who report that ‘they speak our language‘. The large size of the practice, including a substantial team of associates with technical backgrounds. allows it to scale up to take on large projects and regularly post secondees to key clients. The team is also at the forefront of rolling out legal tech initiatives for its clients, for example the ‘customised alliance’ – knowledge sharing between attorneys and in-house counsels across various jurisdictions. The lead partners provide a comprehensive range of expertise: Patrick Wit heads IT and IT outsourcing; Reinoud Westerdijk as the key contact for IT licensing, cloud sourcing and procurement; Joost Schmaal the main name for IT outsourcing and emerging technologies, and Christoph Jeloschek as the specialist in IT litigation and arbitration. The group's expertise includes large-scale outsourcing, assistance with matters involving cutting edge areas such as AI and green IT, and related areas such as cybercrime and competition issues.

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

Other key lawyers: Astrid Sixma

Leading Individuals

Patrick Wit

Next Generation Partners

Joost Schmaal

Testimonials

‘They seem to have enough people in their team to also pick up last-minute and bigger projects.’
‘Joost Schmaal is very easy to work with, super smart and will get it done.’
‘They speak our language, are pragmatic, but sharp if needed. Always available, when you need them. They have a strong background in IT, which is very helpful in understanding our business.’

The team at Kennedy Van der Laan is ‘knowledgeable, practical in its approach, pleasant to deal with and delivers a high-quality product’. It is well known in the market for advising clients on corporate, governance, compliance, competition and financing matters. Fenna van Dijk co-heads the practice with over two decades of experience in commercial work; Maarten Schut also heads the team and is recommended for IP. Joran Spauwen is a new election to the partnership.

Practice head(s): Fenna van Dijk; Maarten Schut

Other key lawyers: Sophie van Loon; Joran Spauwen

Testimonials

‘The team switches quickly and works well together’.
‘The team has various specialists, so that the right advisor is available for every question’.
‘Communication is clear and fast’.

Annemieke van der Beek, Martijn van Bemmel and Martine de Koning co-head the EU and competition team at Kennedy Van der Laan, which has a leading position in the Dutch banking and finance sector, and is also active in the public transport and hospitality sectors. Van der Beek is particularly noted for her competition expertise in the payment services market. As part of an ongoing trend, the practice continues to see an increase in follow-on damages actions. In addition, it has seen a growth in mass claims following recent changes in the law. Elsewhere, the group provides compliance advice and represents clients in regulatory investigations, among other matters. In an ongoing mandate, van Bemmel and others are acting for Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI) and Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA) in a dispute with Cycling Service over a new platform for managing prize money.

Practice head(s): Annemieke van der Beek; Martijn van Bemmel; Martine de Koning

Leading Individuals

Annemieke van der Beek

Testimonials

'They know our business very well and are able to provide advice that is really suited to our requirements.’
‘They are very quick to respond, know the business and know our challenges.’
‘We have been working with Kennedy van der Laan over the past 10 years in the field of competition law. The cooperation is good and successful. The team is well informed about our business and the relevant completion law issues.’

Kennedy Van der Laan fields a multidisciplinary team which advises on administrative and public law as well as handling disputes and litigation. It acts for public and private sector clients on spatial planning, permitting, environmental issues and nature conservancy law. Key figure Anita Nijboer assists project developers, public bodies and housing corporations with obtaining permits and on zoning matters.

Practice head(s): Quirine Tjeenk Willink

Next generation partners

Anita Nijboer

Testimonials

‘The practice offers a wide range of expertise.‘

‘The partner and head of the team Anita Nijboer was very involved in the issue at hand and played a key role in getting the best result for our company.‘
‘Anita Nijboer has extensive knowledge and memory of both the long-lasting (5 years) legal issue in which we were involved and the legislation.‘

Kennedy Van der Laan’s employment offering is ‘very professional and down to earth’ and handles a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Soo-Ja Schijf has a track record of work for international clients concerning collective redundancies and outsourcing; Chris Nekeman is experienced in negotiations with trade unions and is no stranger to litigation; and Ester Damen is recommended for data protection-related employment work.

