Welcome

Orange Clover was established in 2014 in Amsterdam as an independent boutique law firm. Our partners are experienced lawyers and have gained a wealth of expertise working at leading international law firms, including Allen & Overy LLP, Linklaters LLP and Loyens & Loeff N.V. We offer high quality expertise and advice in the fields of Corporate/M&A and Commercial, Cross Border Structuring, Finance, Notarial Services and Regulatory. We have particular expertise in the following sectors: Energy, Financial Institutions, Industry and Manufacturing, Investment Management and Private Equity/Venture Capital.

Firm profile

Business savvy and innovative

We know your business and we know how to get you where you want to be. Whether it concerns a transaction or an advisory assignment, we always provide a tailored service taking into account your commercial objectives and needs. We focus on the solution, not the problem. Although we are happy to use routes that have proven their value over the years, we will certainly not shy away from thinking out-of-the box to get the best result for you.

Pragmatic and personal

Our approach is hands on, pragmatic and no-nonsense. As a boutique law firm, we are flexible, leanly staffed and efficient. We offer you and your business the personal attention of very experienced legal professionals, as well as all the sophistication, expertise, high quality of work and deep industry knowledge you would normally expect to find at a large law firm. We treasure our relationship with our clients and strive for a long term cooperation.

Independent

We are independent and do not form part of a formal international network or alliance. We do however have an extensive network of law firms, tax lawyers and professional service providers in the Netherlands and other jurisdictions, which can further assist you in your business needs. We are very happy to act as your main point of contact and to coordinate any transaction.

Partners

  • Machiel Galjaart
  • Alex Gonzalez
  • Kees Hooft
  • Mark Loefs
  • Marcel van den Nieuwenhuijzen
  • Pien van Veersen

Seniors

  • Manon van Gaal
  • Irene Glasbergen
  • Yntze Gjalt Heida
  • Christopher Parker

Practice areas

Corporate/M&A and Commercial

We advise privately held and listed companies, financial institutions, energy and utility companies, investment funds, fund managers, private equity and venture capital houses and financial advisers on all sorts of public and private mergers & acquisitions (including share deals and asset deals), joint ventures, partnerships, investments, restructurings and reorganisations, listings and delistings, and equity offerings. We also advise listed companies on matters relating to market abuse regulations and transparency requirements. We have particular expertise in coordinating large and multi-jurisdictional transactions, offering a seamless service to our clients.

We also advise on employee participation plans, corporate governance, general corporate law and commercial contracts, including service level agreements, outsourcing agreements, franchise agreements, distribution agreements, agency agreements and license agreements.

Contact persons: Pien van Veersen, Machiel Galjaart, Marcel van den Nieuwenhuijzen, Mark Loefs

Cross Border Structuring

We advise privately held and listed companies, private equity and venture capital houses, financial institutions, energy and utility companies, investment funds and high net worth individuals on the setting up and reorganisation of (often tax driven) international holding structures, joint ventures and partnerships. This includes the formation of Dutch corporate entities, such as private limited liability companies, cooperatives, foundations and (limited) partnerships. We also advise on the financing of (intermediate) holding companies and operational companies through equity and/or debt, including related security rights and guarantees.

We have particular expertise on cross border mergers and demergers of companies, cross border conversions of companies, cross border transfers of seats of companies, the formation of European companies (SEs) and European Economic Interest Groupings (EEIGs) and asset protection schemes.

In addition, we advise on management agreements and commercial contracts, including service level agreements, franchise agreements, distribution agreements, agency agreements and license agreements.

Contact persons: Machiel Galjaart, Marcel van den Nieuwenhuijzen

Finance

We advise banks and other lenders, as well as borrowers, listed and privately held companies, financial institutions, private investment funds and their managers, private equity houses and real estate funds on all strategic and transactional  matters in the field of finance, security rights and guarantees.

We in particular advise on acquisition finance, high yield bonds, corporate lending, asset finance, trade finance, structured finance, project finance, financial restructuring (including pre-insolvency restructuring), distressed debt transactions, alternative financing arrangements, cash pooling, Islamic finance and derivatives.

We advise financial institutions, investment managers and investors on alternative funding partnerships and other alternative credit structures and debt funds (investing in for instance real estate, trade finance or infrastructure related loans), being projects driven by capital requirements for banks and insurers following from CRD III/IV and Solvency II.

