Overstap Van den Heuvel naar VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne Curacao

June 14, 2012 10:49 AM

WILLEMSTAD - Move of the week of legal magazine Mr. is Rogier van den Heuvel. He moved from Simmons & Simmons in Amsterdam to VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne in Curacao as per June 1. Van den Heuvel has broad experience in the corporate & commercial litigation practice.

Here you can read the interview from Mr.

Why did you make this move?

VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne is the leading law firm in the Dutch Caribbean. The litigation practice has grown substantially in the last few years, and the firm wants to continue to grow, also in the transaction practice. A good position was available, so that I could make the next step in my career, and could continue to work at a high level in a broad international practice in a different environment.

Was it a difficult decision?

This opportunity came at the right time. As soon as I had grown used to the idea of being able to leave the Netherlands, the decision was easy. My family was also enthusiastic. My wife grew up in Curacao, so for her the step was not as big. My four-year-old daughter would have preferred to move to amusement park “Duinrell”, but fortunately Curacao was a good second for her.

How do you like working in the Caribbean? What are the differences compared to the Netherlands?

As in the Netherlands, people work hard here. But as “flying lawyers” we serve several islands with several legal systems. VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne has offices in the Caribbean in Curacao, Bonaire, Aruba, and St. Maarten and also practices in Saba, Statia, and Surinam. Four legal systems are in effect in the Dutch Caribbean, with similarities and differences. Moreover, we are at a crossroads between North America, South America, and Europe here. That has legal, economic and cultural consequences, but also consequences for the languages in which we work. Whoever likes international and inter-regional private law can really enjoy himself here.

And Caribbean life itself? Do you like that?

Once you close the door of the office behind you after a day of work, vacation starts: always sunshine and no traffic jams! I was quickly accepted in the social community, also thanks to my office associates. I look forward to getting to know the region better.

Where do you hope to be in ten years?

I would like to expand the business of my firm in South America. I would also like to take the accessibility of Dutch Caribbean legislation, legislative history, and case law to a higher level. Up to now, publishers in this country have not been as interested in it as those in the Netherlands. The legal profession and judiciary together may have a job to do in this regard. But where I will be in ten years? Ah, well, ten years ago I would not have expected to be in Curacao now either.