Practice head(s): Soo-Ja Schijf; Chris Nekeman; Ester Damen

Other key lawyers: Eylard van Fenema

Testimonials

‘The team is well attuned to each other and knows the client well’.
‘In terms of substantive knowledge, the team keeps each other sharp’.
‘Chris Nekeman is able to provide clear and practically applicable advice’

Kennedy Van der Laan acts for both domestic and international clients on complex cross-border disputes, and has recently seen an uptick in collective actions instructions. Christoph Jeloschek co-heads the team and has considerable experience in cross-border litigation, particularly in the it sector. Martine de Koning also co-heads the team and is recommended for commercial disputes.

Practice head(s): Christoph Jeloschek; Martine de Koning
Other key lawyers: Veerle van Druenen; Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken

Testimonials

‘They are very professional and render timely legal services’.
‘They precisely examine all the details of the work that needs to be done’.
‘They are very down to earth and hands on, and do not make things overly complicated’.

Kennedy Van der Laan ‘always strives to deliver high-quality work’ across data protection regulatory mandates, investigations and enforcement proceedings. The group has also seen an increase in data breach and cybersecurity instructions and leverages the firm’s newly expanded corporate department to assist with data transactions. With expertise in the publishing, telecoms, technology, transport and entertainment sectors, key clients include Azerion, Keolis Nederland and Royal Schiphol Group. Noteworthy individuals include group co-heads Hester de Vries and Quirine Tjeenk Willink, and senior associates Elise Troll and Rosalie Brand.

Practice head(s): Hester de Vries; Quirine Tjeenk Willink
Other key lawyers: Elise Troll; Rosalie Brand; Laura Poolman

Hall of fame

Hester de Vries

Leading individuals

Quirine Tjeenk Willink

Rising stars

Testimonials

‘Very good and large team. Experienced members and more junior members providing a good and opportune mix for larger clients requiring broad privacy assistance.’
‘Hester de Vries is very experienced and knowledgeable. Hester stands out through her in-depth knowledge of the laws, regulations and case law in combination with her knowledge of the key players in terms of privacy experts. Rosalie Brand is a pleasure to work with. She is intelligent, dedicated, very knowledgeable and pragmatic.’
‘The firm has much relevant knowledge and expertise (all but criminal law). Collaboration, mostly behind the scenes, is almost seamless.’

Kennedy Van der Laan construction, real estate and procurement team handles the full life-cycle of construction projects, from acquisition, to zoning and planning, development, management and disposal. It is particularly active in the hospitality, housing, fashion and retail sectors. Richard-Jan Roks and Nico Jacobs head the practice, with Roks recommended for civil-construction and procurement law, and Jacobs handling real estate developments and transactions.

Practice head(s): Richard-Jan Roks, Nico Jacobs

Other key lawyers: Eline Goemans

Testimonials

‘Very experienced in construction and always helpful in advising our company on legal matters’.
‘Even in urgent cases, Kennedy Van der Laan is there to support us’.
‘Richard-Jan Roks is our “go-to-person” in case of legal issues in the construction industry’.

Based in the Netherlands, Martine de Koning draws praise for her "broad knowledge of distribution and franchising arrangements." She offers particular proficiency in EU law, frequently assisting clients with multi-jurisdictional franchising transactions across the continent.

Notable practitioners

An interviewee reports that Maarten Schut is "easy to talk to and easy to work with." Maarten Schut often advises clients on IP licensing as part of R&D agreements. He also represents clients in trade secrets and trade mark litigation.

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan boasts market-leading expertise in several areas of TMT, particularly regarding media regulations and IT outsourcing. The IT team is highly esteemed for its work in the technology sector, advising on outsourcing and procurement agreements, the launch of new platforms, opening new data centres and licensing contracts.

Strengths

One interviewee reports that Kennedy Van der Laan "holds its own in the Dutch scene, and its lawyers are always quite innovative."

A client reports that the team "has a strong capacity" and highlights the "great quality of advice."

Notable practitioners

Joost Schmaal assists clients with both contentious and non-contentious matters in the technology sector, representing clients in drafting IT contracts, as well as in disputes with suppliers.

According to one commentator, Patrick Wit is "a real IT specialist who is very capable at handling high-stakes cases." He often advises on technology procurement mandates and IT outsourcing agreements, as well as assisting with the regulatory aspects of launching new technology platforms.

Reinoud Westerdijk assists clients from the technology sector with negotiating licensing agreements and with opening new data centres. A client reports that he is "a terrific all-round commercial and contracting lawyer with decades of industry knowledge."

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan boasts market-leading expertise in several areas of TMT, particularly regarding media regulations and IT outsourcing. It acts on data privacy matters, advising clients on the use of biometric data and data sharing agreements, as well as representing clients regarding alleged breaches of GDPR.

