Sometimes you have to take a step back to get closer to the solution. In bankruptcy law, Aniek’s specialisation, there is a fine balance between theory and practice, with, on the one hand, complex legal problems and, on the other, communication with clients and third parties. This multi-faceted specialisation energises her. Aniek likes practical solutions. She likes doing what you say and saying what you do, using easy-to-understand language and respecting people for what they are. She also helps students and young lawyers get started. Aniek has an extensive corporate law practice focusing mainly on insolvency and restructuring. In her practice, she handles issues including directors’ liability and shareholder disputes. She also supports fellow trustees in settling bankruptcies, and advises troubled companies and their creditors. Aniek completed a master’s degree in Law at Tilburg University cum laude. She also did voluntary work as a legal advisor at the Rechtswinkel legal advice centre. Aniek has been working at Boels Zanders since 2020. She is a member of the Association of Young Insolvency Law Practitioners (JIRA).
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For Daan, diversity is the best aspect of the job. Every case, every client, every transaction is different. You really have to engage with each of them to do your job effectively. After all, as a lawyer, you are more than a business service provider. You are a sounding board, a trusted advisor. Clients need to feel they are being heard and helped. Only then can you provide them with bespoke assistance. Even though, as a lawyer, your work involves a lot of paperwork, it is and always will be a people-centred job. Keeping it hassle-free, effective and appropriate is how Daan achieves the best results for his clients. He mainly deals with corporate acquisitions and shareholder agreements. He also advises clients on general corporate law issues. Daan studied law at VU Amsterdam, graduating with a master’s degree in Private Law. Working as a lawyer with a medium-sized law firm in Alkmaar, he gained experience in corporate law in general, developing a preference for mergers and acquisitions. Daan has been working at Boels Zanders since 2022.
Being able to genuinely do something for someone else: that’s what makes the legal profession very fulfilling for Daan. He likes to delve into the operational activities of a company and is curious about what matters to clients and entrepreneurs. This commitment creates a solid partnership: a robust foundation to effectively achieve clients’ goals. As a lawyer, Daan comes into contact with clients and companies with a variety of corporate law issues. Sometimes he gives succinct advice, other times he supervises a major acquisition. The interplay between the various issues and the interaction between various interests makes the profession challenging, as do the constant developments and changes to which the law is subject. Daan took the master’s degree in Dutch Law and the master’s degree in Labour Law (cum laude) at Maastricht University. He also attended the European Corporate Finance Law Excellence Course, an honours programme. Since 2021, Daan has been working in the Mergers and Acquisitions department of Boels Zanders.
Danique experiences a culture at Boels Zanders where you can be yourself. Where development and cooperation are paramount. Where her contribution is appreciated. She finds that great: being surrounded by colleagues who inspire each other every day to continue to develop. This allows her to do increasingly more for others. No case is the same, that matters too. Danique is challenged time and again to represent the client’s interests to the best of her ability. To address legal issues with new, creative and effective solutions. Her focus is on the corporate law practice, where corporate finance and insolvency issues are central. Danique completed the master’s in corporate law at Erasmus University Rotterdam and the master’s in Dutch private law at Maastricht University. During her master studies, she gained experience mainly in the field of corporate law through internships, business courses and master classes at various law firms. Danique has been working at Boels Zanders since 2023.
The client’s interests always come first for Dirk. For him, expressing this interest in a case to the best of his ability is the finest challenge that the legal profession offers. Due to his German-Dutch background, Dirk has a particular affinity with cross-border cases between Germany and the Netherlands. He is a member of the German-Dutch Lawyers Association (DNRV) and the Young Professionals network of the German-Dutch Chamber of Commerce (DNHK). Following his master’s degree in Dutch Law, which he completed cum laude at Radboud University Nijmegen in 2019, Dirk gained practical experience at several law firms. Dirk has been working at Boels Zanders since 2021.
The disputes he is involved in are about how people work together. How do you work together to achieve results? How do you run a business? You make the biggest gains by starting with the changes you can influence yourself, Flip observes. Not by focusing on what the other party might be doing wrong. He is always honest with clients on this point. They know what they can expect from him because he aims for results. And the best result is a solution that leads to the restoration of the values a company creates. Flip combines procedures and techniques to prevent the company from failing on account of the dispute. A solution for the future. Flip specialises in corporate litigation, insolvencies and restructurings, with an emphasis on corporate and shareholder disputes. The Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal regularly appoints him as an officer in shareholder disputes. Flip has been involved as a trustee in the bankruptcies of companies including Favini paper mills, roller coaster manufacturer Vekoma and property developer Lips. Flip studied Civil Law in Utrecht and Tax Law in Leiden. Subsequently, he completed the Grotius specialisation programmes in Insolvency Law and Company and Corporate Law, as well as the specialisation programme in Financial Economics at Erasmus University. Flip is a board member of the Corporate Litigation Association and the Corporate and Commercial Mediation Association (Business Mediation Platform). He is also a member of INSOLAD (Association of Insolvency Law Practitioners) and the Royal Commercial Law Association. He was a board member and chair of INSOLAD and an editorial board member of the Dutch Journal of Insolvency Law. Flip has been a lawyer since 1989 and is a partner at Boels Zanders. Flip is a lecturer on the CPO Grotius specialisation programme in Corporate Litigation and publishes frequently in his field.
