Houthoff‘s ’dedicated’ team is well known for advising on a broad spectrum of complex EU and competition matters, including multi-jurisdictional cartel cases. Practice head Yvo de Vries is an experienced litigator, with established strength in handling complex merger control issues, cartel investigations and state aid matters. Walter van Overbeek and Rick Cornelissen are ‘both authorities in the Dutch automotive industry’. Victorine Dijkstra and Murat Duman left the firm in December 2023 and January 2024 respectively.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Cooperative attitude, quick responses to questions and relevant legal knowledge about key subjects. A dedicated team and a reliable business partner.’
‘Walter van Overbeek and Rick Cornelissen are both authorities in the Dutch automotive industry.’
‘A sophisticated team that provides practical advice in high-stakes, complex transactions. In my opinion, they have a deeper understanding of the law and of international matters than other Dutch firms. They are flexible and creative and offer practical solutions.'
‘Rick Cornelissen is a bright lawyer who offers excellent advice for complex situations. He is articulate and has strong knowledge. He is a good negotiator and often explores non-traditional options.’
‘The team at Houthoff stands out for their professionalism and ability to navigate complex, fast-changing dynamic situations. I have worked closely with several lawyers, and each individual was approachable, knowledgeable, and proactive. One of the team’s most impressive strengths is their agility.'
'Throughout our collaboration, they adapted seamlessly to shifting requests and evolving priorities. They delivered thoughtful and timely advice, which was crucial given the tight deadlines we faced. The lawyers also worked smoothly with regulators, facilitating open and cooperative communication.’
‘Both partners and associates demonstrate professionalism, responsiveness, and a solution-oriented mindset. They consistently adapted to evolving circumstances, showing agility under tight deadlines.'
'In particular, Gerrit Oosterhuis and Jori de Goffau stood out for their knowledge and their ability to manage shifting priorities without losing focus on the bigger picture. Their proactive communication and ability to engage constructively with regulators were crucial assets.’
Key clients
- Imperial Brands
- Nexans
- Volvo Trucks
- Renault Trucks
- Nexperia
- EY
- TotalEnergies
- Cordes & Graefe Gruppe
- Bergman Clinics
- Shell
- TotalEnergies
- EBN
- Gasunie
- Milence
- Equipe Zorgbedrijven
- VodafoneZiggo
- T-Mobile
- KPN
- Delta Fiber
- Cargolux International Airlines
- LG Electronics
- Kia Nederland
- Volvo Car Corporation
- Volvo Car Nederland
- Bugaboo International
Work highlights
- Advising Nexans et al. on its defence strategy against cartel damages claims filed by multiple parties, including the Electricity & Water Authority of the Government of Bahrain; Saudi Arabia’s GCC Interconnection Authority; the Kuwait Ministry of Electricity and Water; and the Oman Electricity Transmission Company SAOC.
- Defending Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks in complex cartel damages cases.
- Representing Imperial Brands in its appeal before the Trade and Industry Appeal Tribunal (CBb) against a record fine of €82m by the ACM on tobacco manufacturers for alleged collusion.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Yvo de Vries