Strengths

One interviewee reports that Kennedy Van der Laan "holds its own in the Dutch scene, and its lawyers are always quite innovative."

A client reports that the team "has a strong capacity" and highlights the "great quality of advice."

Notable practitioners

A client reports that Hester De Vries is "an extremely intelligent and talented lawyer with in-depth knowledge of privacy law and the exchange of data." In addition to her experience in data sharing mandates, Hester De Vries represents clients in GDPR disputes and advises on the use of biometric data under data privacy regulations.

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan often assists clients with the negotiation of intellectual property licences. The law firm also handles a number of contentious matters, including representing clients in trade mark infringement and invalidity proceedings, as well as advising on trade secrets litigation and misleading advertising disputes. The team has experience in anti-counterfeiting mandates and compliance with copyright directives.

Strengths

A market source highlights the firm's "really good commercial approach" and "forward-thinking attitude."

Notable practitioners

An interviewee reports that Maarten Schut is "easy to talk to and easy to work with." Maarten Schut often advises clients on IP licensing as part of R&D agreements. He also represents clients in trade secrets and trade mark litigation.

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan is an established name in the insurance market with a notable strength in claims disputes. The law firm houses a dedicated insurance regulatory practice which acts on behalf of major national and international insurers and brokers on matters including market entry and structuring issues. The team also possesses the capacity to act on contentious mandates, and has been instructed on product liability and professional indemnity cases alongside class actions.

Strengths

Clients value the team's prudent advice, with one emphasising that "the lawyers always try to look at both sides of the coin, not just focusing on what a client wants to hear; instead they give you the truth."

Another client praises the lawyers for their interpersonal skills, noting that "their ability to manage emotions and be empathetic is useful."

Notable practitioners

Chris Van Dijk advises international and domestic insurers on a wide range of liability cases, with a particular focus on professional and product liability matters. Clients emphasise his position as "an authority on the market" and identify him as "someone who is always going for solutions."

Erik van Orsouw regularly advises on product liability cases, as well as offering regulatory advice to insurers. Market commentators commend his commercial awareness, noting that "he manoeuvres smartly and is honest in his appraisal."

Frits Van der Woude represents clients in insurance and liability matters in relation to bankruptcy proceedings, including D&O and professional indemnity. Clients consider him to be "a hands-on lawyer with deep knowledge of the insurance industry."

Peter van den Broek specialises in dealing with contentious coverage mandates, with a particular focus on business interruption and product safety disputes. One interviewee praises his "ability to brainstorm informally with clients."

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan assists financial sector clients with competition matters, including obtaining approval for joint ventures. The law firm also represents manufacturing sector clients in cartel damages claims. The team acts for clients from the fashion and luxury goods industries on contentious distribution matters. Additionally it has clients from the healthcare sector.

Strengths

A client appreciates the firm's "very quick and informed responses."

Notable practitioners

Annemieke van der Beek represents financial institutions, transport operators and food and beverage companies in competition cases spanning merger control procedures, ACM investigations and cartel damages claims.

Martine De Koning maintains a clientele of fashion retailers and luxury brands, advising them on distribution agreements.

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan offers a distinguished employment team with a strong footprint in sectors such as transport, technology and financial services. The law firm has a distinguished reputation for advising both employers and works councils on employee participation, reorganisations and post-transactional harmonisation. It represents clients in employment litigation and also assists with diversity and inclusion issues. The team assists with individual and collective dismissals, as well as privacy matters.

Strengths

Clients say the team "really has a no-nonsense attitude and a way of communicating that comes down to the essence of questions."

"I really feel that the lawyers put a lot of effort into the client," says another client, who appreciates that the team "go out of the way to see if they can help us."

Notable practitioners

Clients praise Chris Nekeman for being "energetic and passionate," as well as being "approachable and a good listener." He advises companies on negotiations with works councils, as well as disputes with executive employees and post-M&A restructuring.

What the team is known for

Kennedy Van der Laan boasts market-leading expertise in several areas of TMT, particularly regarding media regulations and IT outsourcing. The law firm handles a number of high-profile media disputes relating to the publication of misinformation, defamation claims and advertising litigation.

Strengths

One interviewee reports that Kennedy Van der Laan "holds its own in the Dutch scene, and its lawyers are always quite innovative."

A client reports that the team "has a strong capacity" and highlights the "great quality of advice."

