Restructuring and insolvency in Netherlands

A&O Shearman

The ‘very dependable’ group at A&O Shearman harnesses capabilities assisting financially distressed clients in the array of restructuring matters of multi-billions of euros in value, often in complex and cross-jurisdictional contexts. Financial institutions, private equity investors and corporations feature in the team’s client roster. Sigrid Jansen whose workload includes handling corporate and multi-bank debt restructuring deals oversees the practice; it is noted that ‘Jansen and the whole team stands out for excellence’. Aroen Kuitenbrouwer is well-equipped to assist with the team’s most prominent clients with large-scale restructurings, while Andrew Thomas has a particular specialism in cross-border matters, including those involving debt restructuring, leveraged finance, syndicated lending and acquisition finance aspects. Kelly Visser-van der Vooren left to Stek in July 2024.

Practice head(s):

Sigrid Jansen


Other key lawyers:

Stijn Reinders; Aroen Kuitenbrouwer; Andrew Thomas; Geza Orban; Simon Aarts


Testimonials

‘Dedicated, strong knowledge, experienced, flexible and very strong in execution.’

‘Their scope is very wide, they are active in most large restructurings in the Netherlands. The go-to place for larger complicated restructurings given their experience, background and understanding of the various viewpoints. Great gender diversity in the team.’

‘Stijn Reinders and Geza Orban are very good.’

Key clients

IHC Merwede Holding B.V


Vroon Group B.V. and Lamo Holding B.V.


Damen Shipyards Group N.V.


Koppert Beheer


Schoeller Allibert


MGG


Mirage Retail Group


Zorginvest


Work highlights


  • Acting for IHC Merwede Holding in relation to the restructuring of their €1.1bn syndicated facilities agreement, which is partially ECA backed, which has been provided by a syndicate of 9 banks.
  • Advises Vroon Group B.V. and Lamo Holding B.V. on the corporate and financial restructuring of the Vroon Group.
  • Advising the lenders in relation to the restructuring of Damen Shipyards, involving, among others, its senior and working capital facility agreements.

Clifford Chance

The practice at Clifford Chance, noted for its ‘proactiveness and strategic thinking’, is well equipped to handle the gamut of complex restructuring mandates for its clientele, the list of which spans sectors from real estate to shipping. Ilse van Gasteren frequently advises financial institutions, borrowers and investors on cross-jurisdictional and complex restructuring matters, while Jelle Hofland who is regarded for his ‘outstanding qualities’ has expertise in leveraged finance transactions and syndicated lending as well as in complex restructuring cases; the pair co-head the offering. A practitioner to note is court-appointed bankruptcy receiver and senior partner as of April 2024 Evert Verwey for his abilities handling major bankruptcy and restructuring matters of significant value.

Practice head(s):

Ilse van Gasteren; Jelle Hofland


Other key lawyers:

Evert Verwey; Noor Corsten


Testimonials

‘Very professional team that gives a really personal touch. I have enjoyed working with them. I appreciate their proactiveness and strategic thinking and the way they make complex matters very practical and prepare them for implementation. Their turnaround time is extremely efficient.’

‘A very professional yet personal touch. They work incredibly hard. Their pace and turnaround time is quick. Their knowledge and strategic thinking is ahead of many other firms.’

‘Jelle Hofland is a very professional lawyer with outstanding qualities, an eye for detail and a pragmatic approach. He is also heavily respected by counterparties.’

Key clients

ING Bank N.V.


HSBC Bank PLC


Damen Shipyards Group N.V.


Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij Voor Ontwikkelingslanden


Kartesia Securities V


Tikehau


ABN AMRO Bank N.V.


Rabobank


Deutsche Bank


PNC US


TMF Group


De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

The group at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek offers its clients advice on the full scope of insolvency and restructuring matters in international and domestic contexts. Financing and corporate reorganisation are areas the team frequently advises on, as are claw-back risks, stakeholder management and board fiduciary duties. Further, it is well-placed to advise on bet-the-company restructuring matters. Acting in high-stakes liability litigation in matters at Supreme Court and Court of Appeal level is also an area of focus of the practice. Distressed finance and restructuring deals are areas of expertise of ‘sound advisor’ Ferdinand Hengst who heads up the offering with Bas Boutellier, an experienced partner handling public and private debt financing cases. Corporate litigator Jeroen van der Schrieck is another key member of the team.

Practice head(s):

Ferdinand Hengst; Bas Boutellier


Other key lawyers:

Jeroen van der Schrieck; Matthias Haentjens; Lisa de Boer; Ryanne Elkerbout-Kok


Testimonials

‘Strong legal skills and a commercial approach.’

‘A broad transactional and litigation skillset, which has become more important in restructuring and insolvency.’

‘The De Brauw restructuring team is a well-rounded team with unparalleled technical knowledge in the Dutch market. They draw from their extensive litigation teams, which makes them highly skilled in contentious restructurings.’

‘They’re known for involvement in high-profile pro bono cases and their advancement of LGBTQ interests in the legal space.’

‘Ferdinand Hengst leads the team. He stands out as a calm and collected restructuring leader, who takes a measured approach on restructurings but knows how and when to sharpen his edges if things get contentious. He takes on WHOA observer roles, which has given him a lot of credibility in the restructuring space.’

‘The critical factor of De Brauw over others has been their ability to divorce emotion from reason and to guide you on this path. It is very easy in highly stressful situations to get caught up in things, however, regardless of the situation De Brauw have over the past year consistently demonstrated their ability to calmly step you through the facts vs opinions and conjectures.’

‘Their advice on corporate law-related matters has been invaluable.’

‘Ferdinand Hengst spearheads the De Brauw team. Ferdinand is a person who understands the law inside and out and more importantly works to understand exactly your situation so that he can provide optionality to achieve desired objectives. Very clear, very calm, and a sound advisor. Wouldn’t hesitate to call in the future.’

Key clients

Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten


Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs


Netherlands Ministry of Finance


Blackstone Credit (f.k.a. GSO Capital)


BC Partners


Apax Partners


Silverpoint Capital


Bracebridge Capital


Strategic Value Partners


Triton Partners


Parcom Capital


Waterland Private Equity


G Square Private Equity


Providence Equity


Primavera Capital Group


Goldman Sachs


Rabobank


ABN AMRO Bank


ING Bank


Atradius


HEMA


Intergamma Group


Sunweb Travel Group


Bonprix


Otto Group


Alimentation Couche-Tard


Royal Dutch Shell


TenneT


Lyondell Basell Industries


Siemens AG


AGCO Corp.


InterCement


Nielsen Group


Philips Electronics


Intercement


Work highlights


  • Representing the client in a cross-border restructuring.
  • Assisting the client in the first-ever combined US-NL restructuring.
  • Acting as chairman in negotiations and as designing counsel of the largest bail-out of a financial institution in the history of the Dutch Caribbean.

