Hanneke De Coninck
FlorentThe practice at Florent is noted for its ‘exceptional dedication’ to assisting its clients. The practice is well-placed to advise companies in financial distress on the remit of issues, including in WHOA proceedings, as well as to advise clients in bankruptcy proceedings. ’Highly intelligent strategist’ Hanneke De Coninck helms the offering and has experience acting as court-appointed trustee in high-stakes insolvencies. At the team’s head alongside De Coninck is Kees van de Meent who advises in high-profile proceedings spanning the array of industry sectors and is ‘appointed in some of the biggest insolvencies in the Netherlands’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The Florent team truly distinguishes itself through its pragmatic approach to handling cases. Their exceptional dedication, prompt and precise counsel, and availability have significantly contributed to the success of our case.’
‘Hanneke de Coninck is a highly intelligent strategist who goes beyond the legal aspects and genuinely acts in the best interests of her clients.’
‘Kees van de Meent is a good communicator and knows how to get parties involved.’
‘In the Netherlands, Florent has the largest group of insolvency lawyers who also are court-appointed trustees in insolvency. Their experience as court-appointed trustees is also very useful for advising companies that are in financial difficulty but not yet insolvent.’
‘Kees van de Meent has a wealth of experience as court-appointed trustee; he is appointed in some of the biggest insolvencies in the Netherlands. Great on strategy and guiding the client. Daphne Beunk, Jurgen van de Heuvel and Merijn Moeliker are very knowledgeable and pleasant to work with.’
‘Hanneke de Coninck had an enormous drive to succeed in the project and was very nice to work with. She never gave up and was available day and night.’
‘The team is of the right size and masters the various disciplines at the right level, including in terms of years of experience. The team is flexible and rapidly deployable. Pragmatism prevails, but there is also sufficient attention to the theoretical aspects of a case. The team is pleasant to work with.'
‘The colleagues at Florent are motivated and hardworking professionals. Working with each of them is a pleasure. I enjoyed working with Hanneke De Coninck in particular for her broad and in-depth knowledge of a wide range of subjects. Hanneke quickly wins the trust of her discussion partners and is truly a trusted advisor.’
Key clients
- Crystal River Cruises
- Helpling
- FNG group of companies
- Theo Henkelman Schoenen B.V.
- Only A Shoes B.V.
- V&D
- La Place
- Exem Energy
- Thomas Cook Nederland B.V.
- Doniger Fashion group of companies
- Van der Moolen group of companies
- Integrated Green Energy Amsterdam B.V.
- B.V. Vitesse
- Sports Unlimited Retail B.V.
- Basta
- Big Bazar B.V.
- Aygun Aluminium Netherlands B.V.
- Delight Yoga group
- Arch & Hook group
Work highlights
- Acting as bankruptcy trustee in the bankruptcy of Sports Unlimited Retail, including the sports apparel chains Perry Sport, Aktiesport, and Sprinter.
- Acting as bankruptcy trustee in the bankruptcy of Big Bazar, a chain of discount stores that operated over 125 stores in the Netherlands and Belgium and employed approximately 1,350 employees in the Netherlands.
- Acting as court appointed restructuring expert (herstructureringsdeskundige) in the public WHOA proceedings of professional football club Vitesse, in the football season 2023/2024 playing in the highest Dutch league.
Lawyers
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Practice head
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Hanneke De Coninck, Kees van de Meent