Contact persons: Kees Hooft, Alex Gonzalez, Machiel Galjaart, Mark Loefs

Notarial Services

We offer you a one-stop-shop approach for notarial work. Notarial deeds are an important part of almost all corporate and finance transactions in the Netherlands. Whether it concerns the incorporation or amendment of articles of association of a company, the transfer of shares in a company or the creation of a right of pledge over shares in a company, a notarial deed is required. Our services include the preparation of all notarial deeds, resolutions, powers of attorney and other documents, in connection with our fields of expertise. We will arrange and coordinate the execution of all notarial deeds for you, as well as legalisations and apostilles, so that you will not need to separately engage a civil law notary.

Contact persons: Machiel Galjaart, Marcel van den Nieuwenhuijzen

Regulatory

We advise a broad range of national and international financial institutions on regulatory matters. Clients include banks, asset managers, fund managers, investment funds, custodians, brokers, dealers, investment advisors, insurers, pension funds, trading platforms and other regulated financial services providers. Our services include advising on licensing requirements for accessing the Dutch market, ongoing requirements for regulated institutions, requirements relating to marketing financial services and products in the Netherlands and enforcement actions from or other dealings with the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) and the Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). We advise financial institutions on strategic issues arising from, and preparation of their business for, the implementation of new (European) developments such as EMIR, AIFMD, MAR, MiFID II/MiFIR, PRIPS, CRD III/IV and Solvency II.

We have particular experience in assisting and advising clients on obtaining the relevant regulatory approvals from the DNB and/or the AFM for acquisitions and reorganisations of, and divestments by, financial institutions.

For more information on our regulatory expertise relating to financial institutions please refer to the Financial Institutions section below.

We also advise energy and utility companies on issues relating to commodity derivatives trading arising from, and preparation of the business for, the implementation of new (European) developments such as EMIR, MiFIDII/MiFIR, REMIT and MAR.

In addition, we advise listed corporates on matters relating to market abuse regulations and transparency requirements.

Contact persons: Alex Gonzalez, Pien van Veersen, Marcel van den Nieuwenhuijzen

Sectors

Energy

We provide the full range of corporate, finance, regulatory and notarial services related to transactional and strategic matters in the fields of exploration, production, downstream gas and electricity and (sustainable) energy projects. Clients include energy companies, utility companies, (industrial) customers, energy traders, financial institutions, investors, project companies and local parties such as farmers.

We in particular advise on:

  • mergers & acquisitions and divestments of energy assets, including wind farms, solar assets and other renewable energy assets, as well as upstream E&P assets;
  • project development, including onshore and offshore wind farms, including related joint venture arrangements and commercial contracts;
  • issues relating to commodity derivatives trading arising from, and preparation of the business for, the implementation of new (European) developments such as EMIR, MiFIDII/MiFIR, REMIT and MAR and regulatory aspects of the Dutch upstream and downstream market, including unbundling issues and grid access; and
  • general corporate advice, including (project) finance, corporate structuring and corporate governance issues.

Contact persons: Alex Gonzalez, Machiel Galjaart, Kees Hooft, Pien van Veersen, Mark Loefs

Financial Institutions

We provide the full range of regulatory, corporate, finance and notarial services related to strategic and transactional matters in the Financial Institutions sector. Clients include banks, asset managers, fund managers, investment funds, custodians, brokers, dealers, investment advisors, insurers, pension funds, trading platforms and other regulated financial services providers.

We in particular advise on:

  • market access requirements (licensing requirements and possible exemptions and dispensations);
  • ongoing requirements applicable to financial institutions such as requirements relating to internal governance, risk management, remuneration, compliance, reporting, transparancy and fit and proper test for directors and supervisory directors;
  • financial product approval and requirements applicable to (marketing of) financial products or services;
  • strategic issues arising from, and preparation of the business for, the implementation of new (European) developments such as EMIR, AIFMD, MAR, MiFID II/MiFIR, PRIPS, CRD III/IV and Solvency II;
  • investment management agreements, outsourcing matters and asset pooling;
  • enforcement actions from or other dealings with the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) and the Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM);
  • mergers & acquisitions and reorganisations of, and divestments by, financial institutions as well as on joint ventures and club deals;
  • matters relating to market abuse and transparency requirements applicable to banks acting for Dutch listed corporates as underwriter or in share buy back schemes;
  • general corporate advice, including corporate structuring and corporate governance issues;
  • all finance related matters, including acquisition finance, high yield bonds, corporate lending, asset finance, trade finance, structured finance, project finance, alternative financing arrangements, Islamic finance, derivatives, financial restructurings (including pre-insolvency restructuring) and distressed debt transactions;
  • alternative funding partnerships and other alternative credit structures and debt funds (investing in for instance real estate, trade finance or infrastructure related loans).

