Stibbe - The Who's Who Legal 100 2013

What is the Who's Who Legal 100?

Stibbe is best represented in our corporate governance chapter, which features five “superb” lawyers from the firm. Jan Peeters, managing partner of the Brussels office, has “exceptional experience” in capital market transactions, corporate finance and financial services regulation. He is “always up to date with market developments” and “really listens to and understands his clients”. Peeters is listed in our corporate governance, M&A, capital markets and project finance chapters. Marc Fyon is “very active” in M&A, company restructurings and joint ventures and has “fantastic analytical skills coupled with the ability to see the bigger picture”. Fyon is listed in our corporate governance and M&A chapters. In Amsterdam, Marius Josephus Jitta is an “expert” in commercial law and a “trusted adviser” for many clients. He is joined by Derk Lemstra and Allard Metzelaar. Lemstra heads the firm’s corporate practice and is co-chair of the securities law committee of the International Bar Association. His “sound judgement” and “professionalism” have led to his inclusion in our corporate governance and capital markets chapters. Metzelaar is head of the firm’s M&A practice and regularly acts as independent counsel to non-executive directors and boards. Clients praise his “impressive business acumen”.

Stibbe has a brilliant M&A team which provides a fantastic service on complex transactions. Katrien Vorlat is an “excellent” lawyer with “a great eye for detail”. Her Brussels practice is focused on M&A and corporate reorganisations for companies from the insurance and IT industries as well as various institutional venture capital investment firms and private equity funds. In Amsterdam, Heleen Kersten, managing partner of the firm, is “outstanding” and has worked on landmark deals for high profile clients such as Tommy Hilfiger and Apax Partners. The financial capabilities of the firm are also very strong. Jaap Willeumier, head of Stibbe’s banking and finance practice, is an “influential practitioner” who has advised clients such as ING Group NV and Euronext. He is listed in both our capital markets and banking chapters.

Stibbe boasts three “outstanding” project finance practitioners. Based in Amsterdam, Martin In de Braekt and Joop Janssen are “highly rated”. In de Braekt acts for a variety of parties in key industrial projects and is head of the energy and industry group. He is also listed in the oil and gas chapter. The “highly knowledgeable” Janssen specialises in large construction projects and is listed in our project finance, construction, real estate and public procurement chapters. Clients praise his “sharp mind” and “understanding of the industry”. David Orobio de Castro is also a “key player” in the market and earns listings in the construction, public procurement and real estate chapters. He is a “leading authority” on European and national procurement regulations. In Brussels, Rudy Nauwelaerts is a “first-class lawyer” with a “brilliant reputation”. He has over 30 years of experience in the sector and is considered by many to be “the best real estate practitioner in the region”.

With its commitment to offering clients the very best legal service, it is no surprise that Stibbe is repeatedly nominated as the top law firm in Belgium.