The more complicated the issue, the more interesting she finds her work. Gitte enjoys the complexity of legal issues and is at her best when she can put her creativity to full use. She is pragmatic in her thinking and actions, keenly focused on finding a solution, working step by step towards achieving the best outcome for her clients. In addition to her general practice within real estate law, Gitte is particularly passionate about the rental law governing residential and commercial property, apartment law, neighbour law and legislation and regulations relating to housing associations. Her clients include investors, retailers, apartment owners’ associations and their managers and housing associations. Gitte also has a litigation practice, in which she litigates for her clients in rental law, apartment law and other property disputes. Gitte completed her master’s degree in Dutch Law (specialising in Commercial and Corporate Law) at Maastricht University. She is a member of the Dutch Association of Rental Law Practitioners (VHA) and has worked at Boels Zanders since 2016.
The law governs a lot of things, but not everything. There are always new situations, circumstances that call for a new interpretation. For Harm, the ensuing puzzling, the search for creative solutions to cope with problems, is one of the most attractive aspects of the profession. You help people move forward and help them resolve conflicts, preferably in a quick, intelligent way. Obviously, putting yourself in the other party’s shoes is part of it. You are, of course, representing the interests of your own client, but the best way to represent them is by keeping other interests in mind as well. Tough on substance, soft on everything else: as a real estate specialist, that’s how he negotiates contracts. This is how you come up with solutions, even if you both have different starting points. Harm’s particular expertise revolves around the rental law governing commercial and residential premises. Through years of consulting and litigation experience, he has acquired an in-depth knowledge of the retail and hospitality sector. In his work, he not only pays attention to the legal aspects of the case, but also keeps the client’s commercial interests in mind, for example those of major housing associations, breweries and nationwide retailers. Together with Johan Verhagen and Remco Rosbeek, Harm has been a member of the Boels Zanders executive board since 2020. He also teaches rental law at Maastricht University (postgraduate course) and the Dutch Academy of Legal Practice. In 2019, Harm was voted Magna Charta Lawyer of the Year in the Rental Law category.
Prevention is better than cure: with this in mind, Hayat does what is necessary to serve her clients to the maximum. She advocates for doing what you promise and loves the freedom the job offers. She loves the independence and the substance. The legal profession gives her the opportunity to engage with society in other ways. That’s great, isn’t it, if your profession holds out that possibility? Hayat has been a lawyer since 2002 and is a partner at the firm. A specialist in employment and pension law, she has wide-ranging experience in a variety of issues: from collective dismissal cases (reorganisations) to individual employment issues, including incapacity for work, file building, labour disputes and change processes. Based in our office in Eindhoven, Hayat acts on behalf of national and international companies. Hayat is a member of the Dutch Employment Lawyers Association (VAAN), the Breda/’s-Hertogenbosch Employment Lawyers Association and the Dutch Association of Pension Experts. She is also a member of several networking organisations, such as the Brabant Zeeland Employers’ Association circle, PO Brainport Circle and the KPMG Female Management Network. She has completed the Grotius specialisation programme in Employment Law and the specialisation programme in Pension Law at VU Amsterdam. She has also completed the Conflict Mediation Course.
Jan advises companies, institutions and public authorities on administrative law. The law is a profession full of surprises, in which he absolutely focuses on the long term. In his work, Jan likes to advocate for our beautiful Limburg countryside. His areas of focus are therefore planning and environmental law, area development and government liability. Jan has extensive experience as a litigator in administrative law and litigates regularly before the Dutch Council of State. For example, he has been involved in various regional development projects, permit procedures for IPPC companies and major soil and surface water contamination cases. He regards Boels Zanders as a professional and passionate service provider for clients, and a warm, informal club where colleagues enjoy working. He is the first point of contact for the Administrative Law expert group and is closely involved in the Education sector, among others. He also holds board positions, including at the Prince Bernhard Fund Limburg. Jan studied at Maastricht University and Boalt Hall School of Law (University of California, Berkeley). He also completed the post-doctoral Master Program on International Legal Cooperation at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Jan started his career at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek. He joined Boels Zanders in 1998, where he became a partner a few years later.
Janou knows how to make her clients’ ambitions – often buying or selling a business – a reality. In doing so, she makes a lot of people happy, including herself, because she finds working with entrepreneurs and advisers to be inspiring. Especially when the deals she strikes satisfy all parties, but her client just that little bit more. Clients describe her as a professional, dedicated lawyer who also knows the ins and outs of international law. Someone who works with clients in a warm and professional manner to achieve a deal. As a specialist in mergers & acquisitions, Janou works extensively for both national and international recurring clients. She also coordinates international cooperation and services at Boels Zanders. Janou is very active within ADVOC, the international network of independent law firms with 90 partners in more than 70 countries. She chairs the ADVOC Corporate Practice Group. She is also the contact for Boels Zanders’ Smart Start Limburg partnership for the benefit of foreign companies looking to establish themselves in the Netherlands. Janou is a partner, having worked at Boels Zanders since 2006. She graduated in Commercial & Corporate Law and Private Law from Maastricht University. She completed the Grotius specialisation programme in Company and Corporate Law cum laude.
