Commercial & International Trade
Onze specialismen
Distributie, franchise en agentuur / Mededinging / Procesvoering & Arbitrage / Commerciële contracten / Internationale handelsverdragen / Misbruik van machtspositie & prijsstelling / Verticale overeenkomsten, exclusieve en selectieve distributie / Consumentenrecht / Omnichannel & geoblocking / Licenties & Overdracht van technologie / Internet sales(platform) restricties / Loyaliteitsprogramma's / Logistiek, transport en opslag / Bestuurdersaansprakelijkheid / Portfolio herstructureringen / Follow-on litigation / Export & Import regelgeving en sancties / Productconformiteit en etikettering / Inkoop trajecten / Duurovereenkomsten / Incoterms / CISG / Specialistische geschilbeslechting / German Desk
We leven in een wereld die steeds gecompliceerder wordt door globalisering en digitalisering van de internationale handel. Handelssancties worden (her)ingevoerd en we staan mogelijk aan de vooravond van een nieuw tijdperk van handelsoorlogen na decennia van globalisering. Brexit grijpt diep in op de handelssituatie in Europa zoals wij die nu kennen. COVID-19 zal blijvende impact hebben op de ontwikkeling van de markt. Omnichannel heeft het aanzien van de winkelstraat voorgoed veranderd. Ons team combineert grondige kennis van verkoop en handel met sectorexpertise en juridische kennis over belangrijke compliance-onderwerpen zoals mededinging, productveiligheid, consumenten- en e-commerceregelgeving, data, beveiliging, douanerecht en exportregelgeving.
Wij zijn toonaangevend op het gebied van distributie, franchise, agentuur en online business. Merkpositionering is leidend in een juridisch verantwoorde strategie voor de handel op internet- en (al dan niet) via platforms. Wij houden de juridische grenzen in het oog voor geoblocking, het beperken van handel via platforms en het uitwisselen van data. Wij hebben ervaring met het in licentie geven van technologie-, knowhow en handelsmerken. Wij hebben modellen ontworpen voor consignatie, click & collect, click & return in store, social networking, loyaliteitsprogramma's, ambient intelligence en dynamic pricing. Wij bekijken de hele toeleveringsketen, van producent tot consument en alles daartussenin: opslag, logistiek, transport, zekerheden garanties, on- en offline bestellingen, marketing, verkoop, klachtenafhandeling, productretouren, productveiligheid en recall, incasso, bestuurdersaansprakelijkheid en schadevergoeding.
We stellen overeenkomsten op en onderhandelen over samenwerkingen, verkoop, inkoop, distributie, franchise, agentuur, uitbestedingen en joint ventures, waarbij we gebruikmaken van de nieuwste IT-tools voor het opstellen van contracten, documentbeheer en online 'live' samenwerking met onze cliënt. We ontwikkelen standaard overeenkomsten en verzorgen de lokalisatie daarvan. Het team is erkend gespecialiseerd in het opzetten van selectieve en exclusieve distributienetwerken. Franchise is een bijzonder succesvol bedrijfsmodel. Door proactief het model aan te passen aan de steeds veranderende wet- en regelgeving helpen wij cliënten internationaal succesvol te zijn en te blijven.
Aan alles komt een einde. Soms is het nodig het netwerk van partners (leveranciers, distributeurs, franchisenemers of detailhandelaren) ingrijpend te herzien. Wij assisteren cliënten bij het inschatten van risico's en het kiezen van het beste exit scenario. Als geschillen (procedures of arbitrage) onvermijdelijk zijn, behandelen we deze met een scherpe strategische visie om de gewenste bedrijfsresultaten op een kostenefficiënte wijze te bereiken.
Wij staan hoog aangeschreven als specialist door onze cliënten in de sectoren Fashion & Retail, Farmacie, Food, Technologie, Hospitality, Reizen & Vrije tijd en de Dienstensector. Onze cliënten zijn voornamelijk multinationals en lokale spelers met een wens om hun geografische bereik te vergroten.
Wanneer expertise in andere jurisdicties vereist is, hebben wij toegang tot meer dan 150 advocatenkantoren in 100 gebieden over de hele wereld. Daarnaast is Martine de Koning lid van EuroFranchise Lawyers, de expertgroep op het gebied van franchise wet- en regelgeving in Europa. Lees meer over onze dienstverlening op maat: Customized Alliance (Engels).
Aanbevelingen
The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 - Industry Focus: Retail - Tier 1
July 2023 saw Kennedy Van der Laan merge its commercial and international trade team with the firm’s EU and competition team, while continuing to be a strong player in matters concerning Dutch franchising law and expanding its work in the e-commerce sector. The retail group is led by the ‘very practical’ Martine de Koning, a leading expert on franchising matters, who also takes on competition issues before the Dutch courts. Jelle Blom, who made partner in June 2023, focuses on franchising and commercial contracts, along with Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken, who also joined the firm’s partnership in 2023, combining a civil procedural law practice with matters of franchising, distribution and consumer law.
Leading Individuals
Next Generation Partners
Isabel Van Tuyll Van Serooskerken
Jelle Blom
Other key lawyers
Renske Sinke
Lisa van Vliet
Lisa Lander
Daan van Lier
Noor de Werd
Tosca Bokhove
Testimonials
- ‘A very professional and business-oriented team. They have excellent market knowledge, which shows in the advice they give.’
