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What the team is known for Strong firm with an in-depth offering in planning and environmental law, often collaborating with the firm's market-leading energy regulatory team to assist with energy sector mandates. Frequently involved in climate change matters, defending clients in litigation, as well as advising on carbon storage and nitrogen emissions mandates. Regularly acts on contentious and non-contentious proceedings regarding zoning plans and environmental permits. Also assists with water protection legislation. Additionally active in public law topics, representing public and private sector clients in parliamentary inquiries, human rights cases and freedom of information disputes.
Strengths Reflecting on their good relationship, one interviewee explains: "The attorneys guarantee a combination of high legal quality, due care and focus on solutions," further elaborating: "De Brauw's attorneys are easy to talk to and pleasant to work with, and they know the case inside and out. I enjoy working with them."
Fully satisfied, one client comments: "The team really knows what we do and thinks with us on a strategic level," and goes on to opine that "De Brauw really is at the top end of the environmental law firms."
Work highlights Advised Royal Schiphol Group on litigation concerning the enforcement of nitrogen regulations and noise regulations at airports.
Notable practitioners
Arjan Kleinhout is respected for his work on contentious and non-contentious planning and environmental law covering issues such as nitrogen regulations, noise pollution, carbon capture projects and zoning plans. He is also recognised for his expertise in public law, representing clients in human rights law disputes. One client enthuses: "Kleinhout is an excellent lawyer who is very sharp and involved. He has the ability to explain complex matters in simple words for those who don't have a legal background."
The highly respected
Nicolien van den Biggelaar is regularly involved in complex and large environmental projects, such as carbon storage. She is also well versed in contentious proceedings regarding climate change and nitrogen regulation. She often acts for energy sector clients on the crossover between energy regulatory matters and environmental legislation. One interviewee enthuses: "She has extensive legal knowledge and knows how to turn this knowledge into creative solutions without ever losing sight of the ultimate objective," before concluding that she is "really one of the top attorneys."