Houthoff

Houthoff‘s practice is considered ‘one of the best in the Netherlands’ by clients, the list of which features well-known names. On the non-contentious side, the team is well equipped to advise clients in financial distress on such transactions as acquisitions and subsequent structuring, and on general financial regulatory issues. Frédéric Verhoeven is a noteworthy practitioner with capabilities advising US and UK-based hedge funds, Dutch private equity firms and government entities in cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters of significant value. On the contentious side, David Heems is a key contact who harnesses particular expertise acting for both debtors and creditors in complex restructuring litigation cases. Karien van Boekel is a key contact in international restructuring matters. ‘Very bright technical lawyer’ Christiaan Zijderveld leads the practice.

Practice head(s):

Christiaan Zijderveld


Other key lawyers:

David Heems; Nadir Koudsi; Paul Sluijter; Jan Willem de Groot; Frédéric Verhoeven; Joost den Hollander; Karien van Boekel


Testimonials

‘Very creative and the best in their field of expertise.’

‘The Houthoff team has great general breadth and can include additional experts at very short notice giving you confidence that you will be safe in any unexpected development. They interface well with other top-tier firms in other jurisdictions.’

‘Christiaan Zijderveld is not only a great lawyer, he is also a calm consensus-builder and true team leader for his colleagues. Having worked closely with him on high-stakes and high-stress transactions over the years, the guy does not quit. Paul Sluijter provides great insight. In the courtroom setting, Jan Willem de Groot is really a heavyweight combining great legal acumen with persuasiveness in arguments.’

‘One of the best teams in the Netherlands with an in-depth knowledge of insolvency law, WHOA and restructuring techniques. They are leading with an excellent team. My go-to firm for restructuring. An excellent reputation with the courts too.’

‘Frédéric Verhoeven is a leading lawyer – user-friendly, pragmatic and excellent in the cross-over of commercial fix and legal implementation. His partner Christiaan Zijderveld has a similar profile, is a very bright technical lawyer with an excellent knowledge of insolvency law.’

‘The team is smart, pragmatic, reliable and, in particular, creative.’

‘An excellent combination of diversity in terms of seniority, communication and personal styles. Much more warm, personal and empathetic compared with other firms. Besides that, they are best in class concerning knowledge.’

‘A more than excellent level of industry knowledge and experience. Strategy, communication, process management and personal attention stand out from David Heems and Nadir Koudsi in particular.’

Key clients

Steinhoff International Holdings N.V.


Fortenova Group


HPS Investment partners LLC


Loyalty Ventures Inc.


Brand Loyalty Group


BC Partners


Dümmen Orange


DSB Bank


Lehman Brothers


Goldman Sachs


ING Group


CBRE


AIG


Supervisory Board Imtech


Sogestran Shipping


Indofin


Amvest


ABNAMRO


Bomo (Hotels van Oranje)


Directors of Fortress Group


Lumileds Group


Farfetch Group


Unigel Brazil


Work highlights


  • Advising HPS in multiple proceedings against Sportcity, a major Dutch gym chain to which HPS financed €130m following Sportcity’s court approval restructuring scheme, for not properly reporting or accounting their figures.
  • Acted as court-appointed observer in the highly publicised Dutch Scheme/ WHOA of Vroon Shipping, a complex restructuring ran through both a Dutch and UK Scheme.
  • Advising DSB Bank in a successful offering of a composition plan to a committee of representatives, involving the €650m distribution of post-bankruptcy interest claims to more than 280,000 creditors.

Loyens & Loeff

Loyens & Loeff‘s team is well regarded for its abilities advising on complex domestic and cross-border corporate restructuring matters. International and privately-held companies, and shareholders are amongst those the team assists in both non-contentious and litigious contexts. An example of its advisory work includes its assisting secured creditors of a global company with all aspects of the implementation of a multi-billion dollar restructuring. Team lead Vincent Vroom is noted for his ‘spot-on perspective’ and has experience advising on schemes of arrangement, on US chapter 11 proceedings, and on foreign restructuring regulations in addition to his contentious capabilities. Joris Dunki Jacobs has advisory and contentious capabilities in international restructuring matters, and Kim de Bruijn is highly regarded for her ‘deep knowledge’ of the area.

Practice head(s):

Vincent Vroom


Other key lawyers:

Kim de Bruijn; Joris Dunki Jacobs; Sharita Willigenburg


Testimonials

‘They have a deep knowledge of Dutch restructurings. They are responsive, knowledgeable and user-friendly.’

‘Vincent Vroom and Kim de Bruijn have as deep a knowledge as anyone in the market on Dutch restructurings. They are responsive, knowledgeable and user-friendly.’

‘Good responsiveness and availability.’

‘Hard workers.’

‘Vincent Vroom is a very commercial lawyer with an excellent understanding of the lay of the land of a matter.’

‘In international mandates where Vincent often acts as local counsel, his Dutch contribution and perspective is always relevant and spot-on. His associates, whether senior or junior, are well-trained and very efficient in enrolling any deal.’

Key clients

McDermott


Diebold Nixdorf group


Brookfield


VGZ and CZ


Lycra group


WeWork Group


Orpea


Steinhoff International Holdings N.V.


Royal Imtech N.V.


Scotch & Soda


Bain Capital


IGM Resins B.V. and Astorg


Work highlights


  • Advised the largest creditor group in the restructuring of McDermott that also holds the majority of the equity within the group.
  • Advised the secured creditors on the implementation of the financial restructuring of the Diebold Nixdorf group through parallel US Chapter 11 and WHOA proceedings (the latter of which was recognised and enforcement on the basis of Chapter 15 proceedings).
  • Advised Brookfield as financier and majority shareholder of Schoeller Allibert with respect to the group’s comprehensive recapitalisation first through Dutch WHOA proceedings and ultimately implemented consensually via a recapitalisation transaction with full consent from the group’s shareholders, bondholders and revolving credit facility lenders.

NautaDutilh

NautaDutilh‘s client list features corporates, debtors, insolvency trustees and alternative debt providers and its matters span the variety of industry sectors from telecoms and shipping, to real estate and pharmaceuticals. The team advises on the array of high-value structuring, restructuring and distressed matters. Restructuring leader’ Marc Orval oversees the practice and notably recently advised on the first WHOA for a syndicated group of lenders. Barbara Rumora-Scheltema is a is a name to note for her abilities handling multi-billion dollar, high-profile restructuring matters in predominantly cross-border contexts. International work is also a focus area of Robert van Galen. Team changes include the departures of Teun Struycken and Catrien Rozeman in July and November 2024 respectively, and Saskia Heumakers‘ April 2024 transfer to the firm’s London office.

Practice head(s):

Marc Orval


Other key lawyers:

Lenneke de Baar; Barbara Rumora-Scheltema; Bart Wijnstekers; Robert van Galen


Testimonials

‘The team consists of professionals who are not only well-versed in the latest developments in their field but also have a wealth of practical experience. To empower clients, the practice offers educational resources.’