Problem-solving, that’s what the profession is all about as far as Jean-Luc is concerned. Solving your clients’ business problems in the best possible way, with integrity and professionalism. If you aim for that, the legal profession is the best profession in the world. After all, that’s when you feel you are helping people and organisations move forward. In employment law, his specialisation, the situations he encounters are often quite problematic. In these cases, the law is not his only tool, his creativity also comes into play. And as the world becomes increasingly complicated, so do the problems he solves. He tackles them in a practical and effective way, but above all with a human touch. Jean-Luc focuses on areas of employment law, including individual and collective dismissal law, employee participation law and collective bargaining law. In his wide-ranging employment law practice, he advises national and multinational companies and institutions on terms and conditions of employment, reorganisations and restructurings, labour disputes and the position of the CEO. In the Education sector, Jean-Luc works for universities, higher professional education institutions and primary and secondary schools. He is also involved in the Privacy and Germany expert groups. Jean-Luc has been a lawyer since 1995 and is a partner at our firm. From 2014 to 2018, he was chair of the Boels Zanders executive board. He went on to become specialisation leader within the Employment Law expert group for a considerable time.
Jeffrey advocates for a fair and pragmatic approach. With a solid foundation of legal knowledge, he works together with clients to build a successful future. He enjoys the way of working in the legal profession: independent, yet in a team setting. What characterizes him? Integrity, expertise, and meticulousness. Someone who helps you move forward. As a lawyer and advocate of good governance, Jeffrey advises on the corporate structure of companies, the legal formation of partnerships, and the governance of corporations. In addition, he assists clients in (preventing) disputes and represents them in court proceedings when necessary. Are there financial problems? Then Jeffrey, together with clients, looks for restructuring opportunities. He can also be of service to entrepreneurs who are ceasing their business operations. Finally, Jeffrey is a specialist in the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Wwft). With his knowledge of this legislation, he advises institutions subject to this law, as well as clients who are faced with this legislation by institutions (such as banks). In addition to his legal practice, Jeffrey has a scientific background. In 2020, he obtained his PhD from Maastricht University with a dissertation titled “Liability for Policy Decisions: A Triptych on the Actual Control of Corporations.” He conducted his doctoral research at the Institute for Corporate Law, Governance and Innovation Policies (ICGI) of Maastricht University. Jeffrey frequently publishes in professional journals and regularly teaches on his areas of expertise. Finally, Jeffrey, as a member of the Limburg Bar Council, is involved in the professional regulation and supervision of the legal profession in Limburg.
For Jeroen, the close cooperation with clients and office colleagues is the best part of the profession and the best way to achieve the best possible outcome. In disputes, this is often a settlement. If, for whatever reason, that’s unattainable, Jeroen will go the extra mile for the clients he represents as well as for the joint creditors in the bankruptcies in which he acts as trustee. Jeroen was involved as a trustee in the bankruptcies of companies including Componenta, Scheuten Solar Systems, The Zenith and Burger King (Venlo). He specialises in company law and insolvency law, with an emphasis on financing, restructuring and liability issues (including directors’ liability). He also has extensive knowledge of the legal issues in the food and agri sector. In addition to his advisory practice geared to shareholders and companies, Jeroen has extensive experience as a litigator. In 2003, Jeroen completed the Grotius specialisation programme in Insolvency Law and a few years later the specialisation programme in Financial Economics at Erasmus University. He is a member of INSOLAD, the Dutch professional association for insolvency lawyers. As president of Hockeyclub Delta Venlo, the largest sports club in Limburg, he is passionate about its members and hockey in general. Jeroen is a partner at Boels Zanders.
Jeroen stays in control where others lose track when under great pressure. In his corporate law practice, he solves problems, bringing projects to a satisfactory conclusion. He sets the bar higher and higher while staying on the ball. This ensures that, in the end, he can join with clients and colleagues in celebrating the thrill of a case successfully completed. Clients appreciate his personal touch. Jeroen knows their case inside out and sets out all the options. And although he has a whole team behind him, clients feel as if he is their personal advisor. This is reassuring and gives them confidence. His practice focuses on transactions (acquisitions, joint ventures, forms of cooperation) and national and international commercial contracts. Since 2020, he has chaired the European Board of ADVOC, an international network of independent law firms with more than 90 member firms in over 70 countries. He is also a member of the supervisory board of professional football organisation VVV Venlo. Jeroen is a partner, having worked for Boels Zanders since 1997. He was managing partner from 2017 to 2020.
Jeroen doesn’t forget the person behind the case when tackling legal issues. He devises solutions to the challenges his clients face and is energised by the diversity and complexity of his work. He settles when possible and litigates when necessary, preferably in an atmosphere where colleagues and clients reinforce each other in the challenging and meaningful work they do. Jeroen has a corporate law practice which he runs from our Eindhoven office. Thanks to his role as a bankruptcy trustee, Jeroen has extensive experience in advising and litigating on insolvency law-related national and international issues and representing companies in difficulty. In addition, Jeroen specialises in company law and advises and litigates on shareholder disputes and directors’ liability, among other matters. Jeroen is a partner and has been with Boels Zanders since 2002. He completed the Grotius postgraduate course in Insolvency Law cum laude and the Grotius postgraduate course in Company Law and Business, also cum laude. He also obtained the Restructuring Specialist qualification from Leiden University. He regularly gives workshops on topics within his area of expertise. He writes blogs on current legal topics and is an editorial board member of OR Updates. He is also a member of the Dutch Association of Insolvency Law Practitioners (INSOLAD) and the Dutch Corporate Litigation Association. In addition, he volunteers with the Heerezitting Remunj Foundation and is a member of Lions Weert-Kempenbroek.
