International Benelux-based firm Stibbe has appointed 5 new partners, consolidating Stibbe's leading dispute resolution and public law practices in Brussels, and its financial and real estate practices in Amsterdam. The new partners are Nathanaelle Kiekens (33), Oliver Stevens (43) and Nicolas Résimont (37) in Brussels, and Ingmar de Groot (41) and Rein van Helden (34) in Amsterdam.
Joining from Linklaters, Nicolas Résimont has a broad practice in domestic and cross-border litigation as well as in national and international arbitration, acting as both counsel and arbitrator. He has extensive experience in commercial, contractual and construction project disputes and also brings specific expertise in energy and banking sector related litigation to the firm’s dispute Resolution team. Nicolas handles complex litigation and arbitration cases for large multinationals, banks and energy clients. “Nicolas is a top black letter lawyer and he will not only strengthen our dispute resolution team but he will also enhance our offering in other key areas of the firm”, says Jan Peeters, managing partner in Brussels.
Further consolidation of Stibbe’s leading dispute resolution practice in Brussels comes with the promotion of Oliver Stevens, currently counsel in the dispute resolution team. Having been with the firm since 1999, Oliver represents leading financial institutions, businesses and global manufacturers in contract & tort law, insolvency, banking and insurance law cases.
At present, he represents a major Belgian bank in a number of cases relating to the sale of Collateralized Debts Obligations to corporate clients, and represents one of the companies involved in the Elevator Cartel in follow-on damages proceedings before the Brussels courts. “Oliver’s promotion to partner is much deserved and significantly enhances our offering specifically in the financial sector. Add Nicolas’ expertise in this area to the equation and it’s clear our financial clients will not be better off anywhere else”, comments Hans van Bavel, head of Stibbe Brussels’s dispute resolution practice.
Also in Brussels, Nathanaelle Kiekens, a senior associate in the public law practice, having joined the firm in 2005, has been promoted to partner. Nathanaelle, a rising star in the administrative and public law area focuses on complex public procurement and public private partnerships with a particular expertise in tenders, public contracts and public real estate. Nathanaelle is involved in various procedures regarding public procurement and general public law before the civil courts, the Constitutional Court and the Council of State, representing the Antwerp Port Authority, Beheersmaatschappij Antwerpen Mobiel, Aquafin and ParticipatieMaatschappij Vlaanderen. David D’Hooghe, head of the public law practice, adds: “Nathanaelle’s promotion to partner is a logical next step in her career, in the ten years she worked within our team, she has grown into a well-respected and recognised specialist in her areas of expertise, and I’m convinced she will continue to excel.”
In Amsterdam, Ingmar de Groot has been promoted to partner. Having joined the firm in 2009 and as a senior associate in the real estate and construction department, Ingmar's expertise spans every aspect of construction law and commercial project development, providing his clients with the practical and concise advice they require. He has a proven expertise advising on building contracts, area developments, public private partnerships / private finance initiative (PPP/PFI) contracts and complex real estate transactions. Of particular note is Ingmar’s litigation expertise, regularly representing clients involved in construction and real estate related conflicts before the courts and arbitration tribunals in the Netherlands. David Orobio de Castro, head of the real estate and construction department, states: “Stibbe’s PPP/project finance practice has been very successful over the last couple of years. Highlights include the closing of a series of DBFM projects in 2014 and the restructuring of the A15 and A2 roads projects in 2015. In light of the growth and potential of the practice, Ingmar de Groot’s appointment as partner is only logical. Besides law, Ingmar is schooled in civil engineering. He is a talented projects lawyer and a great person to work with.”
Also in Amsterdam, Rein van Helden has been promoted to partner in the banking and finance department. Rein, acting for financial institutions and domestic and international corporate clients on banking and financing transactions, has a broad experience in syndicated lending, acquisition finance, property finance, securitization and debt capital markets transactions. Furthermore, Rein regularly advises clients on corporate and debt restructuring transactions. Rein spent three years at Stibbe London, adding to his international experience which clients benefit from daily. "We are delighted with Rein’s appointment as partner”, Jaap Willeumier, heading Stibbe’s banking and finance practice in Amsterdam, said. “Since Rein started with Stibbe as a junior lawyer out of university, he has built up broad international experience, knowledge and skills in a wide range of cross-border finance transactions and related corporate and regulatory matters. He is a great addition to the strength and depth of our finance practice.”
In Luxembourg, executive partner Dirk Leermakers will retire from the firm at the end of 2015 with corporate finance partner Gérald Origer assuming Dirk’s duties as of January 1, 2016.
With the partner promotions coming into effect on January 1, 2016, Stibbe will have 77 partners.
Nathanaelle Kiekens, Nicolas Résimont ,Oliver Stevens
Ingmar de Groot and Rein van Helden