‘We love to work with Catrien Rozeman for her pragmatic approach and dedication. Catrien Rozeman has the ability to quickly cut through complexity and get to the heart of any issue. Her style has an unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on execution.’

‘I enjoy working with the Nauta team – they are responsive and pragmatic. They are willing to pursue unusual and creative lines of analysis.’

‘Nauta provides me with the exact answers needed in a very short time frame. Much appreciated.’

‘The Nauta restructuring team thinks outside the box and they aren’t afraid to push the boundaries while carefully analysing risks. Every member of the team I have worked with has displayed the same positive can-do attitude and they all work very hard. Our matter was a success because of their ability to understand how to run parallel processes, in particular the constraints of doing so.’

‘Marc Orval and Lenneke de Baar stand out. They were instrumental in our matter – strategic, hardworking, and good fun.’

‘Nauta has a well-rounded team that functions efficiently and with tact. They take a collected approach to restructurings and draw from a breadth of decade-long experienced practitioners. They’re excellent technical lawyers, but also know how and when to take a practical and commercial approach.’

‘Marc Orval stands out as a restructuring leader. He is practical, commercial, and has excellent networking capabilities that quickly earn trust amongst his peers. He takes care of his team.’

Key clients

ABN AMRO


Bluestar Alliance (BSA)


BNP Paribas


Cnova


Commerzbank


DBS Bank Ltd


Deloitte Accountants


Deutsche Bank


DTEK


Forever 21


GLAS


HIG


ING


Invest-NL


Liberty Mutual


Lightyear


McDermott International Inc.


Maersk Supply Services


Mattel


Nordic Trustee


Odeon Cinemas Group Limited (AMC Entertainment)


Partners Group


Rabobank


SGB-Smit Group


The Learning Network


Work highlights


  • Assisted McDermott as Dutch counsel on its billion-dollar parallel cross-border debt restructuring under two interconnected WHOA proceedings in the Netherlands and a UK restructuring plan, resulting in Chapter 15 recognition of the respective restructuring plans in the US.
  • Assisted an ad hoc group of term loan lenders in respect of the Dutch law aspects of the restructuring of the IGM Resins group.
  • Assisted GLAS as Dutch legal counsel in connection with the consensual restructuring of the financing for Keter Group B.V.

CMS

CMS‘ team is well-regarded for its capabilities assisting clients including real estate funds and investors, and financial institutions and investment funds on the broad variety of restructuring matters, including in WHOA proceedings. Areas of industry sector focus include consumer products and retail as well as life sciences and healthcare. ‘True expert in the field’ Marc van Zanten heads up the offering with expertise handling pre-pack proceedings and bankruptcy work for well-known names. Following the January 2024 departure of Marcel Groenewegen, Marlous de Groot newly co-leads alongside van Zanten and has experience assisting clients with corporate and debt restructuring matters.

Practice head(s):

Marc van Zanten; Marlous de Groot


Other key lawyers:

Jonathan van Ee


Testimonials

‘It is a practice that really thinks along with you. They go for your desired result and really do everything for it.’

‘With knowledge and understanding of the context, they come up with a tailor-made approach that relieves you as a customer and efficiently leads to your desired goal. They commit and dedicate themselves. All practical matters, substantive knowledge, sharp analyses etc. are spot-on.’

‘Their way of working and really connecting to the context and client’s needs ensures that clients get a sublime result.’

‘All practical matters, substantive knowledge, sharp analyses, etc. are spot on. The way of working and really connecting to the context and need ensure that this gives a sublime result.’

‘Excellent law firm.’

‘Marc van Zanten is a true expert in the field and well-respected amongst peers and top-notch law firms. Knows how to get things done.’

‘Very personal and engaging with people and understanding of the difficulties of special situations.’

‘Very good and competent.’

Key clients

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.


Accelerator Investments


ASR Nederland N.V.


Commerzbank


ING Bank N.V.


Grant Thornton


J.M. Levarht & Zonen B.V.


Lloyds Banking Group


Sport Unlimited Retail B.V. (SUR)


The Meatless Farm B.V.


Bankruptcy trustees Co-Med Zorg B.V.


Work highlights


  • Advised a major Dutch bank on the WHOA proceedings of an international retail company.
  • Appointed as trustee in the bankruptcy of J.M. Levarht & Zonen B.V. (Levarht), a wholesaler of fruit and vegetables with over 290 employees and an aggregate turnover of over €350m.
  • Advised the Dutch Healthcare Sector Guarantee Fund in relation to the reorganisation/refinancing of three Dutch general hospitals.

DLA Piper

The well-established practice at DLA Piper has noteworthy abilities handling corporate and financial insolvency and restructuring matters in an advisory capacity. Further, the team harnesses capabilities handling contentious matters. Marc Molhuysen oversees the group and has experience ranging from advising clients on all aspects of restructuring cases, to assisting with foreclosure sales. Olmo Weeshoff is a ‘talented lawyer’ with expertise in WHOA procedures, while Wilmy Westerhof frequently advises on the impacts of insolvencies on proprietary, as well as on bankruptcy matters.

Practice head(s):

Marc Molhuysen


Other key lawyers:

Olmo Weeshoff; Wilmy Westerhof; Max Mayer


Testimonials

‘A great team – a pleasure to work with.’

‘Marc Molhuysen has a strategic mind and is fun to work with.’

‘Olmo Weeshoff is a talented lawyer and a smart guy. One to watch.’

‘Good cooperation, alert, responsive and proactive.’

‘Thorough legal knowledge in the practical team.’

‘The people and collaborative efforts are standout.’

‘Excellent cooperation between different practice groups.’

‘Max Mayer is excellent in LMA documentation and does not hesitate to ask uncomfortable questions to clarify the effects of our commercial solutions.’

Key clients

ABN AMRO Bank


Invest-NL


Deutsche Bank


European Bank of Reconstruction and Development


ING Bank


Pemberton Capital Advisors


Opportunity Partners


Royal Reesink


TriplePoint Capital


Oost NL


Work highlights


  • Advising the client in respect of their position in the restructuring of Mercon Coffee, including a complex parallel US Chapter 11 and Dutch WHOA proceeding.
  • Advising Invest-NL on the high-profile restructuring of photonic chipmaker LioniX International.
  • Assisting the client with regards to Blokker’s claim for continued financing.

Florent

The practice at Florent is noted for its ‘exceptional dedication’ to assisting its clients. The practice is well-placed to advise companies in financial distress on the remit of issues, including in WHOA proceedings, as well as to advise clients in bankruptcy proceedings. ‘Highly intelligent strategist’ Hanneke De Coninck helms the offering and has experience acting as court-appointed trustee in high-stakes insolvencies. At the team’s head alongside De Coninck is Kees van de Meent who advises in high-profile proceedings spanning the array of industry sectors and is ‘appointed in some of the biggest insolvencies in the Netherlands’.