Judith likes to devote her time to promoting good healthcare and good education, innovation and sustainability in all facets of the economy and society. She is a strategic sounding board for her clients, with whom she formulates clear goals and devises solutions to move forward. Because that’s what makes the legal profession so special for Judith: that she can really add value for her clients. Judith has a corporate law practice. She focuses in particular on the semi-public sector, where she advises on various forms of cooperation and supervises mergers and acquisitions. Judith heads up the Healthcare sector team. She also advises on governance and employee participation issues, corporate structures, quality assurance and compliance. From her involvement in the education sector, her areas of focus include education and childcare. Judith regularly gives guest lectures on healthcare governance, including at Utrecht University and Maastricht University. She also works with Anouk Cordang and other colleagues to conduct masterclasses in governance and employee participation for directors and supervisors, organised by Supervisie Limburg, Bestuurderscentrum and Maastricht University (UMIO). Judith has been a lawyer and partner at our firm since 2006. She is a member of the Commercial Law Association, the Health Law Association (VGR) and the Education Law Association (VvO). Before 2006, Judith was a lecturer and researcher at the law faculty of Radboud University in Nijmegen.
Laurens values clarity. In a web of legal complexity, he provides structure for his clients, resulting in a crystal-clear roadmap that his clients can move forward with, tailored to the person and the case. As a specialist in real estate law, he advises and litigates in a variety of real estate and procurement matters. Thorough and realistic: these words typify Laurens’ style. At Maastricht University, Laurens completed the Dutch Law course summa cum laude. At the same university, he completed the Forensics, Criminology and Justice programme cum laude. During his studies, he worked as an external court clerk at the District Court of Limburg, administrative law division. He has been working at Boels Zanders since 2020.
In situations where sometimes chaos reigns and emotions run high, there’s a need for someone to provide order and clarity. Lodewijk applies discipline and decisiveness to hectic situations. In voluminous cases, he gets to the heart of the matter quickly and, in the event of bankruptcy, he takes immediate action. He acts pragmatically and ensures that all stakeholders know exactly what to expect. As a specialist in insolvency, restructuring and corporate investigations, Lodewijk is experienced in advising, litigating and conducting investigations. He is familiar with both sides of the bankruptcy coin: he advises troubled companies and has been involved in several bankruptcies as a trustee. In addition, Lodewijk is active as a legal researcher. This work involves fraud and integrity investigations as well as investigations for trustees or investigations ordered by the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal. Lodewijk is the first point of contact for corporate investigations. He successfully completed the dual master’s in Business and Law and the following specialisation programmes: the CPO programme in Insolvency Law for Bankruptcy Trustees (cum laude) and the Grotius specialisation programme in Insolvency Law and Financial Economics for Bankruptcy Trustees. He also attended the Financial Forensic Expert programme at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Lodewijk is a member of INSOLAD, a specialist association for insolvency law practitioners and was a member of the INSOLAD Best Practices Working Group, which has rewritten the rules of practice for bankruptcy trustees. Lodewijk was admitted to the bar in 2009, when he joined Boels Zanders.
Serving the client’s interests and working on your own professional development: the fact that these two things constantly come together in the legal profession is, for Loes, the most attractive aspect of the profession. She is happy to commit to a solution that can’t be agreed by the parties themselves. She is humane, pragmatic and results-oriented. And she can call on the help of the right collaborations in and between different teams in the firm. In this way, she bridges the gap between theory and practice. Loes is part of the Real Estate sector team and specialises in construction and procurement law. She studied Corporate Law and European Economic and Competition Law at Tilburg University, and completed both master’s programmes cum laude. Loes has been working at Boels Zanders since 2016.
Louis runs a real estate practice focusing on construction (liability) law and property development. He also has a broadly based procurement law practice. In both practices, he prefers to work with clients informally and based on partnership. Louis is their confidential counsellor, the first name that comes to clients’ minds whenever a legal problem arises. As a lawyer, he is first and foremost committed to finding the best solution for his clients as well as fostering understanding between the parties of the interests at stake. From this perspective, he works with his colleagues to devise creative solutions. Louis is the first point of contact within the Procurement, Competition and Construction Law expert groups. Louis has successfully completed the Grotius specialisation programme in Procurement Law and the specialisation programme in Private Construction Law. He is a partner at our firm, where he has worked since 2004. Louis is a member of the Roermond Real Estate Society, Zamen, Construction Law Association, Association of Construction Law Practitioners (VBR-A) and construction forum Vitruvius.
In the legal profession, every day is different. No problem is the same, no one client the same as another. For Luc, that dynamic is what makes his job so great. He likes the complexity of cases with a diversity of interests. He also likes fairness and respect, because that’s how you work together for the long term. Decisive and clear: this is how he operates, looking for solutions that, like the challenges, never exist in isolation. Luc is a member of the Real Estate sector team and specialises in rental law. In his dynamic practice, he acts for various housing associations, healthcare institutions, educational institutions, public authorities, investors and businesses. Luc advises and litigates in the areas of rental law (residential and commercial property), loans, building and ground leases, as well as the purchase and sale of real estate. At Boels Zanders, Luc is involved in matters relating to housing associations, healthcare, education and retail and hospitality, among others. He is also a member of the Dutch Association of Rental Law Practitioners (VHA). In addition to his day job, Luc is a member of the Limburg Bar Association and a board member of two foundations.
