Houthoff
The construction practice at Houthoff is regularly sought out by clients for its all-round skills in both contentious and non-contentious construction mandates. Highlights of the team’s work include complex procurement and regulatory issues in large new development projects, the team also aids these clients with claim prevention and management. The firm assists both developers and contractors on contentious work. Team lead and construction specialist Michel Klijn is known for his expertise in complex projects involving different contracts as well as his litigation and transactional skills. He is supported by notary Dolf De Jong who on the construction side focuses on project development. Sander van den Boogaart assists clients from construction, infrastructure, and energy sectors in a variety of construction law matters.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Both Michel Klijn and Sander van den Boogaard are always happy to assist. They are responsive, have to the point advice and helping me to get to finalization of contracts. The cooperation is very well. ’
‘Michel Klijn stands out by knowing how to close transaction on (supervisory) board level by using a combination of deep sector knowledge and skills: problem solving, taking initiative and being trusted by all parties to the table.’
‘The team is involved, very skilled, takes very good note of the case in a very short amount of time and seems to enjoy a good conversation to find out the relation between the details. ’
‘I would also like to mention Michel Klijn in particular. Michel supports us with complex procurement issues and execution of a civil engineering work. An expert lawyer due to contribute weight to the file. Legal content if necessary, but also focused on solution-oriented cooperation if possible. Michel is the sparring partner I look for in a lawyer.’
‘Michel Klijn is very committed, pragmatic and a sharp lawyer. Thinks in solutions and does not lose sight of commercial interests either. Always willing to respond to adhoc and last minute requests as well. ’
‘Houthoff has an extraordinary amount of substantive knowledge and skilled people in the contraction team. The team is efficient and always available’
‘The team of Houthoff was very quick in response on a complicated legal matter, proactive during several developments, made a very good strategic approach. ’
‘Michel Klijn: has the special combination of engineer and lawyer, which makes him very effective in legal advice in construction projects.
Key clients
- Bol.com
- Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
- Royal Schiphol Airport
- Bysteel S.A., Portuguese firm part of DST Group
- Bristol Myers Squibb
- Goodman Group
- Greystar
- Attero
- HagaZiekenhuis (Haga Hospital)
- Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch National Railways)
- EDGE
- Jaarbeurs
- Zadelhoff
- FCC
- VolkerWessels
- Waterschap Aa en Maas
- OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons)
- Regionale Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij Drechtsteden N.V. (ROM-D)
- Milence
- Wonen Limburg
- Kondor Wessels Vastgoed
Work highlights
- Advising the online retail giant Bol.com on the multimillion euro development of a new automated fulfilment centre which will mechanically handle its orders.
- Representing EDGE Development in the multimillion euro development of ABN AMRO Bank’s new headquarters in Amsterdam.
- Advising Milence, a joint venture between Daimler, Traton and Volvo, on all construction matters linked to its project to install and operate at least 1,700 charging points for heavy-duty trucks and coaches across Europe by 2027.
Lawyers
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Michel’s work focuses on projects, PPS, construction and procurement law, and public transport. He is actively involved in complex building projects and an array of contract types, including D&C, DBM, DBFM, DBFMO, concessions and alliances. Michel advises a wide range of clients in the construction, infrastructure, transport and energy sectors, on matters such as contracting, innovative procurement procedures, negotiations and litigation. Michel is also a civil engineer, and, prior to joining Houthoff, he worked at a large Dutch construction company for several years. He also teaches at the Dutch Institute for Construction Law and regularly publishes on forms of collaboration in the construction industry, and procurement law.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Michel Klijn