As a part of CMS‘s pan-European dispute resolution team, the practice is skilled at handling multi-jurisdictional cases, especially within the ESG space. The team is split into domestic and international groups and takes a sector-focused approach, specialising in banking, insurance, real estate, and energy. Leonard Böhmer leads the litigation and insurance team with Peter Soede, who focuses on liability law. ESG task force head Aukje Haan handles related litigation and mediation. Bart-Adriaan de Ruijter chairs the corporate litigation and arbitration practice and regularly represents multinationals in corporate disputes. Petra Heemskerk is sought out for her public law litigation expertise, while Anita Canta handles franchising disputes. Andries Polkerman and Simon Polkerman both joined from De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek in March 2023, strengthening the practice's commercial litigation capabilities.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Bart-Adriaan de Ruijter is resourceful and tenacious and does not let go until the client's goals are achieved.’
‘Andries and Simon Polkerman are excellent litigators in the field of commercial litigation. Their performance on their feet in court is exceptionally good, and their drive and commitment to achieve the optimal result for their client is extremely impressive.’
‘Good availability and very good knowledge and experience in certain areas - such as Anita Canta's knowledge of franchise law.’
‘Big international team with skilled litigators. Nice and pleasant people to work with.’
‘Andries and Simon Polkerman are top-notch litigators. They were born as lawyers and I have referred various cases to them.’
'Very skilled professionals with a passion for the work. Swift responses.'
'They handle cases very professionally and carefully, and are good at looking for various possibilities, evaluating them, and giving timely recommendations. I like this kind of legal team.'
Key clients
- Mitsui
- Hitachi
- Canal+
- Teamblue
- ArcelorMittal
- Decathlon
- Hubei Forbon Technology Co Ltd
- QBE
- Markel
- Chubb European Group Limited
- Viscon Group
Work highlights
- Representing Hubei Forbon Technology in complex international corporate litigation concerning the acquisition of Holland Novochem B.V, a subsidiary of HNC Holding B.V.
- Representing Circle Media Group in a complex post-international M&A dispute concerning the sale of the Dutch top holding in CPI to private wealth company Elpis.
- Representing the Dutch subsidiary of ArcelorMittal in several complex international corporate and commercial disputes.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Leonard Böhmer, Peter Soede, Aukje Haan, Bart-Adriaan de Ruijter