Notable practitioners

One of the leading media law specialists in the Netherlands, Jens van den Brink has a strong focus on contentious matters, representing clients in defamation cases, attempts to prevent the publication of misinformation and disputes relating to advertising. One client enthuses: "Jens van den Brink is extremely helpful, experienced and knowledgeable and has expertly helped us to negotiate a number of extremely tricky legal questions and concerns we have had."

"For three decades, Kennedy Van der Laan has maintained its position as “an outstanding partner for IP matters”. It draws judiciously on talents from across its comprehensive range of practice areas to pool together resources and coordinate decisive strategies that ensure favourable long-term results for brand owners. Since adding prosecution to its offering, the outfit has received a flood of instructions on the non-contentious side; but dispute resolution remains its strongest suit. Founding partner, division lead and “excellent all-round IP lawyer” Alfred Meijboom acquits himself with distinction when domain name issues arise; while “highly experienced trademark litigator” Maarten Schut is “brilliant in court”. Together they have built a robust anti-counterfeiting practice, assisting fashion designers and retailers such as Converse with their infringement battles across Europe."

Martine de Koning is ranked by WWL as a Global Elite Thought Leader on Franchise.

WWL says: "Martine de Koning enjoys a stellar reputation in the market, where she garners widespread praise as "exceptionally knowledgeable" and "easy to work with" on franchising and distribution matters across a range of sectors, from fashion to sports.”

Martine de Koning is ranked by WWL as a Global Elite Thought Leader on Franchise.

WWL says: Martine de Koning draws praise as a “knowledgeable and practical lawyer who services household names, especially from a competition law perspective.”

Martine de Koning

WWL says:
"Martine de Koning is a “very active” franchise lawyer with “exceptional legal knowledge”. She has extensive experience of structuring complex matters including joint ventures."

Read the full recommendation at Who' s Who Legal.

“We at GSN are especially happy with the cooperation model between ourselves and Kennedy Van der Laan. Thanks to a great mutual commitment to the preparation of the cases and a clear division of roles, we were able to choose the best strategy to follow in these cases together. With Kennedy Van der Laan we have developed a characteristic method of cooperation, in which GSN supplies the relevant facts, after which the team translate this business information into legally relevant information.

All in all, we are extremely satisfied; not only with the positive outcome of the various proceedings and summary proceedings, but also with the cooperation. The team of Kennedy Van der Laan, consisting of Annemieke van der Beek, Martijn van Bemmel and several other colleagues from other practice groups, always do their utmost to achieve the best result for us.”

“I’ve been working with Annemieke van der Beek for many years. She combines thorough knowledge of competition law with a hands-on and very client orientated way of working. Besides that Annemieke is very capable to align interests of stakeholders leading to strategic relevant advantages for her clients. Her professional approach has led to unanimous positive results when dealing with competition authorities needed for carrying out strategic projects. Highly recommended!”

“Annemieke van der Beek is considered an authority on competition law in the payment industry. She has an extensive knowledge of payment system and its institutions; her network includes all the relevant key persons and she stays constantly up to date on all developments in this field. For this reason, her advisory work is broadly valued an appreciated.”

"I had sought Annemieke's advice on a complex topic of competition law. Together with her colleague Minke de Haan, she fulfilled my request in an excellent manner. Their well-wrought written advice had ample legal depth while being pragmatic and solution-driven at the same time. I was very happy with the outcome and would certainly not hesitate to recommend Annemieke to others who require high-quality legal services."

"Kennedy Van der Laan is a no-nonsense, value for money, reliable business partner. Their attorneys understand our industry, are very professional and a pleasure to work with. They look at the bigger picture and bring innovative and practical solutions. They quickly focus on the essence and are not overly theoretical in their approach. They are passionate about their profession and it shows."

The Alliance for Nike, under leadership of Kennedy Van der Laan, has now been in place in the wider European region for five years and it is a great success. In the first years the Alliance accelerated efficiencies, drove convergence and significantly improved spend predictability and insight. In more recent years, the emphasis was on intensive knowledge and best practices sharing, innovative (digital) communications, effective feedback processes, and central project coordination. The Alliance allows us to retain the firms that are the best fit to Nike’s needs in each jurisdiction, while still benefitting from centralized management by Kennedy Van der Laan. It is a true partnership, and the Alliance continues to thrive and expand both in legal fields and jurisdictions.”