AKD has appointed six new partners in Belgium and the Netherlands. Following the appointment of three new partners in Luxembourg earlier this year, AKD thus further increases its Benelux footprint.

Commenting on the appointments, managing partner Erwin Rademakers was enthusiastic: “We are extremely proud to shape the bright future of AKD with these appointments, a mix of home-grown talents and lateral hires.”

“This is the first time we announced the appointments offline as well as online - a coronavirus-proof move”, continued Rademakers, who has now been at AKD's helm for six years. “A memorable occasion, entirely in line with the current anti-coronavirus measures. More good news emerged last week, when we closed our financial year, which proved a very good year for AKD indeed. We are delighted that in these challenging times the many committed and eager lawyers, tax advisers, civil-law notaries and support staff have worked hard to maintain and in fact advance our firm's success. After all, AKD's success is the combined success of everyone working here. And this new generation of partners like Milja, Simon, Jeanette, Andre, Thomas and Pascal is contributing to it - now and moving forward. Last but definitely not least, these appointments are a new step on the way to achieving our diversity ambitions”, Rademakers added.

Milja Bormann, a former tax partner at Deloitte, has over twenty years’ experience working in indirect taxation. Throughout her career, she has advised her clients on a wide range of topics and projects, a recent example being the national and international VAT aspects of the rescue package and other tax measures in response to the coronavirus crisis. Other topics include Brexit, which has been mounting new challenges of late.

Simon Ceulemans worked for Allen & Overy and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer for over ten years. From AKD's Brussels office, he assists a large number of global investors and financial institutions in the sale and purchase of real estate.

Having started her career in law with AKD in 2006, Jeanette Luijten specialises in civil construction law, with a strong focus on international construction and real estate projects. Her competencies include advising on and litigating construction disputes.

Andre Reznitchenko specialises in commercial dispute resolution. His practice covers a broad range, including class action claims, professional liability, D&O liability, and acquisition-related disputes. One of the cases he has been involved with since he joined AKD in 2017 is the high-profile class action lawsuit against Volkswagen known as Dieselgate.

An expert in enforcement law, Thomas Sanders has been with AKD since 2014. He assists authorities, companies and civilians when they are hit by administrative sanctions or penalties. For example, Thomas advised the Dutch Ministry of Justice on enforcing the law against illegal internet content. Very recently, he advised the Dutch Security Regions on enforcement issues relating to the emergency bylaws adopted to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Pascal van Schaik joined AKD in 2009. An employment law specialist, Pascal takes a particular interest in issues at the interface of employment law and other areas of law, such as the question whether employees can be tested for COVID-19 or the role of the trade unions in applications for subsidies under the NOW scheme.

Rademakers concluded: “We wish to extend our warmest congratulations to the six new partners and are looking forward to working with them and all other colleagues in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg on further strengthening our position as gateway from, to and in the Benelux.”