Ranking Chambers and Partners Europe 2024

Public Law: Planning and Environment: band 3

Ploum joins the rankings for the first time this year after receiving strong market praise for its planning and environment practice. The firm is frequently seen advising on appeals against the refusal of environmental permits, and has experience handling environmental impact assessments and licensing procedures. The team is also well placed to represent clients in contentious public law matters, representing clients in administrative enforcement actions and appeal proceedings against fines.

"Ploum's team is hands-on and experienced."

"They are knowledgeable, understand the needs of their clients and are equipped to deliver what's needed quickly."

"They are very effective and offer high levels of performance."

Work Highlights

• Ploum advised VTTI on the feasibility study, environmental impact assessment and national coordination scheme in relation to the construction of a planned EET facility

Notable Practitioners

Maayke Maas-Cooymans: band 3

Maayke Maas-Cooymans continues to receive noteworhy market praise for her contentious and non-contentious environmental permitting practice. She is also well placed to assist clients with zoning plans and offshore wind permitting mandates.

"Maayke Maas-Cooymans is a brilliant lawyer who is pragmatic, sharp and incredibly knowledgeable."

Intellectual Property: General - Mostly Trade Mark/Copyright: band 4

Ploum acts for clients from the automotive, tech and retail industries on both contentious and non-contentious soft IP mandates. This ranges from the management of trade mark portfolios to brand enforcement, anti-counterfeiting issues and copyright infringement.

"Ploum lawyers provide excellent, creative and strategic advice."

"Ploum has a very strong ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters and overcome any difficult points. The lawyers always provide pragmatic and sensible advice from a legal and commercial standpoint."

"The lawyers at Ploum are highly knowledgeable and skilled."

Work Highlights

• Ploum assists Western Digital with counterfeit and parallel trade matters across Europe.

Notable Practitioners

Willem Leppink: band 3

Willem Leppink is particularly known for his work on anti-counterfeiting and parallel trade matters, as well as advising clients on copyright infringement cases. He additionally assists clients with issues around plant variety rights and domain names.

"Willem always provides excellent and practical strategic advice that shows his understanding of the client's needs."

"He is always aware of all details of the case, very pragmatic."

Insurance: band 4

Ploum has a solid litigation team with significant experience in professional liability claims, property damage cases, event cancellation insurance matters and product liability disputes. It frequently acts for insured parties on construction all risks mandates, as well as on matters involving environmental contamination. The law firm is also active on contentious matters in the transport sector.

"Ploum can handle very complex legal matters, and is very solid."

Work Highlights

• Ploum assisted construction consortium SAAone with professional indemnity insurance coverage case concerning an incident involving the construction of a highway bridge.

Notable Practitioners

Natalie Vloemans: band 2

Natalie Vloemans represents insured parties in liability, product recalls, CAR and professional indemnity disputes. She also has experience acting for insurers.

"Natalie Vloemans does not only have very in-depth legal knowledge but also understands the complexity of the business environment of her client. Vloemans is hands-on and to the point."

Energy & Natural Resources: band 4

Ploum has a transactional team with expertise across both oil and gas and renewable energy mandates. The firm's scope of expertise covers M&A deals, contracts and joint ventures. The team regularly acts for both domestic and international energy companies, providing a full service through its integration with the firm's environmental and planning, public procurement and regulatory departments.

"Ploum has broad expertise on legal issues that concern us; they give excellent and practical advice."

"The team is very good and provides full service. The lawyers are highly proactive and know our company well, which is valuable to us."

"The Ploum team provides quality in all fields and seamless availability at all times. They are eager to go beyond just doing the work."

Work Highlights

• Ploum assisted Shell and Eneco joint ventures Ecowende and Schakelwind with two tender proceedings for large off-shore wind parks.

Notable Practitioners

Stephan Sluijters: band 2

Stephan Sluijters has a strong transactional practice in the renewable energy space. He has expertise handling cross-border acquisitions and is particularly experienced in solar matters.

"Stephan Sluijters is commercial, client- and solution-oriented."

"He is a true relationship partner, always thinking along within a much broader context than legal alone. He has a large and relevant network that he knows how to apply for his clients."

Employment: band 5

Ploum has a well-regarded employment practice assisting global and Dutch clients on a range on day-to-day employment issues. The law firms assists with privacy-related work and is well versed in providing counsel with regard to terminations. It also assists with labour aspects in connection with large-scale restructuring and corporate reorganisations.

"Ploum offers thorough knowledge and good breadth of experience as well as a good understanding of business."

Work Highlights

• Ploum assisted Unilever with day-to-day employment matters.

Notable Practitioners

Simon Tan: band 5

Simon Tan is an experienced employment lawyer whose practice sees him advise a range of well-known clients on day-to-day employment issues, including privacy-related work. He is additionally well versed in providing counsel with regard to terminations.

"Simon Tan offers very good advice, is good at client management and is a people person as well as solution-oriented."

"Simon Tan is very good at de-escalating and finding practical solutions."

"Simon Tan is a pleasant guy, very experienced and easy to reach. He is always there when you need it."