Joost Schmaal

IT contracten / Outsourcing (IT en BPO) / IT inkoop / E-commerce / Opkomende technologieën.

Joost is partner bij de praktijkgroep IT. Hij is gespecialiseerd in het opstellen en uitonderhandelen van overeenkomsten met een technologie-component. Hij heeft ruime ervaring met het begeleiden van complexe uitbestedingen en grotere IT-inkoop projecten en is voor veel van zijn cliënten de vaste adviseur voor sourcing-gerelateerde vraagstukken en geschillen. Mede door zijn periodes als in-house counsel bij cliënten weet Joost hoe belangrijk het is om bij de advisering het bredere belang van de cliënt mee te nemen. Joost is nauw betrokken bij de verschillende legal tech initiatieven van Kennedy Van der Laan.

Joost heeft tegelijkertijd Nederlands Recht en Engelse Taal & Cultuur gestudeerd aan de Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA). In 2014 heeft hij de postdoctorale opleiding Informaticarecht bij de Grotius Academie cum laude afgerond. Joost is lid van verschillende verenigingen op het gebied van informatietechnologie en recht en publiceert regelmatig in de juridische en niet-juridische vakbladen.

Joost is in 2017 en 2018 door Legal 500 aangemerkt als Next Generation Lawyer.

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."

• Ondersteuning van een grote Nederlandse bank bij een grootschalige internationale outsourcingovereenkomst met een wereldwijd opererend IT-consultancybedrijf.
• Heeft een Nederlandse verlichtingsbedrijf geassisteerd bij een complex project om alle relevante IT-leveranciers na afsplitsing van het moederbedrijf over te dragen.