Verzekeringen & Aansprakelijkheid

The Kennedy Van der Laan practice fields 'one of the leading teams in the Netherlands'. Martine de Koning heads up the group and, alongside her EU competition expertise, she is considered 'one of the best franchise lawyers'. Associate partner Bart-Adriaan de Ruijter handles a range of transactions, contentious matters and Brexit-related issues for retail clients, while senior associate Jelle Blom focuses on commercial and international trade matters. Acting for household-name clients, the team handles domestic and cross-border matters including joint ventures, distribution and licence agreements, competition and anti-trust work, and real estate mandates alongside the related litigation and arbitration proceedings.

• Martine de Koning

• ‘The franchise and retail team of KvdL is one of the leading teams in the Netherlands. It is always a pleasure to work with them.’
• ‘Martine de Koning is one of the best franchise lawyers worldwide. She combines civil and consumer law, competition law and trade mark law in a unique and excellent way.’
• ‘The team is very successful in providing high level legal assessment together with a very good understanding of business environment.’
• ‘We have worked closely with Martine de Koning, Jelle Blom and Renske Sinke. Between them they share excellent knowledge of the legal issues that are relevant when working in retail and they know how to “translate” this knowledge to make it work on a practical level.’

Kennedy Van der Laan displays deep expertise in the banking and financial sector, regularly advising the three largest Dutch banks. A notable matter highlight involved practice head Annemieke van der Beek and Martijn van Bemmel advising Dutch Payments Association regarding a dawn raid and the following procedure. Martine de Koning is another key member of the team and leads cases on abuse of dominance, vertical restraints and transfer of technology. Clients praise the competition team for its 'high-quality work' and 'professional, knowledgeable and practical lawyers'.

• ‘The competition law team at Kennedy Van der Laan consists of professional, knowledgeable and practical lawyers, who are very effective in obtaining the required results. They are thorough and deliver high-quality work‘.
• ‘I have worked with Martijn on a complex matter of competition law relating to the Dutch lottery system. He has extensive knowledge of competition law and is a really clever and skillful lawyer. Martijn is a great professional, who is positive and efficient at getting deals done. I can highly recommend him to others who require high-quality and practical legal advice‘.
• ‘Annemieke van der Beek. Very nice to work with, a real professional with a sharp insight into the client’s business‘.

Martine de Koning is ranked global wide within Franchising.

"Martine de Koning is based in Amsterdam and is very active in the European franchise market. Clients say: "She is a very energetic and professional lawyer. She is very pragmatic and at the same time goes deep into legal issues." Other sources describe her as "very sharp, intelligent and very well informed.""

Assists financial sector clients with competition matters, including obtaining approval for joint ventures. Also represents transport sector clients in cartel damages claims. Acts for retail sector clients on contentious distribution matters. Additionally has clients from the healthcare sector.

Clients underline the firm's knowledge in this area.

Annemieke van der Beek particularly assists clients from the banking industry. Her practice includes experience of follow-on cartel litigation, as well as handling complex abuse of dominance proceedings before the ACM.

Martine De Koning enters the rankings on the back of positive assessments from clients, who describe her as "very well connected" and "very strategic." She is particularly active for clients from the retail and fashion industries, advising on vertical restraints, as well as franchise and distribution agreements.

Established name in the insurance market with particular strength in relation to claims matters. Covers the full scope of insurance services, with expertise in D&O and professional indemnity cases, product recall, and personal injury claims. Actively involved in W&I insurance, including policy drafting and often handles construction-related matters. Houses a dedicated insurance regulatory practice, including advice on compliance, the application of regulations for new insurance products and licensing requirements. Frequently instructed by prominent Dutch and international insurers, as well as other multinational companies.

Clients appreciate the team's pragmatic approach, with one stating: "The advice is practical and they provide solutions with a firm legal basis."
The team is also singled out for the lawyers' approachability, with one interviewee noting: "They are very down to earth, straightforward and casual. They are just very easy to communicate with and, at the same time, very high-quality."

Chris Van Dijk is renowned for handling complex and high-profile personal injury and professional liability matters. One market commentator describes him as "well known and excellent," while another states: "What is very good is that he is capable of looking at things from both sides. He is capable of going off the path and bringing people together."

Erik van Orsouw advises international insurers on coverage and liability issues. One interviewee describes him as "down to earth, straightforward and pragmatic." Another adds: "He's very good at thinking outside the box and coming up with practical solutions.

"Frits Van der Woude is well reputed for acting on professional liability and D&O matters and is particularly noted for his extensive experience within the industry.

Peter van den Broek handles coverage disputes and drafting policies on behalf of prominent insurers. He is also noted for advising on technical damage claims regarding property or construction. One interviewee says that "he is not only doing what you are asking but is also an adviser," adding: "He will persuade me not to do something; he is very open about things because he knows the business and what is relevant."

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.

Kennedy Van der Laan 'has a pragmatic approach, focuses on priorities, and is a great partner'. Peter van den Broek is recommended along with Frits van der Woude and associate Mark Wisse. Senior partners Erik van Orsouw heads the insurance and liability practice and Chris van Dijk has a focus on claims relating to personal injuries. AIG, Zurich, Chubb, and AON are clients and recent work includes advising on large claims in the construction industry; various regulations and advice on insurance and liability issues in connection with the use of asbestos and the insurance implications of product recalls.