Contact persons: Alex Gonzalez, Kees Hooft, Machiel Galjaart, Marcel van den Nieuwenhuijzen, Mark Loefs

Industry and Manufacturing

We provide the full range of corporate, finance and notarial services related to transactional and strategic matters in the industrial sector. Clients include listed and privately held industrial and manufacturing companies, multi-nationals and conglomerates.

We in particular advise on:

  • mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, divestments and reorganisations in the industrial sector;
  • financing in respect of industrial and manufacturing companies, including acquisition finance, corporate lending, asset finance, and trade finance, alternative financing arrangements and financial restructurings (including pre-insolvency restructuring); and
  • general corporate advice, including corporate structuring and corporate governance issues.

Contact persons: Machiel Galjaart, Kees Hooft, Pien van Veersen, Marcel van den Nieuwenhuijzen, Mark Loefs

Investment Management

We provide the full range of corporate, finance, regulatory and notarial services related to strategic and transactional matters in the investment management sector. Clients include listed and private investment funds (including private equity funds, real estate funds, infra structure funds, green energy funds, debt funds and hedge funds), fund managers, custodians, institutional investors, pension funds, asset managers and fiduciary managers, private equity and venture capital houses, and financial institutions.

We in particular advise on:

  • strategic issues arising from, and the preparation of the businesses of fund managers, custodians and other industry players for, the implementation of European legislation, (including the AIFM Directive, EMIR, MiFID II/ MiFIR, UCITS IV, CRD III/IV) and other regulatory developments which are changing the landscape by storm;
  • the structuring, formation, listing and marketing of, private investment funds, as well as on additional fund raisings;
  • legal and regulatory issues relating investments by institutional investors in and through private investment funds and individualised managed accounts;
  • the structuring and financing of strategic investments, including through feeder vehicles, co-investment vehicles, club deals, joint ventures and intermediate holding structures for downstream investments;
  • the disposal or acquisition of asset management and investment management businesses;
  • the negotiation of investment management agreements, outsourcing matters and asset pooling;
  • the structuring and marketing of fund linked-investment products;
  • the performance by asset managers and fiduciary managers of their duties and their rights and obligations towards fund managers in litigious matters;
  • regulations concerning transparency to investors in Dutch retail funds; and
  • alternative funding partnerships and other alternative credit structures and debt funds (investing in for instance real estate, trade finance or infrastructure related loans).

Contact persons: Alex Gonzalez, Machiel Galjaart, Kees Hooft, Marcel van den Nieuwenhuijzen

Private Equity/Venture Capital

We provide the full range of corporate, finance, regulatory and notarial services related to private equity and venture capital  transactions. Clients include private equity and venture capital houses, incubators, and informal investors, management of portfolio companies, start ups, private equity and venture capital funds and their managers.

We in particular advise on:

  • mergers & acquisitions, including all types of buy outs and add-on acquisitions, as well as on reorganisations and recapitalisations of portfolio companies;
  • the structuring of sweet equity and incentive plans;
  • joint ventures, partnerships, club deals and syndications of investments;
  • all sorts of exits, including by private sale or listing;
  • investments in start-ups, as well as additional funding and financing rounds;
  • the structuring, formation, listing and marketing of, private investment funds, as well as additional fund raisings;
  • the financing of acquisitions; and
  • strategic issues arising from, and the preparation of the businesses of fund managers for, the implementation of European legislation (including the AIFM Directive and EMIR) and other regulatory developments.

Contact persons: Pien van Veersen, Machiel Galjaart, Kees Hooft, Marcel van den Nieuwenhuijzen, Mark Loefs

Social responsibility

We happily accept our share of responsibility for the society and the environment we live in. We are committed to making a positive impact where we can. We actively support several good causes with our expertise, working on a pro bono basis for various organisations including Hivos and Mideast Youth. We also provide legal advice to various impact investment initiatives.

We try to minimise the burden on the environment of our business, by running our office in the most sustainable way possible, including by reducing our carbon footprint and by minimising printing.

