Huddle

Advocaten | Attorneys at law

We are Huddle. Nice to meet you!

In sport a huddle is an action of a team gathering together, usually in a tight circle, to strategize, motivate or celebrate. In business it refers to people meeting to discuss, exchange ideas and make a decision.

We are “Huddle” and quite simply we offer a combination of practical, proactive and proven commercial legal acumen.

It is our firm belief that legal advice should always add value to business objectives. Precisely those objectives will, by the necessities of success, require us to move beyond the strictly legal to a deep understanding of the strategic, financial, commercial and organizational aspects of the business. Our commercial legal acumen and a genuine interest in people and business, is at the core of our business and therefore the core of the value we can add to yours.

What is our strength?

Delivering legal advice with real added value starts with gaining a solid understanding of your business and business objectives. We are committed to investing in reaching that understanding. Then, based on these core insights, our advice may support a direction, provide an alternative or, indeed, go counter to a direction. The options will be laid out clearly and succinctly.

How do we work?

We are business advisors. We work across national borders and legal disciplines and sectors. We like, and enjoy teaming up with your other professional advisors or with experts within our network. We communicate in clear business language about what we do and how we do it. This approach also extends to our payment terms.

No complicated jargon. No needless paperwork. We work with transparent milestones, provide active project management and monitor cost budgets. We like sharing our knowhow.

Who we are

Machteld Derks

Machteld has been practicing law for more than 20 years and she advises and litigates in corporate, commercial, finance and insolvency matters. As a former national field hockey player she approaches matters with the resolve of a winner. Machteld started her career in 1994 with CMS Derks Star Busmann where she made partner in 2005 and where she headed the banking and finance department. After running her own firm for nearly 10 years – which brought her a great wealth of experience and personal satisfaction – she decided to join team Huddle in May 2017.

E: machteld.derks@huddle.nl | T: +31 6 295 91 826

Machteld Derks has registered company law as her principal legal practice area in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas (rechtsgebiedenregister). Based on this registration, she is required to obtain ten professional training credits per calendar year in accordance with the standards set by the Netherlands Bar in the area of company law.

Judith Hartings

The common theme in Judith’s work over the past ten years has been corporate law. She also has the ability to combine everything connected to that: starting a business, investments, financing, acquisitions, people and processes and solving problems. Resolving matters through quick and thoughtful analysis based on business understanding is her primary motivation. She does this with a pragmatic, clear and result oriented approach.

E: judith.hartings@huddle.nl | T: +31 6 116 41 584

Judith Hartings has registered company law as her principal legal practice area in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas (rechtsgebiedenregister). Based on this registration, she is required to obtain ten professional training credits per calendar year in accordance with the standards set by the Netherlands Bar in the area of company law.

Jan Peters

Jan has been a lawyer for over twenty years and has spent most of his time on international M&A, private equity & venture capital and financing transactions. As a ‘corporate’ lawyer with a broad view, Jan explores issues from multiple angles to arrive at the most efficient solution. He is eager to learn and to contribute to improvements in strategy, business and organization.

E: jan.peters@huddle.nl | T: +31 6 119 56 392

Jan Peters has registered company law as her principal legal practice area in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas (rechtsgebiedenregister). Based on this registration, he is required to obtain ten professional training credits per calendar year in accordance with the standards set by the Netherlands Bar in the area of company law.

What we do

Organization

Corporate structure and restructuring

We help structure businesses in a cost effective and transparent manner: no complex corporate structures if not required, no decision processes and reporting delaying business progress. Rather, a workable structure in which important assets are well protected and an effective organizational structure fit for the scope and the size of the business.

Business development and transactions

Mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic investments and commercial cooperations

We handle strategic business transactions with common sense. We assist in determining the best (legal) form and most efficient approach for putting the deal together. When putting the commercial terms in writing we focus on what is important. We use the same approach when terminating a cooperation or selling part of a business.

Financing

General working capital, acquisition or project finance.

We assist with setting up and negotiating financing arrangements (debt, equity or hybrid)for working capital, acquisitions or specific projects. We monitor agreements with lenders and investors and help with restructuring and improving those agreements.

Dispute Resolution

Courts, arbitration and governmental authorities

We assist in resolving commercial disputes and liability issues. We advise on the best strategic or commercial options to avoid litigation or to reduce the impact of conflicts on the business. If no commercial solution can be achieved, we will litigate with a targeted approach.

Operational and commercial

Procurement and sales

We apply our commercial and business acumen in negotiating and drafting agreements dealing with production, sales, distribution and procurement of products and services. Those agreements should provide adequate protection but at the same time be acceptable to business partners.

Compliance

Observing laws and regulations

By investing in the understanding of your business and market relationships, we can actively signal and respond to developments in legislation or public opinion affecting your business. When doing that we offer solutions to reduce or eliminate associated risks.

For who we work?

Large and medium-sized Dutch businesses, with or without international business activities.
International large and medium-sized businesses with Dutch business activities (or aspirations to enter the Dutch market).
Investors with Dutch portfolio companies or foreign portfolio companies held by a Dutch holding company.
Project developers and investors in the renewable energy sector.
Startups which could use assistance in various stages of growth.

Contact

Address

Vijzelstraat 68-78
1017 HL Amsterdam

E: info@huddle.nl