Global law firm Clyde & Co has expanded its European footprint with the launch of a new office in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, marking its ninth location across the continent.
Clyde & Co has entered the Dutch market with the opening of a new office in Rotterdam through a merger with long-established liability and insurance boutique Stadermann Luiten Advocaten (SLA), marking the firm’s first presence in the Netherlands.
In a statement, the global law firm noted that SLA has been a fixture in Rotterdam for over 25 years, earning a strong reputation for advising both domestic and international insurers on liability and coverage matters.
The Rotterdam office becomes the global law firm’s ninth location in Europe, following recent expansions into Warsaw, Poland, and Milan, Italy, as part of a broader push to grow its international network.
The new office will be led by former SLA partners Wence Rupert and Peter Knijp, alongside newly appointed partner Frits van der Woude, who joins from Dutch independent firm Kennedy Van der Laan to support the launch.
Further bolstering the Rotterdam office, the merger brings the full 17-lawyer SLA team on board, comprising four senior lawyers, 10 additional lawyers, and six support staff, rounding out the new team.
Matthew Kelsall, CEO at Clyde & Co, described the opening of the Rotterdam office as a significant milestone in the global law firm’s European expansion, highlighting its role as a key hub for training and logistics.
“The opening of our Rotterdam office marks an important milestone in our European expansion strategy,” Kelsall said.
“Rotterdam’s strategic location, its role as a major trading and logistics hub and the historic base of operation of both national and international insurance companies and even the (former) insurance bourse make it an ideal base for us to serve our clients in the region.
“We are excited to bring our expertise to the Netherlands and look forward to building strong relationships with our clients here.”
Henning Schaloske, partner and European board chair at Clyde & Co, added that the new office would further strengthen the firm’s capacity to support clients across the insurance sector.
“The Rotterdam office will enhance our ability to support clients in the insurance sector, which is key area of focus for our firm,” Schaloske said.
“We are committed to providing top-tier multi-jurisdictional legal services and are confident that our new office will play a crucial role in achieving this goal. We warmly welcome Peter, Wence, Frits, and their team to Clyde & Co and look forward to the great work we will accomplish together.”