The Kennedy Van der Laan practice 'provides creative solutions, combining expertise in different areas such as IP, distribution, data protection and licensing and also stands out at managing complex projects' and it specifically benefits clients with 'significant expertise in the retail industry'. Martijn van Bemmel and Jelle Blom are 'outstanding' while Martine de Koning is viewed as 'a top lawyer who perfectly knows the retail industry'. Nike, Converse, VodafoneZiggo and Elecosoft UK are among its client list. Of late the team has handled matters including a complex distribution dispute, franchising, and online retailing issues. It also advised Panda Sporthallen Exploitatie in a Court of Appeal case in which it claimed compensation for the early termination of a fitness club franchise format. Counsel Bart-Adriaan de Ruijter and senior associate Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken are other team members of note.

Established name in the insurance market with particular strength in relation to claims matters. Covers the full scope of insurance services, with expertise in D&O and professional indemnity cases, product recall, and personal injury claims. Actively involved in W&I insurance, including policy drafting, as well as housing a dedicated insurance regulatory practice. Frequently instructed by prominent Dutch and international insurers, as well as other multinational companies. Often handles construction-related matters.

A satisfied client reports: "They really understand what we are looking for and we can always call them for a question." This source also describes the team as "practical."

Further interviewees appreciate that "they are well aware of all relevant developments in the insurance market."

Chris Van Dijk is especially well placed to handle employer's liability and property damage claims. He acts for a range of leading global insurers and has strong expertise in personal injury cases.

Erik van Orsouw is "extremely responsive, very knowledgeable, and flexible in thinking outside the box,"according to one impressed source. His practice includes coverage disputes and professional indemnity matters.

Frits Van der Woude is noted for his expertise in financial lines, and has significant knowledge of D&O and professional indemnity cases. One client states: "He is a pragmatic person with a hands-on approach in handling issues. He listens to clients' requests and is solution-driven."

Peter van den Broek often handles construction and product liability cases, as well as advising on policy drafting. Clients appreciate that he has a "pragmatic approach and is focused on priorities," as well as being "solution-oriented and going the extra mile."

Martine stands out for her “quick, professional and straightforward advice”. She has an excellent reputation among peers and clients who praise her technical legal knowledge.

Kennedy Van der Laan’s practice handles all kinds of insurance, including directors’ and officers’ (D&O) liability, personal injury and medical malpractice. Group head Erik van Orsouw is supported by Chris van Dijk, Frits van der Woude, Peter van den Broek and Jan Broekhuizen. AIG and Zurich are clients.

Noted for its strength in tendering procedures, Kennedy Van der Laan’s practice is particularly active in healthcare-related construction. Practice head Richard-Jan Roks is advising Prinses Maxima Centrum voor Kinderoncologie on the procurement and construction aspects of its new 50,000sqm building. Stichting de Lawei is a construction arbitration client.

Established name in the insurance market with particular strength in relation to claims matters. Covers the full scope of insurance services, with expertise in D&O and professional indemnity cases, product recall, as well as personal injury claims among other areas. Actively involved in W&I insurance, including policy drafting, as well as housing a dedicated insurance regulatory practice. Frequently instructed by prominent Dutch and international insurers, as well as other multinational companies.

The team's personal service is appreciated by clients, who report: "They are down-to-earth, but have the best theoretical legal knowledge that is needed. They are one of the best companies in the Netherlands."

Additional clients commend the firm's "excellent performance," noting that it "combines knowledge, good communication and a solution-driven approach."

Frits Van der Woude draws on extensive prior experience of working in the insurance industry to advise clients on a range of matters, including D&O, professional liability and professional indemnity claims, as well as policy and coverage issues. Clients enthuse that he is "a true professional with an impressive track record who is really connected in the insurance industry."

Chris Van Dijk is regarded by market commentators as "an excellent lawyer," who focuses on a range of matters in the insurance and liability space. He has particular expertise in professional indemnity and employers' liability claims, as well as material damage insurance.

Erik van Orsouw is well regarded by market commentators as a "very notable" lawyer, who is "pleasant to work with." The scope of his expertise includes technical damage claims and coverage disputes, as well as professional indemnity cases involving lawyers, engineers and accountants.

Peter van den Broek has a growing profile in the market, with strong expertise on insurance matters in the construction sector. His focus includes technical damage and property claims, as well as product liability cases.

“Martine de Koning stands out for her "quick, professional and straightforward advice". She has an excellent reputation among peers and clients who praise her technical legal knowledge.”

"Best known for franchising, distribution and commercial contracts, Kennedy Van der Laan’s practice has cross-border capabilities, and is ‘particularly knowledgeable about e-commerce’. Group head Martine de Koning ‘combines great commercial, legal and competition law knowledge’. Ahold Delhaize is a client."

Monique van Diessen, Nike Europe

"We highly recommend Martine de Koning, first and foremost because of her knowledge and creativity in providing solutions and strategic thinking."

Bill Berner, General Counsel Nike EMEA

"Martine de Koning has been Nike’s Account Manager at Kennedy van der Laan since 2000. Over the years, Martine handled strategically important litigation for us such as international commercial disputes and competition law cases before the relevant authorities. She has a clear vision and takes the lead in a smart and assertive manner with an eye to effective communication with all stakeholders involved. Martine offers high service levels and quickly understands the business interests at stake. Martine handled in a pragmatic way many franchise, distribution, agency and procurement cases over the years. She became involved early on in the legal support of the Nike stores project, including localisation and implementation of contracts in the EMEA region. Martine was a key player in the creation of the Alliance for Nike, an innovative concept which allows Nike to work with selected firms in a number of European countries, under the leadership and coordination by Kennedy van der Laan, creating savings and efficiencies and driving convergence."