Best corporate lawyers in the Netherlands (2025)

List of English-speaking corporate attorneys in the Netherlands

Who are the best corporate lawyers in the Netherlands?

Choosing the best corporate lawyer in the Netherlands can be a challenge, especially if you do not speak Dutch and are not familiar with the Dutch legal system. The Dutch Law Institute has therefore compiled the following list of recommended Dutch corporate lawyers to assist English speakers in their search. However, making this selection from the approximately 19,000 lawyers in the Netherlands ('advocaten', members of the Dutch Bar Association) was anything but easy.

Using a variety of sources, the committee compiled the following list of English-speaking corporate lawyers in the Netherlands who can be recommended:

Name	Law firm	Email
Remko Roosjen https://www.maak-law.com/litigation-lawyer-holland/	MAAK Advocaten https://www.maaklaw.com	remko.roosjen@maakadvocaten.nl
Jurjen Lemstra https://lvdk.com/staff-member/jurjen-lemstra/	Lemstra Van der Korst https://lvdk.com	j.lemstra@lvdk.com
Gregory Crookes https://www.cliffordchance.com/people_and_places/people/partners/nl/gregory_crookes.html	Clifford Chance https://www.cliffordchance.com	gregory.crookes@cliffordchance.com
Arne Grimme https://www.debrauw.com/people/arne-grimme	De Brauw https://www.debrauw.com	arne.grimme@debrauw.com
Jaap Stoop https://www.nautadutilh.com/en/our-people/stoop-jaap/	NautaDutilh https://www.nautadutilh.com/en/	jaap.stoop@nautadutilh.com
Mike Jansen https://www.jonesday.com/en/lawyers/j/mike-jansen?tab=overview	Jones Day https://www.jonesday.com/en/	mjansen@jonesday.com
Aroon Gonesh https://law-office-netherlands.com/business_lawyer_netherlands	Gonesh Advocatuur https://law-office-netherlands.com	aroon@goneshadvocatuur.nl
Neill André de la Porte https://wlp-law.com/en/neill-andre-de-la-porte/	WLP-Law https://wlp-law.com/en/	andredelaporte@wlp-law.com
Marcel Fruytier https://www.flib.nl/en/lawyers/marcel-fruytier-partner	FLiB https://flib.nl/en	mfruytier@flib.nl
Rick Cornelissen https://www.houthoff.com/our-people/people/rick-cornelissen	Houthoff https://houthoff.com	r.cornelissen@houthoff.com
Willem Heemskerk https://pelsrijcken.nl/en/people/willem-heemskerk	Pels Rijcken https://pelsrijcken.nl/en/	willem.heemskerk@pelsrijcken.nl
Bastiaan Kemp https://www.loyensloeff.com/people/bastiaan-kemp/	LoyensLoeff https://www.loyensloeff.com/	bastiaan.kemp@loyensloeff.com

How do I choose the right business structure under Dutch law?

Many companies opt for a BV (limited liability company) due to flexibility and limited shareholder liability. A Dutch corporate lawyer can evaluate your goals, tax considerations, and managerial preferences to guide you. Choosing a structure that fits your operations helps avoid conflicts later. Thorough planning at the outset often reduces the chance of costly restructuring or compliance issues down the line.

What are the key responsibilities of company directors in the Netherlands?

Directors must act in the best interests of the business and its stakeholders. Under Dutch law, they’re expected to maintain proper financial records, file accurate annual reports, and meet corporate governance standards. Failing these duties can result in personal liability claims. A lawyer in the Netherlands can help establish robust compliance programs, ensuring directors fulfill their obligations while protecting the company’s position.

How does a Dutch corporate lawyer assist with mergers and acquisitions?

Guidance spans from initial due diligence to negotiating transaction documents and meeting regulatory requirements. A lawyer in the Netherlands safeguards your interests by analyzing financials, spotting hidden liabilities, and ensuring compliance with competition rules. Meticulous contract drafting and effective project management help expedite closings. If cross-border elements arise, local legal insight reduces complexities and prevents delays or disputes.

Can foreign investors easily establish a company in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands welcomes international entrepreneurs. Forming a BV typically involves a notarial deed, share capital (often minimal), and registration with the Chamber of Commerce. A Dutch corporate lawyer can handle local formalities, such as drafting statutes and verifying legal requirements. This ensures a smooth setup, reduces administrative hurdles, and helps foreign investors quickly launch or expand their operations in the Dutch market.

How can a Dutch corporate lawyer help if directors or shareholders disagree?

