With a large real estate practice, AKD utilises its size to advise on a wide array of real estate matters, from joint ventures to M&A. The team is well equipped to handle cross-border issues, often collaborating with the firm’s teams in Belgium and Luxembourg. The team is led by civil notary Sven Billet, who focuses on project development. Key practitioners include Taco de Lange, who is a well-respected notary and often assists international clients and investors, Frenk Huisman, who focuses on multidisciplinary and international transactions, and Marc Wintgens, who handles complex real estate negotiations and contracts for large construction companies, government bodies and hospitals. Floris Van Westrhenen is noted for his expertise in rental law and project development disputes. Joost Kil also assists with commercial real estate transactions. Wouter de Vries left the firm in January 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘I have been working with the practice of Sven Billet and have extensive experience with him and his team. He is able to process files quickly, accurately, expertly and in a warm atmosphere. This combination is exceptional at his level of performance.’
‘Lawyers and 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.’
'Frenk Huisman throughout our working relationship has proven to be a remarkable professional and trustworthy business partner to our company. Frenk has been instrumental in solving complex legal issues and his thorough understanding of complex legal concepts allowed for a clear and concise communication at all times. Frenk possesses excellent analytical skills which combined with his natural leadership have greatly contributed to our success.’
‘AKD has extensive experience and knowledge in the field of construction and real estate. They have a good understanding of demands and requirements of institutional investors and they have been a true partner in getting due diligence and transaction documentation over the line. AKD stands out in translating theoretical risk into real exposure which makes decision making on the institutional level easier and streamlines the transaction process.’
‘Frenk Huisman's role as a partner was highly valued. His proficiency in explaining / educating Dutch legal regulations and concepts to our international investors fostered trust among our partners and facilitated pragmatic resolutions to legal disputes without compromising our legal standing or escalating our risk exposure.’
‘AKD has a skilled team that works hands-on and has short lines of communication with us as a client, making it very efficient in the case of an urgent matter. In more complex cases, the project team involved is expanded with the missing discipline, knowledge, skills and experience.’
‘Marc Wintgens is a seasoned lawyer with an undisputed reputation as a sharp negotiator. Marc was the practice head of the real estate and the construction team of AKD for many years and currently serves as a member of the board of management of AKD. 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. Worth mentioning also is Joost Kil. ’

Key clients

Aldi
Univé
Panattoni
Zalando
Allianz Real Estate GmbH
Port of Rotterdam
Greystar Real Estate Partners
Goodman
Life Europe
VolkerWessels
A large number of Dutch housing companies (incl. Rochdale, Portaal, Staedion, Haag Wonen, Stichting Havensteder, Vestia Groep, Woonbedrijf, Ymere, ’thuis, WonenCentraal and Sint Trudo)
Philips
Green Real Estate
Several local government agencies including the municipalities of: Utrecht; Eindhove; Tilburg; Breda; and Westland
Several local government agencies including the Provinces of Limburg; Gelderland; and Zuid-Holland
M&G Real Estate
Kaan Architects
DW Partners
DSV
Prologis
Flow Real Estate
Profinn
Joint Owners of the Entrada Area
Prorail
Hercuton
Edge Technologies

Work highlights

Advising VolkerWessels on the Strijp-S development and construction project in The Netherlands.
Advising Panattoni on the acquisition and development of fourteen new logistic real estate projects.
Assisting EdgeConneX with all data centre investment and development projects in the Netherlands and related matters.