Advocate for high-quality services. After all, the legal profession is all about the client. And so Luuk enjoys interacting with clients and serving their interests by helping them find the right solutions. As an experienced partner within the Mergers and Acquisitions expert group, he provides legal guidance on acquisition processes. He specialises in corporate acquisitions, investment contracts, shareholder relations and joint ventures. Luuk’s clients include national and international corporates, family businesses, private equity investors and management teams. With his advice, guidance and years of experience in the acquisition practice, he brings people and organisations forward, into an enterprising future. Luuk has been a lawyer since 1989 and is a partner with Boels Zanders.
Of course, with each case, her approach changes. But Madelène guards her own style. Her own blend of professionalism and result-orientation, mixed with warm commitment, collegiality, willfulness and fun. This is how she achieves the best result and the most satisfaction, with agreements that bring all parties together and serve her clients’ best interests. As a lawyer, Madelène specialises in corporate acquisitions, shareholder relations, joint ventures and corporate law. She assists (inter)national companies, family offices, investors and management teams, among others. Madelène graduated from Radboud University Nijmegen in Notarial Law and Dutch Law, with a master’s degree in Civil Law (cum laude). In 2014, she started her career as a lawyer in the field of Corporate and Insolvency Law. She completed the Grotius course in Business Law cum laude. Madelène is also one of the founders and president of the VVV Venlo Young Business Club.
The M&A practice is a dynamic one that mainly looks to the future, less to the past. This attitude suits Marie-Louise. She loves entrepreneurial clients. Of the challenges and complexities of every acquisition. If the parties’ positions are far apart, she looks for a practical solution with optimal results for her client. What that is is different every time. Marie-Louise specialises in corporate acquisitions, shareholder relations and corporate structures. She is also a representative of ‘Future Advoc’ on behalf of Boels Zanders, part of our international network ADVOC. Marie-Louise studied Dutch law at the University of Amsterdam and Maastricht University. She joined Boels Zanders in 2016. A few years later, she successfully completed the M&A specialisation course at the VU Law Academy.
As a specialist in labour law, Maruca helps solve and prevent problems. She is, in short, significant to others. Maruca unburdens, supports and empowers people. Clients as well as colleagues, because at Boels Zanders she also likes to dedicate herself to creating and maintaining a positive atmosphere in which talent thrives and a passion for the profession can be instilled. Maruca is an experienced labour law lawyer, consultant, negotiator and mediator. Down-to-earth and pragmatic, she solves organisational problems. She advises companies and foundations in devising and implementing strategic changes in their organisations during reorganisations and strategic processes. She is also experienced in employee participation law and advises both entrepreneurs and works councils. Maruca has been an MfN Registered Mediator since 2007. As a mediator, she assists directors, supervisory boards and individual employees in conflict situations and their resolution. Preferably through timely advice or a constructive consultation, if necessary with the help of a third party. She also advises on the application and implementation of collective agreements and helps foreign clients in dealing with employment law issues. Maruca is a member of the Healthcare sector team and is closely involved in International expertise. She also lectures on labour law. She is a current and former board member of several associations and foundations, including co-founder of the Dutch Labour Lawyers Association (VAAN). Maruca is a partner and has been working at Boels Zanders since 1991.
As a corporate lawyer, Maurice is always looking for innovation. In doing so, he looks over his own horizon, because as an advocate of development, he is constantly looking for new ways to improve himself and our services. His colleagues inspire Maurice to apply knowledge, skills, ambition and perseverance on behalf of clients. Besides his involvement in the Mergers & Acquisitions expertise, which also takes on corporate advisory issues, Maurice is involved in the implementation of Legal Tech tools and software within Boels Zanders. Maurice received his bachelor’s degree in law from Maastricht University and completed the master’s in corporate law from Tilburg University. He previously gained work experience at HelloLaw Netherlands, Codator and Rabobank. So he also knows that side of entrepreneurship. Maurice has worked at Boels Zanders since 2022.
Justice, being able to be yourself: that’s what Max advocates for, as a lawyer. Working together in openness and taking responsibility. In this way, he learns a lot about people and cases in the profession, which serves him well as an experienced problem-solver. Max is adept at handling a variety of disputes as well as situations where the parties actually want to work together. He drafts commercial contracts and advises business owners in negotiations. It’s nice when everything comes together: people, knowledge, commitment and technology. Max has a particular focus on the modernisation of legal services, including using software to generate contracts and sifting through large amounts of data. This makes the services he and his colleagues provide better and cheaper, which is important for fighting injustice. Furthermore, Max regularly acts for bankruptcy trustees, creditors and companies in difficulty. In that capacity, he advises on matters including debt collection processes, directors’ liability, employee rights, ownership issues and the admissibility of transactions. In 2018, he completed the specialisation programme in Insolvency Law for Bankruptcy Trustees (cum laude) and, two years later, the Grotius specialisation programme in National and International Contracting.
