ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING – TIER 2
“Lexence handles a broad range of environmental and zoning law matters, including both contentious and non-contentious work. The team attracts mandates from listed and non-listed major investment funds, banks, project developers and housing corporations. Head of practice Michael Klijnstra focuses on public law and is experienced in zoning plans, building permits, compliance and enforcement matters.”
PRIVATE EQUITY – TIER 2
“Lexence ‘works like clockwork’ for a client roster of private equity houses and private equity-backed corporates including Waterland Private Equity, Egeria and Triton Partners. The group is particularly experienced in mid-market transactions and recently advised Egeria on the sale of Vendor to CWS. Key practitioners include Michiel van Schooten, Luc Habets, Joost Kolkman and Wouter Helder, who ‘all share the same values, mentality and ambitions’.”
BANKING AND FINANCE: BORROWER SIDE – TIER 3
“Charles Destrée heads the finance team at Lexence, which is highly experienced in acquisition financing matters, particularly in the real estate sector. The firm is also active in the investment sector, with a range of private equity-linked clients, including funds, managers and portfolio companies. Associate Bas Zandvliet is another key figure within the team.”
BANKING AND FINANCE: FINANCIAL SERVICES REGULATORY – TIER 3
“Lexence is particularly recommended for investment funds regulation, with a strong track record in MiFID II, foreign entry into the Dutch funds market, and the acquisition of regulated entities. The firm is also strong in the payment services sector, advising several clients on PSD II compliance and representing them in litigation where necessary. Charles Destrée heads the team, while associate Bas Zandvliet is one to watch.”
COMMERCIAL, CORPORATE AND M&A – TIER 3
“Providing ‘practical and well-thought-out advice’, Lexence focuses on mid-market M&A transactions in the Netherlands and also has notable strength in private equity deals and cross-border work. The team’s high-profile client roster includes Post NL, ABN AMRO and Avantium. Luc Habets heads up the department, which also includes Michiel van Schooten, Joost Kolkman and Wouter Helder, while clients also single out Mathijs van Doormalen as someone who is ‘to the point, quick to respond and engaged in the deals he is involved in’.”
CONSTRUCTION – TIER 3
“The real estate, construction and development department at Lexence is headed up by Bob Bekker. The team is experienced in residential and non-residential property developments in urban and rural areas. The team leverages mandates from developers, contractors, lenders, institutional investors, family offices, private equity parties and municipalities. Areas of expertise include real estate transactions, large-scale area developments and litigation. Vincent Boumans was promoted to partner.”
DISPUTE RESOLUTION: COMMERCIAL LITIGATION – TIER 3
“Lexence attracts major clients from an array of industries, including VodafoneZiggo, FremantleMedia and A.C. Nielssen, advising on all aspects of corporate and commercial litigation and arbitration. Clients highlight the partner-led advice, ‘great knowledge’ and ‘creative solutions’. The three partners are all experienced practitioners, namely practice co-head and ‘sharp lawyer’ Timo Jansen; commercial litigator Bram Thomas Craemer, who has a following among media and investment funds among others, and business disputes specialist Arnout Schennink.”
EMPLOYMENT – TIER 3
“Lexence handles a broad scope of employment law matters under the leadership of four partners. Mark Keuss focuses on collective dismissal procedures and forensic inquiries into misconduct. The ‘patient and meticulous’ Floor Damen advises organisations on collective and individual dismissals, TUPE and employee co-determination. Judith Schulp is adept at handling M&A-related employment matters, including restructuring and harmonisation of employment conditions. Frank ter Huurne litigates and advises on non-compete clauses, the transfer of business enterprises and the termination of employment agreements of directors.”
REAL ESTATE – TIER 3
“Dutch firm Lexence handles a broad range of real estate matters, including M&A, development, construction, zoning and public law, leasing, financing and tax, and also provides civil law notary services. The team is headed by Bob Bekker and Tomas Steenmetser, who is noted for general property contract law and real estate-related bankruptcy. Michiel de Wit handles commercial real estate and litigation. Vincent Boumans was recently made up to partner.”
BANKING AND FINANCE: LENDER OR ARRANGER SIDE – TIER 4
“Lexence handles a wide range of financing matters, but is particularly recommended for work which involves the UK, as it offers in-house English law advice in the form of practice head Charles Destrée, who is dual-qualified. The firm is particularly active in financing matters involving the real estate sector, alongside acquisition financing and regulatory work.”