Join us

We are always looking for new talented colleagues.

What we have to offer:

  • interesting, cutting edge, challenging and varied national and international transactions
  • direct mentoring by experienced lawyers and notaries
  • an excellent and broad education
  • close involvement in the further development and expansion of our firm
  • a good work-life balance working in the heart of Amsterdam
  • excellent financial conditions and appreciation for entrepreneurship

If you are interested, please send your motivation letter with curriculum vitae (and if relevant, grade list) to info@orangecloverlaw.com.

Contact

Vondelstraat 13
1054GC Amsterdam
The Netherlands
t +31 20 240 4871
f +31 20 240 0899
info@orangecloverlaw.com
www.orangecloverlaw.com

Important information

  • General Terms
  • Complaints Handling Procedure
  • Legal form
  • Privacy & cookie statement

General Terms

1. These general terms apply to all assignments (opdrachten), including additional and follow up assignments, to Orange Clover Advocaten B.V. (Orange Clover) and all services at any time rendered by or on behalf of Orange Clover and/or persons associated with it, including its employees, partners, direct or indirect shareholders, group companies, advisors and third parties engaged by it.

2. Orange Clover will operate as sole contracting party (opdrachtnemer) rendering the services. Sections 404 (which relates to the situation where it is the client’s intention that an instruction be carried out by a specific person) and 407(2) (which imposes a joint and several liability where an instruction is given to two or more persons) of Book 7 of the Dutch Civil Code shall not apply.

3. A person associated with Orange Clover acts exclusively for the account and risk of Orange Clover when rendering services. These general terms may not only be invoked by Orange Clover but also by each person associated with or formerly associated with Orange Clover.

4. Any liability of Orange Clover is limited to the amount paid out under its professional indemnity and corporate liability insurance (beroeps- bedrijfsaansprakelijkheidsverzering) in that specific case, increased by the amount of the applicable own risk policy deductible (eigen risico). Claims for damages will expire if proceedings are not commenced in the competent court within one year of the discovery thereof.

5. The client indemnifies and holds Orange Clover and each person associated with or formerly associated with Orange Clover harmless from and against any and all third party claims, including legal and other costs, in any way arising from or connected to the services at any time rendered by or on behalf of Orange Clover and/or persons associated with it for the benefit of that client, unless such claims result from wilful misconduct (opzet) or gross negligence (grove schuld) by Orange Clover.

6. In connection with services rendered, Orange Clover and Stichting Beheer Derdengelden Orange Clover may receive and hold monies from clients or third parties at an account with a bank chosen by Orange Clover. Orange Clover and Stichting Beheer Derdengelden Orange Clover will not be liable if such chosen bank fails to fulfil its obligations.

7. The legal relationship (rechtsverhouding) between Orange Clover and its clients will be governed by Dutch law and any dispute between a client and Orange Clover will be resolved in first instance (in eerste instantie) exclusively by the District Court of Amsterdam.

8. Dutch legal concepts expressed in English terms in these general terms may not always be identical to the concepts described by the English terms as such terms may be understood under the laws of other jurisdictions. In case of discrepancies the Dutch legal concept will prevail.

9. Orange Clover has published a complaints handling procedure on its website: www.orangecloverlaw.com. The complaints handling procedure applies to the relationship between Orange Clover and its clients.

