A&O Shearman is ‘top of the bill in the Netherlands’ in handling a broad spectrum of challenges faced by corporate and private equity borrowers, with notable expertise in assisting buyers secure financing for cross-border acquisitions. The firm also handles amendments to revolving credit facilities and the refinancing of maturing loans. Heading the team is Niels de Ru, whose broad practice encompasses leveraged, trade and commodity financing. Erik-Jan Wagenvoort counts private equity and debt funds amongst his clients, advising them on financing for cross-border acquisitions. England and Wales-qualified Luke Whibley, who was made partner in May 2024, focuses on, inter alia, mezzanine structures and asset-backed loans.

Corporate borrowers and private equity houses rely on De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek for advice on a plethora of financing structures, including novel RCFs, bridging facilities and acquisition financing, and the firm also assists with amendments to existing facilities. Additionally, the practice tackles a range of bond issuances, notably green bonds. Such transactions are handled by Ferdinand Hengst, who leads the practice alongside Bas Boutellier, an expert in sustainability-linked corporate and acquisition financing. Lisa de Boer merges expertise in capital markets transactions with general finance matters.

DLA Piper, under the stewardship of project finance specialist Gerard Kneppers, is the firm of choice for a number of private equity borrowers requiring financing for both acquisitions and the operations of their portfolio companies, while also assisting corporate borrowers on the restatement of existing financing arrangements. ‘Leading voice in the industry’ Max Mayer, who is qualified in England & Wales, advises mid-market private equity sponsors on securing loans from private credit funds, which is also an area of focus for Nine Scheenjes. Mark Heddema, who arrived from Loyens & Loeff in February 2024, augments the firm’s real estate finance capacity.

Hogan Lovells International LLP enjoys a strong reputation with major private equity houses, which the firm advises on both acquisition financing for targets in Europe, while also assisting them and corporate borrowers with the refinancing of their global debt facilities. Leveraged finance arrangements form another core pillar of the firm’s finance practice, with Wouter Jongen offering expertise in this area and direct lending more broadly, including unitranche arrangements. Jongen heads the team alongside Robert Masman, who is sought out by clients requiring advice on the restructuring of secured and structured facilities.

Loyens & Loeff‘s finance practice oversees the arrangement of a number of loan structures, advising private equity borrowers on acquisition finance, while supporting real estate and other funds on fund financing mandates. Practice head Kim Koops is a key contact for real estate lending matters and is also able to assist with restructuring matters. Gianluca Kreuze focuses on the private equity market, advising clients on leveraged acquisition finance and secured deals, while Ruben den Hollander specialises in leveraged and fund finance facilities, including in relation to cross-border acquisitions.

NautaDutilh makes use of the firm’s presence in Amsterdam, London and New York to oversee a myriad of cross-border financing arrangements, acting for a range of corporate clients and private equity sponsors on acquisition and real estate finance, while also helping clients restate loans and extend maturity dates. Heading the firm’s Dutch finance practice is Diederik Vriesendorp, focusing primarily on real estate financing matters. Elizabeth van Schilfgaarde steers the firm’s New York office, advising on the Dutch law aspects of US-originated loans, while Saskia Heumakers, made partner in April 2024 and co-head of the London office, advises on corporate and asset-based lending.

Acquisition and real estate financing form the key pillars of Stibbe‘s borrower-side practice, which also handles corporate and project financing arrangements, and the restructuring of term loans and RCFs. Maarten de Bruin  takes the lead on the firm’s real estate borrowing mandates, and both he and Marieke Driessen offer considerable experience in handling debt finance arrangements. They head the practice alongside London-based Rein van Helden, who advises clients on the closing of cross-border credit lines, and also supports them regarding debt restructuring issues. Niek Groenendijk assists corporate clients looking to access both asset-backed loans or debt facilities.

Baker McKenzie leverages its international network to advise its private equity sponsors and corporate clients on cross-border financing arrangements, which stretch from acquisition and real estate finance to the restatement of maturing facilities. The practice is headed by Fedor Tanke, whose areas of expertise encompass real estate and project financing in addition to advising on the extension of term loans, and Corinne Schot, who transitioned to an Of Counsel role in July 2024.

CMS‘ finance practice places special emphasis on real estate financing, but is also capable of handling arrangements for acquisition and asset finance. Practice head Eduard Scheenstra advises on all the aforementioned credit structures, and is instructed by both borrowers and lenders on cross-border finance matters. Etiënne Courbois, partner as of January 2024, handles multi-jurisdictional debt finance transactions and the restructuring of debt, while Jenny Noordermeer advises hotel, commercial real estate and energy sector borrowers on their credit arrangements.

Dentons offers clients a strong cross-border capability, advising, among others, energy companies and real estate investors on the restatement of existing term loans and RCFs, while also helping them acquire acquisition, project and real estate facilities. Members of the core team include Jacqueline Bell, a specialist on innovative finance structures with a particular focus on developing economies. Marcel Janssen is noted for his expertise in green finance, advising on sustainability-linked loans, while Ines van Dijk focuses on real estate financing. Duco Postma joined from A&O Shearman in April 2024, bringing restructuring expertise to the team.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer places a great emphasis on overseeing deals that touch on both the Dutch and London markets, advising private equity firms on the arrangement of acquisition finance for targets in the European mid-market range. Mandeep Lotay leads on a number of such mandates, and is also well versed in the restructuring or refinancing of existing credit facilities, with Thijs Flokstra taking the lead on real estate and other leveraged financing. Lotay and Flokstra head the team alongside Tim Elkerbout, a debt financing and restructuring specialist.

