The global law firm Jones Day has announced that it will open an office in Amsterdam in early 2013. The Amsterdam Office will be Jones Day’s 38th worldwide, and 10th in Europe. The Amsterdam Office follows closely the recent opening of the Firm’s Düsseldorf Office, and this expansion reflects the importance that the Firm attaches to its clients’ European operations.
The new Amsterdam Office will initially focus on matters related to corporate and M&A, private equity, capital markets, litigation, and antitrust law, and will provide the benefits of Jones Day’s integrated global capacity to Dutch companies and international clients with operations in the Netherlands. The office will be led by Luc Houben, who was previously the Partner-in-Charge of Jones Day’s Brussels Office. Mr. Houben has also practiced in New York and Tokyo, and is a graduate of the University of Leuven in Belgium and Columbia University in New York. He has been with Jones Day for more than 20 years, and is currently closely involved in the Firm’s Japan practice. International legal guides, like Chambers Europe and Legal 500 EMEA, commonly rank him among the leading M&A lawyers in Belgium. Yvan Desmedt will become the administrative partner for the Amsterdam Office. Mr. Desmedt is currently a partner in the Antitrust & Competition Law Practice at Jones Day’s Brussels Office, focusing on EU and national antitrust as well as EU regulatory matters, and with a strong sectorial focus in TMT. Mr. Desmedt holds his law degree from the VUB in Belgium and New York University, where he was a Fulbright Scholar. He is recognized as a leading regulatory lawyer in various legal guides such as Chambers.
Jones Day’s Managing Partner Steve Brogan commented: “The Netherlands is a leading and internationally important business and legal market with close ties to the United States. The opening of our Amsterdam Office, together with the recent addition of our Düsseldorf Office, is a demonstration of Jones Day’s confidence in and commitment to the future of the European Union, which remains the largest economy in the world.”
Jones Day is also pleased to announce that Ferdinand Mason, formerly a partner at a leading Dutch law firm, is joining Jones Day in its London Office. Mr. Mason graduated from the Vrije University of Amsterdam (Netherlands) and the University of Leuven (Belgium). Mr. Mason headed up the Corporate/M&A and Capital Markets Department at his previous firm, and opened its London office in 2010. His practice primarily encompasses mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, governance, and strategic corporate matters for industrial and private equity clients. Mr. Mason is recognized by Chambers Global (Spotlight table 2012) and has been named Dealmaker of the Week in leading law magazines both in the U.K. and the Netherlands.
Senior associate Bastiaan Kout will also join Jones Day in London.
Says Ferdinand Mason: “I am excited to join Jones Day and to work as part of the Firm’s global M&A Practice. The Firm’s commitment to providing clients with creative solutions to complex global transactions offers a strong foundation on which to develop the Dutch law practice of the Firm. Jones Day’s reputation speaks for itself. I am very pleased to be part of this institution.”
Mary Ellen Powers, Jones Day’s Partner-in-Charge for Europe and the Middle East noted: “Our new presence in the Netherlands will be a welcome addition to our strong European capacity, which now includes 450 lawyers in 10 locations, all operating as part of one firm worldwide. We are delighted to have Ferdinand Mason join us in building our Dutch presence. His strategic vision and demonstrated commitment to client service will play an essential role in the development of our new Amsterdam Office and in the service of Dutch clients worldwide.”
Luc Houben added: “Ferdinand and I have been given a unique opportunity to build a premier international practice in Amsterdam. We look forward to doing that in close cooperation with our other European and worldwide offices.“