People: in the end, that’s what the legal profession is all about. Working for and with people. It suits Merel, as a caring person, to listen to people. To invest in lasting and respectful relationships with colleagues and clients. Every day, she is inspired by the knowledge and experience of the people she works with. How about her work? She is happy to adopt a solution-oriented approach. How about that solution? It’s rarely legal in nature. Rather, Merel is committed to preventing legal problems and relieving her clients’ concerns. She handles various compliance issues, focusing mainly on advising international companies on subjects such as exports and international sanctions regimes. Merel has also gained extensive experience in insolvency and restructuring. In addition, she advises on product and quality requirements and labelling regulations for food and food products, in particular. Merel studied at Tilburg University and Lund University. She completed her master’s degree in Law at Tilburg University, specialising in Private Law. Merel is a member of the Dutch Association of Young Insolvency Law Practitioners (JIRA). She has been working for Boels Zanders since 2016.
Michiel is creative in finding solutions and purposeful in deciding on an approach. He loves the dynamics of the profession, the constant development of knowledge and skills and building relationships with clients, colleagues and external advisors. By working in this way, he prevents problems in his corporate law practice and resolves complex legal issues. Michiel advises and litigates on various issues in the areas of company law and corporate governance. His expertise ranges from corporate advisory and corporate law to insolvency law and financing and securities. This allows him to guide clients through complex decision-making processes and provide support in disputes and preventing them. In addition, he has been a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee for many years. Michiel is a partner, having worked at Boels Zanders since 2007. He is particularly experienced with the Education, Healthcare and Real Estate (housing associations) sectors. He is also a confidential counsellor and development coach and supervises several trainee lawyer and juniors. Michiel studied Dutch Law at Maastricht University. He completed the specialisation programme in Insolvency Law (cum laude) and the INSOLAD/EUR specialisation programme in Financial Economics for Insolvency Law Practitioners, as well as the Magna Charta Specialisation Course in Company Law. He is a member of INSOLAD, the specialist association for Insolvency Law practitioners. Michiel is also the president of Lions Club Ambt Born and a member of Young Management.
Being able to think strategically and collaborate with all stakeholders and advisors: these skills are essential in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). To Milou, they are also the best aspects of the job. During an acquisition, she maintains an overview for her clients where others lose it. She advises and consults on legal, financial and strategic aspects. Milou specialises in corporate acquisitions, legal mergers and demergers, shareholder relations and joint ventures. She also advises clients on general company law issues. Milou studied at Maastricht University, where she obtained her master’s degree cum laude. In 2022, she successfully completed the M&A specialisation programme at the VU Law Academy. Milou has been a lawyer in Boels Zanders’ M&A expert group since 2017.
Being a good listener: as a lawyer, Nicole is a big advocate for that. It helps to clarify the issue. Because it’s only when the issue is crystal clear that she can work, with input from clients and colleagues, to find the right solution. Nicole tackles complex issues with a sharp mind and legal agility. She specialises in education law and is an experienced advisor and litigator in this field. Nicole is the first point of contact for the Education sector, within which she and her team assist clients with the power of joint effort and diversity of characters. She is also involved in the Administrative Law expert group. Nicole works for educational institutions ranging from primary schools to universities. Youth care and childcare are also part of her remit. She is a member of the Dutch Education Law Association, where she jointly heads up the Governance and Management Working Group. She is also secretary of the Limburg SWOL University Fund and a member of the City Commission Giving Back Eindhoven and other organisations. Nicole studied Dutch Law at Maastricht University and obtained a doctorate of law from Leiden University. From 2001 to 2007, she was a lecturer in Constitutional and Administrative Law at Maastricht University. She has several education law publications to her credit, including the preliminary opinion “Juridische uitdagingen voor krimpbestendig onderwijs” [“Legal challenges to shrinkage-proof education”] and several articles in the journal School en Wet. At Boels Zanders, she is a partner.
Peter enjoys fulfilling the role of trusted advisor to his clients, business owners and companies. He calls on his extensive expertise in corporate law to advise and assist them, tackling cases with a solution-oriented approach that adds value. For example, he advises national and international clients, assisting them to optimise their legal corporate structure and governance and compliance issues. Peter specialises in corporate law, insolvency law and restructuring. As a trustee, he regularly acts in major, complex bankruptcies. For instance, he was involved in the bankruptcies of companies including Componenta iron foundries and Favini paper mills. Along with the Insolvency and Restructuring team, he was listed in Legal500’s EMEA Guide 2020. Clients praise his ability to transpose complex matters into business practice, his vast knowledge and the team’s approachability. Peter studied Dutch Law at Erasmus University Rotterdam. He completed the European Master in Law and Economics, an international study programme offered by the universities of Oxford, Paris, Rotterdam and Ghent. In the course of his career, Peter has completed the Grotius specialisation programme in Insolvency Law and the specialisation programme in Financial Economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Peter is a member of INSOLAD, the Dutch Association of Insolvency Lawyers, and TMA, an international network of turnaround management professionals. He has been working as a lawyer at Boels Zanders since 1992 and was managing partner from 2008 to 2014.
It’s not the journey, but the destination that counts. This applies to many things in life, including the legal profession. Finding a pragmatic solution: that’s what it’s all about for Ralph. Not making the problem bigger than it is, but working with colleagues and business owners to reduce it to its core. Ultimately, this leads to satisfied clients. Ralph advises and litigates for shareholders, directors and companies in the areas of financing and securities, insolvency and the structuring and restructuring of companies and various types of joint ventures. As the contact person for the Food and Agri expert group, he acts as a sounding board and relationship manager for companies in that sector. Ralph works as a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee in Limburg on a regular basis. He was involved in settling the bankruptcies of Zinvest Fashion and Brabant Alucast, among others. He joined Boels Zanders in 2008 and is now a partner. Ralph completed the Grotius specialisation programme in Insolvency Law and the specialisation programme in Financial Economics for Insolvency Lawyers at Erasmus University in Rotterdam. He is a member of INSOLAD, the Dutch professional association for insolvency lawyers.
