Quirine Tjeenk Willink

Privacy / Administrative & Public law / Government Regulation / Smart City / Energy / Telecom

Quirine specializes in general administrative law, government regulation and administrative law enforcement, with a focus on telecom, energy and privacy law.

She is an expert in the field of frequency law and since the zero base distribution in 2003 she has been advising various telecom and radio parties in strategic frequency auctions. She was involved in the 2.6 Ghz auction in 2010, the 4G auction in 2012, the first 5G auction in 2020, and the FM auction in 2023.

With her profound knowledge of administrative procedural law, Quirine also represents market participants in enforcement investigations by regulators in various sectors. In the past, she represented market parties in penalty investigations in the telecom sector, the food sector, the education sector, the gambling sector, the financial sector and in the field of privacy and data protection law.

In the field of energy law, Quirine frequently advises clients on connection issues of grid operators and grid congestion on the power grid. For example, she was involved in the development of an innovative virtual grid at the Schiphol Trade Park business park, where companies with and without power transmission work together. This allows more sustainable, smarter and cheaper use of the local grid operator's existing infrastructure, without putting businesses at greater risk of power outages.

Quirine has extensive litigation experience in administrative law; she frequently acts in appeal proceedings in the areas of frequency law, tariff regulation, general telecom law, media regulation, municipal levies and childcare regulation. Quirine also advised the national government on the review of the licensing system in the gambling sector in the report “Op weg naar een aangepast loterijenstelsel. Een juridische verkenning.” [Towards an adjusted lotteries system. A legal exploration.]

Quirine lectures regularly, including the ‘Toezicht en Handhaving’ [Supervision and Enforcement] module at the renowned Data Protection Law specialization course of the Leiden Law Academy, part of Leiden University. She is also author of the chapter ‘Sancties, Beroep en Aansprakelijkheid’ [Sanctions, Appeal and Liability] in Wolters Kluwer’s ‘Tekst en Commentaar Algemene Verordening Gegevensbescherming’ [Text and Comments to the General Data Protection Regulation].

Quirine is also a member of the Executive Committee of Kennedy Van der Laan.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2025 - Telecoms - Ranked

Leading partners

Quirine Tjeenk Willink

The Legal 500 EMEA 2025 - Data Privacy and Data Protection - Tier 1

The privacy, cybersecurity and regulated markets team at Kennedy Van der Laan is known for its sector expertise across finance, transport and logistics, telecoms, entertainment and healthcare. The team is noted for its expertise in assisting clients with investigations and enforcement proceedings locally and abroad. Internal investigations, legal proceedings against data subjects exerting thier rights under data protection law, and obtaining permits under Dutch data protection law are all key pillars of the practice. The sizeable team is led by Hester de Vries, Quirine Tjeenk Willink, Rosalie Brand and Judica Krikke. De Vries is a data protection authority and assists technology multinationals and public sector institutions with data protection law issues. Enforcement matters are handled by specialist Tjeenk Willink, Brand is the go-to for cybersecurity matters, and Krikke advises on IT aspects of data protection issues.

Leading partners

Quirine Tjeenk Willink

Chambers Europe 2025 - Telecommunications - Ranked

Quirine Tjeenk Willink maintains an excellent reputation with notable telecommunications clients, supporting both domestic and global market players. She is recognised for her depth of experience in litigation relating to spectrum auctions, while also advising on regulations and licensing for operators and radio broadcasters.

• "Quirine Tjeenk Willink is a truly excellent lawyer who is very highly regarded."
• "Quirine Tjeenk Willink is an extremely strong and very skilled lawyer. She is extremely smart and fast."

The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 - Telecoms - Ranked

Kennedy Van der Laan is renowned for its expertise in frequency law, radio spectrum auctions, and related regulatory matters, including market dominance and procedural administrative enforcement law. The telecoms practice is housed within the firm’s regulatory department, jointly led by Quirine Tjeenk Willink and Leon Mensink. Willink is highly sought after for her ‘extensive experience in telecoms’ and frequency law, and has played a pivotal role in major spectrum auctions for both telecom and strategic radio frequencies. Mensink brings a strong background in civil and administrative proceedings, as well as a wealth of knowledge in tariff regulation, market dominance, network access, and market entry issues.