Practice head(s):

Hanneke De Coninck; Kees van de Meent


Other key lawyers:

Daphne Beunk; Jurgen van de Heuvel; Merijn Moeliker; Joris Opstroom; Alejandra Bouts


Testimonials

‘The Florent team truly distinguishes itself through its pragmatic approach to handling cases. Their exceptional dedication, prompt and precise counsel, and availability have significantly contributed to the success of our case.’

‘Hanneke de Coninck is a highly intelligent strategist who goes beyond the legal aspects and genuinely acts in the best interests of her clients.’

‘Kees van de Meent is a good communicator and knows how to get parties involved.’

‘In the Netherlands, Florent has the largest group of insolvency lawyers who also are court-appointed trustees in insolvency. Their experience as court-appointed trustees is also very useful for advising companies that are in financial difficulty but not yet insolvent.’

‘Kees van de Meent has a wealth of experience as court-appointed trustee; he is appointed in some of the biggest insolvencies in the Netherlands. Great on strategy and guiding the client. Daphne Beunk, Jurgen van de Heuvel and Merijn Moeliker are very knowledgeable and pleasant to work with.’

‘Hanneke de Coninck had an enormous drive to succeed in the project and was very nice to work with. She never gave up and was available day and night.’

‘The team is of the right size and masters the various disciplines at the right level, including in terms of years of experience. The team is flexible and rapidly deployable. Pragmatism prevails, but there is also sufficient attention to the theoretical aspects of a case. The team is pleasant to work with.’

‘The colleagues at Florent are motivated and hardworking professionals. Working with each of them is a pleasure. I enjoyed working with Hanneke De Coninck in particular for her broad and in-depth knowledge of a wide range of subjects. Hanneke quickly wins the trust of her discussion partners and is truly a trusted advisor.’

Key clients

Crystal River Cruises


Helpling


FNG group of companies


Theo Henkelman Schoenen B.V.


Only A Shoes B.V.


V&D


La Place


Exem Energy


Thomas Cook Nederland B.V.


Doniger Fashion group of companies


Van der Moolen group of companies


Integrated Green Energy Amsterdam B.V.


B.V. Vitesse


Sports Unlimited Retail B.V.


Basta


Big Bazar B.V.


Aygun Aluminium Netherlands B.V.


Delight Yoga group


Arch & Hook group


Work highlights


  • Acting as bankruptcy trustee in the bankruptcy of Sports Unlimited Retail, including the sports apparel chains Perry Sport, Aktiesport, and Sprinter.
  • Acting as bankruptcy trustee in the bankruptcy of Big Bazar, a chain of discount stores that operated over 125 stores in the Netherlands and Belgium and employed approximately 1,350 employees in the Netherlands.
  • Acting as court appointed restructuring expert (herstructureringsdeskundige) in the public WHOA proceedings of professional football club Vitesse, in the football season 2023/2024 playing in the highest Dutch league.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

The cohort at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer ‘acts at an exceptional level’. Its workload features acting for clients spanning industry sectors from travel to retail, in the breadth of high-stakes restructuring, insolvency and related litigious matters, as well as advising high-profile individuals on liability, securities and related disputes. Michael Broeders heads up the team and has experience advising companies in financial crisis with the remit of issues. At the helm alongside Broeders is Mijke Sinninghe Damsté who has a corporate litigation specialism. Tim Elkerbout advises lenders and borrowers on voluntary restructuring matters, and Huub Boekhorst is considered ‘very experienced’.

Practice head(s):

Michael Broeders; Mijke Sinninghe Damsté


Other key lawyers:

Tim Elkerbout; Huub Boekhorst


Testimonials

‘Michael Broeders has a strong associate base with him, is pragmatic and reliable, and is able to leverage their London expertise.’

‘Michael Broeders is highly professional, knows how to manage stakeholders and deescalate a situation. He has a solid reputation for cross-border debt restructuring work in the Dutch market.’

‘It is not only understanding the transaction, knowledge of applicable law but also always considers the bigger picture. In addition to all the experience and knowledge you would expect, there is an always a solution-driven approach.’

Key clients

McDermott


Accell


Gordon Brothers


BC Partners


HES International


SGR


Royal Imtech


Work highlights


  • Acting as restructuring expert in McDermott regarding the application of a WHOA to the discharge of approximately $1bn in liabilities and also adjusting approximately $2.5bn of liabilities towards lenders.
  • Advising a consortium of banks (working capital AHG) on the restructuring of the Accell group.
  • Advised HES International in their bankruptcy proceedings with likely over €800m debt.

Linklaters

The practice at Linklaters is well equipped to handle multi-jurisdictional as well as domestic restructuring matters for its roster of clients, which includes dual-listed multinationals and investment banks, amongst others; matters the team handles consistently involve multi-millions and billions of euros. Banking expert Paul Kuipers oversees the team and is described as ‘one of the best restructuring lawyers in the Netherlands’ by clients. Counsel as of May 2024 Marc Noldus is noteworthy for his capabilities handling litigious restructuring and insolvency matters as well as non-contentious work.

Practice head(s):

Paul Kuipers


Other key lawyers:

Marc Noldus


Testimonials

‘Paul Kuipers and Marc Noldus are strong names.’

‘Marc is flexible and is always open to finding solutions.’

‘Linklaters has a strong client base, including reputable banks, who they represent in complex cross-border restructuring matters.’

‘Paul Kuipers is a strong corporate partner, who stands squarely for the interests of his client, both in and out of court.’

‘Paul Kuipers does not only boast an impressive practice, but also has a strong technical knowledge. Marc Noldus is very easy to deal with.’

‘The team is top-notch in quality, overarching views and strategies, and client commitment.’

‘Paul Kuipers is probably one of the best restructuring lawyers in the Netherlands. With him in you team, you know the problem will be solved. Outstanding quality to include all parties in the solution.’

‘Paul Kuipers is technically great, on top of every detail but still also capable of keeping in mind the bigger picture. Marc Noldus is really a joy to work with – he is pragmatic and focused on finding a solution. He remains calm and friendly under pressure.’

Key clients

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank


Steinhoff International Holding N.V.


Eagle Super Global Holding B.V.


TMF Global Services (UK) Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Steinhoff International Holdings N.V. on its corporate restructuring and delisting, and its debt and equity restructuring.
  • Advised Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank on the cross-border restructuring of McDermott International, amending and extending $2.6bn in credit and term loan facilities.
  • Advised TMF Services (UK) Limited as trustee in the bond restructuring of Bio City Development Company through a Dutch WHOA process.

Norton Rose Fulbright

The practice at Norton Rose Fulbright has capabilities advising on both domestic and cross-border restructuring matters of considerable value, as well as advising on formal insolvencies, distressed M&A, and high-profile bankruptcy litigation cases. The team has particular expertise advising in complex matters wherein WHOA proceedings have a parallel UK Scheme of Arrangement. Omar Salah is the team lead who is ‘always involved in high-profile restructuring cases’ spanning industry sectors from shipping, to energy, to oil and gas.