Nature has taught him what efficiency is. Putting your energy where it is needed most is, Remco believes, a brilliant example of simplicity and beauty. And it’s exactly the way he operates. First get the question into focus, then make sure the client gets an answer. Straight to the goal with no detours. Expertise is the very first prerequisite for this. Only when you have it can you ask the right questions and gain the client’s trust. The second prerequisite is to understand each other as human beings in the conversation. You have to understand what it is essentially about. What a situation does to people is what matters. Show understanding for each other, even if you disagree. There’s still a world out there after you win. In his practice, Remco advises business owners, formal and informal finance providers and shareholders on how to set up individual and group financing. When doing so, he always bears in mind the maximum limitation of recovery risks. In addition, he is a specialist in insolvency law and is regularly appointed trustee in bankruptcies. He also provides advice on how to avoid bankruptcy or minimise its consequences. His two specialisms are an extension of each other: after all, bankruptcy is the litmus test for any financing structure. Conversely, insolvency practice increasingly requires knowledge of financing products. At Boels Zanders, Remco leads the Financing and Securities team and is a member of the Insolvency and Restructuring team, of which he was leader for several years. Together with Johan Verhagen and Harm Heynen, he is a member of the firm’s executive board. He is also a member of INSOLAD, the Dutch professional association for insolvency lawyers.
Rob has a wide-ranging employment law practice with an emphasis on advising companies on employment contract law, terms of employment, collective bargaining agreements, employee participation law, organisational changes, restructuring, transfer of undertaking and the position of the CEO. He mainly works for national and international groups and is closely involved in cross-border cases, including those falling under the Germany and International expert groups. Rob has been a partner since 1991, completed the specialisation programme in Employment Law at the Grotius Academy and headed up the firm’s employment law specialisation for many years. He is a member of the national specialist association VAAN and regularly lectures on current developments in employment law.
With his transparent and realistic vision of the profession, Robbert brings challenging cases to a successful conclusion. In doing this work, he values good and relaxed contact with colleagues and clients as well as quality of work and the working environment, where cooperation and development are given full rein. Putting everything into it together: that’s the way Robbert achieves great results personally, professionally and socially. Robbert obtained his bachelor’s degree in Law and master’s degree in Dutch Law (specialisations in Private Law and Commercial and Corporate Law) at Maastricht University. During his final year, he gained experience in the area of corporate law by undertaking internships at various law firms and by participating in several specialisation programmes. Robbert has been with Boels Zanders since 2021 and has a corporate law practice, focusing on company law and insolvency issues.
Helping people: that was why he became a lawyer, which is why Rogier is such an advocate of openness. Because only in open dialogue with the client, with all relevant information on the table, can he quickly assess the opportunities and risks. Fully understanding all aspects of a dispute, and helping his clients in the best possible way. The work Rogier does for bankruptcy trustees helps him in other cases to advise the creditor or director of a company in dire straits. That variety of issues results in a broad view of the challenges ahead. Rogier specialises in insolvency and corporate law. He obtained the business & law dual master’s cum laude at Radboud University Nijmegen. Rogier has been working at Boels Zanders since 2023.
For Ruud, the profession offers variety, a professional challenge and continuous development. Using sound case knowledge and knowledge of the law, he stays focused on the ultimate goal and the interests involved. With integrity and a solution-oriented approach, he seeks a satisfactory solution to every issue that satisfies everyone’s interests, above all his clients’ interests. A lawyer who advocates for his case. Ruud is a specialist in matrimonial and partnership property law and international family law issues, especially for Dutch citizens residing in Belgium. He studied Dutch Law at Maastricht University. After graduating, he joined Boels Zanders in 1991. Ruud attended the specialisation programme for Family Law Practitioners. From his knowledge and expertise in family and inheritance law, he is also involved in the Pensions expert group. Ruud is a partner at our firm.
A solution that works on paper doesn’t always work in practice. This is why Sander likes to look for a practical solution. Sometimes through a legal route, but that’s not necessarily always the case. After all, it’s about the destination, not the road to it. It’s about the moment when you can say to your client: “it’s solved”. For Sander, that moment is the best thing about his job. Sander likes to maintain an informal, personal relationship with his clients. He’s committed and passionate, but he doesn’t just tell people what they want to hear. A bond can’t be formed unless you are honest with each other. Then trust is the key word, even in his specialisation, corporate law. Sander completed a bachelor’s degree in Notarial Law and a master’s degree in Corporate Law at Radboud University Nijmegen. He worked as a legal assistant at a firm of bailiffs and at Stichting Rechtswinkel Venlo, a legal advice centre, before joining Boels Zanders as an intern in 2022.
As a specialist in corporate law, Sjors likes to clarify what is possible and what is impossible in terms of legal issues. He listens to his clients’ requirements, builds trust and gets down to work with ambition and efficiency. The variety in cases and clients means that he’s learning something new every day, both about the profession and about people. In this way, he is constantly bringing out the best in himself and in others. Sjors Kessels is involved in the Insolvency, Restructuring and Financing expert groups. In financing practice, he combines structure with freedom and risk mitigation with flexibility. This is how he adds the most value and achieves the best results for his clients. Sjors obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law from Maastricht University and a master’s degree in Dutch Law (specialising in Corporate Law) from Radboud University Nijmegen. During his studies, he was a member of the board of student organisation NSO Eques. Sjors has been working as a lawyer at Boels Zanders since 2020.
