Senior Director - Global Antitrust, AI & EU Affairs | Uber
Executive Director Legal & Compliance | General Counsel | Rituals Cosmetics Enterprise B.V.
Head of contract management and legal | VolkerWessels Bouw & Vastgoedontwikkeling
General Counsel Corporate Affairs | Darling Ingredients International
General Counsel | Amvest Investment Management B.V.
General Counsel, Mauer Consultancy | Mauer Management Consultancy B.V.
Head of Legal, Europe and Global Privacy Counsel | Tata Consultancy Services
General Counsel, Group Manager Risk & Compliance | Fourthline
General Counsel, Procurement Operations Sustainability | Danone
Ocom BV Global Group General Counsel | LeaseWeb Global B.V.
Head of legal business, head of corporate and financial law | Philips
General Counsel Unilever Foods Europe & Head Legal the Netherlands | Unilever
Vice president, general counsel, ethics and compliance officer | Capgemini
General Counsel EMEA & LatAm | Spencer Stuart
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | Port of Rotterdam
Legal, Compliance and Governance Assistant | Booking.com BV
Head of Legal Netherlands, Google Netherlands B.V. | Google Netherlands B.V.
General Counsel, Senior Director | JTC Group
General Counsel EBSC and SSA | COFCO International Netherlands B.V.
I am delighted to introduce the inaugural edition of Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Netherlands 2025, and extend my congratulations to all those featured in this year’s list.
I would also like to thank everyone who contributed to the research process and took the time to speak with us. Our GC Powerlist initiative aims to provide a platform for general counsel to exchange knowledge, insights and expertise, fostering an environment in which individuals can learn from each other and share their experience.
Amid rapid geopolitical shifts and technological change, these shared experiences are becoming increasingly valuable. As Ernst van de Weert, general counsel at Heineken N.V., points out: ‘one significant trend is the increasing importance of digital transformation and the integration of technology in legal processes.’ His peers, across all sectors, are quick to agree. Eva de Vries, Meta’s associate general counsel, warns that ‘there will be more overlapping regulation and a bigger focus on tech and AI’, something that will have a particular impact on legal counsel.
Discussions around digitalisation and the use of AI are therefore essential – and taking place in almost every in-house team on a global scale. Harnessing AI is key, Vanessa Vilar, general counsel at Unilever Ice Cream, reminds us. If general counsels’ decision-making process ‘can be powered by technology and AI, the in-house counsel becomes even more efficient and impactful, allowing more time dedicated to high value activities’, she says.
It is these high value activities where general counsel shine. What distinguishes in-house legal professionals, as many of our interviewees agree, is their ability to embed themselves within the organisation, offering guidance not just as legal advisors, but as trusted business partners: general counsel ‘are also strategic partners who contribute to the overall success of the organisation,’ points out Kyong Soon Rijnders, general counsel and ethics and compliance officer at Capgemini Netherlands.
This level of involvement means that general counsel have to adapt, taking on roles well beyond their formal job descriptions. The list of the most important attributes for a general counsel is a long one: as Jantine Bos, legal director at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, candidly puts it, ‘what qualifies a modern in-house counsel… is a lot’. While legal expertise is a given, today’s general counsel must also possess a deep understanding of the business, a proactive approach to risk, the ability to translate complex issues into clear advice, and the agility to adapt and communicate with clarity.
The GC Powerlist: Netherlands 2025 is a testament to the vital role in-house counsel play in every organisation. As Bos succinctly reflects, ‘the work of a lawyer always lingers’.
On Thursday 10th of April 2025, Legal 500 and sponsor firm Galicia were proud to welcome an accomplished cohort of in-house counsel to the Green Powerlist Mexico. In addition to honouring the exceptional contributions of in-house lawyers committed to shaping a more sustainable future, the evening also served as a platform for meaningful dialogue among peers representing a diverse array of organisations.
The evening began with a warm welcome from Angus Maclean, Senior Researcher at Legal 500, who addressed the audience on behalf of Tim Girven, Senior Editor for the Western Hemisphere. Paola Hernández Villalvazo, Global Director of Compliance and Sustainability at Cinépolis, then took to the podium to highlight the crucial role in-house lawyers play in effectively interpreting and applying ESG and sustainability standards. Her address was followed by remarks from José Visoso, co-managing partner at Galicia Abogados, who delivered a thoughtful message and served as an exemplary host.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our invitees, whose achievements were celebrated through their inclusion in the Green GC Powerlist. We also express our sincere appreciation to our sponsors, Galicia Abogados, for their exceptional hospitality and logistical support, which contributed to the smooth execution of the event. Special thanks go to Beatrice, María, and the entire Galicia team for their outstanding efforts.