Practice head(s):

Omar Salah


Other key lawyers:

Wouter Hertzberger


Testimonials

‘Omar Salah has enhanced the quality of the law firm’s restructuring practice.’

‘Omar Salah is always involved in high-profile restructuring cases.’

‘Omar Salah combines the application of academic knowledge with complex practical issues in an exceptional manner. This is unique in the Netherlands.’

Key clients

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.


AIG


ASR


Banco Santander S.A.


Bank of America, N.A.


BNP Paribas


British Petroleum


Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten


Danish Ship Finance


DNB Bank ASA


DVB Group Merchant Bank (Asia) Ltd.


GFG Alliance


GLAS Trustees Limited


HSBC Bank


ING Bank N.V.


Intertrust Nederland B.V.


NNIP


Goldman Sachs


Nordic Trustee AS


Rabobank


Robeco


Work highlights


  • Assisted 20 lenders in the €1.5bn restructuring of the Vroon Group, the first-ever Dutch WHOA restructuring with parallel UK scheme of arrangement.
  • Assisted the international syndicate of banks in the bankruptcy of HES Hartel Tank Terminal.
  • Assisted the dissenting lender group in the €1.1bn restructuring of Royal IHC, the largest WHOA to date.

Stibbe

The collective at Stibbe is experienced advising its roster of clients on the plethora of restructuring matters, both domestic and international in scope. In terms of advisory work, the team assists debtors, creditors, bidders and sponsors in financial distress; the team is also equipped to handle litigious restructuring matters. Areas of industry sector specialism include energy and natural resources, healthcare and retail. Job van Hooff oversees the group and has expertise in WHOA proceedings and cross-jurisdictional insolvency and bankruptcy litigation. Partner as of January 2025 Daisy Nijkamp is a key contact in the team, considered ‘exceptional’ alongside Marleen Jonckers.

Practice head(s):

Job van Hooff


Other key lawyers:

Daisy Nijkamp; Marleen Jonckers


Testimonials

‘The Stibbe team are extremely strong across the board.’

‘The team is able to field first-class individuals who are at the forefront of their respective markets.’

‘They can deftly move from financing to restructuring and beyond, and are able to navigate between local law issues and how those fit into a bigger multi-jurisdictional transactions.’

‘Job van Hooff is another key light of the Stibbe team – extremely knowledgeable on restructuring and insolvency matters, and adept at intertwining Dutch processes with foreign proceedings.’

‘Their junior bench is exceptional, particularly Daisy Nijkamp and Marleen Jonckers.’

Key clients

Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V.


Frigoglass


Keter Group


Accell Group


North Seaports


Consolis Group


Work highlights


  • Advising Accell Group B.V. and its subsidiaries on the potential debt restructuring.
  • Advised an ad hoc group of lenders of Keter Group B.V. on its restructuring, which included a junior transfer of ownership.
  • Advising Consolis Group on its €350m debt restructuring.

Van Doorne

Van Doorne‘s offering is well-equipped to handle complex transactional aspects of restructuring matters of significant value, an area of specialism of Jelmer Baukema. Further, the team’s workload includes advising on restructuring and insolvency filings, WHOA proceedings, and bankruptcy matters across industry sectors including fashion, oil and gas, and healthcare. The ‘outstanding’ Stefan van Rossum helms the cohort and has stand-out expertise in high-profile distressed debt, restructuring matters and related transactions. Litigation is an area of expertise of Joost Volkers.

Practice head(s):

Stefan van Rossum


Other key lawyers:

Joost Volkers; Henry Palmen; Ralph Ubels; Jelmer Baukema


Testimonials

‘The firm has a dedicated team. They kept the process going so we didn’t have to.’

‘I really appreciated the follow-up outside of the formal process. Joost Volkers did a great job.’

‘The team I worked with is very professional. The output is top-notch and the team is very responsive. They easily get to the core of complex situations.’

‘Easy in communication, easy to reach and they have strong partner engagement.’

‘Stefan van Rossum and Henry Palmen are both outstanding in terms of technical expertise and understanding of the specific situations.’

‘The team has knowledge and experience of the issues at hand and the availability to respond in a convincing way to to complicated legal matters.’

‘As well as their expertise and experience, it is also a pleasure to work with the representatives of the firm.’

‘We are working with Joost Volkers who we would highly commend. He is extremely responsive, proactive and commercial. His technical knowledge is excellent.’

Key clients

Fuite Group


Byldis


Dutch Soccer Holdings LLC


Ad hoc group of creditors (Nova Austral)


Shareholders of Havatec


AIG Inc


Albert Schweizer Hospital


Sarabel Capital


Madison Pacific


Atradius


Rabobank


NIBC


Centerbridge


Elliott


Fidera Vecta


King Street


Waarborgfonds Sociale Woningbouw


ABN AMRO


Merced Capital


Nordic Trustee


Vue Cinemas


Wilmington Trust


Wijn & Stael Advocaten N.V.

Wijn & Stael Advocaten N.V.‘s Utrecht-based cohort is known for its abilities handling cross-jurisdictional and domestic restructuring and bankruptcy matters. Financing, securities and insolvency specialist Noor Zetteler and Remco Vermaire, who counsels the broad range of clients on restructuring matters, co-lead the practice alongside corporate, insolvency and liability litigator Thijs van Zanten. Former co-lead of the team Willem Jan van Andel retired in April 2024, and former co-lead Ida Lintel departed to an in-house role in September 2024. Anne Mennens is a key contact.

Practice head(s):

Noor Zetteler; Thijs van Zanten; Remco Vermaire


Other key lawyers:

Anne Mennens


Testimonials

‘A great team of great individuals.’

‘Thijs van Zanten’s responses were always timely and his advice was absolutely helpful.’

‘Wijn & Stael stands out for its strong commitment to meeting clients’ needs, with a team that is not only highly skilled but also exceptionally supportive and pleasant to work with. Their expertise spans various disciplines, enabling them to handle complex matters effectively.’

‘What makes Wijn & Stael unique is not only their in-depth knowledge but also their client-centric approach. They understand that each client faces unique challenges and tailor their advice and strategy accordingly. Potential clients will particularly appreciate the care and precision with which the team operates, as well as the personalized attention they receive, fostering trust and long-term relationships.’

‘The individuals I work with stand out due to their exceptional competence and the ease with which they interact. They possess not only deep expertise in their respective fields but also the unique ability to translate complex, technical matters into clear, understandable language for clients. This skill fosters a sense of trust and confidence, as clients feel informed and empowered to make decisions based on well-communicated advice.’

‘The team members are complementary to each other. The quality of the entire team is high. The team members speak to each other constructively and help each other.’

