International publisher Chambers & Partners published its global ranking of law firms Chambers Global yesterday.

 

For twenty years, this large and reputable legal publishing house publishes the leading directories of the legal profession. In their process they select firms based on three steps: submissions put forward by law firms upon request of the publisher; client interviews seeking feedback and lawyer interviews providing peer reviews, both administered by seasoned and objective researchers; and, finally, database research. As a result, law firms and individual lawyers are ranked in Bands from 1-6, with 1 being the best.

 

According to Chambers & Partners Dutch Caribbean law firms Spigt Dutch Caribbean and VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne are the leading go-to firms in our jurisdiction. These two firms have the desired Band 1 firms status, like last year. 

 

On Spigt Dutch Caribbean Chambers says that this firm is a corporate heavyweight that continues to attract plaudits for its wide-ranging expertise, and is particularly commended for its strength in tax and litigation work. The 13-strong team advises prestigious local and international clients on securities, M&A and white-collar crime. Work highlights include a number of tax disputes, as well as high-profile merger work for prominent financial institutions. Sources say: "Our experience has been very positive – the team has been excellent."

 

On VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne it is noted that this is a high-calibre firm that has a strong presence in corporate and commercial work across the Dutch Caribbean region, with offices in St Maarten, Bonaire and Aruba. The firm's international resources are also strengthened by its association with Dutch firm Van Doorne. Its impressive client roster features local and global names in the financial services, pharmaceutical and hospitality industries, which of late have called on the firm's expertise in debt capital markets offerings, M&A and project finance.

 

Four out of eleven recommended individual lawyers on Curacao are partners of VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne.

 

 

FIRMS (in alfabetical order):

 

 

Band 2 is formed by two other well known firms: HBN Law and STvB.

 

HBN Law is positioned as "well placed to provide a rounded service to regional clients. The team represents a variety of public sector entities, as well as companies in the financial services and tourism sectors. Its workload includes M&A transactions, notes issues and high-profile litigation."

 

On STvB the publisher writes that it  "has a superb reputation for its expertise in banking and finance and funds work. Its client base includes a number of high net worth individuals, as well as various UK and US companies which call on the firm's corporate and financial expertise." 

 

Band 3 contains SMS Attorneys at Law and Soliana Bonapart & Aardenburg.

 

On SMS Attorneys at Law it is said that the firm advises companies from a diverse range of industries, including banking, transportation and construction. Its corporate advice and litigation skills attract some of the region’s most prominent businesses and institutions, as well as clients based in the Netherlands and North and South America. 

 

Soliana Bonapart & Aardenburg offers "a broad spectrum of expertise, advising clients on litigation, transactions, intellectual property and employment law. It maintains its domestic prominence across a variety of sectors, including banking and hospitality, and also advises a number of regional and foreign investors on their Curaçao ventures."

 

 

Chambers & Partners also annually ranks individuals. This year eleven lawyers receive this honorable praise. Six of this elite group of lawyers come from Band 1 firmsVanEps Kunneman VanDoorne and Spigthoff, with the first having four recommendations and the latter two. All other firms have one named lawyer.

 

See below a full overview of recommended individuals:

 

Recommended individuals (in alfabetical order):

 

(.Source is Chambers and Partners webpage)

 

All comments on recommended individuals:

 

Karel Frielink (Spigt Dutch Caribbean) is described as "highly valued for his experience in securities and mutual funds work." Clients assert that he is "really very strong in his technical command of issues," and that he "deals well with clients, and makes complicated things easy."

 

Martijn Welten (Spigt Dutch Caribbean) receives outstanding feedback from clients, who describe him as "an excellent, solution-oriented, commercial and very knowledgeable attorney, who can really dig into the mud when required."

 

Frank Kunneman (VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne) is highly respected for his knowledge of constitutional law, and his academic credentials as a professor of civil law at the University of the Netherlands Antilles.

 

Randolph van Eps (VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne) is praised by commentators as "a very good, very creative lawyer," and clients appreciate his business-minded approach.

 

Michiel Gorsira (VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne) leads the firm's restructuring and insolvency team, and acts as a trustee in the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers Securities Curaçao.

 

Focco Lunsingh Scheurleer (VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne) is praised for his knowledge of the corporate arena, and for his ability to "structure around problems for his clients." His banking and finance work includes handling several securities matters, representing some of the firm's most high-profile clients.

 

Eric de Vries (HBN Law) is described  describing as "a smart lawyer who knows how to hold his ground."

 

 

Thomas Aardenburg (Soliana Bonapart & Aardenburg) is known for his experience advising international clients on financial and corporate issues.

 

Quincy Carrega (Asjes & Carrega)  Quincy Carrega of Asjes & Carrega is highly regarded as "a good all-rounder" for his wide-ranging corporate capabilities.

 

For last year’s publication, please click here.

 

15 March 2013