Following a dispute, a satisfactory compromise is the basis for cooperation. Stephan therefore likes to focus on a solution that protects the relationship between parties. Staying in dialogue with each other, respecting everyone’s interests: therein lies the greatest benefit for the long term. Stephan specialises in rental law, real estate law and private international law. He prevents disputes by setting agreements down on paper well in advance, draws up contracts and produces pragmatic, creative solutions to legal problems. In his practice, Stephan mainly acts for companies. His expertise also extends to the leasing and renting of business premises, with a focus on retail and hospitality. Stephan’s practice concentrates not only on the Netherlands, but also on international disputes with a focus on those between parties in the Netherlands and Germany. Stephan has been admitted as a Rechtsanwalt in Germany. In addition, he is a member of the German-Dutch Lawyers Association. Stephan joined the firm in 2016, having studied International and European Law at Radboud University in Nijmegen.
Tomorrow’s advisor changes with today’s world. Tim likes to lead the way. As both a human being and a lawyer. By creating a relationship of trust with clients, he contributes to their success. He works with them to achieve bold ambitions, including across national borders. That personal touch in his job is, he thinks, the best part of his profession. Tim specialises in M&A transactions, shareholder relations and company law issues and supervises cross-border projects (particularly with Germany). In this work, he can fall back on his experience in M&A and corporate and insolvency law, mostly gained in the M&A department of an international law firm in Düsseldorf (Germany). Tim studied law (master’s degree in Commercial Legal Practice) at the University of Amsterdam. Tim has been a lawyer since 2019, working at Boels Zanders since 2021.
Focused on substance, friendly in the relationship and always with humour. For Tom, this is the way he prefers to practise his profession. He loves working with clients and colleagues. Playing the litigation game. Searching for arguments with persuasiveness and writing effective court documents. Tom likes to dedicate himself to others. Whether those are clients looking for a solution to their issue, colleagues in need of training, or children he supervises as a volunteer at a summer camp. Helping others and not taking yourself too seriously. Just being normal, in the best sense of the word. Tom specialises in insolvency law, restructuring and corporate law. For his clients, he advises and litigates on national and international insolvency and restructuring issues, financing and commercial disputes. He is also a tutor at The Law Firm School, where he teaches trainee lawyers. Tom obtained a master’s degree in criminal law from Radboud University and a master’s degree in private law (cum laude) from the University of Amsterdam. He completed the INSOLAD/Grotius specialisation course in insolvency law (cum laude) and the INSOLAD/EUR specialisation course in Financial Economics for insolvency lawyers. Tom is a member of INSOLAD, the Dutch specialist association for lawyers practising insolvency law, of INSOL Europe, the European specialist association, and of the Corporate Litigation Association. Tom has been a lawyer since 2011 and joined Boels Zanders in 2023.
Vera is a lawyer with extensive experience in construction and procurement law and is involved in many project and area development and state aid issues. Vera is a member of the Real Estate sector team, with a special focus on housing associations, and is also part of the Education sector team. Vera studied Constitutional and Administrative Law at the University of Amsterdam with a special focus on planning and environmental law. Because of her administrative law background, Vera regularly advises on issues at the interface between public and private law. Among other things, Vera is a fount of knowledge on issues relating to the recent Didam judgment, in which the Supreme Court ruled that public authorities must sell land in a transparent manner that gives all interested parties the opportunity to bid. Vera has been practising law at Boels Zanders since 2017. In 2019, she successfully completed the specialisation programme in Procurement Law.
A specialist in procurement, state aid and real estate law, Ward works from context, not structures, from solutions, not impossibilities, to contribute positively to his clients’ objectives. These clients include public and semi-public authorities, education and healthcare institutions, non-profit organisations and companies in a variety of industries. Ward advises and litigates on all aspects of procurement law, including the applicability and scope of the Dutch Procurement Act. He assists contracting authorities to organise procurement procedures and represents clients’ interests in procedures before the Committee of Procurement Experts and advisory procedures. In the area of state aid law, Ward advises his clients on how to “state aid-proof” financial transactions with a public-private dimension. He also has extensive experience in setting up public-private partnerships and property-related contract negotiations. Ward is a partner at Boels Zanders. He has completed the Grotius specialisation programme in European and Dutch Public Procurement Law, graduating cum laude. Ward is a member of the Dutch Association for Public Procurement Law (NVvA) and the Association for Construction Law Practitioners (VBR-A).
Wouter is a problem-solver with a legal toolbox. He surprises clients by not only identifying problems and risks as a lawyer but, above all, by looking at what can be done and why, finding solutions to complex issues based on sound legal and factual knowledge. Based on rental, construction and procurement law, Wouter has built up a wide-ranging real estate practice, with knowledge of areas including competition law and state aid. At Boels Zanders, he is a partner and a member of the Real Estate sector team. Outside the legal profession, he has extensive experience as a board member of a housing association. Wouter studied Dutch Law at Maastricht University (specialisation Private Law) and has been with Boels Zanders as a lawyer since 2002.