Greenberg Traurig LLP‘s finance practice handles a range of credit arrangements, but is particularly noted for its work in the real estate sector, where it acts for investors in respect of their financing needs for the acquisition and development of properties in the Netherlands. ‘Super lawyer’ Sabine Schoute steers the practice, handling real estate financing and loan restructuring mandates. Jack Schrijver offers additional real estate finance expertise and is also tasked with the restructuring of credit facilities.

Houthoff offers expertise in real estate and other corporate loans, including bridging and revolving credit facilities, and is also tasked with the restructuring and refinancing of existing facilities. Practice head Loet Venrooy specialises in cross-border facilities and loan restructuring, covering real estate and asset finance, acting for both private equity and corporate clients. Jeroen Vossenberg, who was promoted to partner in July 2024, provides assistance with the arrangement of both real estate and acquisition financing, with Sjors Panis providing further capacity on this front.

Lexence handles both the drafting and negotiation of loan terms and advises on the regulatory aspects of a variety of financing structures, including real estate and acquisition finance. The practice is led by ‘grand seigneur of corporate finance’ Charles Destrée, who specialises in the regulatory frameworks that apply to multi-jurisdictional credit facilities. He is ably supported by Bas Zandvliet, Max de Vreede and Nina Blanke, who advises on real estate and acquisition loans.

Linklaters is sought out by corporate and private equity clients requiring financing for acquisitions and access to revolving credit facilities for day-to-day business expenses. Practice head Paul Kuipers handles a range of loan structures, including negotiating multi-jurisdictional loans and the restructuring thereof. Mees Roelofs provides expertise in asset finance, with Bram Bulter taking the lead on project and sustainable financing structures.

Osborne Clarke oversees the structuring of cross-border real estate and project financing arrangements, and places a growing emphasis on green facilities. Heading the team is the ‘very practical’ Axel van der Staak, who offers considerable experience in corporate financing structures and is also well versed in organising financing for renewable energy projects. He works closely with Marlinde Klein Ganseij, who marries together expertise in real estate, renewables and growth financing.

Simmons & Simmons maintains a broad approach to its borrower-side advice, working with its offices across Europe to advise corporates on obtaining financing for real estate acquisitions and sustainable projects. Ivo van Dijk, who heads the practice, has experience acting for both borrowers and lenders in the real estate arena and also assists corporate and private equity clients with their acquisition finance needs. Emrecan Karacaoglu is recommended for his expertise in structuring cross-border facilities.

Stek is able to tackle loan structuring for clients from a variety of sectors, with standout expertise in advising hospitals and the broader healthcare sector on the specific requirements placed on their credit facilities. This is the core area of expertise of Sharon Kaufmann, with Herman Wamelink providing assistance on project and asset-based financing. Maarten van der Graaf is well versed in the structuring of cross-border facilities, while Marleen Veenstra handles a mixture of corporate lending and acquisition finance.

A broad client base relies on Van Doorne for assistance with obtaining financing for real estate and corporate targets. The practice also acts for hospitals and public sector clients in relation to the financing they need for their projects. Angelique Thiele spearheads the firm’s real estate borrowing mandates in the Netherlands and across multiple jurisdictions. Stefan van Rossum is called upon when clients require amendments to existing facilities, with Jelmer Baukema handling corporate lending.

AKD advises a range of corporate borrowers requiring acquisition and real estate finance, but offers particular expertise in advising borrowers in the shipping and aviation sectors on securing or amending project finance and RCFs. The practice is headed by Vincent Bettonville who acts for clients on cross-border corporate and acquisition financing arrangements. Renate Punt-Huizer is the key contact for shipping finance.

Boutique firm Bond Advocaten focuses exclusively on finance matters, in particular project and real estate loans, but with additional expertise in acquisition and asset finance. The core team consists of Joannes de Bont, who combines expertise in borrower and lender-side mandates with knowledge of Dutch securities law, real estate finance specialist Jan-Joost van Rijsbergen and Robert Steeg, a structured finance expert.

October 2024 saw a number of changes at Eversheds Sutherland, with Kees Westermann and Vasco Hoving joining the banking and finance team from Rutgers & Posch, and Pim Van Leersum departing at the same time. Westermann and Hoving both augment the firm’s acquisition and real estate finance offering. Burcin Oral is tasked with issues around corporate lending and the financing of renewable energy projects.

Mining and energy companies come to Heussen for advice on multi-jurisdictional credit facilities, commodities financings and bond and note issuances. Martijn Koot leads the team, specialising in asset-based and acquisition financing, while Tim Schreuders advises at the intersection of corporate and finance issues. Sandy van der Schaaf is qualified in the Netherlands and Germany and focuses on cross-border financing arrangements.

‘Highly efficient and pragmatic’ is how one client describes Orange Clover Law‘s finance team, which advises borrowers seeking finance for corporate acquisitions and operational expenses. Heading the team is Kees Hooft, whose practice covers acquisition and asset finance, with Alex Gonzalez focusing on the regulatory aspects of financing structures.