Straatman Koster Advocaten
At the helm of Straatman Koster Advocaten‘s Rotterdam-based environment and planning practice are real estate expert Joost Hoekstra, who has broad experience in project development matters, and the ’service-focused’ Marinda de Smidt, who alongside associate Najoua Haireche, is an ‘expert in the Nature Conservation Act’. The practice has significant experience handling matters regarding zoning aspects of new developments in the energy sector in particular. Additionally, it is well-equipped to advise on environmental matters, such as advising and litigating for the Province of Ultrecht on licensing regulations surrounding the shooting of birds and foxes. Team changes include the departure of Anne Marie Ferwerda to an in-house role in January 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Solid and comprehensive advice is provided at very competitive rates.’
‘Marinda de Smidt is very easy to approach, hands-on with clients, and offers practical solutions to issues.’
‘Good knowledge on the specific issues and good insight into local issues.'
‘They can always be reached and work quickly and diligently. They are also pleasant people to work with, which makes it easy to call on them. They always deliver on time for a fair price. They are also down-to-earth and always seem genuinely happy to be of service to us.'
‘Marinda de Smit and Najoua Haireche are experts in the Nature Conservation Act. They are also very accessible and willing to act quickly if necessary.'
‘Straatman's lawyers are accessible, deliver customer-oriented work, and are flexible and meticulous in the execution of their tasks.’
‘The people that work at Straatman Koster are friendly, ask the right questions and are also very helpful and knowledgeable.’
‘The teams covers the full spectrum of environmental law and are collaborative with clients.’
‘Marinda de Schmidt is a service-focused, very good lawyer and a very good communicator. She is up to speed with the new and upcoming environmental law.’
Key clients
- BPD
- Schiphol Area Development Company
- Municipality of Rotterdam
- Municipality of Leiden
- Municipality of Gouda
- Emborion Real Estate
- MRP Development
- Klépierre S.A.
- Vorm Ontwikkeling
- Municipality of Almere
- Municipality of Gooise Meren
- Municipality of The Haque
- Amvest
- Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (Netherlands Enterprise Agency)
- Municipality of Tholen
- Province of Zuid-Holland
- Green Park Aalsmeer Gebiedsontwikkeling
- Municipality of Hoeksche Waard
- Province of Utrecht
- Leiden University
- Municipality of Ronde Venen
- Municipality of Nijmegen
- Refresco
- AVR waste management
- Dutch Waste Management Association
- Municipality of Amstelveen
- ABN Amro N.V.
- Urbicoon (Belgium)
- Red Company
- Being Development
- PWC
- DHG
Work highlights
- Advised and litigated for the Province of Utrecht on a ground-breaking case regarding licences to shoot foxes to protect severely endangered birds.
- Advised Gunvor Energy Rotterdam regarding a green hydrogen import terminal.
- Advised Amvest on a zoning plan in Eindhoven for a large residential project with complex zoning issues.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Marinda de Smidt, Joost Hoekstra