Testimonials

• ‘Quirine Tjeenk Willink really makes the difference in litigation. Her skills and knowledge are outstanding.’
• ‘Quirine Tjeenk Willink has extensive experience in telecoms and is a well-recognised and respected attorney in the sector. She is a very focused and result-oriented professional.’

The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 - Data Privacy and Data Protection - Tier 1

Kennedy Van der Laan is well-versed in administrative enforcement law and data protection law, allowing it to advise on a range of contentious and non-contentious privacy issues. The firm excels in assisting clients in the financial, logistics, telecommunications, entertainment, and healthcare sectors. The team routinely undertakes investigations and enforcement proceedings carried out by data protection regulators both locally and internationally and recently formed a 24/7 incident response team. Hester de Vries, Quirine Tjeenk Willink, Rosalie Brand, and Judica Krikke all jointly chair the practice. De Vries handles issues at the forefront of data protection such as AI, open data, platforms for data sharing, and adtech. Litigator Tjeenk Willink is an enforcement law specialist, Brand was promoted to partner in 2023 and mainly supports clients with cybersecurity incidents. Krikke focuses on complex digital transformation processes, IT and cloud outsourcing issues. Elise Troll was appointed counsel in 2023 and advises on data protection particularly in relation to telecoms.

Chambers Europe 2024 - Telecommunications - Ranked

Quirine Tjeenk Willink enters the rankings this year in recognition of her depth of experience in litigation relating to spectrum auctions. She also advises on regulations and licensing for operators and radio broadcasters. "Quirine is extremely smart and good on sensitive cases."
 

Who Is Who Legal 2023 - Data - Data Privacy & Protection 2023- Global Leader

The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Telecoms - Ranked

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.

Testimonials

• ‘Quirine Tjeenk Willink is open, friendly, spot on, pragmatic and has good industry knowledge – an expert.’
• ‘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.’

The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Data Privacy and Data Protection - Tier 1

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. Experienced litigator Quirine Tjeenk Willink is known for representing clients in enforcement and fining procedures.

Leading individuals

Quirine Tjeenk Willink
Judica Krikke

The Legal 500 EMEA 2021 - Data Privacy and Data Protection - Tier 1

Under the leadership of the highly experienced Hester de Vries, Kennedy Van der Laan's privacy team is a key name for mandates spanning the data and technology sectors; the group also advises on the full range of data matters with a notable focus on commercial data issues and big data work. The practice's expertise includes advising on matters in the media, telecoms, financial and healthcare sectors, and has recently expanded to include issues relating to smart cities. Quirine Tjeenk Willink is another key name, and combines her privacy experience with expertise in administrative enforcement law. Senior associates Rosalie Brand and Elise Troll are also singled out.

Leading individuals

Hester de Vries 
Quirine Tjeenk Willink

Chambers Europe 2021 - ranked

Outstanding practice covering all aspects of IT, outsourcing, media and data protection. Acts on a variety of data protection mandates, spanning from compliance to investigation proceedings involving sensitive personal data.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2020 - Data Privacy and Data Protection - Tier 1

The Kennedy Van der Laan team is noted for combining its legal expertise with a thorough understanding of the technologies involved. The practice assists clients with all the various uses of commercial data, including big data, and advises on contractual and regulatory matters as well as investigations and enforcement cases. Its broad client roster includes those in the financial, healthcare and transport and logistics sectors. Hester de Vries, who has a background at the Dutch Data Protection Authority, is highly recommended and Quirine Tjeenk Willink is considered 'best in class' for complicated cases.

Testimonial

"Best in class is without any doubt is Quirine Tjeenk Willink. She’s the must-see counsel for top-notch, hands-on advice in complicated matters."