/Home/Europe/Competition/European Law in Netherlands/Houthoff
View profile of Houthoff
Department profile
Houthoff
Department profile | Houthoff
Competition/European Law

About

Provided by Houthoff

The free market economy is based on competition. The European Commission and the national competition authorities are tasked with ensuring that this competition is free and fair. Houthoff’s Competition Team advises and assists national and international companies, institutions and governments in procedures before the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), the European Commission, foreign competition authorities, and the relevant (specialised) courts. Its expertise includes merger control procedures, dawn raids and investigations into alleged cartels or abuse of dominance and State aid. Our Competition Team has detailed legal and economic expertise and sector-specific knowledge. We combine legal and economic analyses to achieve optimal solutions and litigation strategies.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition/European Law - Netherlands

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Houthoff has a broad competition law practice with notable experience in merger clearance and foreign direct investment filings, as well as representing clients in behavioural investigations and subsequent damages actions, including mass claims. Team members based in the firm's Brussels office also offer experience in state aid matters and regarding compliance with EU legislation. The firm's impressive client roster includes a number of clients from the transport and energy sectors.

Work Highlights

Provided by Houthoff

  • Houthoff defended Nexans in a claim for damages following the European Commission's decision in its power cables cartel investigation.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

"The team provides quick responses and good examples, so things are easy to understand."

Competition/European Law respondent
Europe

"The lawyers have lots of in-depth knowledge."

Competition/European Law respondent
Europe

"The team is formed of experienced and dedicated attorneys."

Competition/European Law respondent
Europe

"We received responses from Houthoff in a timely manner, the advice given is always of a high quality and it is always a pleasure to work with the team."

Competition/European Law respondent
Europe

"Houthoff are very efficient and clear, and the lawyers do what they say, so I know what to expect."

Competition/European Law respondent
Europe

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Weyer VerLoren van Themaat
S
Weyer VerLoren van Themaat
S
Senior Statespeople
Weyer VerLoren van Themaat has longstanding experience representing clients in ACM investigations into alleged cartels.
View Profile
Yvo de Vries
2
Yvo de Vries
2
Band 2
Yvo de Vries joined Houthoff in the summer of 2023. He has particular experience advising clients on merger control filings and representing them in investigations into possible cartels. In addition he has experience in European law matters, particularly in relation to sustainability.
"He was very pragmatic, very helpful and to the point."
"Yvo is an outstanding lawyer who remains calm and focused under pressure. His experience and deep knowledge of competition law give him a natural authority."
View Profile
Rick Cornelissen
4
Rick Cornelissen
4
Band 4
Rick Cornelissen enters the rankings this year on account of his strong portfolio of recent work on the defendant side of cartel damages cases, including mass claims. He also has experience acting for claimants in abuse of dominance damages actions.
"Rick is very thorough and very impressive on his feet."
"He is a top litigator for cartel damages claims."
"Rick is a clear, trustworthy choice for antitrust litigation matters in the Netherlands. He is very smart and has vast knowledge of the law and precedents, being able to develop the best strategy for the cases."
"He is a very sharp lawyer who is really good at explaining the issues and the rules under Dutch law."
View Profile
Gerrit Oosterhuis
Gerrit Oosterhuis
Expertise Based Abroad
Based in the firm's Brussels office, Gerrit Oosterhuis often assists clients with notifying mergers and joint ventures before the Dutch competition authorities. He also has experience in foreign direct investment issues and state aid mandates.
"He was very knowledgeable, very close to his clients, really on top of the business and very familiar with how the markets function."
"Gerrit is responsive, knowledgeable and always a pleasure to work with."
"Gerrit was always well informed and had a great degree of insight."
View Profile
Greetje van Heezik
Greetje van Heezik
Expertise Based Abroad
Greetje van Heezik is based in the firm's Brussels office. She has a strong focus on European law issues, including representing clients before Dutch authorities in disputes concerning EU regulations on noise pollution. She also handles state aid issues.
"She has a hands-on mentality, a good strategic approach and a good knowledge of EU law."
"She has a lot of knowledge, responds quickly and provides good coordination."
View Profile

Ranked Lawyers at
Houthoff

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Netherlands

Competition/European Law
Weyer VerLoren van Themaat
S
Weyer VerLoren van Themaat
S
Senior Statespeople
View Profile
Yvo de Vries
2
Yvo de Vries
2
Band 2
View Profile
Rick Cornelissen
4
Rick Cornelissen
4
Band 4
View Profile
Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad
Gerrit Oosterhuis
Gerrit Oosterhuis
Belgium expertise based abroad
View Profile
Greetje van Heezik
Greetje van Heezik
Belgium expertise based abroad
View Profile