‘Thijs van Zanten is an authority in the field of litigation at the Supreme Court in the field of insolvency and civil procedural law. A good dose of humour and a sharp eye.’

‘The team has deep knowledge, experience and expertise of the law, the courts and the stakeholders involved. The team is aligned with clients’ interests and business objectives, including the need for practical, on-point advice.’

Key clients

ABN AMRO


ING


Dexia Nederland B.V.


Arvato Finance B.V.


Rabobank


Work highlights


  • Represented bankruptcy trustees of Conservatrix in Dutch Supreme Court, securing €150m for creditors through cross-border enforcement.
  • Representing ABN AMRO in landmark proceedings on Dutch Scheme of Arrangement applicability to bank guarantees, with implications for financial sector and civil law-practice.
  • Representing ING in pivotal proceedings on inclusion of government coronavirus subsidies in bankruptcies, pivotal for Dutch financial sector.

AKD

The practice at AKD is equipped to assist its clients in the range of insolvency and restructuring cases, including cross-border matters. Further, it has capabilities advising those in financial distress on recapitalisation, reorganisation and wind-up procedures. Thijs Hekman and Rotterdam-based Fouad el Houzi who ‘consistently achieves top outcomes’ co-head the practice. Barend de Roy van Zuidewijn departed the team in December 2024.

Practice head(s):

Thijs Hekman; Fouad el Houzi


Other key lawyers:

Rolf Everhardus; Ward Aerts


Testimonials

‘Fouad el Houzi has a deep understanding of complex legal frameworks and consistently achieves top outcomes by offering tailored, effective solutions to his clients. Fouad is the go-to advisor in the Netherlands for navigating challenging legal situations.’

‘Swift responses and practical legal advice of good quality.’

‘The USP of this firm is that they have both receivers and also act as advisors in restructurings. That is very helpful.’

‘The restructuring team of AKD is distinguished by its high degree of specialisation. The team focuses exclusively on restructuring, insolvency and litigation. The team adopts a pragmatic approach to its cases, and is particularly exceptional in its commitment and drive in achieving the best outcome for the client.’

‘Thijs Hekman combines exceptional analytical skills and a deep understanding of the case with a strong foundation in legal knowledge, strategic thinking, and highly persuasive litigation abilities in the courtroom.’

‘Rolf Everhardus from AKD is knowledgeable within his area of expertise, keeps an overview and is a strategically skilled lawyer.’

‘With Ward Aerts and Rolf Everhardus, the team has knowledgeable, approachable and dedicated partners.’

‘Rolf is very to-the-point and practical. Ward is always willing to try and find the reasonable solution for issues that arise.’

Key clients

Royal Imtech N.V.


Bankruptcy trustee of BCC Group


Intimus International Netherlands BV


Port Authorities of Rotterdam


Bergen op


Zoom


Etten-Leur


Halderberge


Moerdijk


Roosendaal


Rucphen


Steenbergen


Woensdrecht


Zundert


Cerberus Capital Management LP


De Donge group companies


Online Seminar cluster


Ortolan Nederland Credit Oplossingen GmbH


Svenska Handelsbanken AS


Atlantic Marine Services B.V.


Fortress group companies


Centraal Beheer Achmea


ISA Pharmaceuticals


Crowe PEAK


Dutch water authorities


Basil


Tower Services Europe


Agora Retail B.V.


Agora TR B.V.


Amora BBW group


Copaco


Province of Utrecht


Uljee Food Group


Work highlights


Boels Zanders Advocaten

The ‘smart and fast’ team at Boels Zanders Advocaten is overseen by Maastricht-based court-appointed trustee Peter Brouns and restructuring, insolvency, financing and securities specialist Remco Rosbeek. Alongside Brouns and Rosbeek are Eindhoven’s corporate specialist Jeroen Tulfer and Jeroen Bakkers who is well versed in corporate restructuring matters and based at the firm’s Venlo office.

Practice head(s):

Peter Brouns; Remco Rosbeek; Jeroen Tulfer; Jeroen Bakkers


Other key lawyers:

Flip Schreurs; Ralph Geelen


Testimonials

‘A smart and fast team.’

‘Broad experience, customer-oriented, able to translate legal language into business language.’

‘Feels like a partnership.’

‘Peter Brouns is cooperative.’

Key clients

Vacansoleil Group


BAS Construction


VVV Venlo


MVV Maastricht


Shapeways


Décor Handelsmaatschappij


Décor Productiemaatschappij


Hagu Horeca Groothandel


Feeture Foodcare Group


Arbor Projects BV


Golfbaan Echt-Susteren BV


Marsna Paper


Just Welness


Componenta BV


Brabant Alucast The Netherlands site Heijen BV


Lips Group


Work highlights


  • Appointed as the administrator of Shapeways BV by the Oost-Brabant court.
  • Advised on the restructuring of professional football club VVV Venlo, completed by applying the Dutch scheme of arrangement, known as WHOA.

Buren

Buren‘s practice is helmed from The Hague by Martijn Vermeeren and the ‘very experienced’ Stefan van Wijk. The group advises its varied client list on the remit of insolvency-related issues, including imminent insolvencies, directors’ liability and various financing aspects. The team is also equipped to advise on the range of corporate disputes. Ruud Brunninkhuis is a standout practitioner.

Practice head(s):

Martijn Vermeeren; Stefan van Wijk


Other key lawyers:

Ruud Brunninkhuis


Testimonials

‘The team’s collaboration was beyond expectations. They were available and played a key role in ensuring different voices were heard and that the process was smooth.’

‘Martijn Vermeeren is very knowledgeable, very experienced, pragmatic, approachable, patient, flexible and has a good sense of humour. Ruud Brunninkhuis is pragmatic, professional and provides a swift follow-up.’

‘Specialised in mid-market and healthcare cases. They are of very good quality.’

‘Martijn Vermeeren is very likeable, knowledgeable and to-the-point, offering concrete advice particularly in the healthcare sector. Stefan van Wijk is very likeable and knowledgeable.’

‘Ruud Brunninkhuis is a capable and nice guy to work with.’

Key clients

Mutares


Vacansoleil


Latam Airlines S.A.


LAN Cargo S.A.


Navijfen B.V.


ECOR Global Inc


HGC


Voordegroei


Computer Profile Nederland B.V.


Enerray DT B.V.


Stichting Amphia Ziekenhuis Breda


Work highlights


  • Advised Mutares with the acquisition of assets out of the bankruptcy of Byldis.
  • Advised the Dutch subsidiaries of ECOR Global Inc with a distressed transaction.

Davids Advocaten

The practice at Davids Advocaten has a broad client portfolio. Jan Davids is considered a ‘brilliant lawyer’. Mark-Hendrik de Vries has a focus on finance disputes and ‘thinks outside the box’, as does Joris Boddaert according to clients. The three lead the team alongside corporate lawyer Nils Reerink, and Laurie van Leeuwen who represents directors and companies in financial difficulties with liability issues in particular.

