Restructuring and insolvency

Houthoff

Houthoff‘s practice is considered ’one of the best in the Netherlands’ by clients, the list of which features well-known names. On the non-contentious side, the team is well equipped to advise clients in financial distress on such transactions as acquisitions and subsequent structuring, and on general financial regulatory issues. Frédéric Verhoeven is a noteworthy practitioner with capabilities advising US and UK-based hedge funds, Dutch private equity firms and government entities in cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters of significant value. On the contentious side, David Heems is a key contact who harnesses particular expertise acting for both debtors and creditors in complex restructuring litigation cases. Karien van Boekel is a key contact in international restructuring matters. ‘Very bright technical lawyer’ Christiaan Zijderveld leads the practice.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Very creative and the best in their field of expertise.’
‘The Houthoff team has great general breadth and can include additional experts at very short notice giving you confidence that you will be safe in any unexpected development. They interface well with other top-tier firms in other jurisdictions.’
‘Christiaan Zijderveld is not only a great lawyer, he is also a calm consensus-builder and true team leader for his colleagues. Having worked closely with him on high-stakes and high-stress transactions over the years, the guy does not quit. Paul Sluijter provides great insight. In the courtroom setting, Jan Willem de Groot is really a heavyweight combining great legal acumen with persuasiveness in arguments.’
‘One of the best teams in the Netherlands with an in-depth knowledge of insolvency law, WHOA and restructuring techniques. They are leading with an excellent team. My go-to firm for restructuring. An excellent reputation with the courts too.’
‘Frédéric Verhoeven is a leading lawyer - user-friendly, pragmatic and excellent in the cross-over of commercial fix and legal implementation. His partner Christiaan Zijderveld has a similar profile, is a very bright technical lawyer with an excellent knowledge of insolvency law.’
‘The team is smart, pragmatic, reliable and, in particular, creative.’
‘An excellent combination of diversity in terms of seniority, communication and personal styles. Much more warm, personal and empathetic compared with other firms. Besides that, they are best in class concerning knowledge.’
‘A more than excellent level of industry knowledge and experience. Strategy, communication, process management and personal attention stand out from David Heems and Nadir Koudsi in particular.’

Key clients

Steinhoff International Holdings N.V.
Fortenova Group
HPS Investment partners LLC
Loyalty Ventures Inc.
Brand Loyalty Group
BC Partners
Dümmen Orange
DSB Bank
Lehman Brothers
Goldman Sachs
ING Group
CBRE
AIG
Supervisory Board Imtech
Sogestran Shipping
Indofin
Amvest
ABNAMRO
Bomo (Hotels van Oranje)
Directors of Fortress Group
Lumileds Group
Farfetch Group
Unigel Brazil

Work highlights

Advising HPS in multiple proceedings against Sportcity, a major Dutch gym chain to which HPS financed €130m following Sportcity's court approval restructuring scheme, for not properly reporting or accounting their figures.
Acted as court-appointed observer in the highly publicised Dutch Scheme/ WHOA of Vroon Shipping, a complex restructuring ran through both a Dutch and UK Scheme.
Advising DSB Bank in a successful offering of a composition plan to a committee of representatives, involving the €650m distribution of post-bankruptcy interest claims to more than 280,000 creditors.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.