AKD‘s dispute resolution team is a go-to practice for claimants seeking a full-service firm to represent them in class actions. Spearheading the practice, Patrick Haas is sought out by clients for his expertise in international collective redress cases and frequently acts for professional class action funders and foundations with cross-border projects. The firm has also been growing its presence in corporate and financial litigation. Arbitrator and governance disputes specialist Erik Koster, financial litigator Thijs Hekman, and insolvency and restructuring expert Fouad el Houzi are all primary members of the practice. Jeffrey Kleywegt is also noted.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Fouad El Houzi was a great help when it came to initiating and conducting difficult legal proceedings in the Netherlands. If Fouad is kicked out through the door, he climbs back in through the window.’

  • ‘Strong leadership with quick and practical advice.’

  • ‘Erik Koster is an excellent business-minded lawyer who can quickly get to the bottom of matters.’

  • ‘They have a very broad spread of expertise and a very well-resourced team of experts. They are a go-to for complex disputes and take an innovative and diligent approach.’

Key clients

  • Stichting Truck Claim
  • Stichting Car Claim
  • Stichting Volkswagen Investor Claim
  • Yukos Finance B.V.
  • EndemolShine Group B.V.
  • Royal Imtech N.V. (in bankruptcy)
  • Svenska Handelsbanken S.A.
  • LeasePlan Nederland N.V.
  • Stichting Wirecard Investors Claim
  • Prorail N.V.
  • Erasmus Medisch Centrum Rotterdam
  • Neways Electronics International N.V.
  • Segulah
  • Stichting HagaZiekenhuis
  • Cerberus Capital Management LP
  • Beequip B.V.
  • Smits Holding B.V.
  • Darling Ingredients
  • Ortolan
  • Rotate (t/a Kenneth Smit)
  • Uljee Food Group B.V.

Work highlights

  • Representing Stichting Car Claim (SCC) in several landmark class action cases against various car manufacturers (VW Group, Renault, Stellantis and Daimler) over their role in the diesel emissions scandal.
  • Representing Stichting Data Bescherming Nederland (SDBN) in a substantial WAMCA claim against Amazon.com.
  • Represented a consortium of major Dutch hospitals, formerly known as Reinier Haga Groep, in a highly complex de-merger process, culminating in inquiry proceedings before the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Patrick Haas

Other key lawyers

Erik Koster, Thijs Hekman, Fouad el Houzi, Jeffrey Kleywegt