Privacy

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.

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

Hester de Vries

Quirine Tjeenk Willink

Elise Troll

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.

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

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

Hester De Vries is a distinguished practitioner with extensive experience in data protection compliance matters. She also represents clients in litigation concerning data breaches and privacy impact assessments.

Hester de Vries is ranked by WWL as a Global Elite Thought Leader on Data Privacy and Protection.

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.

‘The privacy team combines first-class legal knowledge with an in-depth understanding of technologies.’

‘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.’

Advises on a variety of data protection mandates, spanning from compliance mandates to investigation proceedings involving sensitive personal data.

Hester de Vries is a distinguished practitioner with extensive experience in data protection matters, spanning from compliance and regulatory aspects of intra-group data exchanges, to investigations related to access to sensitive personal data.

Data protection practice undertakes non-contentious compliance mandates as well as contentious regulatory matters.

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

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

Advised De Persgroep, GS Media and ThePostOnline on proceedings against the EU over allegations made by the EUvsDisinfo website. The companies challenged their inclusion in an article identifying fake news organisations.

Hester De Vries is "an authority" on data protection in the Netherlands, according to one interviewee who elaborates: "Her contacts with the data protection authority are valuable and she knows how to identify and downsize risks." She predominantly handles advisory and compliance matters.

The data protection practice undertakes non-contentious mandates, including regulatory advice, as well as contentious matters such as compliance investigations enforcement procedures.

Hester De Vries is characterised by clients as "empathetic and a real expert on data protection." She advises on data protection across numerous industries, including healthcare and the financial sector. One client particularly appreciates her way of incorporating innovation and detail into her work, saying: "We have fun working together and that relationship creates creativity and excellent pieces of work," while also noting that the "very detailed phase" of her advice means "everything is 100% effective."