- ‘Special mention for Martine de Koning, who is an excellent professional to work with: always available, top expertise, very imaginative and creative.’
- ‘Integrated approach of various legal workstreams helps in educating our sales and marketing people on new legislation. They understand our business needs and speak the language. Highly communicative, young and hungry team.’
- ‘Jelle Blom brings stress levels down and fixes issues pragmatically and quietly; he is valuable in strategic cooperation with suppliers and B2B customers. Lisa van Vliet is an excellent sparring partner for marketing campaigns and thinks commercially.’
- ‘Martine de Koning’s expertise is in depth, and she is quick to understand a client’s needs.’
- ‘There has been a strong connection to the client in handling our case. The way the team connects with us was empathic and pragmatic.’
- ‘Very accommodating and quickly grasps issues. Easy to work with.’
- ‘Martine de Koning is very practical, collaborative and razor sharp. Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken is smart, creative and collaborative.'
The Legal 500 EMEA 2024 - Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation - Ranked
One of the new areas of growth for Kennedy Van der Laan has been collective actions, where the team represents both claimants and defendant. Commercial litigation expert Christoph Jeloschek leads the practice, focusing on cross-border litigation and IT-related disputes. The team was strengthened at senior level by the promotions of practice co-head Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken, Jelle Blom and Veerle van Druenen in January 2023. Van Tuyll van Serooskerken is frequently engaged by clients for her expertise in corporate litigation, and has bolstered the firm's capabilities in post-M&A disputes and disputes between directors and executive boards. Blom is a go-to for pre-litigation and injunction proceedings, while van Druenen specialises in contractual and technology disputes.
Practice heads: Christoph Jeloschek; Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken
Next Generation Partners
Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken
Other key lawyers
Jelle Blom; Veerle van Druenen
Testimonials
- ‘Isabel Van Tuyll van Serooskerken was very responsive and very attuned to the needs of the client. Her advice was prompt and very practical.’
- ‘Christoph Jeloschek is one of most impressive attorneys I have met. He is not only focused on the legal issues at hand and how to master them, but also the political, financial and public dynamics of cases and the people involved as well. I have had the opportunity to work with many international firms and individuals and have not met or worked with such capable, smart and kind, yet assertive and savvy, individuals as at Kennedy van der Laan.’
- ‘The team are very engaging, understanding and professional in their approach to clients. They are well spoken, they explain things in layman’s terms for clients without being patronising or condescending, and they are very friendly and helpful. We have found that they give us all the required time and information and they do not pressure us, but rather give us a relevant timeframe to decide on things and move forwards. We have enjoyed the advice and support from Kennedy van der Laan.’
- ‘Isabel Van Tuyll has been fantastic at giving advice, explaining things about Dutch law where we are unfamiliar and has been assertive but reasonable in her approach to following up on our disputes with the third parties. This has been a welcome breath of fresh air.’
- ‘Kennedy Van Der Laan bring detailed scrutiny to the conduct of litigation. What makes the team stand out is that it has a very collaborative approach with clients. They get to know the sector and really drill into the issues.’
- ‘Christoph Jeloschek is an outstanding advocate. He has an engaging and confident rapport with the court. Veerle van Drueren applies a forensic approach to cases. She is an experienced advocate.’
- ‘Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken has a client-friendly approach and is extremely responsive and diligent. What clients also appreciate about her is that she provides advice in a digestible and highly commercial manner.’
- ‘Christoph Jeloschek is a very good lawyer for cross-border cases and is very knowledgeable in international and European procedural law. He has a hands-on approach, and is very easy to work with.’
The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation - Ranked
The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Industry Focus: Retail - Tier 1
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
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.’
The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - Industry Focus: Retail - Tier 1
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 Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - EU & Competition - Ranked
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.’
The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation - Ranked
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’.
Who's Who Legal 2022 - Thought Leaders Global Elite - Franchise
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.”
Who's Who Legal 2022 - Thought Leaders Global Elite - Franchise
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.”
Who's Who Legal 2023 - Thought Leaders Global Elite - Franchise
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.”
Who's Who Legal - Thought Leaders Global Elite 2020 - Franchise
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.
Bill Berner, General Counsel Nike EMEA
"Kennedy Van der Laan is een no-nonsense en betrouwbare zakenpartner die waar voor je geld geeft. De advocaten begrijpen onze bedrijfstak, zijn zeer professioneel en prettig om mee samen te werken. Ze kijken naar het grotere plaatje en dragen innovatieve en praktische oplossingen aan. Ze focussen snel op de essentie en zijn niet te theoretisch in hun benadering. Ze hebben passie voor hun beroep en dat zie je."
“De Alliance for Nike, onder leiding van Kennedy Van der Laan, is nu vijf jaar actief in de bredere Europese regio en is een groot succes. In de eerste jaren heeft de Alliance de efficiëntie opgevoerd, convergentie gestimuleerd en de voorspelbaarheid van uitgaven significant verbeterd. In recente jaren lag de nadruk op het intensief delen van kennis en best practices, innovatieve (digitale) communicatie, effectieve feedback processen en centrale projectcoördinatie. De Alliance maakt het ons mogelijk om kantoren in te schakelen die het beste aan Nike's behoeften voldoen in elk rechtsgebied, terwijl wij blijven profiteren van de centrale leiding door Kennedy Van der Laan. Het is een echt partnerschap en de Alliance blijft bloeien en uitbreiden, zowel op deelterreinen van het recht als in rechtsgebieden.”