Joost Schmaal

IT (out)sourcing / IT-disputes / Cybersecurity and liability

Joost is a partner in the Technology team. He specializes in drafting and negotiating agreements with a technology-component. He is an experienced negotiator, assisting clients with complex outsourcings and large IT-procurement projects and is the go-to advisor to many of his clients for IT-sourcing related questions and disputes.

Another large part of his practice consists of handling IT disputes, cybersecurity incidents and litigations. Joost has a great track record of solving IT-disputes in the pre-litigation phase but has also often litigated on behalf of both suppliers and customers of IT-solutions.

He is part of the Cybersecurity team, where he helps clients deal with the immediate impact of a cybersecurity incident, but also with the aftermath, handling liability claims both defensively and offensively.

Joost is a pragmatic and responsive attorney, always focusing on what is really important for the client. As a result of his many secondments as an in-house counsel with several of his clients, Joost understands the importance of being concise and taking the broader business perspective into account.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2025 - Industry focus: Information Technology - Tier 1

Kennedy Van der Laan has a particularly strong presence in the financial services, healthcare and retail sectors, and has notable expertise in IT outsourcing, technology projects, cyber security, and digital transformation. Judica Krikke heads the IT practice and has extensive experience in cloud sourcing, software licensing, and data protection, Patrick Wit takes the lead on IT outsourcing and ESG matters, and Reinoud Westerdijk has expertise in handling IT contracting, AI, tech cooperation, and IT public procurement. Joost Schmaal and Christoph Jeloschek are well-versed in IT-related litigation and arbitrations.

Next Generation Partners

Joost Schmaal

Testimonials

• ‘Joost Schmaal is a very skilled lawyer, and he has great experience, technical ability, and commercial acumen.'
• ‘Joost Schmaal demonstrated strong leadership and took responsibility during a legal dispute. He handled the case prudently, efficiently, and with great attention to detail. Joost is intelligent, pragmatic and determined, making him a valuable asset in any challenging situation. Moreover, he is always open to meaningful discussions and provides thoughtful insights.’

Chambers Europe 2025 - TMT: IT and IT Outsourcing - Ranked

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 regarding breaches of contract, failed system implementations and liability claims. Additionally, he advises on outsourcing of services and IT infrastructure, including cloud-based software delivery.

• "Joost Schmaal is very mature, experienced and a real pleasure to work with. He is also very responsive, knowledgeable and able to analyse matters in a very professional way."
• "Joost Schmaal is great to work with."
• "He is really smart and nice."

The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 - Industry focus: Information Technology - Tier 1

Kennedy Van der Laan’s ‘top of the market’ team offers comprehensive services in the IT sector, addressing transactional, regulatory, commercial and contentious aspects. The group’s leadership comprises Patrick Wit, Reinoud Westerdijk, Joost Schmaal, Christoph Jeloschek and Judica Krikke. Wit focuses on IT outsourcing, tech projects, cyber security and digital transformation, particularly serving the financial services, healthcare and retail sectors. Westerdijk is an expert in IT contracting, including cloud solutions, cyber security and IT public procurement. Schmaal’s expertise lies in IT and BPO outsourcing, procurement and tech litigation, and represents insurance clients in IT-related litigation. Krikke, who joined in March 2023 from Stibbe, brings extensive experience in IT outsourcing, cloud sourcing, software licensing and data protection. Jeloschek is the lead for IT litigation and arbitration at the firm.

Next Generation Partners

Joost Schmaal
 

Testimonials:

• 'Joost Schmaal has a high knowledge of IT, and is able to quickly understand issues or risks and effectively solve or mitigate them.’
• ‘Joost Schmaal has great experience, technical ability and commercial acumen in dealing with all aspects of IT/IP disputes. I would highly recommend Joost: he is a very hands-on, pragmatic lawyer and very knowledgeable.’

Chambers Europe 2024 - TMT: IT and IT Outsourcing - Up and Coming

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.

Testimonials:

• 'Joost has great experience, technical ability and commercial acumen in dealing with all aspects of IT disputes; I would highly recommend him as he is very hands-on.'
• 'He asks the right questions, has spot-on, sufficient knowledge of market practice and also gives you the support as a strategic partner.'

The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Industry focus: Information Technology - Tier 1

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.

Next Generation Partners

Joost Schmaal

Chambers Europe 2023 - TMT: IT and IT Outsourcing - Up and Coming

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.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - Industry focus: Information Technology - Tier 1

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.

Testimonials

‘Joost Schmaal is very easy to work with, super smart and will get it done.’

Chambers Europe 2022 - TMT: IT and IT Outsourcing - Up and Coming

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.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2021 - Industry focus: Information Technology - Tier 1

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

Next generation Partners: Joost Schmaal

Testimonials:

• ‘Joost Schmaal has done an exceptional job by helping out with complex contracts that require a deep technical understanding of IT and SaaS’.
• ‘Joost Schmaal is a smart and IT-savvy professional that makes collaborating with an outside counsel enjoyable.'

The Legal 500 EMEA 2020 - Industry focus: Information Technology - Tier 1

Kennedy Van der Laan provides sound advice combined with an understanding of current technologies. The team, which is led by Patrick Wit, handles the full gamut of transactional, regulatory and contentious work, which extends to e-commerce, blockchain, smart contracts and cybersecurity mandates. Wit's client roster encompasses financial and retail sector clients undertaking digital transformations and fintech start-ups. Reinoud Westerdijk and associate partner Joost Schmaal, who has 'tremendous insight into the IT landscape', are other key team members.

Testimonial:

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

The Legal 500 EMEA 2019 - Industry focus: Information Technology

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

The Legal 500 EMEA 2018 - Information Technology - Ranked

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

• Supported a major Dutch bank with a large scale international outsourcing agreement with a global IT consulting services company.
• Assisted a Dutch lighting company with a complex project to transfer all relevant IT vendors after split-off from the parent company.