Europe - Netherlands

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

More informationMore information

The equity capital markets practice at De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek has a strong reputation for its capabilities supporting clients, which includes a multitude of Dutch listed companies, with the full scope of related issues consistently in the multi-millions in value. The team is co-led by Jan Willem Hoevers who bears particular experience advising on proposed high-stakes IPOs and specialist in cross-border ECM and M&A work Gaby Smeenk. The team’s workload is formed of assisting with overseas transfers of legal entities; disposals of shares; IPOS, which are the focus of the ‘very ambitious’ Jaap Barneveld; and significant mergers. Josse Klijnsma is a senior associate to note in the team.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘De Brauw's capital markets team are one of the best I have worked with in 25 years. They clearly go the extra mile to ensure that they not only understand the legal issues at hand but also understand the commercial side of things.'

  • 'The team is excellent at combining a deep understanding of the commercial perspective with first-class legal advice.’

  • ‘Jaap Barneveld is a very ambitious partner, who brings a significant amount of legal experience to the team. He is very proactive in addressing legal challenges early so they don't spin out of control.'

  • 'Jaap Barneveld is always available, prepared, and hardworking. He is excellent at managing the process side of large complex transactions - this includes providing guidance to all the teams involved.'

  • 'Jan Willem Hoevers is noteworthy - whatever the legal problem, Jan has seen it all. His breadth of experience is very impressive. Always refers to a precedent when analysing a situation and he is very well-connected. I would not want to do a transaction without him.’

Key clients

  • Ferrovial
  • AkzoNobel
  • AEGON
  • Flow Traders
  • Affimed
  • Just Eat Takeaway
  • Philips
  • ASML
  • AholdDelhaize
  • CTP
  • Heineken
  • Exor
  • ABN AMRO
  • Schroders Capital

Work highlights

  • Advised construction company Ferrovial on the re-domiciliation of its top holding from Spain to the Netherlands and its listing on Euronext Amsterdam.
  • Advised AEGON, a leading multinational life insurance, pensions and asset management company, acting as lead counsel on the combination of its Dutch operations with a.s.r., a leading Dutch insurance group.
  • Advised Heineken as lead counsel on the EUR 3.6 billion and €3.7bn sell-downs by its shareholder FEMSA.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Jan Willem Hoevers, Gaby Smeenk

Other key lawyers

Josse Klijnsma, Jaap Barneveld, Féline Goyarts