AKD boasts a strong advisory construction practice based across the Benelux region, enabling it to collaborate closely with teams in Belgium and Luxembourg on cross-border projects. The firm regularly handles landmark construction projects and is supported by its strong real estate and project finance operations. As part of its advisory work, the team assists with contract drafting, developments and redevelopments and financing. Practice head Sven Billet leads the team and assists on various construction mandates. Marc Wintgens is praised for his expertise and advises large construction companies and government bodies on a range of complex construction contracts. Frenk Huisman focuses on transactions, Julian Versmissen largely assists developers in projects, and Sander Engels handles both construction and procurement law matters. The practice has a separate energy team led by Marjolein Dieperink, which enables the firm to advise on renewable energy projects including offshore energy, carbon capture and storage and solar projects.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The AKD Team is ready 24/7. If more capacity or expertise is needed, they can easily be contacted. They fully relieve the client's worries and deliver substantively good work. They speak the language of the entrepreneur, are short and concise and do not bore you with pages of advice if that is not appropriate or desirable.’

  • ‘Frenk Huisman is special, a truly good lawyer with a heart for his clients. Always enthusiastic and always at service!’

  • ‘Lawyers & notaries that we consult have a personal touch and interest in our business and people. They are engaged and feel personally responsible for the good outcome of their advice.’

  • ‘AKD has a fantastic and diversified team of experts and is therefore uniquely positioned to provide first class advice on issues related to construction projects. Their unrivalled experience makes AKD a frontrunner in this field’

  • ‘Marc Wintgens is a seasoned lawyer with an undisputed reputation as a sharp negotiator. He is the lawyer to go to! Not only is he an excellent lawyer, but he also knows the market through and through. No doubt: he is the best.’

  • ‘Very experienced, full service, able to work on all aspects of a project. If necessary across borders and practice areas. Advice on everything from design and feasibility to project structure and dispute resolution.’

  • ‘Marc Wintgens is an outstanding lawyer. He demonstrates a strong expertise in dealing with complex issues that also involve strategy and reputation of his client. ’

  • ‘Top-level legal knowledge and experience in the field of construction law, combined with knowledge of our company and the sector and the ability to translate this into practical and feasible advice.'

Key clients

  • ALDI
  • Univé
  • Zalando
  • Panattoni
  • Allianz Real Estate GmbH
  • Port of Rotterdam
  • Greystar Real Estate Partners
  • Goodman
  • Life Europe
  • VolkerWessels
  • Haag Wonen
  • Philips
  • WDP
  • Green Real Estate
  • Municipalities of Utrecht; Eindhoven; Tilburg; Breda; and Westland
  • Provinces of Limburg; Gelderland; and Zuid-Holland
  • M&G Real Estate
  • Kaan Architects
  • DW Partners
  • DSV
  • Development Company Greenport Venlo (DCGV)
  • Prologis
  • Flow Real Estate
  • Profinn
  • Joint Owners of the Entrada Area
  • Prorail
  • Hercuton
  • Edge Technologies
  • Mourik Services
  • KlokGroep

Work highlights

  • Advising Zalando on the acquisition of a sizable development plot and related contracts.
  • Assisting Maersk with new plot acquisitions and complex construction contract suites.
  • Advising longstanding client, VolkerWessels, on the largest development and construction project in The Netherlands, Strijp-S.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Sven Billet

Other key lawyers

Marc Wintgens, Frenk Huisman, Julian Versmissen, Paul Welten, Sander Engels, Marjolein Dieperink, Max Verbaken