Print

Complaints Handling Procedure

Kantoorklachtenregeling Orange Clover

Artikel 1 begripsbepalingen
In deze kantoorklachtenregeling wordt verstaan onder:
– klacht: iedere schriftelijke uiting van ongenoegen van of namens de cliënt jegens de advocaat of de onder diens verantwoordelijkheid werkzame personen over de totstandkoming en de uitvoering van een overeenkomst van opdracht, de kwaliteit van de dienstverlening of de hoogte van de declaratie, niet zijnde een klacht als bedoeld in paragraaf 4 van de Advocatenwet;
– klager: de cliënt of diens vertegenwoordiger die een klacht kenbaar maakt; en
– klachtenfunctionaris: de advocaat die is belast met de afhandeling van de klacht.
Artikel 2 toepassingsbereik
1. Deze kantoorklachtenregeling is van toepassing op iedere overeenkomst van opdracht tussen Orange Clover en de cliënt.
2. Iedere advocaat van Orange Clover draagt zorg voor klachtafhandeling conform de kantoorklachtenregeling.
Artikel 3 doelstellingen
Deze kantoorklachtenregeling heeft tot doel:
a. het vastleggen van een procedure om klachten van cliënten binnen een redelijke termijn op een constructieve wijze af te handelen;
b. het vastleggen van een procedure om de oorzaken van klachten van cliënten vast te stellen;
c. behoud en verbetering van bestaande relaties door middel van goede klachtenbehandeling;
d. medewerkers te trainen in cliëntgericht reageren op klachten;
e. verbetering van de kwaliteit van de dienstverlening met behulp van klachtbehandeling en klachtanalyse.
Artikel 4 informatie bij aanvang dienstverlening
1. Deze kantoorklachtenregeling is openbaar gemaakt. De advocaat wijst de cliënt voor het aangaan van de overeenkomst van opdracht erop dat het kantoor een kantoorklachtenregeling hanteert en dat deze van toepassing is op de dienstverlening.
2. Orange Clover heeft in de overeenkomst van opdracht via de algemene voorwaarden opgenomen bij welke onafhankelijke partij of instantie een klacht die na behandeling niet is opgelost kan worden voorgelegd ter verkrijging van een bindende uitspraak en heeft dit bij de opdrachtbevestiging kenbaar gemaakt.
3. Klachten als bedoeld in artikel 1 van deze kantoorklachtenregeling die na behandeling niet zijn opgelost worden in eerste instantie voorgelegd aan de bevoegde rechter in Amsterdam.
Artikel 5 interne klachtprocedure
1. Indien een cliënt het kantoor benadert met een klacht, dan wordt de klacht doorgeleid naar Alex Gonzalez behalve indien de klacht over hemzelf gaat, in welke geval de klacht wordt doorgeleid naar Kees Hooft, die daarmee optreedt als klachtenfunctionaris.
2. De klachtenfunctionaris stelt degene over wie is geklaagd in kennis van het indienen van de klacht en stelt de klager en degene over wie is geklaagd in de gelegenheid een toelichting te geven op de klacht.
3. Degene over wie is geklaagd tracht samen met de cliënt tot een oplossing te komen al dan niet na tussenkomst van de klachtenfunctionaris.
4. De klachtenfunctionaris handelt de klacht af binnen vier weken na ontvangst van de klacht of doet met opgave van redenen mededeling aan de klager over afwijking van deze termijn met vermelding van de termijn waarbinnen wel een oordeel over de klacht wordt gegeven.
5. De klachtenfunctionaris stelt de klager en degene over wie is geklaagd schriftelijk op de hoogte van het oordeel over de gegrondheid van de klacht, al dan niet vergezeld van aanbevelingen.
6. Indien de klacht naar tevredenheid is afgehandeld, tekenen de klager, de klachtenfunctionaris en degene over wie is geklaagd het oordeel over de gegrondheid van de klacht.
Artikel 6 geheimhouding en kosteloze klachtbehandeling
1. De klachtenfunctionaris en degene over wie is geklaagd nemen bij de klachtbehandeling geheimhouding in acht.
2. De klager is geen vergoeding verschuldigd voor de kosten van de behandeling van de klacht.
Artikel 7 verantwoordelijkheden
1. De klachtenfunctionaris is verantwoordelijk voor de tijdige afhandeling van de klacht.
2. Degene over wie is geklaagd houdt de klachtenfunctionaris op de hoogte over eventueel contact en een mogelijke oplossing.
3. De klachtenfunctionaris houdt de klager op de hoogte over de afhandeling van de klacht.
4. De klachtenfunctionaris houdt het klachtdossier bij.
Artikel 8 klachtregistratie
1. De klachtenfunctionaris registreert de klacht met daarbij het klachtonderwerp.
2. Een klacht kan in meerdere onderwerpen worden ingedeeld.
3. De klachtenfunctionaris brengt periodiek verslag uit over de afhandeling van de klachten en doet aanbevelingen ter voorkoming van nieuwe klachten, alsmede ter verbetering van procedures.
4. Minimaal eenmaal per jaar voor zover er klachten zijn ingediend worden de verslagen en de aanbevelingen op het kantoor besproken en ter besluitvorming voorgelegd.

Legal form

Orange Clover is a trade name of Orange Clover Advocaten B.V., a private company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid), with its official seat in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Orange Clover is registered with the Dutch Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce under number 59488301.

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