Disagreements can escalate quickly, affecting management decisions and business performance. A lawyer in the Netherlands can mediate to find practical solutions or formally represent parties in court if necessary. Options may include altering governance structures, buying out shares, or revising corporate documents to clarify roles. Acting swiftly often preserves business relationships and prevents lengthy disputes that harm the company’s reputation.

What are common corporate compliance requirements in the Netherlands?

Businesses must file annual accounts, update registration details, and observe specific industry regulations. Tax compliance and data protection also play major roles. A Dutch corporate lawyer designs compliance frameworks to handle deadlines, reporting obligations, and legal audits. Staying proactive helps avoid penalties and reputational damage. By structuring efficient internal checks, companies can focus on growth without getting entangled in administrative hassles.

What are the key legal requirements for businesses in the Netherlands?

1. Registration and Incorporation - Every business operating in the Netherlands must register with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK). This official step is mandatory for all legal entities to establish legitimacy and begin operations.
2. Tax Obligations - Businesses must comply with various tax regulations, including those outlined in the Income Tax Act 2001. This generally involves meeting criteria such as the hours requirement and bearing the financial risks of the company.
3. Administration and Bookkeeping - Proper bookkeeping is crucial. Dutch law requires accurate financial records, including documented revenue and expenses, to meet tax legislation and other legal obligations.
4. Labor Law and Workplace Safety - Companies must follow Dutch labor laws, which may include forming a works council (ondernemingsraad) if the workforce surpasses a certain threshold. Additionally, businesses must ensure a safe working environment and comply with health and safety regulations (Arbowetgeving).
5. Insurance - Certain sectors require specific insurance policies, such as statutory coverage for workplace accidents. Verifying the exact insurance obligations for your industry is vital to avoid legal and financial risks.
6. Privacy and Data Protection - All organizations handling personal data must comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including secure storage and responsible processing of customer and employee information.
7. Environmental and Sustainability Rules - If your business produces or processes organic products, it must comply with certification and control requirements (for example, those established by Skal). Environmental laws may also require specific permits or audits, depending on the industry.

Non-compliance with these rules can lead to legal and financial consequences. Ensuring adherence to registration, taxation, labor, and environmental laws helps your company operate efficiently and ethically in the Dutch market. A good corporate lawyer can assist you with all of these requirements.

When should a company consider corporate restructuring in the Netherlands?

Restructuring is often driven by financial strain, evolving market conditions, or growth plans. It may involve merging entities, splitting business units, or altering shareholder structures. A Dutch corporate lawyer analyzes legal, tax, and commercial factors to propose viable paths. Implementing a well-planned restructuring can optimize resources, improve governance, and strengthen your competitive edge in an ever-changing market environment.

How can a lawyer in the Netherlands assist with cross-border joint ventures?

Cross-border ventures require careful alignment of local and international laws. A Dutch corporate lawyer reviews shareholder agreements, supervises due diligence, and addresses potential conflicts of interest. Key considerations include intellectual property rights, funding obligations, and dispute resolution methods. Proper planning and legal drafting help minimize misunderstandings, setting a firm foundation for long-term cooperation and mutual business success.

What happens if a Dutch company faces insolvency or bankruptcy?

Dutch law aims to protect creditors and explore rescue options when possible. During insolvency, directors must act responsibly to avoid personal liability. A lawyer in the Netherlands can advise on possible restructuring or liquidation strategies, negotiate with creditors, and assist with court filings. Quick intervention often preserves more value and may allow the business to recover or exit gracefully through statutory procedures.

Does Dutch corporate law protect minority shareholders?

Legal safeguards exist to prevent majority shareholders from abusing power. Under Dutch law, minority shareholders can challenge unfair decisions or seek injunctions if their rights are compromised. A Dutch corporate lawyer can draft robust shareholder agreements, enforce existing protections, or represent minority interests during disputes. Strong documentation and proactive advice help preserve fair corporate governance and avoid contentious outcomes.

Challenges in compiling the list of the best corporate attorneys in the Netherlands

By definition, it is impossible to provide a comprehensive, objective and measured assessment of all corporate lawyers in the Netherlands in all respects. Nevertheless, the review committee, which was first assembled by the Dutch Law Institute in 2024, has endeavored to make a careful and useful selection based on a variety of sources. The sources consulted for this purpose were the following:

• Case law: The committee looked at case law and past decisions involving corporate lawyers.
• Legal articles and publications: Attorneys' academic and other legal work was analyzed to assess their expertise within the area of Dutch corporate law.
• Client testimonials and statements from other lawyers: The experiences of clients and other lawyers played a role in understanding the quality of service.