Practice head(s):

Jan Davids; Mark-Hendrik de Vries; Nils Reerink; Joris Boddaert; Laurie van Leeuwen


Other key lawyers:

Ruben Mets


Testimonials

‘I have worked with Mark Hendrik de Vries and Joris Boddaert. I am very happy with their legal expertise and responsiveness. They are able to think outside the box.’

‘I highly recommend Mark Hendrik de Vries, a seasoned and approachable insolvency lawyer known for providing practical, hands-on advice. With deep expertise in insolvency law and a strong understanding of the market, he consistently delivers effective solutions tailored to the clients’ needs. His ability to navigate complex legal challenges with clarity and insight makes him an invaluable partner for any insolvency related matter.’

‘The people at Davids I work with are not just knowledgeable, but truly interested in the bigger picture and able to put any issue they have to deal with in the right and bigger context.’

‘I simply love working with Nils Reerink, Laurie van Leeuwen and Joris Boddaert.’

‘Mark-Hendrik de Vries is a sharp lawyer and pleasant to work with.’

‘Nils Reerink is an excellent lawyer. Very responsive, pragmatic and not too serious.’

‘Jan Davids is a brilliant lawyer who set up the perfect boutique. He is my go-to for all insolvency matters.’

‘Jan Davids is capable of understanding a business, the market, and all actors around a client. He is a very creative and flexible thinker, a great mind to have on a team. It is excellent to have him at the table as a sparring partner and also someone who really can fix things.’

Key clients

Pharmafilter


AGU


Riverside Holding e.a.


Trust Company Amsterdam (TCA)


VD.nl


Rodeo Software e.a.


Strukton Civiel


Home health care institutions


Miss Etam e.a.


Dentons

Dentons‘ practice is able to assist its roster of clients in financially distressed situations, in both domestic and cross-jurisdictional contexts. The team provides banking and restructuring advice to clients spanning industry sectors. Duco Postma joined the firm from A&O Shearman in September 2023 to establish and head its restructuring and insolvency group, which collaborates frequently with the firm’s corporate team.

Practice head(s):

Duco Postma


Testimonials

‘Very flexible, able to look at things from different perspectives.’

‘Knowledgeable, quick impact analysis and open communication in the team.’

‘Duco Postma is a strong partner. Very easy to work with and really tries to co-create the solution. Would work with him anytime!’

Key clients

Citco


Deutsche Bank


European Circular Bioeconomy Fund


Gilde Equity Management


HCI Europe


McCain


PnC Bank


Rabobank


Solaris SE


Vroon


Work highlights


  • Acted for the international food company McCain in connection with the distressed M&A sale of its chilled potato products business to Nimbus Investments.

DVDW Advocaten

DVDW Advocaten‘s Rotterdam-based team is able to advise its varied client list on significant bankruptcies, restructuring cases and the business integration of distressed companies. The cohort is co-led by experienced practitioner Henri Bentfort van Valkenburg and Christiaan Groenewoud who advises directors and shareholders of companies in financial distress. Erwin Bos is noteworthy for his international capabilities.

Practice head(s):

Henri Bentfort van Valkenburg; Christiaan Groenewoud


Other key lawyers:

Theo Hansen; Erwin Bos; Juliette van der Wiel; Rens van de Heuvel


Testimonials

‘Great team, both on the receiver side and advisory side.’

‘Henri Bentfort van Valkenburg, Erwin Bos and Juliette van der Wiel are fresh, flexible and always searching for a solution.’

‘Excellent people; a perfect finance law firm.’

‘Theo Hansen stands out for his dedication and excellent communication skills in difficult circumstances.’

‘Hands on advice, a friendly atmosphere and senior experience.’

‘The team has an optimistic energy towards reaching agreement and is good on soft skills.’

‘The team is knowledgeable and has a good mix of seasoned senior lawyers with good presence and visibility in the market and junior team members.’

‘The DVDW individuals I regularly work with have very good feeling for dynamics between stakeholders and know how to use that to their advantage. Very skilled professionals equipped to get the job done.’

Key clients

Standard Investment


Royal Imtech N.V.


Floryn Nederland B.V.


Administrators of DSB N.V.


BNG Bank N.V.


Direct Pay


InnoGenerics B.V.


John Reed Fitness Rotterdam


Liberty Trading B.V.


Work highlights


  • Advised the court appointed administrators of former Dutch bank DSB N.V. on the composition plan offered by DSB N.V. to distribute its remaining assets among 280,000 creditors.
  • Advised Standard Investment, acting through its subsidiary Brands4Kids, on the acquisition of the business of the fashion retailer Noppies out of the bankruptcy of NINE&Co.
  • Reached a settlement with KPMG, the former directors and officers, and their insurers, for a total value of €40m as bankruptcy trustees of Royal Imtech N.V.

HVG Law LLP

The practice at HVG Law LLP is helmed by Robin de Wit who is well regarded by clients for his ‘vast experience’. The team’s workload incorporates advising on turnaround restructuring and refinancing matters, as well as assisting with distressed M&A transactions. Bankruptcies and voluntary liquidations are further areas of expertise of the team, which also has litigious capabilities. Jan Padberg is a ‘very experienced’ key contact.

Practice head(s):

Robin de Wit


Other key lawyers:

Niels Elferink; Jan Padberg; Johan Westerhof


Testimonials

‘Niels Elferink is very pleasant to work with.’

‘The team is highly skilled and has access to a unique international network of restructuring and insolvency lawyers.’

‘The team stands out for its ease of access, quick understanding of the problem at hand and pragmatic advice provision.’

‘Robin de Wit is a pleasant lawyer to work with, with a strategic mind.’

‘A very capable teams, with broad restructuring and M&A experience. Very collaborative and experienced in working with larger teams consisting of various outside advisors and co-counsel.’

‘Robin de Wit is a very seasoned, extremely reliable and smart restructuring lawyer. He always remains calm under pressure and is very responsive and not afraid to speak his mind where necessary.’

‘Robin de Wit has vast experience as bankruptcy trustee and as advisor to creditors and debtors in insolvency situations.’

‘Jan Padberg and Johan Westerhof are both very experienced.’

Key clients

VanMoof B.V.


VanMoof Global Holding B.V.


Exem Energy B.V.


Urban Mining Corp B.V.


Renewd


Dignitas Distribution B.V.


Firion Investments B.V.


TravelBird B.V.


NV Rendo


TCN Urop SE


Allegretto Fund


Dutch Authority of Financial Markets


Work highlights


  • Acted as bankruptcy trustee of VanMoof B.V. and VanMoof Global Holding B.V. with subsidiaries in the US, Japan, Taiwan and the major European countries with a global turnover of approximately €100m in which over €200m was invested by third parties.
  • Acting as trustee for Exem Energy B.V. in the bankruptcy of Exem Energy B.V.
  • Acted as legal advisor for Urban Mining Corp B.V. in its re-financing and restructuring and later on advised in relation to the bankruptcy of certain of its subsidiaries, the execution of securities, while we were able to prevent the bankruptcy of the holding company and to realize the sale of the IP, even though a certain creditor put a court seizure on these assets.