The members of the review committee tried to strike a balance between legal expertise, practical experience and client satisfaction. However, any selection remains subjective to some extent and depends on the quality and availability of information.

Selecting Dutch corporate lawyers obviously involves significant challenges and intricate considerations. Lawyers had to be assessed on multiple aspects, including quality, reputation and specialization. However, not all corporate lawyers are equally assessable based on publicly available information, and there are numerous factors that may influence their performance.

Therefore, we want to emphasize that a listing does not guarantee a successful case, nor is it an absolute assessment of the corporate lawyer's skills. We encourage individuals and companies seeking an corporate lawyer in the Netherlands to always make their own conscious and informed choice and find the appropriate Dutch attorney to suit their particular situation.

Independence and value of this 2025 listing of corporate lawyers

The Dutch Law Institute and the members of the review committee have not been paid for the listing of Dutch corporate attorneys in this list, and do not have any business relationship with the listed corporate attorneys or their law firms.

The Institute and the review committee worked independently and are solely focused on providing objective and useful information to English-speaking individuals and businesses. This means that the selection is purely based on quality and reputation of the selected corporate lawyers, with no undue commercial influences of any kind.

In our experience, this independence ensures that a listing in this directory of Netherlands corporate lawyers has more value than in many other English-language directories in which lawyers can be listed for a fee. After all, unlike such commercial directories, which often charge high fees to be visible, the corporate attorneys in this list are selected on the basis of substantive merit and not because of a financial contribution. This makes the recommendation by the Dutch Law Institute valuable to all who seeking reliable and adequate legal support in the Netherlands.

Other directories of corporate lawyers and law firms in the Netherlands

Legal 500 and Chambers are two prominent directories for law firms worldwide. They offer reviews and rankings of legal services. Yet there is some criticism of the usefulness of these listings.

• One of the most common criticisms is the question of the objectivity of the reviews. Legal 500 and Chambers rely on information provided in part by the firms themselves. This means that firms with better resources and a larger marketing budget are more likely to receive positive mentions. This gives the impression that it is sometimes more about who can invest the most time and resources, rather than the actual quality of service.
• Many lawyers and legal professionals view listings in Legal 500 and Chambers as a popularity contest. The larger the network and the better the relationships with so-called researchers, the greater the chance of a listing. This can result in good but lesser-known law firms not getting the recognition they deserve. The system may be biased in favor of larger firms with extensive networks and connections.
• In addition, the high costs associated with participating in this type of directory are often pointed out. Law firms often have to invest a significant amount of time and resources in the application processes. For smaller firms, this is sometimes not feasible, thus excluding them from participation. This makes the directories in a sense exclusive, targeting firms that can afford the investment, rather than providing a representative overview of the legal market.
• A final point of criticism is that the directories often seem to favor large firms. Niche firms or specialized lawyers are less likely to get the attention they deserve. As a result, clients may mistakenly believe that only large, full-service firms offer high quality, when in reality there are many specialized lawyers who actually excel in specific areas.

So, while Legal 500 and Chambers can certainly provide valuable information, there is clearly also criticism of the way the information is gathered and presented. Objectivity, accessibility and measurement of actual quality remain controversial. For prospective clients, it is important to consider these criticisms when interpreting the rankings. It remains wise to look beyond the listings in these directories and also use other sources and your own research when choosing a lawyer or law firm.

The listing by the Dutch Law Institute does not imply a guarantee or endorsement

The Dutch Law Institute is not responsible for the quality of services provided by the attorneys listed. The listing does not imply that Dutch Law Institute has a formal relationship with the attorneys or their firms. Also, the order of the names does not indicate any preference or ranking; it is arbitrary.

Your experience with a listed Dutch corporate lawyer is important to us

In order to improve the quality of our list, we greatly appreciate your feedback. If you have engaged one of the lawyers or firms on the list, we would like to hear your experiences. This feedback will help us to adjust the list, if necessary, and support litigants even better in the future.

For Dutch corporate lawyers who want to be on this list

Are you an English-speaking, qualified and experienced corporate lawyer in the Netherlands and do you think you should also be on the list of corporate lawyers?

We are open to suggestions and want to continue to improve our list.

Please contact us at mail@dutch-law.com if you feel your expertise would be a valuable addition. All applications are subjected to the same evaluation criteria, with quality, experience, reputation and client satisfaction being key.