Jones Day

The team at Jones Day has capabilities handling the gamut of matters including formal insolvencies, corporate restructuring and financial restructuring matters. The team is led by Jasper Berkenbosch who has experience advising distressed companies, funds, banks and creditors on the range of issues. Berkenbosch is considered a ‘creative thinker’ by clients, as is Sid Pepels who handles litigation. ‘Experienced bankruptcy trustee’ Erik Schuurs is also a key contact.

Practice head(s):

Jasper Berkenbosch


Other key lawyers:

Erik Schuurs; Sid Pepels; Flip van der Drift; Gerjanne te Winkel


Testimonials

‘The team has all the necessary flavours to be a reliable restructuring and insolvency practice, with Jasper and Erik the most professional bankruptcy receivers. The support by Sid Pepels and Flip van der Drift on the academic and finance side completes the team.’

‘Erik is very constructive to work with even in international matters. You can trust the team.’

‘Jasper Berkenbosch and Sid Pepels are creative thinkers, client-minded and simply very nice people to work with.’

‘Sid Pepels is able to bring people together. His strong grasp of the law and strong interpersonal skills allow him to ensure that the best outcome is reached for all stakeholders.’

‘They are an attractive option internationally as a result of their US connection. It sets them apart. The team has two experienced bankruptcy trustees in Jasper Berkenbosch and Erik Schuurs.’

‘Jasper Berkenbosch is a go-to candidate for observer roles in the Dutch WHOA. His ability to stay calm and analytical is a great benefit when involved in a restructuring process. Erik Schuurs is an experienced bankruptcy trustee who is pragmatic and decisive. They are both geared towards finding a solution.’

‘An experienced, hands-on and accessible team of international insolvency experts.’

‘Jasper is a super pragmatic and results-orientated professional. His team is comprised of both hands-on lawyers and legal experts.’

Key clients

Diebold Nixdorf


Mercon B.V.


Barcelona Investments B.V.


Esprit Europe B.V.


Scotch&Soda


Esperaza Holding B.V.


ICTS International N.V.


Axiom Partners GmbH


De Poli Tankers


Work highlights


  • Acted as court-appointed observer in the Dutch WHOA proceeding for holding company Mercon B.V. in the global restructuring for the vertically integrated coffee company, with parallel Chapter 11 proceedings.
  • Advised payment solution provider Diebold Nixdorf on its successful $3bn global restructuring and its implementation through parallel Dutch WHOA and Chapter 11 proceedings.
  • Acted as court-appointed administrators in the bankruptcy of Scotch & Soda Netherlands, a Netherlands-based fashion retail company with 200 freestanding stores across Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Australia and with distribution to over 70 countries.

Rutgers & Posch

The team at Rutgers & Posch is well-placed to provide business owners and financial investors advice on the remit of insolvency and restructuring matters in cross-jurisdictional and domestic contexts, in addition to its bankruptcy capabilities. Loek Kerstens is regarded as an ‘excellent litigator’ by clients and heads up the offering. Gief de Gruijter departed in May 2024 while Bas Kramer joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in October 2024.

Practice head(s):

Loek Kerstens


Other key lawyers:

Bas Kramer


Testimonials

‘This team’s distinctive qualities and expertise make them truly exceptional in the legal arena. One of the defining aspects of this practice is its commitment to delivering top-tier legal services and client satisfaction.’

‘Loek Kerstens’ knowledge and professionalism is unmatched. Loek’s depth of expertise in insolvency law is remarkable.

‘Loek Kerstens is, without a doubt, an outstanding legal professional. His impressive command of the law is matched by his ability to apply it effectively in complex scenarios. What sets Loek apart is his unwavering dedication to achieving the best results for his clients.’

‘Loek Kerstens is a stand-out partner. His communication skills are excellent, they have fantastic reasoning and win without getting brutal.’

‘The team stands out for their pragmatic approach to their cases. They are exceptionally committed, provide swift and accurate advice and are available. The team has clearly made a difference to our case.’

‘Loek Kerstens is a hands-on, pragmatic, and an excellent litigator. A highly intelligent strategist who goes beyond the legal aspects and genuinely acts in the best interests of his clients.’

‘What makes Rutgers & Posch unique is the fact that they always have a team available with significant years of experience and knowledge applicable to the case at hand. When you work with them you know you will be helped on every level whereby it is possible for them to provide you with a personal and tailor-made solution. This is what makes a boutique firm stand out from a big law firm.’

‘Solid, seasoned team who can assist you during restructuring cases from different angles of expertise.’

Key clients

Equiom


Selten


Corvallis Navigation Panama


Bovemij (Care4Lease)


Banca Intesa Sanpaolo


Rabo Investments


Clean Holding B.V.


Bunq B.V.


Vistra Management Services (Netherlands) B.V.


Rinkelberg Capital


Work highlights


  • Acting for an investor in bankruptcy proceedings against Lightyear up to the Court of Appeal, we have been engaged by the bankruptcy trustee to initiate enquiry proceedings with the Dutch Enterprise Chamber.
  • Acted for the investors of Dutch energy company Evoyo in its pre-packaged bankruptcy.
  • Advising the client on the investigations by the trustees into the causes of the bankruptcy.

Windt Le Grand Leeuwenburgh

The team at Windt Le Grand Leeuwenburgh is based in Rotterdam and is headed up by Richard le Grand who has noteworthy capabilities taking on appointments from the Dutch courts, Enterprise Chambers and shareholders; financial mismanagement and related investigatory work are le Grand’s areas of expertise. Michiel Bindels has significant experience in restructuring and special assets-related matters.

Practice head(s):

Richard le Grand


Other key lawyers:

Michel Bindels; Ruben Leeuwenburgh; Job Bijloo


Testimonials

‘The team has excellent expertise, is experienced in international restructuring matters and provides user friendly and pragmatic advice.’

‘They are very responsive and their written advice is always very clear and to-the-point.’

‘I enjoy working with the team who are friendly, collaborative and engaging.’

‘Michel Bindels is my go-to lawyer in the Netherlands – he is extremely commercial and cuts to the chase.’

Key clients

Steinhoff Recovery Foundation


International Metal Trading B.V. (“IMT”)


Energieplaza


Allegion


SDBGroup


Lumira Dx


Work highlights


  • Appointed as Chairman of the Steinhoff Recovery Foundation in relation to the global settlement for the €7bn insolvency of Steinhoff International.
  • Appointed as trustee in the highly challenging insolvency of IMT which was one of the largest commodities traders in the Netherlands.
  • Assisting SDBGroup, the Dutch market leader in healthcare software, with its purchase of a distressed medium-sized software company on the verge of insolvency.